Testimony from Marilyn Watkins, Ph.D, Policy Director, EOI
For HB 5659, to the House Commerce and Labor Committee
Washington’s Good Economic News
- Jobs grew rapidly in 2005 and 2006
- Jobs grew in most sectors
- Jobs grew in most regions of the state
- Washington’s job growth rate (3.2% Nov. ‘05-Nov. ‘06) is well above the national average (1.1%)
- Washington’s lowest wage workers kept pace with inflation through the recession
- Nationally, productivity grew 3.1% annually 2000-2005
Washington’s Bad Economic News
- Recovery from recession is not complete –134,000 jobs short of level needed to match population growth
- Productivity growth has not gone to wages for the majority of workers
- Men earn less than in late 1990s
- Women’s earnings have just kept pace with inflation, and remain much lower
More To Read
January 17, 2025
A look into the Department of Revenue’s Wealth Tax Study
A wealth tax can be reasonably and effectively implemented in Washington state
January 13, 2025
Meeting the Moment: EOI’s 2025 Legislative Agenda
This session, lawmakers must pass multiple progressive revenue solutions to fund the programs and services that help make Washington communities affordable
January 6, 2025
Initiative Measure 1 offers proven policies to fix Burien’s flawed minimum wage law
The city's current minimum wage ordinance gives with one hand while taking back with the other — but Initiative Measure 1 would fix that