Get all the latest news and unbiased information from this year’s special session.  Can our legislators figure out the budget deficit?  Are we destined to return to this same problem every few months?

We are highlighting the facts about each 2011 ballot measure every day this week. Before you cast your vote, make sure you get the facts about I-1183.

It can be tricky to make the right decision when it comes to voting on an initiative. More often than not you don’t have enough information to make a confident choice either way. But now you can get the unbiased facts about the 2011 Washington initiatives by reading our Initiative Guide!

Get all the latest budget news, analysis and happenings here. The development of this year’s budget is bound to be a fight, and the Freedom Foundation stands squarely in the taxpayer’s corner. We get dirty so you don’t have to.

The Freedom Foundation presents its Top 10 Ideas to Cut Waste, Balance the Budget and Stimulate the Economy Without Raising Taxes

For each day of the 2011 legislative session, we will be introducing one idea to help lawmakers balance the budget, cut government waste and stimulate the economy. You can read more by clicking on the link after each day’s recommendation. Contact Amber Gunn or Eric Lohnes with questions.  

Which legislators want to spend more of your money? Check out our list of those who are proposing new or increased taxes and fees and see exactly how much more they are willing to take from your wallet over the next ten years. Sheesh. Do you think they’re living in the same economic reality we are? This year we have broken the Big Spender list into individual tax and fee lists, rather than combining them. We hope this added layer of information is helpful for citizens.

EFF is a strong advocate of open and accountable government. Transparency in government spending and decision-making serves as a powerful deterrent against corruption and decreases the cynicism people have about their government. As part of our Transparency in Government Project, we will work with state and local leaders to shine more light on the spending practices of state and local governments, higher education, property taxes and K-12 education.

Founder, Bob William’s blog that covers each state’s budget shortfall.

Do your lawmakers represent your best interests?

Do you feel confident that you know how your legislators voted on key issues in the 2010 Legislative Session?

Why do we always hear WSF tell taxpayers and fare-paying passengers that they need more money, but we never hear them tell us what they’re doing to cut costs and improve service for ferry riders?

The Evergreen Freedom Foundation’s Washington State Budget Spend-O-Meter project reflects the budgeted general fund spending of the Washington state government for the current biennium (July 1, 2005-June 30, 2007), based on a budget of $25.95 billion, or $411 per second, as accepted by Washington state legislature during the 59th legislative session and enacted by Gov. Christine Gregoire. The Spend-O-Meter calculates the amount spent since 12:00am on July 1, 2005.