Mission / Vision
To promote free-market solutions through research and education.

To be recognized as the premiere public policy organization in Washington state, providing high quality analysis on issues relating to the free market and government regulation for our state's citizens, policymakers and media.

Washington Policy Center is a nonpartisan, free-market, state-based think tank in Seattle, Washington, that publishes studies, sponsors events and conferences, and educates citizens on public policy issues facing Washington state. Washington Policy Center is a member of the State Policy Network, a nationwide association of free-market think tanks (www.spn.org)


The Center believes that the American ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness best flourish in a free society which liberates the energies of all its members to pursue their own peaceful goals. Ideas, supported by sound research and promoted through publications, conferences and the media, over time, create the environment in which sound public policy decisions are made.

Our board includes a former Speaker of the House, a former Senate Majority Leader and a former House Majority Leader, whose combined experience assures that we continue to be relevant to public policy analysis.

2005 Annual Report
We are proud to present our 2005 Annual Report (.PDF). This document highlights our accomplishments in 2004 and introduces our 2006 research agenda.
(Download Acrobat Reader)

Our Program
The six main research themes that account for about 75% of activity are:

What Others Are Saying About Us
"Absent the leveling of ideas, politics is nothing but an unlovely maelstrom of scrambling interests. Given ideas, it is an elevating and elevated discipline. And institutions like the Washington Policy Center and its research centers make politics not only more intelligent, but more noble."
Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist and Author, George Will

"I'm envious of a state having such an effective and bold organization that helps put great ideas forward... it is something that every public official would welcome that would want good ideas to be brought into the marketplace."
Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee

At our 2002 Annual Dinner Rudy Giuliani noted the importance of high quality research from organizations like Washington Policy Center when he was mayor of New York.

"The Heritage Foundation of the Northwest."
Jack Kemp

"I know my office, and in particular the Legislative Committee on Economic Development, which I chair, have found your research from you Small Business Project very beneficial in developing our priorities to assist small businesses with economic development."
Lieutenant Governor, Brad Owen

"WashingonVotes.org provides an important means for citizens to keep track of legislation. And when they're better informed, we can better serve them--it's a win-win situation for people and their representatives."
Rep. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, (D-Seattle)

"Washington Policy Center is an important player in
state policy making. It has earned respect and gained
influence with decision makers who want to create a
more efficient government and a better state for our
citizens."

"It is very refreshing to see my concerns as a small business owner reflected in your work. [You have] put the interests of small business on the radar."
Rep. Maralyn Chase, (D-Edmonds)

"There is no way that even the smartest or best intentioned public officer can amass enough personal expertise to make wise decisions about all of the issues that come before us. [It is] difficult to be an independent voice that can speak on the authority of well-researched, unbiased knowledge and that is what the Washington Policy Center does so well and I want to thank them for that vital service."
Former Georgian Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller

Effectiveness in 2005
•Published 10 Policy Brief, 15 Policy Notes and 7 Legislative Memos.
•Appeared in media:
print: 289 times, in 35 papers across the state.
radio: 76
TV: 27
• Testified 9 times before the legislature during the 2004 legislative session.

Contact Us
• e-mail: wpc@washingtonpolicy.org
• phone: 888-WPC-9272
• fax: 888-943-9797
• mail: PO Box 3643, Seattle, WA 98124-3643

For questions and information on how you can support Washington Policy Center, contact:

Carl Gipson, Director, Center for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
cgipson@washingtonpolicy.org

For questions regarding Washington Policy Center development or fundraising, contact:

Katie Bering, Development Director
kbering@washingtonpolicy.org

Braden Goodwin, Office and Project Manager
bgoodwin@washingtonpolicy.org