| The Forward Washington Foundation, a non-partisan advocate for small businesses and fiscally-responsible state budgeting, published the final version of its Idea Bank Initiative, a collection of ideas taken straight from the people of Washington. This working document of solutions to the problems facing our state, solicited directly from its constituents, will be an invaluable guide for legislators to use as they create legislation that affects all Washingtonians.
The Foundation, acting as a voice for those in our state who believe that Olympia does not have all the answers, went straight to the people of Washington and held twelve Idea Bank events where those in attendance discussed their ideas to improve our state. Residents also submitted ideas via the Internet at the Idea Bank’s official web site: www.washingtonideabank.com. The document will soon be posted on the web site for all to follow its progress.
Over 500 ideas were submitted, and a committee of academics and state leaders pored over the submissions to determine which ones would be the most beneficial to the future of Washington. Those ideas were then compiled into the attached document, which is being presented to all legislators and other state leaders for their use as the 2008 legislative session gets underway. Foundation President Dan McDonald said “We here at the Foundation hope that the ideas contained in this document will be seriously considered as legislative solutions by our elected leaders, because they truly represent the will of the people.”
As 2008 continues, the Forward Washington Foundation will remain active in the public policy arena and continue to advocate for the goals of its stated mission: Improving the business climate, especially for small and medium-sized businesses; fiscally-responsible state budgeting; accountability in state government and protecting the poor and the vulnerable.
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