About the Author
Click here to read the full Policy Note, How state officials can help families and businesses recover when the economy opens up
Click here to view the condensed infographic for this Policy Note
Key Findings
1. State officials need to provide clear guidance immediately so that when business owners are allowed to re-open they can do so quickly.
2. The criteria used for social distancing and safety requirements should be applied consistently across business sectors, without the state picking favorites.
3. Economic regulations and mandates should be reduced so business owners can focus on job creation and growth.
4. State and local officials should defer, reduce and cut property taxes for all or part of the year to allow families to recover.
5. State and local officials should defer, reduce or cut B&O taxes for part of the year to help jobs come back faster.
6. Providing tax relief now will reduce the time for businesses to recover and provide the long-term tax base needed to support public programs.
Introduction
It’s difficult to think past the current situation of statewide quarantine we are facing with COVID-19, but the end of the lockdown and a return to normality, whatever that might look like, will eventually happen when Governor Inslee begins to lift restrictions. It is critical to start thinking about steps that should be taken once the economy begins to open again. Over the last month, Washington Policy Center has published several policy recommendations and analysis highlighting key areas officials should focus on during the crisis. As public leaders begin the process of planning, WPC recommends that the following policies be included to allow people to return to work while maintaining public health standards.