Readers of the upcoming issue of Viewpoint, WPC's magazine, will soon find the latest issue in their mailboxes featuring a Q&A with Paul Guppy, WPC's Vice President for Research-- at least he holds that title for the next ten and a half hours or so.  Paul is stepping down as the head of WPC's research department and taking the title of Senior Researcher. Why he's doing this and what he plans to do next are answered below....

Why did you decide you wanted to transition from Vice President for Research to Senior Researcher?

After 26 years as Vice President, it seemed like a good time to return to more writing and less managing. I started at WPC as a researcher, primarily on tax and budget issues, and since then we have built a great team driven by intellectual curiosity, professionalism, and independent thinking. But the growth meant I spent more and more time overseeing other people’s projects and less on my own. WPC has grown in size and influence by over 600%, due to the amazing support of our board and members, to become one of the most prominent state think tanks in the country. Moving to the Senior Researcher position will allow me to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on research, analysis and commentary. In other words, I will be more directly advancing WPC’s mission to promote cutting-edge ideas that benefit everyone living in Washington.

What kinds of issues do you expect to be working on next for WPC?

Like the conductor who claimed he could play every instrument in the orchestra, I sometimes feel like I could be an expert on every issue covered by WPC’s seven research Centers. I can’t of course, but I will focus on what have always been core areas for WPC – budget reform, reducing the tax burden, cutting harmful regulations, and pushing public officials to work smarter instead of simply throwing more of other people’s money at every problem. In addition, some new opportunities have opened up for us. We have always defended First Amendment freedoms, but as the Left abandons common values like viewpoint diversity and respect for others we have become a primary champion of these enduring American principles. For example, recently there were bills in Olympia to make it illegal to criticize the outcome of an election, and one barring the name of the Republican presidential candidate from appearing on our state’s ballot. Our work helped defeat bills like that and thus protected our democratic rights as citizens. Defending freedom of expression and fighting cancel culture will continue to be a top priority for us.

Who will be taking your place as Vice President for Research and what is the most essential advice you have for him?

Our current Environmental Director Todd Myers is moving up to the V.P. position. Todd is experienced, well-respected and knows the issues. He is more than qualified and will bring an exciting new energy to our work. My top advice is don’t be as much of a nosey, kibitzing, interfering, second-guessing, micro-manager as I was.

What are you most proud of when it comes to your tenure as WPC’s Vice President for Research?

Professionally I’m most proud of helping build WPC into one of the largest and most respected freedom-oriented think tanks in the country. Standing up to the narrowmindedness of the radical Left, so their harmful ideas are not imposed on everyone, is well worth the effort. For example, without our research and media work Washington would almost certainly have a state income tax by now. We would have less educational choice for families, fewer job opportunities for young people, and the property tax burden would be much, much higher. Lastly, I’m proud of the daily courage our staff, board and supporters show in the face of what can be very nasty and personal tactics used by the other side. Our opponents often resort to insults and bullying, but we have found that once they see that WPC is not intimidated by name-calling, and that we respond with fact-based arguments and practical, positive ideas, they tend to back off or go strangely silent. Fighting ideological bias and informing good policy decisions that serve the public interest is our greatest accomplishment.