Rep. Ruth Kagi named to board of Washington State Institute of Public Policy

Reps Ruth Kagi and Larry Springer
Photo courtesy House Democrats

Ever wonder how our state knows which programs are saving taxpayers money and which ones are ineffective? How to know whether domestic violence offender treatment works or if smaller class sizes really do make a difference in student performance?

Legislators have all of these important facts at their fingertips thanks to the Washington State Institute of Public Policy (WSIPP).

Last week, Representative Ruth Kagi, D-Shoreline, and Representative Larry Springer, D-Kirkland were appointed to the Washington State Institute of Public Policy’s board of directors.

The board of directors is comprised of members from the Washington state House, Senate, non-partisan committee services and our state’s public universities.

Rep Ruth Kagi, D-Shoreline

WSIPP receives its assignments directly from the State Legislature or the Initiative and Referendum process. Representatives Kagi and Springer will make sure WSIPP’s research stays on point with the work of the legislature. For example, if WSIPP were doing a study on student outcomes, the representatives might ensure it focuses on the achievement gap because that is a problem area the legislature is currently tackling.

Each year WSIPP undertakes huge research projects to aid our legislature in making the smartest decisions possible. Currently they are working to evaluate the effectiveness of our state’s early childhood education system and will broaden the number of policy areas in which they perform cost-benefit analysis.

Rep. Kagi says, "The legislature hears many claims about the effectiveness of various services, with little information to verify. The legislature established WSIPP to conduct studies on programs and issues of concern to the legislature and to analyze existing studies in order to provide an objective analysis of the services we fund. In my years in the legislature, I have requested a WSIPP analysis of early learning programs, child welfare services and drug sentencing to name a few. The cost-benefit analyses provided by WSIPP are relied on when we are developing the budget and considering policy bills. It is a great privilege to sit on the WSIPP board."

Updated 08-12-2013 10:45am