The Progressive Party Economic Principles

Buy Local (with thanks to the Black Dollar Days Task Force)

In your neighborhood Buy from stores that are independent, locally owned, and give back to your community. Creates jobs in your neighborhood. In your area

When in other neighborhoods, buy from community-based stores in those neighborhoods. Creates jobs in your city or town.

In the Puget Sound Seek out products that originate in our area. Help create a regional economy.

In the Pacific Northwest "Cascadia" Buy from Northwest companies whenever possible. Insist that stores carry such products.

Around the World: Fair Trade Buy Fair Trade products that we can't produce locally - like coffee or chocolate. Fair Trade provides a living income to poor and working class people in other countries.

The Black Dollar Days Task Force has great signs you can put in the window of your locally owned business.

Focus on alternate fuels and energy. This helps us create our own energy, and keeps us independent of foreign oil. And that keeps us removed from things that so often lead to war. You can help if you plan to buy a new car or truck. Get a diesel car, and use biodiesel in it.

In Seattle, Try Dr. Dan’s Alternative Fuelwerks. In Olympia, one of the co-ops has access to biodiesel fuel. Check it out.

Write or call your state legislature and ask them to take the tax off biodiesel fuel and fuel alcohol until popularity makes the price go down. Ask them to switch state owned fleets to biodiesel. Encourage solar energy--including the manufacturing of solar panels. Support gobar gas projects.

Encourage small farms, small businesses. Join U-Pick cooperatives sponsored by small and family owned farms. Buy from their roadside stands. Write the state legislature and ask them to lower the B&O tax by taxing profits, not money in. Allow for a "Green Belt" Tax exemption for working farms over 5 acres.

This state has the most regressive tax system in the USA. We really need Tax Reform Put pressure on the state legislature to take tax breaks away from companies that outsource jobs. Encourage them to close tax break loopholes that corporations use to get $54.7 Billion in tax breaks bi-annually. Return the money to creating jobs in Washington, education and healthcare. Pass a 1% income tax for those earning over $100,000 yearly. Place heavy taxes on extraction and polluting industries (includes logging) Call your County Council and ask them to create Special Improvements taxes, so all taxpayers do not have to pay for special improvements demanded by developers in new developments.

Focus on Job Training and Creation in Washington Cooperate with state higher education institutions and unions in training for jobs. Help unemployed get good jobs. Stop funding companies that outsource jobs. Give Tax breaks for companies that will create jobs in Washington.