![Jason Mercier of the Washington Policy Center has some fun with thoughts for the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session.](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Large_Clark-County-Today-Opinion-Last-minute-policy-gifts.jpg)
Jason Mercier of the Washington Policy Center has some fun with thoughts for the upcoming 2023 legislative session
Jason Mercier
Washington Policy Center
The holidays and the 2023 legislative session are fast approaching. If you’re still looking for last-minute policy presents for friends, family and lawmakers, I have a few recommendations of the hottest buys of the season:
![Jason Mercier](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Clark-County-Today-JASON-MERCIER-300x300.jpg)
- Income tax mystery board game. Do you have what it takes to solve the greatest tax caper of the 21st Century? If yes, you’ll love Washington versus the World – Capital Gains Income Tax Edition. You get to play as a state Supreme Court Justice and weigh the evidence from the IRS, 49 states and other countries in the world against the claims of income tax advocates that want you to decide Washingtonians don’t own their income. Rule wisely.
- Checks and balances action figure. Spring into action with the latest superhero for good governance with emergency powers reform. Help fight the arbitrary rule of one behind closed doors and empower the legislative branch to have a seat at the table during long-lasting emergencies.
- Fiscal discipline plush doll. Cuddle up with a healthy balance sheet by keeping spending in check, maintaining strong reserves, and avoiding tax increases. For extra fun, add on the rarely used accessory of broad-based tax relief.
- Title only bill etch-a-sketch. Enjoy hours of fun while filing in the details of blank bills before public hearings with legislative transparency reforms. Now available in color with a robust remote testimony setting.
- Tax transparency video game. Rated for all ages, this highly sought-after video game provides the player with an open-world concept to explore which taxing districts they live in and what their potential tax liability is. The only way to lose is not to play.
- 1000-piece emergency clause reform puzzle. As you carefully put together the pieces, the mosaic of our constitutional right of referendum will come into clear focus with this beautiful, yet simple, emergency clause reform puzzle.
I personally guarantee that each of these policy gifts will hit the mark and not disappoint. Act now to avoid the look of disappointed faces from your loved ones. Good luck with the policy shopping and happy holidays!
Jason Mercier is the director of the Center for Government Reform at the Washington Policy Center.
Also read:
- Letter: For the public record and the Comprehensive PlanIn a July 12 letter to the Clark County Council, Clark County Citizens United President Susan Rasmussen shares that primary stakeholders were ignored in the Wetland and Habitat Ordinance Conservation Covenant.
- Opinion: Supreme Court gives Vancouver a new tool to use in its homelessness efforts, but will the city use it?Most Vancouver residents do not want homelessness to be criminalized but they do want a response when some in the homeless community commit crimes, and a new ruling by the United States Supreme court is a tool the city could use to help neighborhoods.
- Opinion: Has transit entered the “death spiral?”Transit ridership dropped sharply with the onset of the COVID pandemic in 2020. The slow rebound in the years that followed has prompted discussion, sometimes in hushed tones, as to whether transit had entered a “death spiral.”
- POLL: Should the city of Vancouver do more to protect citizens who have been victims of harassment, or worse, from those living homeless on the streets?Should the city of Vancouver do more to protect citizens who have been victims of harassment, or worse, from those living homeless on the streets?
- Opinion: How bad is freeway speeding?Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl answers a question about the commonplace of freeway speeding in Washington state.