What’s at stake over a once obscure economic measure – the labor force participation rate? The quick answer: A lot for the current and future economy of the greater Tri-Cities.Machines and robots are replacing labor in some occupations. But growth of an economy still largely depends on the growth of...

For decades, Washington has reaped the benefits of forward-thinking leaders who constructed a series of hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The low-cost, carbon-free renewable electricity generated by the dams supported thousands of jobs, and the irrigation made possible by the dams turned Eastern Washington’s soil into fertile...

If you live in Spokane, you know about its waste-to-energy facility which burns up to 800 tons of solid waste a day and can generate 22 megawatts of electricity. That is enough to power 13,000 homes.It is part of Spokane’s overall system that encourages recycling and waste reduction along with...

Will my taxes go up or down in retirement?Sneaky sneaky, asking such a loaded question, when everyone knows the answer is, “it depends.” But it’s a very interesting question to ponder, so let’s take a look at some key issues that could impact the answer.The answer centers on one thing:...

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”Taxes come in a wide variety of flavors – income taxes, property taxes, sales taxes and gift taxes.But, perhaps one of the most misunderstood taxes is colloquially called the “death tax” –...

The pandemic threw the greater Tri-Cities a series of curve balls. Consider known deaths in 2020 due to Covid-19: 217 residents. As Benton-Franklin Trends data shows, this amounted to 9.4% of all deaths in the two counties that year. The rate, unfortunately, was nearly twice as high as that of...

If you have watched the news lately, you may have noticed that saving and paying for college tuition is a stressful part of the American experience.Since the jury is still out on whether leveraging the public debt to pay for private fragility (2008 banks, auto companies, airlines, and student loans)...

Using a beach analogy, when it comes to change that you aren’t leading, are you more like:Putting your toe in the water and scurrying away if it’s uncomfortable?Wading in, slow to adapt, watchful?Swimming in it, rolling with the current, making it happen?A deep-diver, all-in?Often the reality of change for many...

Here in Washington and across the country, millions of seniors will get relief from a new law that will help reduce drug prices.After years of calling on Congress to make prescription drugs more affordable, AARP won the fight for Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.The new law, passed by Congress...

Is the U.S. economy headed into a recession? Has inflation peaked? When will the labor market ease?While economists debate questions like these, it’s helpful to hear from employers on the ground, the men and women who own and operate businesses throughout Washington state. That’s why AWB staff spent the summer...