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Washington Times covers the launch of the D.C. Policy Center

March 16, 2017
  • D.C. Policy Center

On March 16th, 2017, the Washington Times published an article on the launch of the D.C. Policy Center:

The D.C. Policy Center was launched last week under the direction of economist Yesim Sayin Taylor. Former Mayor Anthony Williams and other former members of the D.C. Tax Revision Commission founded the think tank at the Federal City Council, the nonprofit that promotes economic development in the District.

“There wasn’t a whole lot of good research on the District’s economy in the region, especially the effect of rising taxes on businesses,” Ms. Taylor said. “So Tony Williams was interested in increasing research capacity in the city.”

The D.C. Policy Center, she said, will aim to produce research on a wide variety of policy issues, but always with a focus on how those policies affect the city’s economy. Ms. Taylor stressed that the group would conduct its research free from outside influence and partisan priorities.

“The best metrics for the city is growth in the sense of the more residents and jobs we add, the better,” she said. “We look at every proposal through that lens.”

Ms. Taylor came to the head the think tank after 10 years of work in the D.C. Office of the Chief Financial Officer. As the office’s director of fiscal and legislative analysis, she scored some of the city’s most costly legislation, including last year’s paid family leave bill.

She has spent 10 years getting to know D.C. well and telling the truth to [lawmakers] and mayors about what things will cost,” said Ed Lazere, executive director of the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute. “She stood up for what was right and took the slings and arrows.”

Mr. Lazere said he welcomes another economic policy shop in the District. In a city full of national think tanks, the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute has long been the only local-focused analysis provider in town.

Having more research from different points of view, especially during public hearings before the D.C. Council, can only strengthen the debate, Mr. Lazere said.

You can read the full piece here.

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D.C. Policy Center


Established in 2016, the D.C. Policy Center is a non-partisan research and policy organization committed to advancing policies for a strong and vibrant economy in the District of Columbia. Through rigorous research and collaboration, the D.C. Policy Center develops and tests policy ideas, disseminates its findings, and engages in constructive dialogue and debate.

For more information, please see our About page.