Northwest Progressive Institute
The Northwest Progressive Institute (NPI) is a liberal think tank based in Redmond, Washington, founded in 2003 and incorporated in 2005. It uses technology, public policy research, and political advocacy to advance progressive causes in the Pacific Northwest region (the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho) as well as across the United States. It describes itself as "a netroots powered strategy center working to raise America's quality of life through innovative research and imaginative advocacy." NPI was founded on August 22, 2003, by activist Andrew Villeneuve, who had previously created a site called Permanent Defense in  February 2002 to oppose initiatives sponsored by Tim Eyman and other conservatives. Eyman's political action committee at the time was known as Permanent Offense, which was the inspiration for the name "Permanent Defense". Villeneuve's experience working against Tim Eyman's Initiative 776 convinced him that a larger umbrella organization was needed to foster meaningful public dialogue about the long-term well-being of the Pacific Northwest. This realization led Villeneuve to sketch out a plan for an organization with a broader focus. Since its founding, the organization has launched several online publications, advocated for and against numerous ballot  measures, sponsored events to organize activists, and researched the cost and consequences of cutting funding for public services. NPI formally incorporated as a nonprofit in March 2005. The organization maintains a list of major milestones at its website. Projects. NPI maintains several major projects and publications which are accessible to the public. They are: When Seattleites are feeling, well, blue, they visit PACIFIC NW PORTAL for regional news for progressives. You can also find links to political blogs and newsgroups and drinking buddies for whenever Dubya next chooses to open his mouth. Events and influence. NPI's work is followed  by opinion-makers and elected leaders throughout the region. "Seattle Post-Intelligencer" columnist Joel Connelly has called NPI "the state's best grassroots research outfit" while Washington's State Senate Majority Leader, Lisa Brown, has told the "Spokesman-Review" that NPI's network is one of her favorite online destinations: When I've had too much of mainstream politics, I keep up with my activist roots by listening to Air America, or I go to Pacific NW Portal. I could spend hours there - if I had hours to spare! Brown has also urged constituents to visit the NPI Advocate on  the official website of the Senate Democratic caucus. Each year, NPI holds a spring fundraising gala which brings together the organization's supporters. The speaking program usually consists of elected officials, candidates for office, and well known community leaders. The speaking program for the first event (held in 2008) included Major General Paul Eaton (Ret)., congressional candidate Darcy Burner, and hydroplane legend Chip Hanauer. Speakers at the second event, held in 2010, included VoteVets.org founder Jon Soltz, former Microsoft vice president and congressional candidate Suzan DelBene, State Representative Hans Dunshee and documentary filmmaker John de Graaf. Speakers at the third  event, held in 2011, included well-known Seattle attorney Timothy Ford, King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson, former Seattle City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck, the University of Washington's Scott Macklin, former U.S. Representative Jay Inslee and State Representative Reuven Carlyle. Speakers at the fourth event, held in 2012, included U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, U.S. Representative Adam Smith, and former King County Executive Ron Sims. In August 2012, NPI was accredited to cover the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since late 2002, the organization's perspective has frequently been sought by the regional press, including The Associated Press "The  Seattle Times", "Seattle Post-Intelligencer", "The Spokesman-Review", "The Stranger", KIRO-TV and KIRO (AM), KOMO, "The Olympian", "Washington Law & Politics", and others. NPI's founder Andrew Villeneuve has written a column for Reporter Newspapers since December 2008, as well as guest op-eds for newspapers like the "Seattle Post-Intelligencer" and Everett "Herald". Work on ballot measures. Permanent Defense, which became a project of NPI following NPI's formation in August 2003, has continued to oppose initiatives and referenda sponsored by conservative groups and activists, especially Tim Eyman. Though Permanent Defense's first campaign (NO on I-776) ended in  a loss, it has since put together a string of victories, working alongside businesses, unions, and civic groups in coalitions organized to defeat Eyman's proposals. Permanent Defense has actively opposed the following ballot measures: In 2004, Permanent Defense, Taxpayers for Washington's Future, and TaxSanity.org filed a complaint against Eyman with the state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC), accusing Eyman of violating the public disclosure law and secretly moving funds from one political committee to another without properly reporting the transfers. The PDC took enforcement action in January 2005 as a result of the complaint, ordering Eyman's committees to  pay a fine of several hundred dollars. Permanent Defense celebrated its tenth anniversary on February 13, 2012.