Washington is getting more expensive. It doesn't have to be this way Kris Johnson

Whether you look at the price of gasoline, groceries or housing, it’s easy to see how costs are going up across Washington.

It’s harder sometimes to understand why.

While national trends and policies play a role, Washington still stands among the costliest states in America for families and employers alike. Fuel costs $1.25 more per gallon here than the national average (according to AAA), and our state is the fifth-least affordable state to buy a home (according to Realtor.com). And the state remains an expensive state for business, ranking near the bottom in the nation (39th) for the cost of business and 42nd for business friendliness, according to CNBC.

Our lawmakers and agencies make decisions every year that add burdens to families and employers. Sometimes those costs take time