Washington in Focus

Washington's 9.9% income tax faces a major repeal vote as supporters and opponents clash over Initiative 645. Meanwhile, Washington Supreme Court candidates answer questions about voter initiatives, and 13 mayors urge Gov. Bob Ferguson to rethink the state's approach to fentanyl addiction. WASHINGTON INCOME TAX / INITIATIVE 645 At the Bellevue Chamber's Eastside Leadership Conference, Sen. Manka Dhingra, Dr. Soleil Boyd, House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary and Let's Go Washington founder Brian Heywood debated Washington's millionaire's tax. Supporters argued it would make the tax system fairer, while opponents criticized state spending and warned about possible future tax expansion. Voters decide I-645 on November 3. WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT DEBATE Judges Sean O'Donnell and Ian Birk faced questions about Washington's Supreme Court overturning voter-approved Initiative 2066, the natural gas measure. Both discussed the importance of protecting the initiative process while declining to directly criticize the ruling. 13 MAYORS PRESS FERGUSON ON FENTANYL At a Kent forum organized by Battlefield Addiction, 13 mayors called for changes to Washington's drug policies. Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and Normandy Park Mayor Eric Zimmerman discussed addiction, treatment and accountability. Representatives from Ferguson's office attended, and an advocate reported encouraging conversations afterward. Follow The Center Square for Washington elections, income tax news, public safety and government accountability reporting. Get Washington news by text: Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersquarewa Msg & data rates may apply. #WashingtonIncomeTax #Initiative645 #I645 #MillionairesTax #WashingtonSupremeCourt #Initiative2066 #WashingtonElection #BobFerguson #FentanylCrisis #WashingtonDrugPolicy #PublicSafety #WashingtonState #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vice President JD Vance is targeting Microsoft over alleged H-1B visa abuse and American worker layoffs, announcing a suspension of the company's PERM labor-certification processing amid a federal investigation. Microsoft is pushing back against the administration's claims. JD VANCE TARGETS MICROSOFT OVER H-1B VISAS Vance accused Microsoft of laying off thousands of American workers while relying on foreign employees through the H-1B visa system. Microsoft responded that approximately 80% of its recent H-1B filings involved existing employees, not new hires, and disputed the administration's characterization of its hiring practices. WASHINGTON CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE HEATS UP Democratic Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican challenger John Braun faced off in a debate for Washington's 3rd Congressional District. The candidates clashed over the Iran war, rising gas prices, affordability and federal policy, while also addressing Washington's income tax and the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program ahead of the November 3 election. WASHINGTON'S $537 MILLION LAWSUIT PAYOUTS Washington state paid approximately $537 million in lawsuit verdicts and payouts during the last fiscal year. As a tort reform advisory committee finalizes recommendations, critics argue the process has overlooked survivors and focused too heavily on limiting payouts rather than preventing abuse and neglect of vulnerable people under state supervision. Follow The Center Square for Washington state news, Microsoft and technology industry developments, elections, taxpayer accountability and government investigations. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersquarewa Msg & data rates may apply. #Microsoft #JDVance #H1BVisa #AmericanJobs #TrumpAdministration #MarieGluesenkampPerez #JohnBraun #WA03 #WashingtonElection #TortReform #TaxpayerAccountability #WashingtonState #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is still deciding whether to join a new federal education tax credit program that supporters estimate could bring more than $700 million annually to Washington students. Meanwhile, Washington's 9.9% income tax faces new questions, and the Tacoma Urban League confirms its CEO has been terminated following months of scrutiny. FEDERAL EDUCATION TAX CREDIT Former Obama Education Secretary Arne Duncan is urging Gov. Bob Ferguson to opt into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. The program offers taxpayers up to $1,700 in federal tax credits for qualifying scholarship donations. With new Treasury guidance released, Ferguson's office says it is reviewing the rules before making a decision. WASHINGTON'S 9.9% INCOME TAX Washington's new millionaire's tax is raising concerns over compliance, potential loopholes and implementation. Lawmakers and tax experts are examining how the 9.9% tax on income exceeding $1 million will work. Meanwhile, voters will decide Initiative 645 on November 3, which would repeal the income tax before it takes effect. TACOMA URBAN LEAGUE CEO TERMINATED The Center Square has confirmed that Tacoma Urban League CEO Desiree Wilkins Finch has been terminated after nearly a year on paid administrative leave. Her departure follows months of scrutiny involving allegations of potential self-dealing with taxpayer-funded Community Reinvestment Program grants. Whistleblower Cory Orvold discusses the allegations and her push for greater oversight. The organization has not disclosed the reason for the termination. Follow The Center Square for Washington state news, government accountability, taxes, education and investigative reporting. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersquarewa Msg & data rates may apply. #BobFerguson #EducationTaxCredit #SchoolChoice #WashingtonEducation #ArneDuncan #WashingtonIncomeTax #MillionairesTax #I645 #TacomaUrbanLeague #DesireeWilkinsFinch #Whistleblower #TaxpayerAccountability #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Washington high-school wrestler is asking the U.S. Supreme Court for emergency relief in a major girls sports and Title IX case, while Seattle business leaders are sounding the alarm over the city's growing tax burden and the Freedom Foundation is suing New York over a new union-related communications law. Washington wrestler Kallie Keeler and her mother have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in their ongoing legal fight involving Washington's rules for girls high-school sports. Attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom filed an emergency application seeking relief before the upcoming wrestling season. Keeler alleges she was sexually assaulted during a December 2025 wrestling match against a transgender athlete. Prosecutors declined to file charges against the opposing athlete. Keeler and her attorneys are now asking for protections that would allow her to participate in girls wrestling without being required to compete against male athletes, while also raising Title IX and parental-notification claims. Attorney Hal Frampton says Keeler already lost an entire wrestling season during the dispute and argues expedited relief is necessary because high-school athletic careers are limited. Also in today's Washington In Focus Daily, Seattle business leaders are raising new concerns about the city's tax structure. A new analysis commissioned by the Downtown Seattle Association and Seattle Metro Chamber found Seattle tax collections increased 172% between 2013 and 2025, substantially outpacing growth in population and employment. Businesses are estimated to account for roughly 68% of Seattle city tax collections in 2026, or approximately $1.65 billion. Seattle's overall tax collections have grown from roughly $900 million in 2013 to a projected $2.8 billion in 2026. Downtown Seattle Association President and CEO Jon Scholes says Seattle's tax system has become increasingly reliant on a relatively small number of companies and argues the city must become more competitive with neighboring communities for jobs and investment. The tax analysis comes amid continued concerns over Seattle employment losses and businesses relocating jobs elsewhere in the region. The Freedom Foundation is also suing the state of New York over a newly enacted law governing communications that purport to come from or be authorized by labor organizations. The Freedom Foundation argues the law violates the First Amendment and could interfere with its efforts to inform public employees of their rights regarding union membership and dues following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision. New York describes the legislation as a protection against fraudulent or deceptive communications involving labor organizations. The Freedom Foundation argues its communications are clearly identified and that the law could chill constitutionally protected speech. The organization is seeking a preliminary injunction in federal court. Finally, new polling released by Let's Go Washington shows support for two initiatives appearing on Washington's November 3 ballot. According to the sponsor's adjusted polling results presented by Let's Go Washington, Initiative 001 has 51% support with 32% undecided, while Initiative 638 has 56% support, 24% opposition and 22% undecided. I-638 concerns participation in girls K-12 sports, while I-001 concerns Washington's parental-rights policies. Today's Washington In Focus Daily examines the U.S. Supreme Court, Kallie Keeler, girls sports, Title IX, Initiative 638, Seattle business taxes, Seattle job losses, the Freedom Foundation, New York union law, public employee union rights, Initiative 001 and the November 2026 Washington election. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Washington state government, Seattle's economy, taxes, elections, education policy, the courts and public-sector unions. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersquarewa Msg & data rates may apply. #WashingtonState #Seattle #SeattleTaxes #KallieKeeler #SupremeCourt #SCOTUS #TitleIX #GirlsSports #FreedomFoundation #Initiative638 #I638 #Initiative001 #WashingtonElection #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is taking aim at the oil and gas industry as the U.S. Supreme Court hears a major climate-change case that could affect lawsuits against fossil-fuel companies across the country. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, a case involving ExxonMobil, Suncor Energy and local governments in Colorado seeking damages for alleged climate-change impacts. At issue is whether federal law prevents state-law claims against fossil-fuel companies for alleged harms tied to greenhouse-gas emissions and climate change. Similar climate lawsuits have been filed around the country, making the Supreme Court's eventual decision potentially significant for states, cities, counties and the energy industry. Former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee appeared outside the U.S. Supreme Court as arguments began. Inslee accused the oil and gas industry of decades of deception about climate change, calling it the “biggest lie in American history,” and argued that local governments should have access to the courts to pursue their claims. ExxonMobil and Suncor dispute the allegations and argue that state and local governments cannot use state law to address what they describe as a global emissions issue governed by federal law. Also in today's Washington In Focus Daily, the debate over Initiative 638 is intensifying ahead of Washington's November 3 election. I-638 concerns participation in K-12 athletics and would require policies prohibiting students the initiative defines as biologically male from competing against female students in certain girls-only athletic competitions. The initiative would also require students seeking to participate in those competitions to provide a signed statement from a health-care provider verifying biological sex. Supporters of I-638 gathered in Vancouver, Washington, over the weekend for a rally featuring female athletes and former U.S. national gymnastics champion Jennifer Sey. Supporters argue the initiative is necessary to protect fairness and opportunities in girls sports. Opponents argue the proposal discriminates against transgender students and have raised concerns about its medical verification requirements. Washington voters will decide I-638 in the November 3 general election. Finally, Washington sheriffs and other challengers have won a major court ruling against Senate Bill 5974. Thurston County Superior Court Judge Christine Schaller ruled key provisions of Washington's new sheriff standards law unconstitutional. The law established new eligibility and enforcement requirements affecting candidates for county sheriff and elected sheriffs. Challengers argued the legislation went beyond the Washington Legislature's constitutional authority and improperly threatened elected officials' speech, associations and ability to remain in office. Kitsap County sheriff candidate Rick Kuss called the decision a “huge victory” and argued that voters should have the right to choose their sheriff. The Washington Attorney General's Office plans to appeal the ruling, meaning the legal battle over Senate Bill 5974 is not over. Today's Washington In Focus Daily examines Jay Inslee, the U.S. Supreme Court, ExxonMobil, Suncor Energy, climate-change lawsuits, Initiative 638, Washington girls sports, transgender athletes, Senate Bill 5974, Washington sheriffs, free speech and state government. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Washington state government, the courts, elections, public safety, energy policy and the November 2026 election. #JayInslee #SupremeCourt #ExxonMobil #BigOil #ClimateChange #WashingtonState #Initiative638 #GirlsSports #WashingtonElection #Sheriffs #FreeSpeech #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.