Cover of Washington in Focus

Washington in Focus

Washington in Focus

By: The Center Square
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The podcast bringing you the most important stories out of Washington from TheCenterSquare.com. Join us as we dive into the top headlines and provide insightful commentary and analysis.The Center Square Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Report: Income Tax Could Lead To Job Loss, Capital Flight + Dave Larson Challenges PAC Attack Ads

    Report: Income Tax Could Lead To Job Loss, Capital Flight + Dave Larson Challenges PAC Attack Ads
    20 Oct 2026

    Washington's new 9.9% income tax could cost thousands of jobs and billions in economic growth, according to a report highlighted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Meanwhile, union-backed attack mailers targeting Washington Supreme Court candidates are drawing criticism, and a major girls' sports rally is planned in Camas.

    In today's Washington In Focus Daily, The Center Square covers three major stories ahead of Washington's November 3, 2026 election.

    WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT ELECTION: Judge Dave Larson responds to attack mailers from a political action committee supported by SEIU 775 and the Washington Education Association. Larson challenges the political attacks targeting five judicial candidates, while Future 42 disputes allegations about its involvement in the races.

    WASHINGTON INCOME TAX REPEAL: NFIB Washington Director Patrick Connor warns that the state's new income tax could hurt small businesses, reduce job growth and discourage investment. Economic projections suggest up to $8.3 billion in reduced annual economic output by 2036. Supporters of the tax warn that Initiative 645 could jeopardize education, healthcare and childcare funding.

    CAMAS GIRLS' SPORTS RALLY: Tumwater student athlete Francis Scott speaks exclusively with The Center Square about the Camas High School cross-country protest and an upcoming rally supporting the runners. The controversy comes as Washington voters prepare to decide girls' sports Initiative 638.

    WASHINGTON ELECTION INFORMATION

    Washington's general election is November 3, 2026. Voters will decide statewide initiatives, legislative races and five Supreme Court positions.

    GET WASHINGTON NEWS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE

    Keeping up with Washington state news shouldn't feel like a second job.

    The Center Square sends important Washington government and policy updates approximately twice a week, explaining what happened, why it matters and what it could mean for you.

    Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or use the link in the description.

    Subscribe to Washington In Focus Daily for reporting on Washington politics, government transparency, elections, taxpayer accountability, business and public policy.

    #WashingtonNews #WashingtonIncomeTax #Initiative645 #WashingtonSupremeCourt #CamasHighSchool


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    22 min
  • Supreme Court Candidates Debate Income Tax & Judicial Bias + School District Religious Freedom Fight

    Supreme Court Candidates Debate Income Tax & Judicial Bias + School District Religious Freedom Fight
    19 Oct 2026
    Washington's girls' sports debate is intensifying after several Camas High School cross-country runners declined to compete in a race involving a transgender athlete. Superintendent Chris Reykdal is responding as voters prepare to decide a statewide girls' sports initiative. Meanwhile, Everett Public Schools has agreed to a $275,000 settlement and issued an apology following a religious freedom lawsuit involving LifeWise Academy. And Washington Supreme Court candidates Theo Angelis and Dave Larson are debating judicial independence, political contributions and Gov. Bob Ferguson's appointment process. In this October 19, 2026 edition of Washington In Focus Daily, The Center Square examines three major Washington stories involving education, elections, religious freedom and government accountability. STORY 1 — WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT ELECTION AND JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE Washington Supreme Court Position 5 candidates Justice Theo Angelis and Judge Dave Larson discuss judicial impartiality and the state's process for appointing judges. Angelis, who was appointed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, faces questions about previous campaign contributions and professional relationships involving Ferguson and state Sen. Jamie Pedersen. Pedersen sponsored Washington's income tax legislation, which raises questions about how the justice would approach a potential legal challenge to the tax. Angelis explains how he identifies potential personal biases when considering cases and why judicial independence is essential. Larson questions whether Washington's judicial appointment process creates an appearance of political bias and argues for a merit-based selection system. The debate comes as Washington voters prepare to elect five of the nine justices on the state's Supreme Court. The episode also briefly discusses a ballot printing error affecting more than 550,000 Snohomish County ballots. STORY 2 — CAMAS HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' SPORTS CONTROVERSY Several Camas High School female cross-country runners declined to compete in a race involving a transgender girl who had previously competed in boys' races. The decision attracted widespread attention as Washington voters prepare to decide Initiative 638, a ballot measure concerning eligibility for girls' school sports. Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal responds to the controversy in an interview with KIRO Radio. Reykdal says students have a right to express disagreement while defending policies intended to include transgender athletes in school sports. Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Kate Anderson offers a different perspective, arguing that transgender participation in girls' athletics can affect competitive opportunities, recognition and college scholarships. The Center Square also discusses a separate ongoing lawsuit involving a Puyallup student wrestler who is seeking an accommodation when competing against transgender athletes. The case includes allegations of inappropriate physical contact during a wrestling match. Those allegations remain part of ongoing litigation. The broader debate centers on fairness, inclusion, Title IX, student rights and Washington's upcoming girls' sports vote. STORY 3 — EVERETT SCHOOL DISTRICT AGREES TO $275,000 RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SETTLEMENT Everett Public Schools has agreed to pay $275,000 and issue an apology following litigation involving LifeWise Academy, an organization offering off-campus religious instruction. The dispute involved district policies affecting students who left school for voluntary religious education with parental permission. The lawsuit also raised concerns about restrictions on students bringing LifeWise materials back to school. Everett School Board member Charles Adkins previously made critical comments about LifeWise Academy during a public meeting. First Liberty attorney Holly Randall discusses the settlement and the district's published apology. According to First Liberty, the $275,000 settlement will be paid from the school district's general fund. The case raises questions about religious freedom, students' First Amendment rights, school district liability and taxpayer-funded legal settlements. GET WASHINGTON NEWS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE Keeping up with Washington state news shouldn't feel like a second job. The Center Square sends important Washington government and policy updates approximately twice a week, explaining what happened, why it matters and what it could mean for you. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or use the link in the description. Subscribe to Washington In Focus Daily for reporting on Washington elections, education, public policy, government accountability, religious freedom and taxpayer spending. #WashingtonNews #CamasHighSchool #GirlsSports #ChrisReykdal #EverettSchools #ReligiousFreedom #WashingtonSupremeCourt #WashingtonElections #TheCenterSquare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data ...
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    25 min
  • Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's $9 Billion Budget + WA Income Tax Voting Records Vanish From State Site

    Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's $9 Billion Budget + WA Income Tax Voting Records Vanish From State Site
    16 Oct 2026

    Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's proposed $9.1 billion budget is drawing questions over government spending, future deficits and police funding. Meanwhile, Washington's historical income tax voting records disappeared from a state website before being restored ahead of a major income tax repeal vote. And Washington Supreme Court candidates debate the court's decision to strike down a voter-approved natural gas initiative.

    In the October 16, 2026 edition of Washington In Focus Daily, The Center Square examines Seattle's financial outlook, Washington's income tax history and the upcoming state Supreme Court elections.

    STORY 1 — SEATTLE'S $9.1 BILLION BUDGET

    Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is proposing a $9.1 billion budget for 2027 as the city works to address continuing financial shortfalls.

    The proposal avoids major new taxes but includes higher overall spending and some fee increases. It also eliminates mostly vacant positions, shifts expenses between funds and uses available balances to help close budget gaps.

    Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss praises the proposed investments in housing, while another councilmember voices support for Seattle Center funding and potential public-private partnerships.

    Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce CEO Joe Wynne argues that the city must examine spending priorities and create a stronger environment for business growth to avoid recurring budget deficits.

    Public safety is another major concern.

    Seattle Police Guild President Ken Liu questions how much of the proposed police funding increase would actually support additional officers, noting that much of the spending growth reflects previously negotiated labor obligations.

    The Seattle City Council will now review the proposed budget.

    STORY 2 — WASHINGTON INCOME TAX VOTING HISTORY DISAPPEARS

    As Washington voters prepare to decide whether to repeal the state's new 9.9% income tax on income above $1 million, a state government web page documenting Washington's income tax voting history temporarily disappeared.

    Jason Mercier of the Mountain States Policy Center compiled historical election results nearly a decade ago and worked with the Washington Secretary of State's office to make them publicly available.

    The records document six rejected constitutional amendments and four additional ballot measures involving income taxes.

    Mercier discovered the page was missing as he prepared to discuss Washington's income tax history ahead of the November election.

    The Secretary of State's office said the page was removed during a project to retire obsolete web servers.

    After questions were raised, the historical records were restored on a new state web page.

    Mercier welcomed the restoration and emphasized the importance of voters having access to Washington's income tax history.

    Washington voters will decide on November 3 whether to repeal or retain the state's new income tax.

    STORY 3 — WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT ELECTION AND NATURAL GAS RULING

    Washington Supreme Court candidates Deborah Stephens and Todd Bloom discuss the court's decision to strike down a voter-approved natural gas ballot initiative.

    The initiative sought to protect natural gas as an energy choice in Washington.

    Stephens explains the court's reasoning involving constitutional procedural requirements and the single-subject rule.

    Bloom questions whether portions of the measure could have been preserved and discusses concerns about how the decision affects public confidence in the initiative process.

    The exchange highlights the legal and political questions surrounding Washington's Supreme Court elections and the relationship between voter-approved laws and constitutional restrictions.

    GET WASHINGTON NEWS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE

    Keeping up with Washington state news shouldn't feel like a second job.

    The Center Square sends important Washington government and policy updates approximately twice a week, explaining what happened, why it matters and what it could mean for you.

    Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or use the link in the description.

    Subscribe to Washington In Focus Daily for reporting on Washington politics, Seattle government, taxes, public safety, elections, business and taxpayer accountability.

    #SeattleBudget #KatieWilson #WashingtonIncomeTax #SeattlePolitics #WashingtonNews #WashingtonSupremeCourt #TaxpayerAccountability #WashingtonElections


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    17 min
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