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  Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson pitches $410 million library levy

  Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and the head of The Seattle Public Library system are laying out their vision for a new $410 million library levy that’s expected to appear on the ballot this August.

  • Noel Gasca
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  WA Democrats forge ahead with budget plans despite Republican opposition

  Time is winding down for this year's legislative session. Lawmakers in the State House and Senate are now looking to reconcile two slightly different spending plans. Each chamber passed its own version of this year's supplemental budget over the weekend, and both plans from the Democratic majorities call for heavy cuts to child care, education, and health care funding. State government reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan brought KUOW's Angela King this update.

  • Sarah Mizes-Tan
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  Washington state progressives strike big business tax break from 'millionaire’s tax'

  The Washington State House Finance Committee made revisions to a proposed income tax after a group of progressive lawmakers said the previous version gave away too much while not doing enough for working families.

  • Sarah Mizes-Tan
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  Supreme Court ruling against Trump tariffs gets bipartisan support among WA lawmakers

  In Washington state, Democrats and some Republicans are welcoming the U.S. Supreme Court decision restricting the president's ability to impose sweeping tariffs.

  • Amy Radil
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  Washington state voters have rejected income taxes 10 times. Is this year different?

  Washingtonians have rejected income taxes 10 times in the last 90 years. Democrats and even Republicans have tried and failed. So why is the vibe among tax reform advocates so optimistic in 2026?

  • Scott Greenstone
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  Should WA data centers generate their own clean energy to get tax breaks?

  A Washington workgroup is preparing to send recommendations to Gov. Bob Ferguson on balancing sustainability and economic goals when it comes to the AI data center building boom. But one omission has conservationists worried.

  • Monica Nickelsburg
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  Seattle City Council votes to increase sales tax, despite expressing concerns

  The Seattle City Council has approved a proposal from Mayor Bruce Harrell to increase Seattle’s sales tax to fund public safety programs in the city.

  • Noel Gasca
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  Candidates for WA's 5th Legislative District discuss parental rights, taxes, bipartisanship

  Republicans in Washington state are eyeing a couple legislative races this year that could help them claw back a little power from Democrats, who currently hold majorities in both the state House and Senate. One of those races is a special election in Washington’s 5th Legislative District, which covers Issaquah to Enumclaw.

  • Gabrielle Healy
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  Candidates to lead King County talk taxes, audits, homelessness, and mental health

  The King County executive oversees the sheriff’s department, manages public health, transportation, public housing, and jails. According to the King County website, the executive leads one of the largest regional governments in the United States. And, for the first time in 16 years, there isn’t an incumbent on the ballot. Two county leaders are vying for the job. Soundside’s Libby Denkmann hosted the two candidates — Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay — for a debate at the KUOW studios.

  • Libby Denkmann
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  Washington's gas tax will rise on July 1

  Washington’s century-old fuel tax is going up again.

  • Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard

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