Future 42

Not Just the Income Tax: A Troubling Session in Olympia

Washington’s 2026 legislative session that adjourned last week was defined in large part by the controversial income tax proposal now sitting on Governor Ferguson’s desk. But while that fight has dominated headlines and advocacy efforts, it’s far from the only story coming out of Olympia this year. Beneath the surface, majority lawmakers advanced a series...

Everett Takes Action: New Law Protects Kids from Fentanyl

At their most recent public meeting, the Everett City Council took unanimous action to approve a law which establishes a criminal penalty for those who expose children to fentanyl and other harmful substances. Those who violate the new law could face up to a year in jail. This is in response to the tragic overdoses...

Politics unPacked: Legislative session ends in Olympia – but legal battles are ahead

Washington state’s legislative session has come to an end. While it was short, Democrats managed to ignore 100 years of legal precedent to upend the state’s tax structure with an unconstitutional income tax. Follow unDivided across platforms and subscribe to support the show: unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

Legislature Sends State Income Tax to Gov. Ferguson After Rejecting Key Taxpayer Safeguards

Washington lawmakers have sent a sweeping state income tax bill to the desk of Bob Ferguson, where the governor must now decide whether to sign it into law or veto it. Last year, Gov Ferguson signed the largest package of tax hikes in state history into law, after pushing for a “balanced approach” for months....

[un]Divided: Starbucks closing 5 Seattle stores as it opens HQ in Tennessee

As Howard Schultz leaves Seattle for Miami, the coffee company he helped build into an empire is also looking for greener pastures. Follow unDivided across platforms and subscribe to support the show: unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

Op-Ed: State income tax proposal will destroy minority-owned businesses and hurt our communities

Mike Sotelo, president of the Ethnic Chamber of Commerce Coalition, writes about Washington’s proposed state income tax on earnings above $1 million threatens to undermine the progress and stability of minority-owned businesses at a time when our state’s entrepreneurial diversity is finally gaining momentum. As co-chair of the Seattle Ethnic Chamber of Commerce, I’ve seen firsthand...

40+ Whatcom County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

Today, 40+ local businesses in Whatcom County sent a joint letter to the Washington State Legislature expressing their concerns regarding the proposed state income tax, SB 6346. The letter urges the Legislature to reject the income tax in order to avoid negative impacts on Washington’s economy. To the Honorable Members of the Washington State Legislature,...

30+ Clark County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

Today, 30+ local businesses in Clark County sent a joint letter to the Washington State Legislature expressing their concerns regarding the proposed state income tax, SB 6346. The letter urges the Legislature to reject the income tax in order to avoid negative impacts on Washington’s economy. March 9, 2026 To the Honorable Members of the...

Politics unPacked: Washington state is about to get an income tax

Brandi Kruse unpacks what happened during the legislative session this week in Olympia, including: Governor Ferguson says he plans to sign the income tax into law. Democrats pass bill that would allow an unelected commission to remove elected sheriffs. Proposal to dramatically expand powers of the Attorney General draws criticism.

By Brandi Kruse

Lawmakers Could Vote on Income Tax This Week

Friday, Bob Ferguson announced he reached an agreement with legislative leaders to amend the proposed state income tax bill, and that he will sign it if it reaches his desk. The changes? A handful of small tax credits and modest tweaks. But the core proposal remains the same: creating a state income tax in Washington,...

Local Elected Officials Urge Legislature to Reject New State Income Tax

Local elected leaders from across Washington are speaking out against the proposal to create a state income tax, warning it could harm communities, small businesses, and the state’s economic competitiveness. In the letter below (and available as a pdf here), they urge lawmakers to reject the plan and instead pursue policies that support growth and...

30+ Snohomish County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

Today, 30+ local businesses in Snohomish County sent a joint letter to the Washington State Legislature expressing their concerns regarding the proposed state income tax, SB 6346. The letter urges the Legislature to reject the income tax in order to avoid negative impacts on Washington’s economy. March 6, 2026 To the Honorable Members of...

[un]Divided: Democrat mocks Republican lawmakers for trying to protect children

As Republican lawmakers in Washington state gave tearful speeches on the floor of the House, urging their colleagues to strengthen protections for kids who are exposed to drugs in the home, one Democratic lawmaker took to her BlueSky account to mock them. Follow unDivided across platforms and subscribe to support the show: unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

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Featured Articles

Not Just the Income Tax: A Troubling Session in Olympia

Not Just the Income Tax: A Troubling Session in Olympia

Everett Takes Action: New Law Protects Kids from Fentanyl

Everett Takes Action: New Law Protects Kids from Fentanyl

Politics unPacked: Legislative session ends in Olympia – but legal battles are ahead

Politics unPacked: Legislative session ends in Olympia – but legal battles are ahead

Legislature Sends State Income Tax to Gov. Ferguson After Rejecting Key Taxpayer Safeguards

Legislature Sends State Income Tax to Gov. Ferguson After Rejecting Key Taxpayer Safeguards

[un]Divided: Starbucks closing 5 Seattle stores as it opens HQ in Tennessee

[un]Divided: Starbucks closing 5 Seattle stores as it opens HQ in Tennessee

Op-Ed: State income tax proposal will destroy minority-owned businesses and hurt our communities

Op-Ed: State income tax proposal will destroy minority-owned businesses and hurt our communities

40+ Whatcom County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

40+ Whatcom County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

30+ Clark County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

30+ Clark County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

Politics unPacked: Washington state is about to get an income tax

Politics unPacked: Washington state is about to get an income tax

Lawmakers Could Vote on Income Tax This Week

Lawmakers Could Vote on Income Tax This Week

Improved!

Improved!

Local Elected Officials Urge Legislature to Reject New State Income Tax

Local Elected Officials Urge Legislature to Reject New State Income Tax

30+ Snohomish County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

30+ Snohomish County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

[un]Divided: Democrat mocks Republican lawmakers for trying to protect children

[un]Divided: Democrat mocks Republican lawmakers for trying to protect children