Future 42

Gary Locke: “There’s No Budget Discipline” in Olympia

Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke offered a blunt assessment of state spending during a brief interview with The Center Square Washington at Thursday’s Economic Future Solutions Summit, hosted by the Association of Washington Business and Washington Roundtable. “There’s no budget discipline,” Locke said. The former Democratic governor was equally direct about the results: “I think...

Howard Schultz in the WSJ: Will Washington State Choose Stagnation Over Growth?

Starbucks founder Howard Schultz is warning that Washington risks sacrificing future growth by becoming increasingly hostile to businesses and entrepreneurs. In a new Wall Street Journal op-ed, Schultz argues that rising taxes, runaway state spending and anti-business leadership threaten the economic foundation that helped make Washington prosperous. Washington used to be a favored destination for...

Seattle’s New Tax Plan Could Have You Paying Twice for City Services

TELL MAYOR KATIE WILSON THAT HER PROPOSAL TO DOUBLE-DIP ON PROPERTY TAXES FOR SEATTLE FIRE SERVICES IS UNACCEPTABLE In an attempt to address the City of Seattle’s projected $175 million budget shortfall, Mayor Katie Wilson has proposed the creation of a new fire district to be overseen by the City Council. But the City of Seattle currently...

Last Chance to Speak Before the Comprehensive Plan Vote on Tuesday

Hundreds of Whatcom County residents have participated in the Comprehensive Plan update process. If you’ve attended meetings, submitted comments, sent emails, or simply followed along since spring 2024—thank you. Your engagement has made a difference. On Tuesday, July 14, the Whatcom County Council will hold a public hearing and final vote on the county’s Comprehensive Plan. This plan...

511,408 Signatures Submitted—Washington’s Income Tax Could Be Headed to the Ballot

Let’s Go Washington just turned in 511,408 signatures for its initiative to repeal Washington’s new state income tax. That is not just enough to clear the legal requirement. It is more than 200,000 signatures above the minimum required and more than 120,000 above the Secretary of State’s recommended cushion for qualification. The signatures still need...

Mountlake Terrace Could Add Millions in New Property Taxes—Here’s What’s Happening

The City of Mountlake Terrace is facing a multi-million-dollar budget deficit, according to city staff. Rather than reducing spending, a majority of the City Council is poised to move forward with two huge property tax increases which will hit city residents. The first tax proposal would reverse a commitment made to voters when the city...

Lynnwood Could Raise the Minimum Wage—Speak Up Before the Council Decides

The City of Lynnwood will be considering a potential increase to the city’s minimum wage (currently $17.13) in an effort led by progressive Councilmember Isabel Mata. Previously, former City Councilmember Josh Binda led an effort to place a citizen initiative on the ballot for voter consideration. This effort failed as there were not enough signatures...

This Is Your Last Chance to Speak Before Clark County’s Final Charter Vote

After months of public meetings, committee hearings, and community input, the Clark County Charter Review Commission is approaching its final decision for the 2026 Charter Review cycle. Tonight, Wednesday, July 8, the Commission will hold its final vote on which proposed charter amendments will be forwarded to the Clark County Auditor’s Office for placement on this...

[un]Divided: ‘Zombie towers’: Downtown Seattle skyscrapers are 37% empty

Downtown Seattle office buildings have the highest vacancy rate of any major U.S. city. Follow unDivided across platforms and subscribe to support the show: unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

[un]Divided: Washington’s gas prices just got even worse

Washington’s gas prices, which are already among the highest in the nation, got even worse this week as a new gas tax increase takes effect. Follow unDivided across platforms and subscribe to support the show: unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

The American Experiment Still Depends on Ordinary Citizens

Two hundred fifty years ago, America wasn’t built by celebrities. It was built by ordinary people. Farmers who showed up to town meetings. Shopkeepers who debated taxes. Parents who worried about the future their children would inherit. Neighbors who understood that self-government only works when citizens actually participate. The founders certainly mattered. But the American...

[un]Divided: Homelessness spikes 9% in Seattle despites billions in spending

As the homeless crisis continues to grow in Seattle, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority is being given even more money. Follow unDivided across platforms and subscribe to support the show: unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

[un]Divided: Feds step in to help combat sex trade on Aurora Avenue

After the North Seattle community demanded action on Aurora Avenue, the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations have been spotted making arrests and helping sex workers. Follow unDivided across platforms and subscribe to support the show at unDividedpod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

Citizen Action Defense Fund: The Case Against the Unconstitutional State Income Tax

Washington’s new income tax may have been signed into law, but the constitutional challenge is just getting started. Citizen Action Defense Fund has filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s new 9.9% tax on income above $1 million that is led by former Attorney General Rob McKenna and retired Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge. Their case...

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Featured Articles

Gary Locke: “There’s No Budget Discipline” in Olympia

Gary Locke: “There’s No Budget Discipline” in Olympia

Howard Schultz in the WSJ: Will Washington State Choose Stagnation Over Growth?

Howard Schultz in the WSJ: Will Washington State Choose Stagnation Over Growth?

Seattle’s New Tax Plan Could Have You Paying Twice for City Services

Seattle’s New Tax Plan Could Have You Paying Twice for City Services

Last Chance to Speak Before the Comprehensive Plan Vote on Tuesday

Last Chance to Speak Before the Comprehensive Plan Vote on Tuesday

511,408 Signatures Submitted—Washington’s Income Tax Could Be Headed to the Ballot

511,408 Signatures Submitted—Washington’s Income Tax Could Be Headed to the Ballot

Mountlake Terrace Could Add Millions in New Property Taxes—Here’s What’s Happening

Mountlake Terrace Could Add Millions in New Property Taxes—Here’s What’s Happening

Lynnwood Could Raise the Minimum Wage—Speak Up Before the Council Decides

Lynnwood Could Raise the Minimum Wage—Speak Up Before the Council Decides

This Is Your Last Chance to Speak Before Clark County’s Final Charter Vote

This Is Your Last Chance to Speak Before Clark County’s Final Charter Vote

[un]Divided: ‘Zombie towers’: Downtown Seattle skyscrapers are 37% empty

[un]Divided: ‘Zombie towers’: Downtown Seattle skyscrapers are 37% empty

[un]Divided: Washington’s gas prices just got even worse

[un]Divided: Washington’s gas prices just got even worse

The American Experiment Still Depends on Ordinary Citizens

The American Experiment Still Depends on Ordinary Citizens

[un]Divided: Homelessness spikes 9% in Seattle despites billions in spending

[un]Divided: Homelessness spikes 9% in Seattle despites billions in spending

[un]Divided: Feds step in to help combat sex trade on Aurora Avenue

[un]Divided: Feds step in to help combat sex trade on Aurora Avenue

Citizen Action Defense Fund: The Case Against the Unconstitutional State Income Tax

Citizen Action Defense Fund: The Case Against the Unconstitutional State Income Tax