Washington in Focus

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.

Washington in Focus is a news podcast hosted by The Center Square, with 562 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 89.

The Center Square hosts Washington in Focus, a news show with 562 episodes published.

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  Episode #568

  Puget Sound Energy Customers Push Back on Proposed Rate Hikes + Family Farm Takes WA Ecology

  Sep 29, 202621 min

  Puget Sound Energy customers are pushing back against a proposed three-year rate plan that could significantly increase electric and natural gas bills across Washington. PSE is asking the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to approve electric rate increases of 15.15% in 2027, 3.74% in 2028 and 8.70% in 2029. The Washington Attorney General's Office characterizes the proposal as an approximately 29% electric rate increase over the three-year period. Natural gas rates would also increase under PSE's proposal. More than 100 Puget Sound Energy customers attended a public hearing in Lacey, according to Washington in Focus, where ratepayers urged state regulators to reject or reduce the proposed increases. Customers raised concerns about affordability, shareholder returns and how much Washington families are already paying for electricity and natural gas. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is also challenging PSE's proposal. His office argues the requested increases are excessive and says PSE's plan would collect an additional $3.396 billion from customers over three years. The Attorney General's Office has also highlighted PSE's shareholder dividends, saying the company paid $175.9 million in dividends in 2024 and $62.9 million in 2025. Puget Sound Energy says its three-year rate plan is needed to maintain safe and reliable service, meet growing electricity demand, modernize infrastructure and comply with Washington's clean-energy requirements. PSE says it expects to invest more than $3.2 billion in its gas and electric systems over the next three years. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will determine what rate changes, if any, ultimately take effect. Also in today's Washington in Focus, a decades-long water-rights fight involving Fodé Farms and the Washington Department of Ecology is heading to the Washington Supreme Court. Ron and Robin Fodé argue Ecology failed to provide required assistance before taking enforcement action and improperly relied on an unpublished deadline involving seasonal water-right transfers. Ecology disputes those arguments and says lower courts have found that its actions followed the law. The Washington Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the case as the Fodés challenge the limits of state agency authority and water-rights enforcement. Finally, Washington's 2026 Supreme Court election is putting judicial independence and political relationships in the spotlight. Justice Theo Angelis, who was appointed to the Washington Supreme Court by Gov. Bob Ferguson in March, faces challenger Dave Larson. Larson has criticized Angelis' previous political donations and relationships and argues they raise concerns about judicial independence. Angelis says his past donations and associations would not influence how he decides cases and that judges must leave those considerations outside the courthouse. Today's Washington in Focus examines Puget Sound Energy's proposed rate increases, rising Washington utility bills, PSE shareholder returns, the Fodé Farms water-rights case, the Washington Department of Ecology and the Angelis-Larson Washington Supreme Court race. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Puget Sound Energy, Washington utility rates, the UTC, Washington energy policy, Fodé Farms, water rights, the Department of Ecology, the Washington Supreme Court and state government. 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. #PugetSoundEnergy #PSE #WashingtonState #EnergyBills #ElectricRates #UtilityRates #WashingtonSupremeCourt #WaterRights #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.

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  Episode #567

  WA Income Tax Repeal Could Leave Other Tax Breaks Intact + Ferguson Asks Trump for FEMA Aid

  Sep 28, 202620 min

  Washington voters will soon decide whether to repeal the state's newly enacted 9.9% income tax, and a new analysis examines what Initiative 645 would actually do to the rest of Washington's tax package. The Washington Research Council has released a policy brief examining I-645 and the state's new income tax established under Senate Bill 6346. If voters approve Initiative 645, the income-tax provisions would be repealed while several other tax-relief provisions included in SB 6346 would remain in law. Those provisions include an expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit and other sales-tax and business-tax relief included in the legislation. Washington Research Council Senior Research Analyst Emily Makings says the income tax itself does not solve Washington's underlying state budget problems. The Research Council argues lawmakers have increased spending beyond expected ongoing revenues and will still have significant budget work ahead regardless of whether the income tax remains in place. The Research Council also points to uncertainty surrounding the income tax, including potential constitutional challenges and the volatility of relying on income from a relatively small group of high-income taxpayers. Washington voters will decide the fate of Initiative 645 in the November 3 election. Also in today's Washington in Focus, a North Carolina detransitioner is asking an appeals court to allow her lawsuit against medical providers to move forward. The woman says she began testosterone at age 17 and underwent a double mastectomy at 18. She is challenging the earlier dismissal of her lawsuit and argues that changes enacted by North Carolina lawmakers should allow her claims to proceed despite the time limits that previously barred the case. Her allegations against the medical providers remain the subject of ongoing litigation. And Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is asking President Donald Trump to approve a federal Major Disaster Declaration following devastating wildfires across Eastern Washington. A state and federal preliminary damage assessment found that the fires destroyed 649 primary residences, damaged another 2,542 homes and burned nearly 369,000 acres. Washington is seeking federal Individual Assistance for residents in Benton, Okanogan, Spokane and Stevens counties and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. The state estimates the request could unlock approximately $11.2 million in assistance for individuals and another $117.7 million for debris cleanup and emergency costs. Today's Washington in Focus examines Initiative 645 and Washington's income-tax repeal, the state's continuing budget challenges, the North Carolina detransitioner lawsuit and Washington's request for federal wildfire disaster assistance. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Washington's income tax, I-645, SB 6346, Washington taxes and spending, Washington wildfires, FEMA disaster assistance, Gov. Bob Ferguson, state government and public policy. #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #I645 #Taxes #WashingtonBudget #WashingtonWildfires #FEMA #BobFerguson #Spokane #WashingtonPolitics #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.

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  Episode #566

  WA Supreme Court Ruling Could Put New Income Tax at Risk + Sheriff Law Faces Major Court Ruling

  Sep 27, 202619 min

  A Washington Supreme Court ruling striking down voter-approved Initiative 2066 is raising new questions about whether the court's single-subject reasoning could have consequences for other Washington laws—including the state's newly enacted 9.9% income tax. The Washington Supreme Court struck down Initiative 2066 in a 6-3 decision, ruling that the voter-approved natural gas measure violated Washington's constitutional single-subject requirement. I-2066 was approved by Washington voters in 2024 and addressed several policies involving natural gas, utilities, building codes and energy regulations. The Supreme Court majority concluded those provisions represented constitutionally distinct subjects that could not be combined into a single initiative. Now critics of Washington's new income tax are asking whether the same constitutional reasoning could create problems for Senate Bill 6346. Washington Policy Center argues SB 6346 contains more than simply a 9.9% income tax on taxable income above the state's $1 million standard deduction. The legislation also includes changes involving the business and occupation tax, sales taxes, the Working Families Tax Credit and funding for early learning. The Washington Policy Center argues those provisions could create a new single-subject challenge under the reasoning used by the Supreme Court in the I-2066 decision. The Washington Supreme Court has not ruled that SB 6346 violates the single-subject requirement, and the argument remains a legal interpretation advanced by critics of the income tax. Building Industry Association of Washington Vice President Greg Lane is also warning that the I-2066 decision could have broader implications for laws passed by the Washington Legislature. Lane argues that if the court has established a stricter single-subject standard, that standard must also apply to legislation coming out of Olympia. The ruling is also raising questions about Initiative 645, the measure asking Washington voters whether they want to repeal the state's newly enacted income tax. Washington Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh says he is concerned the I-2066 precedent could eventually affect how courts review other voter initiatives, including the income tax repeal measure. That is Walsh's concern about the precedent; the Supreme Court has not indicated that it would invalidate I-645. Also in today's Washington in Focus, the legal battle over Washington's new sheriff qualification law is approaching another major court decision. Senate Bill 5974 establishes new eligibility and professional requirements affecting Washington sheriffs and other law enforcement executives. Opponents have challenged portions of the law on constitutional grounds. Kitsap County sheriff candidate Rick Kuss is among the plaintiffs challenging the law. After recent court arguments, Kuss raised concerns about free speech, candidate eligibility and provisions involving associations with organizations characterized as extremist. Another challenge brought by sitting Washington sheriffs is also moving forward, with the court expected to address the litigation after arguments in both cases. Today's Washington in Focus examines the Washington Supreme Court's I-2066 ruling, the single-subject requirement, possible implications for Washington's new income tax and Initiative 645, and the continuing constitutional fight over SB 5974 and Washington's sheriff qualification requirements. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of the Washington Supreme Court, Initiative 2066, Washington's income tax, Initiative 645, SB 6346, Washington taxes, SB 5974, elected sheriffs, Washington courts and state government. #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #WashingtonSupremeCourt #I2066 #Initiative2066 #I645 #Taxes #SB6346 #Sheriff #SB5974 #WashingtonPolitics #GovernmentAccountability #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.

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  Episode #565

  Seattle Democrats SLAM Katie Wilson's Gun Violence Plan + New Initiative Targets Court Transparency

  Sep 24, 202624 min

  Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's new gun violence prevention plan is facing questions over coordination, the role of police and how much advance notice key public safety officials received before the strategy was announced. Mayor Wilson unveiled Seattle's new gun violence strategy following a series of high-profile shootings and continuing concerns about public safety in downtown Seattle. The plan puts the Community Assisted Response and Engagement Department, known as CARE, in a major coordinating role while moving community violence intervention programs under the department. The mayor's plan also includes Seattle Police Department resources, increased bike patrols, focused deterrence, youth programs, mental health services and additional coordination between city departments and community organizations. But Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, says he did not receive advance notice of the mayor's plan and believes Seattle's gun violence strategy needs to maintain a strong role for SPD alongside community intervention programs. Questions are also being raised about coordination with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and how much of the complete plan prosecutors saw before the mayor's announcement. The disagreement comes as Seattle continues debating how to respond to gun violence, downtown public safety concerns and demands from businesses and residents for action. Also in today's Washington in Focus, Let's Go Washington has filed a new initiative focused on judicial transparency and Washington's Public Records Act. The initiative seeks to expand public records requirements to Washington's judicial branch. Let's Go Washington founder Brian Heywood argues that elected judges should face transparency and public accountability requirements comparable to other branches of state government. The proposal is an initiative to the Legislature and is still at an early stage of the process. The Washington Attorney General's Office says it has not yet received the initiative for preparation of a ballot title because the proposal is still undergoing review by the Code Reviser. If supporters eventually collect enough valid signatures, the judicial transparency initiative could go before Washington lawmakers during the 2027 legislative session. And the legal battle over Washington's new sheriff qualification law is continuing in Thurston County Superior Court. Senate Bill 5974 establishes additional eligibility requirements for people seeking to serve as sheriff, including a requirement for at least five years of uninterrupted full-time law enforcement employment. Supporters of the law argue Washington needs consistent professional standards and stronger accountability requirements for sheriffs and other law enforcement executives. Opponents argue the restrictions raise constitutional concerns and could prevent voters from choosing otherwise eligible candidates for sheriff. A judge previously put key provisions of the law on hold while litigation continues. The dispute has affected the race for Kitsap County sheriff, where candidate Rick Kuss was able to remain on the ballot while the challenged provisions are blocked. Today's Washington in Focus covers Katie Wilson's Seattle gun violence prevention plan, Bob Kettle's concerns about the role of SPD, Seattle public safety, Let's Go Washington's new judicial transparency initiative, the Washington Public Records Act and the continuing court fight over SB 5974 and Washington's sheriff qualification requirements. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Seattle public safety, Katie Wilson, Washington courts, government transparency, the Washington Supreme Court, elected sheriffs, SB 5974, Washington politics and state government. 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. #Seattle #KatieWilson #PublicSafety #GunViolence #SeattlePolice #WashingtonState #JudicialTransparency #PublicRecords #Sheriff #SB5974 #GovernmentAccountability #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.

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  Episode #564

  PDC Dismisses Complaint Against Let's Go Washington & Brandi Kruse + Boeing Workers Vote on Contract

  Sep 23, 202620 min

  A potential Boeing strike could put Washington state's new unemployment benefits law for striking workers to one of its biggest tests yet. Approximately 17,000 Boeing employees represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, or SPEEA, are voting on a new four-year contract agreement. Union members previously authorized a strike if they reject Boeing's contract offer. Under a Washington law that took effect in 2026, eligible workers involved in a strike can receive up to six weeks of unemployment benefits. Washington's Employment Security Department says benefits are not available until the second Sunday after a strike begins, and eligible workers must also serve the standard unpaid waiting week. Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New discusses what a large Boeing strike could mean for Washington's unemployment insurance system and argues that thousands of striking Boeing employees collecting benefits could put additional pressure on the fund. The Boeing contract vote comes as Washington continues debating the costs and consequences of allowing striking workers to receive unemployment benefits. Also in today's Washington in Focus, the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission has closed a campaign finance complaint involving Let's Go Washington and podcaster Brandi Kruse. The complaint alleged that Kruse's promotion of Let's Go Washington initiatives amounted to reportable in-kind political contributions. According to the PDC findings quoted in this episode, investigators found no evidence that Let's Go Washington purchased Kruse's services and were unable to establish that her promotion of the initiatives or participation in events constituted in-kind contributions. Kruse and Let's Go Washington are responding to the decision and argue that the complaint was politically motivated. That characterization is their position and was not a finding by the Public Disclosure Commission. And Washington's state employee contract negotiations are renewing a debate over government transparency and taxpayer accountability. The Washington Federation of State Employees has reached a tentative 2027-29 agreement covering tens of thousands of general government workers. WFSE says the agreement contains no additional compensation in the first year while providing a reopener for compensation negotiations in the second year. WFSE also says approximately $348.5 million in new funding is required to maintain the current health-care cost share. Critics of Washington's collective bargaining system argue taxpayers should have greater visibility into negotiations between public employee unions and the governor's representatives. Supporters of collective bargaining have argued that the current process allows unions and the state to negotiate employment terms before agreements move through the legally required funding process. Today's Washington in Focus covers Boeing's union contract vote, Washington unemployment benefits for striking workers, the PDC complaint involving Let's Go Washington and Brandi Kruse, and the debate over transparency in Washington state employee contract negotiations. Follow The Center Square and Washington in Focus for continuing coverage of Boeing, Washington labor policy, unemployment insurance, state worker contracts, taxpayer spending, elections and government accountability. 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. #Boeing #BoeingStrike #SPEEA #Unemployment #WashingtonState #Labor #TaxpayerMoney #BrandiKruse #LetsGoWashington #StateWorkers #GovernmentAccountability #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.

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