The Washington Observer

No brakes on runaway liability costs Plus student restraint & isolation, spare change for housing, and a dumb controversy

The top contender for lobbyist of the year for this #waleg has to be WA Association for Justice and their work warding off tort reform. Also the dumbest controversy of the year, new support for student isolation reform and Affordable Housing gets some chump change.

A sprint to the finish in Olympia Purple backlash to child care cuts, budgeting for harm, another tobacco tax, a visit to coal country and talking dogs.

With three weeks to go in this #waleg session, budget-writing is in full swing. We dive into the items that caught our attention.

Giving the income tax back before its enacted About that $100M for cops... and some cutoff casualties

The ink hasn't dried on the Millionaires Tax, and lawmakers already have plans to spend much of it. We take a look at where the money is set to go.
And finally, cut off casualties. We look at the bills that died. #waleg

Farm worker unionization faces headwinds Plus moving local elections to even-numbered years and some recommend reading

Opposition to a landmark farm worker collective bargaining bill is coming from a not-so-surprising source: farmers. Are the concerns around increased costs valid? We dive in. Also, we look into the pros and cons of a bill to shift local elections to even-numbered years. #waleg

The Walmart tax The underground economy, defining who is media, booming Bothell, and a park dog.

Lurking deep in #waleg is SB 6173, aka the Walmart Tax. So far, the bill has received one hearing, but it's causing a ruckus, which means we can't sit around and wait for it to make a move. We dive in. Also, a bill aimed at limiting independent contractors.

Big Pharma v The Hospitals, cont'd. Plus the income tax fiscal note, overseeing security guards, long days for fiscal committees, and dealing with the penny's exit

The battle between Big Pharma and safety net hospitals continues. Dems are considering a bill that would widen the number of hospitals who can claim access. It's a wonky issue, so we're here to help you through it. Also, the fiscal cost of the income tax bill. #waleg

A campaign against sideboards on pay transparency Plus medical tourism, unionizing security guards and some recommended reading

Three bills were introduced into #WAleg to add some guardrails to a newish state law requiring pay transparency on job ads. However, thanks to a new campaign, all bills died this session. We follow the money. Also, a bill to address medical tourism in the eastern part of our state dies.

Tax fairness vs. revenue sufficiency Plus an update on that tort bomb and some recommended reading

It's official, the Millionaires Tax is scheduled for a hearing, but will it really solve the state's budget problems? We dive in. Also, WA makes it easy to sue the government, but the costs are rising. The solution? #WAleg is now considering a new bill to slow the bleeding.

A shorter workweek and un-banning the switchblade Plus helping tenants buy their homes and a look back at the deal that kept the Seahawks in Seattle

Wednesday is the first big deadline for #waleg where most bills will face their untimely end. We dive into some bills that likely won't make it past the cutoff: a House bill to create a 32-hour work week and a bill related to rent-to-own programs. Also, some historical minutiae for #seahawks fans.

Electing the Supremes Plus an interesting DUI vote and some recommended reading

November might be nine months away, but multiple judge hopefuls are already eyeing a seat on the Supreme Court. Also, an interesting bipartisan divide over lowering the blood-alcohol limit for a DUI is taking shape. We dive in washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/electing-t... #waleg

Fact-checking the farmworker union debate Plus surveillance, législative records, lobbyist photographs, and the quote of the week

There's nothing like a good old-fashioned fact check. We take a look at last week's farmworker union debate and dive into the nitty-gritty. Also, looks like #waleg may support limits on license plate readers, and legislators are still working to shield themselves from public records enthusiasts.

Expanded notification for sex offender releases Plus banning grocery-pricing bots and some wrinkles on that sports betting bill

#WAleg is looking to expand notifications for individuals placed outside of McNeil Island (the state's treatment center for s*x 0ffenders). Also, a bill to ban dynamic pricing at the grocery store. And an update on the sports betting bill which looks at placing bets on college sports.

The best food security data is gone. Now what? Plus a play to stymie Trump on coal plant, change in the 29th LD, a quote of the week, and some recommended reading.

Trump administration has made some decisions directly impacting WA. In response, #waleg is developing its own bills. One bill will create WA first food security strategy. Another bill will ensure a coal plant in Centralia stays closed. State. Sen. Steve Conway heads for the exit after 34 years.

A progressive bid to limit a less-useful initiative process Plus dealing with that tort liability bomb and the latest on the Airbnb tax fight

#Waleg is considering a bill that will make it more expensive and more difficult to put an initiative on the statewide ballot. What does this mean for you and how has this tool been used in the past? We dive in.

The bitter death and partial rebirth of Strategies 360 Plus union rights for farmworkers, spam email, robot nurses and another D-on-D fight.

If there's one truth in politics, it's that we all love a little drama. That brings us back to Strategies 360, where ego alone put the prominent firm at risk. We dive in to what’s next, including a new owner. Also, a look at union contracts for farmworkers and bills to regulate AI nurses.

Domestic worker protections makes a return Plus Rivian gears up for a ballot fight over auto sales, a public-records exemption to safeguard elected officials, and some recommended reading/listening

The Domestic Worker's Bill of Rights is back. What should you look for this year? We dive in. Also, Rivian is looking to take their issue to the voters with a ballot measure to allow them to sell vehicles directly to consumers. And a bill to potentially curb political violence. #waleg

A different sort of speech entirely Plus polling on the income tax, unearthing the underground economy, a state shark, and some recommended reading

In his State of the State speech, Gov. Ferguson appears to be bending the knee to the liberal left. We share some key takeaways from his speech. Also, an independent poll shows support for an income tax on the highest earners in WA and a dive into the underground economy. #waleg2026 #waleg

The curtain goes up in Olympia Student restraint, new powers for the AG, foreign political money, and strip mall housing, plus some takeaways from the legislative preview

#WAleg is looking at a billion-dollar budget hole and a short session. We dive into the bills first up for early hearings, including Student retention and isolation, new powers for the AG's office, a bill to double down on gas, strip malls for housing, and more. Also, a look at the leg preview.

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Here come the bills... License plate privacy, microchipped employees, a lower bar for lawyers, a billion-dollar typo, philanthropy for journalism and the latest on the 4th CD

Despite a short session and a state budget crunch, over 300 new bills are already on deck for #waleg. Now we know the average person doesn't have time to review all these, but you're in luck. Because we are. Here's a look at some notable bills so far.

Big Pharma vs the hospitals Plus that shadow money plays in the 4th CD, bread and roses, a new face at the Seattle Chamber, a lower bar for lawyers, and some recommended reading

And we're back, starting off 2026 strong with big pharma VS the hospitals. The fight over a little-known federal subsidy is about to define the #waleg session. We dive into the issue and the players. Also, a new PAC is spending big in Central WA, the Seattle Chamber gets a new head figure.

The names behind that shadow money Plus a thriftier year for affordable housing, a contentious pardon, and some recommended reading

Earlier this week, we shared that Let's Go WA received a large donation from a shadowy new player on the right. Today we have some clarity on exactly where that money comes from. Also, Gov. Ferguson has a new proposal to address #affordablehousing.

Does an income tax finally loom? Plus a bleak outlook on health care spending, a fun tidbit from the Seattle mayor's race, and some Recommended Reading

Our Re-Wire Policy Conference may be over, but that doesn't mean we're done talking about. One of the biggest takeaways from the conference? 2026 may be the year #WAleg seriously considers imposing an income tax in WA. Also, how federal cuts to the ACA will impact the uninsured rate in WA.

What to do about that $3B liability bomb Cloudy days for the Sunshine Committee, a zero-job economic forecast, how not to handle succession planning, the revolving door spins, and a Re-Wire reminder.

#WAleg isn’t in session yet, but fights are already forming. State liability costs have exploded, and the self-insurance fund is now in the red. Failure at DCYF is just one piece of the story. Also, the Sunshine Committee is underfunded and largely ignored. What happens when next? We dive in.

A new juvenile institution on the way? Juicing electric vehicle sales, a Stranger diaspora, Bob Ferguson's robe collection, another battle with D.C., and... Re-Wire!

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is looking to #waleg to increase the budget aimed at Juvenile Rehabilitation. Existing facilities are too full, so lawmakers are looking for a way forward. Also, WA is leading the way in the EV market, but what does the future hold? We dive in.

Business angst about a progressive Seattle mayor Keeping the people's records public, a child care bump and a bad look for a lawmaker.

Seattle’s new progressive mayor has business leaders on alert. We look at what they’re watching as Wilson prepares for her new role. And statewide, the Attorney General is weighing a major shift to public-records rules. Here’s what you need to know. #waleg #seattle

It's starting to look like a socialist is going to Seattle City Hall Plus Airbnb goes back to the mattresses, some recommended reading, and it's time to sign up for our Re-Wire Policy Conference

Looks like Seattle is joining NYC with a progressive mayor. We dive into the campaign. Also, Airbnb & Friends are bringing a money gun back to #waleg over a tax hike on short-term rentals. We dive in. washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/its-starti...

Wilson trails, and other takeaways We break down the early results

Ballots are in. Votes are being counted and while initial results might change in the coming days, we have some early breakdowns to share from the #SeattleMayor race to four #waleg races and some local races we had our eye on. We dive in washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/wilson-tra...

Late hardball in the 33rd Legislative District Plus big Observer news, a possible income tax push in '26, and more political cash

Power plays, PAC money, and abortion politics collide in the 33rd. We break down the late-game fight for this key WA seat. Also, some Observer news and recommended reading. #journalism

Big checks and spending for the end game Plus the Supremes tackle a medical debt problem and some recommended reading

Ballots are due in a week which means big money is being spent on the state's most watched races. We break it down. Also, debt collectors are on notice as the Supremes hear a case related to overdue medical bills. #washingtonstate #election