Seattle Teachers Authorize Strike Days Before School Starts + New Report Flags WA's Financial Risks

Seattle Public Schools could be headed toward a teacher strike just days before the new school year begins. The Seattle Education Association says 91% of voting members authorized a strike if an agreement isn't reached by September 1, potentially putting teachers on the picket line September 2. The union is seeking smaller class sizes, additional special education staffing and pay increases beyond inflation-based raises as the district confronts a major budget shortfall. Then, Washington's ongoing fight over the income tax repeal initiative takes another unusual turn. Government transparency advocate Arthur West is suing Washington GOP Chairman Jim Walsh and the state Republican Party for defamation after Walsh criticized West's handling of his legal challenge to the Public Investment Impact Disclosure accompanying Initiative 645. Adding another twist, the lawsuit is headed before the same judge Walsh has publicly criticized. Finally, a new Reason Foundation analysis raises fiscal warning signs for Washington state and several local governments. Seattle and Spokane were each flagged on multiple measures, while Washington state also registered concerns involving debt and its unrestricted financial position. Watch Washington in Focus Daily for the latest on Seattle schools, Washington's income tax fight, government spending, state politics and taxpayer issues. #Seattle #SeattleSchools #TeacherStrike #Washington #WAPolitics #WashingtonPolitics #IncomeTax #Initiative645 #ArthurWest #JimWalsh #SeattleBudget #Spokane #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus