Seattle Schools May Shut Down as Teachers Approve Strike + WA Government Finances Raise Red Flags

Seattle teachers could go on strike just as the 2026-27 school year begins, while a new national fiscal report raises financial red flags for Washington state, Seattle and Spokane. Plus, Washington's WA Cares long-term care program is facing renewed scrutiny over how Governor Bob Ferguson promoted the program ahead of its benefit launch. Seattle teachers voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if the Seattle Education Association and Seattle Public Schools cannot reach a new contract agreement by September 1. A strike could begin September 2—the scheduled first day of school for roughly 50,000 Seattle Public Schools students. The union is seeking smaller class sizes, additional special education staffing and salary increases above annual inflation-based cost-of-living adjustments. The negotiations come as Seattle Public Schools faces a major budget shortfall, raising new questions about teacher pay, education spending and the financial future of Washington state's largest school district. Meanwhile, a new Reason Foundation analysis of roughly 20,000 government entities nationwide identified fiscal warning signs for Washington state and several Washington governments. Washington state received two financial red flags, while Seattle and Spokane were also each flagged twice. Seattle Public Schools received another warning. Reason Foundation Research Director Jeffrey Lawrence explains concerns surrounding Washington's debt per capita and negative unrestricted net position, as the state prepares for another difficult budget debate heading into the 2027-2029 biennium. Finally, WA Cares is facing new scrutiny following Governor Bob Ferguson's June launch event for Washington's long-term care program. Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New questioned the example highlighted at the event because WA Cares benefits had not yet begun. SEIU 775 pushed back, calling the criticism a "made-up issue" and arguing that the caregiver was being presented as an example of the type of care WA Cares can eventually support. WA Cares is funded through a payroll tax of 58 cents for every $100 in wages and currently provides a lifetime long-term care benefit of up to $36,500. Watch Washington in Focus Daily for the latest on the Seattle teachers strike, Seattle Public Schools, Washington state budget, Washington taxes, government spending, WA Cares, Washington politics and the policies affecting taxpayers across the state. #SeattleTeachers #SeattleSchools #TeacherStrike #WashingtonState #Seattle #WashingtonBudget #WACares #WashingtonTaxes #GovernmentSpending #WAPolitics #WashingtonPolitics #BobFerguson #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus