Will WA's “Millionaires Tax” Eventually Hit Everyone? + Seattle Teachers Union Secure New Contract

Seattle Public Schools avoided a teacher strike at the last minute, allowing roughly 50,000 students to begin the 2026-27 school year on schedule. Meanwhile, Washington’s income tax repeal fight is heating up ahead of the November election, and a major settlement has been reached in a Washington press freedom lawsuit over journalist access to state lawmakers. First, Seattle teachers and Seattle Public Schools reached a late agreement that prevented a strike from delaying the first day of school. The Seattle Education Association had been seeking additional compensation, smaller class sizes, increased special education staffing and other contract changes. The deal comes as Seattle Public Schools faces an estimated $87 million to $100 million budget shortfall, raising questions about the cost of the new teacher contract and how the district will balance higher labor expenses with its growing financial problems. Washington Policy Center’s Vicki Murray argues that increasing education spending does not automatically translate into better student outcomes and says policymakers should focus on where education dollars are being spent. Tumwater schools also avoided a strike after paraprofessionals and the district reached a last-minute contract agreement, allowing students there to begin the school year on schedule as well. Then, Washington’s income tax repeal battle is escalating ahead of the November election. Former Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler is urging voters to support Initiative 645, the Let’s Go Washington-backed measure seeking to repeal Washington’s new 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million. Herrera Beutler warns that the so-called “millionaires tax” could eventually expand to more Washington taxpayers. The debate comes as former Washington Gov. Gary Locke has criticized Olympia’s spending practices and argued that Washington has a budget-discipline problem. Supporters of the income tax, including the Economic Opportunity Institute and Invest in Washington Now, argue the tax is necessary to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and provide additional funding for public services. The Washington State Supreme Court is also considering a challenge involving the Public Investment Impact Disclosure, or PIID, that will appear alongside Initiative 645 on the November ballot. Finally, a major settlement has been announced in a Washington press credential lawsuit involving Ari Hoffman, Jonathan Choe and Brandi Kruse. Citizen Action Defense Fund reached a settlement with the Capitol Correspondents Association in a case challenging who gets to decide which reporters qualify for press access inside the Washington State Legislature. The broader lawsuit involving the Washington House continues, keeping major First Amendment and press freedom questions unresolved. Washington in Focus Daily covers the Seattle teacher contract, Seattle Public Schools budget crisis, Washington income tax repeal, Initiative 645, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Olympia spending, press freedom, Washington media access and the biggest political and government accountability stories across Washington state. #SeattleTeachers #SeattleSchools #TeacherStrike #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #Initiative645 #JaimeHerreraBeutler #PressFreedom #FirstAmendment #WashingtonPolitics #SeattleNews #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus