WA Democrats SOUND ALARM Over Income Tax + Urban League CEO FIRED Following Whistleblower Complaints

Washington's 9.9% income tax faces new questions as state officials work through complicated rules ahead of the November 3 vote on Initiative 645. Meanwhile, the Tacoma Urban League confirms its CEO has been fired after nearly a year on paid leave, and a heated congressional debate puts the Iran war, gas prices and Washington's income tax in the spotlight. WASHINGTON INCOME TAX / INITIATIVE 645 Washington's income tax advisory work group is examining implementation concerns involving safe-harbor provisions, business partnerships and tax avoidance. Sen. Noel Frame discussed the challenges of balancing simple compliance rules with preventing sophisticated taxpayers from avoiding the tax. The new 9.9% tax is scheduled to apply to taxable income above $1 million beginning in 2028. Some lawmakers have discussed potentially lowering that threshold in the future, but no such change has been enacted. Voters will decide Initiative 645 on November 3. A YES vote would repeal the income tax, while a NO vote would preserve it. TACOMA URBAN LEAGUE CEO FIRED / WHISTLEBLOWER SPEAKS OUT The Tacoma Urban League has confirmed the termination of CEO Desiree Wilkins Finch following nearly a year on paid administrative leave. Former volunteer Cory Orvold continues raising concerns about how taxpayer-supported Community Reinvestment Program funding was administered, including questions involving approximately $1.6 million associated with the Tacoma Black Fund. Orvold is calling for stronger oversight, transparency and whistleblower protections. Washington lawmakers have already approved additional oversight legislation, but she argues further safeguards are needed. The reasons for the CEO's termination have not been publicly established, and allegations concerning the handling of funds remain allegations. WASHINGTON CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE: PEREZ VS. BRAUN Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican state Sen. John Braun clashed during a debate in Washington's competitive 3rd Congressional District. The candidates discussed the Iran war, rising gas prices and affordability. Perez criticized the war and called for ending it, while Braun argued against an open-ended conflict without clear objectives. The debate also raised questions about Washington's new income tax and the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project. The candidates are scheduled to debate again October 13 ahead of the November 3 election. Follow The Center Square for Washington politics, income tax coverage, government spending, investigations and election news. Get important Washington government and policy updates by text. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016. #WashingtonIncomeTax #Initiative645 #MillionairesTax #WashingtonTaxes #TacomaUrbanLeague #Whistleblower #TaxpayerAccountability #WashingtonPolitics #MarieGluesenkampPerez #JohnBraun #IranWar #WashingtonElection #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Copy hashtags