WA Businesses Threaten to LEAVE Over New Income Tax + Swank BLASTS Plan to End Electing Sheriffs

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank is warning voters that a proposed charter amendment could end his term two years early and replace the elected sheriff with an appointed official. Meanwhile, Washington small businesses are raising concerns about the state's new 9.9% income tax, and student-athletes are speaking out in the debate over transgender participation in girls' sports. In this October 23, 2026 episode of Washington In Focus Daily, The Center Square examines the Washington income tax repeal debate, potential business departures, the Pierce County sheriff election controversy, and the Camas Courage rally over girls' sports. WASHINGTON INCOME TAX: SMALL BUSINESSES WARN OF JOB LOSSES The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is raising concerns about Washington's new 9.9% income tax on income above $1 million. Patrick Conner, NFIB's Washington state director, says small business owners are worried about the impact on hiring, expansion, investment and business competitiveness. Conner discusses NFIB members who are considering moving operations to Idaho and other states because of Washington's tax and regulatory environment. A recent analysis from the Washington Policy Center and Buckeye Institute projects approximately 18,000 fewer jobs than would otherwise exist if the income tax remains in place. That figure is a forecast from opponents of the tax, not jobs already lost. The report also includes comments from Washington state Sen. Manka Dhingra, who defends the millionaires' tax and explains why labor unions are supporting the campaign against repeal. The competing arguments highlight the stakes for Washington jobs, small businesses, workers, education funding and economic growth. PIERCE COUNTY SHERIFF KEITH SWANK FIGHTS APPOINTMENT PROPOSAL Pierce County voters will decide whether to change the sheriff's office from an elected position to an appointed one. Under Charter Amendment 53, the county executive would appoint the sheriff, subject to county council confirmation. The proposal could also end Sheriff Keith Swank's current term approximately two years early. Swank argues that voters should retain the right to elect their sheriff and warns that the change could reduce the office's independence from county political leadership. Supporters of appointed law enforcement leadership argue that police chiefs and other senior public safety officials are routinely selected through appointment rather than direct elections. Pierce County voters will also consider a separate proposal to create a public safety ombuds office, with estimated annual costs reaching approximately $800,000. The debate raises questions about voter rights, law enforcement accountability, county government and public safety oversight. WASHINGTON GIRLS' SPORTS PROTEST GROWS Student-athletes and supporters gathered at the Camas Courage rally in southwest Washington to discuss transgender participation in girls' school athletics. The rally followed protests involving high school cross-country athletes who object to competing against a transgender girl. Frances Stout, a Washington student-athlete who previously spoke publicly about transgender participation in girls' sports, addressed the rally and encouraged supporters to continue advocating for changes to school athletic eligibility rules. Washington voters will decide a statewide girls' sports ballot measure in November. Supporters argue that sex-based athletic categories are necessary for fairness, privacy and safety. Opponents, including the No Hate in Washington campaign, argue that the proposed restrictions discriminate against transgender students and raise concerns about sex-verification requirements. The disagreement has become a major issue in Washington's election campaign, drawing attention to student-athlete rights, transgender inclusion, school sports eligibility and parental concerns. WASHINGTON ELECTION AND BALLOT RETURNS The Center Square also examines early ballot return statistics from the Washington Secretary of State's office, including turnout among older voters and Pierce County residents. Washington's November 3 election includes statewide ballot measures and local charter amendments affecting taxes, public safety and education policy. WASHINGTON IN FOCUS DAILY — THE CENTER SQUARE Subscribe for Washington state news covering government accountability, taxpayer spending, small businesses, elections, public safety, school policies and political developments. Get important Washington government and policy updates by text about twice a week. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 for Washington news updates. #WashingtonNews #WashingtonIncomeTax #PierceCounty #KeithSwank #GirlsSports