Trump Admin Pressures Ferguson Over School Choice Program + Wilson Grilled On Homelessness Spending

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon is pressing Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson to participate in a new federal school scholarship tax-credit program. Meanwhile, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson faces questions over missed shelter goals and $183 million in planned homelessness spending, and Everett Public Schools agrees to a $275,000 settlement following a religious freedom lawsuit. In this episode of Washington In Focus Daily, The Center Square examines Washington education funding, school choice, Seattle homelessness, taxpayer spending and a legal dispute involving students attending off-campus Bible instruction. LINDA MCMAHON PRESSES BOB FERGUSON OVER SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited Spokane, Washington, where she urged Gov. Bob Ferguson to opt the state into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. The program, scheduled to begin in 2027, allows eligible taxpayers to receive federal tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. Those scholarships can help cover qualifying educational expenses, including tutoring, tuition and services for students with disabilities. McMahon says 31 states have opted into the program and argues that Washington families deserve the same educational opportunities. Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and the Washington Education Association have expressed opposition to the program, citing concerns about its potential impact on public education. The dispute comes as Reykdal seeks approximately $2 billion in additional state education funding. Education advocates have offered varying estimates of how much scholarship funding Washington could attract if the state participates, with some projecting hundreds of millions or more than $1 billion annually under particular participation assumptions. These figures are projections, not guaranteed funding. KATIE WILSON PRESSED OVER SEATTLE'S $183 MILLION HOMELESSNESS BUDGET Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson unveiled a new homelessness strategy inspired partly by programs in Denver and Houston. Wilson says Seattle will expand its Streets to Housing outreach model, using individualized tracking and coordination among homelessness service providers to help people access shelter and permanent supportive housing. The Center Square questioned Wilson about her administration's missed 500-bed shelter goal ahead of the World Cup and the delayed target of approximately 1,000 additional shelter units. Wilson defended the city's progress, citing permitting, site development and the time required to open new facilities. Seattle's proposed 2027 budget includes approximately $183 million in ongoing homelessness investments, including approximately $18 million in additional shelter funding. The $183 million represents broader planned spending, not an entirely new $183 million request. Eric Zimmerman, director of public safety solutions at the Washington Policy Center, criticizes Seattle's approach to homelessness and drug addiction. Zimmerman argues that stronger addiction intervention and enforcement are needed and questions whether the mayor's strategy will produce lasting improvements. The report examines Seattle homelessness spending, fentanyl addiction, encampment policies, shelter expansion and government accountability. EVERETT SCHOOL DISTRICT AGREES TO $275,000 BIBLE PROGRAM SETTLEMENT Everett Public Schools has agreed to a $275,000 settlement following a legal dispute involving LifeWise Academy, an organization providing off-campus religious instruction. The case involved students leaving school during permitted periods to participate in voluntary Bible education and questions about the district's handling of religious materials and student participation. The controversy also included comments from school board member Charles Adkins, who criticized LifeWise Academy during a public meeting. First Liberty Institute attorney Holly Randall discusses the dispute and the district's subsequent public apology. According to First Liberty, the settlement payment will come from the district's general fund. The case raises questions about religious freedom, First Amendment protections, public school policies and taxpayer-funded legal settlements. WASHINGTON IN FOCUS DAILY — THE CENTER SQUARE Subscribe for Washington state news covering Bob Ferguson, Linda McMahon, Chris Reykdal, Katie Wilson, Seattle homelessness, education funding, school choice, religious freedom, public safety and government accountability. Get important Washington government and policy updates delivered by text about twice a week. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 for Washington news updates. #WashingtonNews #LindaMcMahon #BobFerguson #KatieWilson #EverettSchools