By Jake Goldstein-Street | Reporter
The Washington state Legislature this year put in over $1 billion to shore up the state’s liability account. But another $1.3 billion is needed for the next two years to address the state’s skyrocketing lawsuit payouts for government misconduct, according to the Department of Enterprise Services. This comes after a record year that saw the state spend over $537 million resolving these claims, and another $90 million on legal fees and related insurance.
Also in today’s edition…
• Debates on income tax repeal and in the 3rd Congressional District.
• And, dealing with declining school enrollment.
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By Jake Goldstein-Street
The state’s outstanding liability in these cases as of the end of June was estimated at $4.4 billion, according to an actuarial analysis. And the state liability account is still set to be $345 million in the red by the end of June 2027, despite this year’s huge infusion.
A new state panel is seeking solutions to the growing issue, which also plagues local governments, like cities, counties and school districts. But advocates for survivors who bring these lawsuits feel much of the committee’s ideas will restrict access to justice.
State Senate Republican Leader John Braun and Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez are dueling in southwest Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.
By Jerry Cornfield
There will be televised debates early next month for two of Washington’s hottest ballot battles. Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and state Senate Republican leader John Braun, who are dueling in southwest Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, have agreed to debates on Oct. 7 on KOIN and Oct. 13 on KATU.
On Oct. 8, Jaime Herrera Beutler, a former congresswoman, and April Sims, the leader of a statewide labor organization, will square off on Initiative 645, which, if passed, would repeal the income tax on households earning more than a million dollars a year. Herrera Beutler backs the initiative and Sims is opposed. This one will air at 8 pm. on KONG-TV in Seattle.
By Robbie Sequeira
Driven largely by declining birth rates, district and school board decisions to close and consolidate schools have drawn anger and anxiety from parents and students. Many states are stopping short of forcing mergers, but taking a variety of steps to encourage them. More than 1,000 public schools closed nationwide in the 2025-26 school year, according to preliminary National Center for Education Statistics data. It’s the fourth year in a row that school closures have gone up.
ICYMI
Trump nominates Pete Serrano for US attorney in western WA | by Jerry Cornfield
Supreme Court blocks Trump rule limiting mail voting, sides with Dem states | by Jacob Fischler
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