By Bill Lucia | Editor
Gov. Bob Ferguson was front and center as the campaign launched yesterday to defeat Let’s Go Washington’s ballot measure to repeal the state’s new income tax. The first-term Democratic governor signed the 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million into law back in March. He and others say that overturning the tax would be a step backward for improving affordability and tax fairness. Supporters of the initiative want to ditch the tax in November. They argue it is unconstitutional and believe it will eventually creep down the income ladder to cover more Washingtonians.
Also in today’s edition…
An Endangered Species Act rule change draws lawsuits from Washington tribes and conservation groups.
State and federal officials track the spread of a foodborne intestinal illness.
U.S. House lawmakers approve a bill to allow for permanent daylight saving time.
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Gov. Bob Ferguson explains his opposition to Let’s Go Washington’s initiative that aims to repeal the income tax on high earners. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)
By Jake Goldstein-Street
Labor unions, including those representing state employees, teachers, and service workers, are among the chief backers of the anti-initiative campaign. Let’s Go Washington turned in over 500,000 signatures for the tax repeal measure earlier this month, far more than required to get it before voters. The secretary of state’s office still needs to verify the signatures to confirm the initiative will go to the ballot. That process could be done by the end of the week. Ferguson said he plans to campaign across the state against the measure. The initiative would leave in place targeted tax cuts and subsidies for lower-income households and small businesses that were embedded in the income tax law. But those fighting the measure contend that without the additional revenue, lawmakers will be forced to walk back those tax relief provisions.
By Aspen Ford
Washington tribes and environmental groups are suing the federal government, arguing that recent changes to Endangered Species Act rules would harm imperilled fish and wildlife species. At issue: the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the legal definition of the word “harm” as used under the act. Before the rule change, developers seeking permits were required to explain how they would limit habitat harm in certain “critical habitat” areas, but that is no longer the case, said Kristen Boyles, an attorney with Earthjustice. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has defended the change, saying it will provide greater certainty for landowners and tracks with how Congress intended the endangered species law to be enforced.
By Anna Claire Vollers
As state and federal officials try to pin down the source of the recent outbreak of the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis, Michigan authorities have zeroed in on lettuce or salad greens as a possible culprit. Officials cautioned they haven’t ruled out other foods as the source of the parasite that causes the illness. Symptoms include bad diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps. CDC figures show 1,645 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in 34 states since May 1, including up to 10 in Washington. The agency says it’s aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis to confirm.
By Amelia Twyman
The U.S. House voted Tuesday to make daylight saving time permanent, moving the country a step closer to ending semiannual clock changes. In 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved an earlier version of the bill, sponsored by Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rick Scott, R-Florida. But that measure stalled in the House. In a statement Tuesday, Murray called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to bring the House-passed bill for a vote in the Senate.
Permanent daylight saving time would mean keeping the clocks shifted forward one hour all year, eliminating the need to “spring forward” every March and “fall back” each November. The adjustment would extend more daylight into the evening, creating later sunrises and sunsets compared to standard time. A 2019 Washington state law, passed with bipartisan support, cleared the way for the state to observe daylight saving time year-round. But the change can’t take effect without a federal go-ahead.
Washington’s U.S. House delegation cast a mixed vote on the bill approved yesterday. Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Rick Larsen, and Adam Smith, and Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse cast “no” votes. The state’s other six representatives backed the bill.
ICYMI
State agency won’t say why director is on leave | by Jerry Cornfield
Trial begins in WA suit against Albertsons over opioid epidemic liability | by Jake Goldstein-Street
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