Jim Brunner
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Seattle Times politics reporter. Whataboutism is a helluva drug. Also at: bsky.app/profile/jimbrunner.bsky.social
Articles by Jim Brunner
WA state workers stage walkout to protest pay proposals from Ferguson
Thousands of Washington state workers staged a walkout Monday, protesting what they call inadequate pay raises offered by Gov. Bob Ferguson in ongoing union contract talks. Members of the Washington Federation of State Employees are walking out from more than 100 work sites to demand a fair contract," the union said in a news release.
WA state workers stage walkout to protest pay proposals from Ferguson
Thousands of Washington state workers are staging a walkout Monday, protesting what they call inadequate pay raises offered by Gov. Bob Ferguson in ongoing union contract talks. Members of the Washington Federation of State Employees are walking out from more than 100 work sites to demand “a fair contract,” the union said in a news release.
Are WA millionaires really leaving to avoid tax?
Leslie Goeres, a 37-year-old Seattle entrepreneur, has been house-hunting in Nashville, Tenn., and expects to move by October. The attraction? Tennessee doesn’t have an income tax, while Washington will levy a 9.9% “millionaires tax” on household income above $1 million, starting in 2028. Goeres owns the Soak & Sage spa in Renton. She had already decided to open a second, larger location in Nashville because of its lower business taxes and operating costs, and signed a lease in February.
Are WA millionaires really leaving to avoid tax?
Leslie Goeres, a 37-year-old Seattle entrepreneur, has been house-hunting in Nashville, Tenn., and expects to move by October. The attraction? Tennessee doesn’t have an income tax, while Washington will levy a 9.9% “millionaires tax” on household income above $1 million, starting in 2028. Goeres owns the Soak & Sage spa in Renton. She had already decided to open a second, larger location in Nashville because of its lower business taxes and operating costs, and signed a lease in February.
Kshama Sawant flailing in comeback challenge to Rep. Adam Smith Original
Rep. Adam Smith, Washington’s longest-serving U.S. House member, was ahead in Tuesday’s primary, with Republican Doug Basler in second place, putting them on course for a likely November matchup. The result, if it holds, would end the political comeback attempt by Kshama Sawant, the socialist former Seattle city councilmember, who was in third place. Thousands more votes remain to be counted in the coming days.
WA lawyers seek to hand Trump administration 21st loss in voter roll lawsuits
Heading into a Seattle federal court hearing on Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice was already 0 for 20 in a spate of lawsuits across the country demanding sensitive voter data from states. Could the 21st time be the charm? It doesn't look likely.
WA ‘millionaires tax' critics target Jamie Pedersen with mailers
A conservative PAC is making an unusual foray into one of the state's most liberal legislative districts, sending new mailers targeting state Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen. Pedersen was the main sponsor of the state's new high-earners income tax, or millionaires tax." The new tax, set to start in 2029, is the subject of a ballot initiative fight this fall, with Initiative 645 trying to repeal it.
WA ‘millionaires tax’ critics target Jamie Pedersen with mailers
A conservative PAC is making an unusual foray into one of the state’s most liberal legislative districts, sending new mailers targeting state Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen. Pedersen was the main sponsor of the state’s new high-earners income tax, or “millionaires tax.” The new tax, set to start in 2029, is the subject of a ballot initiative fight this fall, with Initiative 645 trying to repeal it.
WA ‘millionaires tax’ repeal faces legal fight over 21 words
The sponsor of an initiative to repeal Washington’s new high-earners income tax is challenging ballot language on the financial impacts of killing the tax. Let’s Go Washington, the group behind Initiative 645, filed a lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court on Monday asking a judge to rewrite wording that says the tax-cutting measure would eliminate money for schools and other services.
Washington 'millionaires tax' repeal faces legal fight over 21 words
SEATTLE — The sponsor of an initiative to repeal Washington’s new high-earners income tax is challenging ballot language on the financial impacts of killing the tax. Let’s Go Washington, the group behind Initiative 645, filed a lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court on Monday asking a judge to rewrite wording that says the tax-cutting measure would eliminate money for schools and other services.
Demandas contra el estado de Washington alcanzan un récord de $614 millones
Los pagos por demandas y los costos legales del estado de Washington alcanzaron un nuevo récord, al sumar casi $614 millones durante el más reciente año fiscal. De acuerdo con nuevas cifras dadas a conocer por la Oficina de Administración de Riesgos del estado, Washington pagó más de $537 millones para resolver demandas y reclamaciones por responsabilidad civil que alegaban irregularidades del gobierno durante el año fiscal 2026, concluido el 30 de junio.
Washington state lawsuit costs reach a record $614 million
By Jim Brunner, The Seattle Times SEATTLE - Washington state's ballooning lawsuit payouts and legal costs have set another dubious record, reaching nearly $614 million in the past fiscal year. The state forked over more than $537 million to settle lawsuits and tort claims alleging government misdeeds in the 2026 fiscal year, which ended June 30, according to new figures released by the state risk management office. That's up from roughly $500 million in 2025.
Washington state lawsuit costs reach a record $614 million
SEATTLE — Washington state's ballooning lawsuit payouts and legal costs have set another dubious record, reaching nearly $614 million in the past fiscal year. The state forked over more than $537 million to settle lawsuits and tort claims alleging government misdeeds in the 2026 fiscal year, which ended June 30, according to new figures released by the state risk management office. That's up from roughly $500 million in 2025. kAmx? 255:E:@?[ E96 DE2E6 A2:5 23@FE Sfe >:==:@?
WA state lawsuit costs reach a record $614 million
Washington state’s ballooning lawsuit payouts and legal costs have set another dubious record, reaching nearly $614 million in the past fiscal year. The state forked over more than $537 million to settle lawsuits and tort claims alleging government misdeeds in the 2026 fiscal year, which ended June 30, according to new figures released by the state risk management office. That’s up from roughly $500 million in 2025.
WA state lawsuit costs reach a record $614 million
Washington state’s ballooning lawsuit payouts and legal costs have set another dubious record, reaching nearly $614 million in the past fiscal year. The state forked over more than $537 million to settle lawsuits and tort claims alleging government misdeeds in the 2026 fiscal year, which ended June 30, according to new figures released by the state risk management office. That’s up from roughly $500 million in 2025.
WA employee union plans walkout to protest wage offer Original
Unionized state workers are planning a job walkout next month over what they’re calling an insulting wage proposal from Gov. Bob Ferguson’s administration. The Washington Federation of State Employees and Ferguson’s negotiators have been meeting in recent months to hash out a 2027-29 contract. Tensions spiked this week as talk turned to pay, signaling a rough round of negotiations ahead as the two sides face an Oct. 1 deadline to try to reach a deal.
Initiative to repeal WA ‘millionaires tax' qualifies for November ballot
Initiative 645, which would repeal Washington's new high-earners income tax, has qualified for the Nov. 3 ballot. Stefanie Randolph, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, confirmed Wednesday that the measure received enough valid signatures to go before voters. The certification was expected. Supporters of I-645 earlier this month submitted more than 500,000 signatures from registered voters to the secretary of state's office - well over the 308,911 required.
Initiative to repeal WA ‘millionaires tax’ qualifies for November ballot
Initiative 645, which would repeal Washington’s new high-earners income tax, has qualified for the Nov. 3 ballot. Stefanie Randolph, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, confirmed Wednesday that the measure received enough valid signatures to go before voters. The certification was expected. Supporters of I-645 earlier this month submitted more than 500,000 signatures from registered voters to the secretary of state’s office — well over the 308,911 required.
Ferguson campaigns against initiative to repeal WA ‘millionaires tax’
Gov. Bob Ferguson kicked off a campaign to preserve the state’s new high-earners income tax on Tuesday, arguing an initiative to kill the tax would have disastrous consequences for schools, small businesses and families. Ferguson joined other foes of Initiative 645, including Democratic allies and education advocates and union activists, calling on voters to reject the initiative sponsored by hedge fund manager Brian Heywood.
Campaign to repeal WA ‘millionaires tax’ submits over 500,000 signatures
TUMWATER — Opponents of Washington’s new high-earners income tax submitted more than 500,000 signatures for an initiative to kill the tax Thursday, setting up an epic brawl for November over the state’s tax system, government funding and business climate.
‘Relief’ for Washington state elections as Supreme Court leaves ballot deadline intact
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday leaves Washington's mail-in voting deadline intact, allowing ballots to continue to be counted even if they arrive after Election Day. In a 5-4 decision, the court majority, led by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, rejected a Republican National Committee effort that would have required states to stop counting thousands of later-arriving ballots.
Seattle Mayor Wilson backs lefty challengers to veteran WA Democrats
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is sticking her neck out for two left-wing challengers to veteran Seattle Democrats in the Washington Legislature. Wilson, who herself unseated an incumbent whose reelection many saw as inevitable, endorsed Hannah Sabio-Howell and Ron Davis over the weekend. Sabio-Howell is challenging Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen in the 43rd Legislative District, while Davis is taking on Rep. Gerry Pollet in the 46th District.
Seattle Mayor Wilson backs lefty challengers to veteran WA Democrats
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is sticking her neck out for two left-wing challengers to veteran Seattle Democrats in the Washington Legislature. Wilson, who herself unseated an incumbent whose reelection many saw as inevitable, endorsed Hannah Sabio-Howell and Ron Davis over the weekend. Sabio-Howell is challenging Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen in the 43rd Legislative District, while Davis is taking on Rep. Gerry Pollet in the 46th District.
‘Relief’ for WA elections as Supreme Court leaves ballot deadline intact
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‘Relief’ for WA elections as Supreme Court leaves ballot deadline intact Original
A U.S. Supreme Court decision Monday leaves Washington’s mail-in voting deadline intact, allowing ballots to continue to be counted even if they arrive after Election Day. In a 5-4 decision, the court majority, led by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, rejected a Republican National Committee effort that would have required states to stop counting thousands of later-arriving ballots.
Could initiative to kill WA ‘millionaires tax’ also kill capital gains tax?
Opponents of an initiative to repeal Washington’s new high-earners income tax are warning the proposal could also strike down other taxes, putting billions of dollars in state revenues that fund public services at risk. Initiative 645, likely headed for a vote this fall, explicitly aims to repeal the so-called “millionaires tax” signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson this year.
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