The Center Square Washington

Lawmakers say time will tell on revenue impacts, while critics point to concerns about outmigration and economic effects. Watch more on WA in Focus Daily.

Washington employers say rising costs, shrinking margins, and a weaker job market are creating serious challenges for small businesses, according to one employer.

Another Washington business owner says the state’s new income tax and rising business costs are forcing them to consider leaving Washington after decades of building a family company in Bonney Lake. “We’ve literally been bled dry,” one owner said. Read more: thecentersquare.com/washington/art…

Newly released emails show Washington state attorneys discussing legal strategy surrounding the state’s new millionaires tax and concerns over whether voters could overturn it through a referendum. The records were released after The Center Square appealed redactions by the Secretary of State’s Office. Read more: thecentersquare.com/washington/art…

Costs to taxpayers unknown as Seattle Center renovation plans ramp up thecentersquare.com/washington/art…

Washington’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families has agreed to a permanent injunction over foster care policies and First Amendment concerns. More on WA in Focus Daily.

WATCH: Longview superintendent in court on obstruction charges in school sex assault case thecentersquare.com/washington/art…

Washington state will revise foster care licensing policies after settling a lawsuit brought by Christian foster parents who argued they were being forced to use gender-transition language and chosen pronouns in violation of their religious beliefs. Read more: thecentersquare.com/washington/art…

What did school leaders know, and when did they know it? Serious allegations are now driving a criminal investigation in WA. Watch more on WA in Focus Daily.

Seattle’s incoming economic development director says he wants to remove barriers for small businesses as downtown struggles with a 22% retail vacancy rate and major employers continue shifting jobs outside the city. “We want a more streamlined process,” Beto Yarce said. Read more: thecentersquare.com/washington/art…

Rep. Travis Couture says growing legal liabilities tied to Washington state agencies are raising serious questions about policy decisions and accountability.

The Longview School District superintendent has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, according to local police. More on WA in Focus Daily.

The Spokane Transit Authority voted Thursday to opt out of maintaining a public records index, arguing that doing so would be “unduly burdensome” — despite spending less than 0.1% of its $154.59 million operating budget on public records requests last year. Read more: thecentersquare.com/washington/art…

As scrutiny continues over WA childcare oversight, questions are growing about transparency and claims of threats against providers. More on WA in Focus Daily.

Op-Ed: State policies matter for taxpayers and the business climate thecentersquare.com/opinion/articl…

Op-Ed: Washington state keeps making it harder for law enforcement to serve thecentersquare.com/opinion/articl…

Seattle Police confident in ability to protect World Cup alongside federal partners thecentersquare.com/washington/art…

WATCH: DCYF secretary refutes fraud claims, says agency needs funding for more audits thecentersquare.com/washington/art…

Spokane Public Schools faces major layoffs regardless of tax renewal thecentersquare.com/washington/art…

Longview superintendent arrested on multiple charges in student sex assault investigation thecentersquare.com/washington/art…

Washington’s DCYF secretary says recent scrutiny has been difficult for childcare providers, despite the importance of oversight.