Washington in Focus

The Center Square
  • 4.2 (33)
  • News
  • Updated Weekly

The podcast bringing you the most important stories out of Washington from TheCenterSquare.com. Join us as we dive into the top headlines and provide insightful commentary and analysis.

  1. 4d ago

    Washington Businesses Sound Alarm Over Taxes + Income Tax Pushback Grows As Cities Take Action

    Washington businesses are raising new concerns about the state's economic direction as rising taxes, labor costs, and regulations continue to impact employers. A new National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) report finds Washington small business owners are significantly less optimistic than the national average, citing labor costs, taxes, and government regulations as major obstacles to hiring and expansion. The episode also examines the Pasco City Council's effort to formally oppose state and local income taxes while Washington's income tax repeal initiative moves through the signature verification process. Finally, a new WalletHub study ranks the best and worst cities for renters across America, with several Washington cities performing poorly because of affordability and quality-of-life factors. In today's report: NFIB Washington Small Business Survey Washington business climate Rising labor costs Washington income tax Pasco City Council resolution Income tax repeal initiative Washington affordability WalletHub rental rankings Seattle renters Spokane, Tacoma and Vancouver housing Subscribe for daily reporting on Washington politics, taxes, business, affordability, elections, and government accountability from The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 min

  2. 5d ago

    500,000 Signatures Turned In To Repeal WA Income Tax + GOP Target Key Washington Congressional Seat

    Washington's income tax repeal campaign has reached a major milestone after Let's Go Washington delivered more than 500,000 petition signatures to the Secretary of State in an effort to place the new income tax before voters this November. The Center Square was on scene in Tumwater as supporters gathered to celebrate the signature submission. While state officials will spend the next several weeks validating signatures, organizers say they are confident they have collected well above the number required for ballot qualification. The episode also examines the growing political battle surrounding Washington's new income tax as Republican leaders continue criticizing the measure and congressional candidates prepare for one of the state's most competitive elections. Pressure is mounting on Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez as Republicans seek to make the income tax a central issue in Southwest Washington's 3rd Congressional District race. Finally, The Center Square profiles Ginny Burton, a former drug addict and convicted felon who has built one of Washington's most successful prison reentry programs. Her nonprofit, Out Impact, reports that 54 of its first 55 graduates have successfully remained out of prison, potentially saving taxpayers millions in incarceration costs. Burton is now preparing to walk more than 300 miles across Washington to raise awareness and funding for the program. In today's episode: • Income tax repeal signature update • Let's Go Washington petition drive • Secretary of State certification timeline • Marie Gluesenkamp Perez congressional race • John Braun discusses the income tax • Ginny Burton's prison reentry program • Reducing recidivism in Washington • Taxpayer savings through rehabilitation Subscribe for daily reporting on Washington politics, elections, taxpayer issues, government accountability, public policy, and investigative journalism from The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 min

  3. 6d ago

    Seattle’s Multi-Million Dollar World Cup Makeover Draws Concern + Police Investigate Senate Campaign

    Seattle welcomed the U.S. Men's National Team back to Lumen Field as fans from across the country and around the world gathered for a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium. Visitors praised Seattle's waterfront, walkable downtown, public transit, restaurants, and overall fan experience, with many calling it one of the best host cities of the tournament. The Center Square also spent the day speaking with local residents, business owners, soccer fans, and visitors about Seattle's ongoing transformation during the World Cup. While many praised the city's appearance and atmosphere, others questioned whether recent cleanup efforts will continue after the international spotlight fades. Also in today's episode, The Center Square publishes the results of a months-long investigation into Washington state's taxpayer-funded daycare subsidy program. Reporters visited dozens of licensed daycare locations after reviewing public payment records and examining concerns surrounding oversight, accountability, and verification of taxpayer-funded child care payments. The investigation includes responses from state agencies and elected officials while raising additional questions about government oversight. Finally, new developments have emerged in the Washington State Senate race involving Sen. Nikki Torres. Newly released police documents indicate investigators are examining allegations involving campaign-related activity connected to an ongoing stalking investigation. The case continues to develop ahead of Washington's August primary election. In today's episode: • Team USA returns to Seattle for the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 • Fans rank Seattle among the tournament's best host cities • The Center Square releases a major daycare investigation • New developments in the Nikki Torres investigation • Washington politics and government accountability updates Subscribe for daily coverage of Washington politics, taxpayer issues, investigative reporting, transportation, public policy, and government accountability from The Center Square.    #Seattle #WorldCup #USMNT #SeattleNews #WashingtonPolitics #GovernmentAccountability #InvestigativeJournalism #WashingtonState #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    20 min

  4. Jun 10

    Rep. Tarra Simmons Ethics Hearing Heats Up + Parents Rights Initiative Heads To Ballot

    A rare legislative ethics hearing involving Washington State Rep. Tarra Simmons continued Tuesday as witnesses testified about campaign donations, nonprofit funding, and allegations of conflicts of interest. The hearing could result in significant penalties if ethics violations are found. Meanwhile, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development is moving away from the long-standing Housing First model and toward treatment-focused homelessness programs. Washington officials say they have been preparing for the shift as billions continue to be spent addressing homelessness statewide. The show also examines two November ballot initiatives involving parental rights and girls' sports, the debate over ballot language, and the latest on the income tax repeal effort as signature gathering continues statewide.  #WashingtonPolitics #WashingtonState #Olympia #EthicsHearing #TarraSimmons #IncomeTax #IncomeTaxReapeal #Homelessness #HousingFirst #HUD #ParentsRights #GirlsSports #Election2026 #BallotMeasure #Taxpayer #PublicPolicy #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    22 min

  5. Jun 8

    Seattle Residents Demand Public Safety Action + Washington Gas Tax Debate Continues

    Hundreds of Seattle residents marched along Aurora Avenue North over the weekend, demanding action on crime, prostitution, sex trafficking, and repeated shootings in the area. Residents say public safety conditions have deteriorated and are calling on city leaders to respond. The demonstrations come just days before Seattle hosts its first World Cup match, with some officials warning that international trafficking activity often follows major global sporting events. Meanwhile, Mayor Katie Wilson has reversed course and approved activation of surveillance cameras near the stadium district after pressure from public safety advocates. The episode also examines Washington's gas prices and the ongoing debate over whether the Climate Commitment Act is adding more than 50 cents per gallon to fuel costs. Critics continue to call for temporary tax relief while the governor's office defends the state's climate policies.  #Seattle #WorldCup #PublicSafety #Crime #AuroraAvenue #KatieWilson #SeattlePolitics #GasPrices #CCA #WashingtonPolitics #TrafficKing #WorldCup2026 #SeattleNews #WashingtonState #TheCenterSquare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    19 min

  6. Jun 2

    $800 Million Investment Leaves Washington Behind + Billions Vanish From Downtown Seattle

    Washington faces new economic challenges as another major manufacturer announces plans to expand outside the state. In today's Washington In Focus Daily, we examine Janicki Industries' decision to build an $800 million expansion project in Montana rather than Washington, citing rising costs, regulations, and energy prices. We also hear new warnings from Downtown Seattle Association President John Scholes about Seattle's record office vacancy rates, billions in lost property value, and the loss of 40,000 downtown jobs. Plus, a Seattle father delivers emotional testimony after a bullet narrowly missed his infant son's bedroom, and Labor & Industries officially launches its on-site investigation into the deadly Longview industrial disaster that killed 11 workers and left more than 2,300 dead fish in surrounding waterways. #WashingtonState #Seattle #WashingtonPolitics #BusinessExodus #SeattleEconomy #PublicSafety #Longview #JanickiIndustries #EconomicDevelopment #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #SeattleCrime #DowntownSeattle #Jobs #Taxpayer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    18 min

  7. Jun 1

    Seattle Business Leaders Sound Alarm Ahead Of World Cup + Questions Surround The Long-Term Care Tax

    As Seattle prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of World Cup visitors, business leaders are calling for additional security measures and renewed focus on public safety. We break down the debate over surveillance cameras, the economic stakes for local businesses, and what city leaders are doing ahead of kickoff. Plus, Washington's WA Cares program is encouraging previously exempt workers to opt back in, raising fresh questions about taxes, benefits, and long-term costs. Also: New developments in the Longview industrial disaster investigation. #Seattle #WorldCup2026 #WACares #WashingtonState #PublicSafety #Taxes #Taxpayer #SeattleNews #BusinessNews #Longview Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min

  8. May 27

    Deadly Nippon Plant Implosion + Income Tax Repeal Effort Sees Record Signature Surge

    Today on Washington in Focus Daily: New developments in the deadly Nippon pulp mill explosion in Longview Community outrage grows after the arrest of Longview School District Superintendent Karen Cloninger The effort to repeal Washington’s new income tax shatters early signature-gathering records TOP STORY: LONGVIEW REELING AFTER DEADLY NIPPON PLANT DISASTER Washington State Sen. Jeff Wilson says the Longview community is devastated following the massive industrial implosion at the Nippon facility. According to Wilson: At least six deaths had been confirmed through drone footage Three additional workers were still missing and presumed dead Multiple others suffered severe chemical burns Wilson explained: “This isn’t business first. It still is about people.” The senator, whose son works at the facility, said he had never seen a tank rupture in that manner during decades working around similar industrial systems. Officials say the investigation into the cause of the implosion is ongoing. LONGVIEW SCHOOL BOARD FACES PUBLIC OUTRAGE Meanwhile, the Longview School Board faced intense backlash during its first public meeting since Superintendent Karen Cloninger’s arrest. Cloninger is accused of: Obstructing an investigation Failing to report alleged assaults Interfering with law enforcement The allegations involve: ➡️ Older boys basketball players accused of assaulting younger students ➡️ Claims district officials delayed reporting the incidents to police ➡️ Concerns the superintendent and others attempted to suppress discussion of the case During public testimony: Multiple residents demanded school board members resign Parents accused officials of betraying community trust Critics questioned why the board extended Cloninger’s contract despite ongoing investigations INCOME TAX REPEAL EFFORT BREAKS RECORDS The initiative campaign seeking to repeal Washington’s new income tax is also seeing explosive early momentum. According to Let’s Go Washington: More than 92,780 signatures were gathered during the first week alone Organizers say it is a record-breaking pace Roughly 309,000 valid signatures are needed to qualify for the ballot Supporters argue: ➡️ Many voters fear the tax threshold could eventually expand ➡️ Businesses and high earners are considering relocation ➡️ The initiative effort reflects growing public opposition Governor Bob Ferguson responded Wednesday by saying: “So long as I am governor, I will veto any attempt to lower the threshold or raise the rate of this tax.” Critics noted lawmakers previously declined to permanently lock those protections into the legislation itself. WHY THIS MATTERS This impacts: Industrial safety Public trust in schools Washington tax policy Public accountability Ballot initiatives Community safety and oversight Longview is now at the center of multiple major stories involving public safety, government accountability, and statewide political debate. #WashingtonState #Longview #IncomeTax #Politics #BreakingNews #JeffWilson #SchoolBoard #PublicSafety #Investigation #USNews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    20 min
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4.2
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

The podcast bringing you the most important stories out of Washington from TheCenterSquare.com. Join us as we dive into the top headlines and provide insightful commentary and analysis.

Information

  • Creator
    The Center Square
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    518
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Center Square
  • Show Website
    Washington in Focus

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