Washington in Focus

Latest Episodes:

High taxes threaten high earners, lessening charges against predators & new media sues Washington Feb 12, 2026

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Washington in Focus Daily | Wednesday Feb. 11th, 2026 Carleen Johnson hosts The Washington in Focus Daily, a review of some of the top headlines concerning taxpayers in Washington State. On today’s show, income tax proposal sparks concerns over high earners leaving the state, politicians are trying to lessen charges against predators who fail to register, and Washington is being sued after restricting some new media members press accessibility. Read more at TheCenterSquare.com

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Proposed tax hike, child welfare concerns, and new media restrictions in Washington Feb 11, 2026

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Washington in Focus Daily | Tuesday Feb. 10th, 2026 Carleen Johnson hosts The Washington in Focus Daily, a review of some of the top headlines concerning taxpayers in Washington State. On today’s show, income tax proposal sparks massive opposition, critics claim the 'Keep Families Together Act' may endanger children, and Washington Democrats are restricting some new media. Read more at TheCenterSquare.com

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Weekend Edition | Washington bill proposals impacting income tax, local camping bans, & the Public Records Act Feb 07, 2026

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Majority Democrats in Washington on Tuesday rolled out the much-anticipated income tax bill. Senate Bill 6346, with Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, as the prime sponsor, is being called by supporters the ‘millionaire’s tax’ as it’s a 9.9% tax on income over one million dollars. House Democrats advanced two proposals Monday that local officials fear could undo all the work Spokane has done downtown over the past several months to tackle public camping. HB 2489 would prohibit cities from enforcing camping bans unless they can afford to house every homeless person with their pets and belongings in the immediate area. As Washington state senators contemplate a proposal that would exempt some state employees' identities from public disclosure, a House bill would set up a task force that one critic says would “gut” the Public Records Act and undermine government transparency. Proponents argue that the task force will help tackle what they consider to be overly burdensome, expensive or frivolous requests meant to harass local governments. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Income tax hearing & medical debt interest rates | Washington in Focus Daily | 2.6.26 Feb 06, 2026

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Washington in Focus Daily | Friday Feb. 6th, 2026 Carleen Johnson hosts The Washington in Focus Daily, a review of some of the top headlines concerning taxpayers in Washington State. On today’s show, income tax proposal sparks massive opposition, superintendent Chris Reykdal talks with Carleen about parental rights and girls sports initiatives, and bill to reduce medical debt interest rates moves off the senate floor Read more at TheCenterSquare.com

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Education tax credits & insurance fraud possibly upgraded to felony | Washington in focus daily Feb 06, 2026

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Washington in Focus Daily | Thursday Feb. 5th, 2026 Carleen Johnson hosts The Washington in Focus Daily, a review of some of the top headlines concerning taxpayers in Washington State. On today’s show, state superintendent Chris Reykdal apposes federal tax credit for education, state insurance commissioner Patty Kruderer supports bill to make insurance fraud a felony and public records requests could be limited for school districts

Read more at TheCenterSquare.com

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WA Senate passes bill banning law enforcement from wearing masks amid ICE activity Jan 30, 2026

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(The Center Square) - The Washington State Senate advanced a proposal Wednesday that would prohibit all law enforcement from wearing masks with many immigration agents wearing face coverings they say they need to protect them from harassment and doxxing. Gov. Bob Ferguson announced his support for the idea earlier this month as state Democrats proposed several bills that could impede federal immigration enforcement. Wednesday’s floor vote sends Senate Bill 5855 to the state House.

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Hearing set on bills inspired by whistleblower to stop NGO self-dealing Jan 29, 2026

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(The Center Square) - A whistleblower who exposed alleged self-dealing within taxpayer-funded grant programs says Attorney General Nick Brown's staff still hasn't interviewed her, months after assigning an investigator. The allegations center around non-profits funded by the Washington State Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) and other race-based programs funded by taxpayers at the federal and state level.

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Weekend Edition | 'Initiative Killer' bill faces intense backlash during heated WA hearing Jan 24, 2026

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(The Center Square) - A bill that changes the state's initiative process was touted by supporters as stopping aggressive signature gatherers and wealthy special interests on Tuesday, but critics dubbed it "anti-Democratic" and an “initiative killer." The legislation-SB 5973- sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, would require a “demonstration of support before issuance of a ballot measure title and authorize citizen actions for certain signature gatherer compensation violations,” according to the bill summary. The bill would require a minimum of 1000 signatures be submitted as part of the filing of a proposed initiative or referendum. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WA fund raids undermining efforts to boost housing supply, advocates warn Jan 23, 2026

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(The Center Square) - As the Washington legislative session continues discussions around bills to boost the housing supply, building industry advocates are warning that continued raids on an account meant to fund local infrastructure projects can undermine any new legislation. “Not only is this concerning for anyone looking for a place to call home, but it also means less revenue for state and local governments,” the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties wrote in a statement to The Center Square.

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'Initiative Killer' bill faces intense backlash during heated WA hearing Jan 22, 2026

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