Critics WA's Warn Income Tax Will Crush Business + Katie Wilson Scales Back Seattle Homeless Promise

DocuSign co-founder Court Lorenzini is speaking out about Washington state's new 9.9% income tax and backing Initiative 645, the November ballot measure that would repeal the tax and prohibit state and local governments from imposing taxes on individual income.

Lorenzini tells The Center Square that he plans to remain in Washington, but says some friends have already left the state because of the new income tax. He also argues that Washington's tax policy could affect future decisions by entrepreneurs, investors and businesses considering where to locate, invest and create jobs.

Washington's new income tax takes effect January 1, 2028 and imposes a 9.9% tax on annual individual income above $1 million. Initiative 645 would repeal the tax and prohibit state and local governments from imposing taxes on individual income.

The debate over Washington's income tax comes as voters prepare to decide I-645 in the November 2026 election.

Also in today's Washington in Focus, President Donald Trump has nominated Pete Serrano to serve as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, setting up another confrontation with Washington Sen. Patty Murray.

Murray says she will use every tool available to block Serrano's nomination. Washington GOP Chair Jim Walsh discusses the nomination and his view that the move could force a larger Senate fight over the longstanding blue-slip process used in federal nominations.

And Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is scaling back her plans to expand homeless shelter capacity.

Wilson's earlier goal called for adding 1,000 shelter units annually. Her updated proposal starts with 960 new beds over two years as Seattle faces significant budget constraints.

The change comes as Pallet, the Everett-based company that manufactured the tiny-home shelters used at Seattle's new Bayside Enhanced Shelter in Interbay, has shut down only months after the shelter opened.

Today's episode covers three major developments in Washington state: the fight over Washington's income tax and Initiative 645, the battle over Pete Serrano's U.S. attorney nomination, and Seattle's changing approach to homelessness and shelter capacity.

Watch Washington in Focus for the latest Washington state news covering taxes, government accountability, Seattle politics, homelessness, the state economy and the decisions affecting Washington taxpayers.

2:02 Income Tax Story
8:24 Western WA AG Story
14:08 Katie Wilson Tiny House Story

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