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Washington House approves income tax after 24-hour debate

The proposal would tax income over $1M, raising $3.5B a year and setting up a constitutional fight.

Politics

An <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="income tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/12/washington-state-millionaire-tax-ferguson-democrats-proposal" data-vars-content-id="fd0bfbe8-fcb5-4aa0-be6c-c48945a721c6" data-vars-headline="Washington House approves income tax after 24-hour debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/12/washington-state-millionaire-tax-ferguson-democrats-proposal" target="_self">income tax</a> on high earners is one step away from final passage in Washington state after the House approved it 51-46 Tuesday, capping a marathon floor debate.Why it matters: If enacted, the tax would test long-standing legal and political <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="barriers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/05/washington-income-tax-ban-legislature-initiative-2111-millionaire-tax" data-vars-content-id="fd0bfbe8-fcb5-4aa0-be6c-c48945a721c6" data-vars-headline="Washington House approves income tax after 24-hour debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/05/washington-income-tax-ban-legislature-initiative-2111-millionaire-tax" target="_self">barriers</a> to personal income taxes in Washington.

Washington still switching clocks as B.C. moves on

State lawmakers approved permanent DST six years ago, but Congress never signed off on it.

News

Daylight saving time <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="returns Sunday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/30/daylight-saving-time-standard-permanent-where" data-vars-content-id="a3d5f640-8072-42e9-bcfd-b26fb6b2e789" data-vars-headline="Washington still switching clocks as B.C. moves on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/30/daylight-saving-time-standard-permanent-where" target="_self">returns Sunday</a>, and once again Washingtonians will spring forward — even though the state voted six years ago to stop the clock changes for good.Why it matters: Congress never approved the change, leaving Washington in a twice-a-year time shift even as neighboring British Columbia announced this week that it&#x27;s moving to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="permanent daylight saving time" data-vars-click-url="https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026AG0013-000209" data-vars-content-id="a3d5f640-8072-42e9-bcfd-b26fb6b2e789" data-vars-headline="Washington still switching clocks as B.C. moves on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026AG0013-000209" target="_blank">permanent daylight saving time</a>.

Seattle's Estelita's Library part of rise in Black-owned bookstores

A Central District nonprofit is among 306 Black-owned bookstores nationwide, up from 54 in 2014.

A nonprofit in Seattle&#x27;s Central District is one of a growing number of Black-owned bookstores nationwide.Why it matters: As public schools and libraries <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="remove books" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/08/education-department-book-bans-censorship" data-vars-content-id="e1e22403-b90d-4581-82b5-f22b2fe65bb1" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s Estelita&#x27;s Library part of rise in Black-owned bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/08/education-department-book-bans-censorship" target="_self">remove books</a> by Black authors — from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Beloved" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/toni-morrison" data-vars-content-id="e1e22403-b90d-4581-82b5-f22b2fe65bb1" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s Estelita&#x27;s Library part of rise in Black-owned bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/toni-morrison" target="_blank">Beloved</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The 1619 Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html" data-vars-content-id="e1e22403-b90d-4581-82b5-f22b2fe65bb1" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s Estelita&#x27;s Library part of rise in Black-owned bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html" target="_blank">The 1619 Project</a> — Black-owned bookstores are increasingly serving as places where readers can access <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contested titles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/funding-cuts-erasing-black-history-blackout-report" data-vars-content-id="e1e22403-b90d-4581-82b5-f22b2fe65bb1" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s Estelita&#x27;s Library part of rise in Black-owned bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/funding-cuts-erasing-black-history-blackout-report" target="_self">contested titles</a> and authors&#x27; full bodies of work — and gather in community to discuss them.

Seattle gas prices soar as Iran war roils oil markets

Washington gas prices are up nearly $1 since January.

Seattle gas prices are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climbing quickly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/08/trump-oil-prices-iran-fear-strait-hormuz" data-vars-content-id="5b9d1d6b-2f14-4392-ae34-fa25600f6ef7" data-vars-headline="Seattle gas prices soar as Iran war roils oil markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/08/trump-oil-prices-iran-fear-strait-hormuz" target="_self">climbing quickly</a> as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iran war" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/3-us-fighter-jets-friendly-fire-kuwait" data-vars-content-id="5b9d1d6b-2f14-4392-ae34-fa25600f6ef7" data-vars-headline="Seattle gas prices soar as Iran war roils oil markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/3-us-fighter-jets-friendly-fire-kuwait" target="_self">Iran war</a> rattles global oil markets.Why it matters: Washington drivers already pay some of the highest prices in the nation, and geopolitical turmoil adds pressure to their pocketbooks.

Seattle ranks among most educated U.S. metros

The share of college-educated residents rose to about 47%, well above the national average.

Nearly half of Seattle-area residents age 25 and older now hold a bachelor&#x27;s degree or higher, according to new Census data.The big picture: That puts Seattle among the most highly educated large metros in the country.

It's school application time for Seattle parents

Families can apply to transfer schools earlier this year, with decisions coming by late February.

Education

Seattle Public Schools has revamped its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/education" data-vars-content-id="d3d216f7-aa21-43a8-a643-d67a4dfb2e8d" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s school application time for Seattle parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/education" target="_self">school</a> choice process, with the application window opening this month and decisions coming earlier for families seeking a school outside their assigned one.The big picture: The district — which has reported <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="declining enrollment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Enrollment-Decline-Study_ADA.pdf" data-vars-content-id="d3d216f7-aa21-43a8-a643-d67a4dfb2e8d" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s school application time for Seattle parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Enrollment-Decline-Study_ADA.pdf" target="_blank">declining enrollment</a> since 2020 — says it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trying to place" data-vars-click-url="https://seattleschools.sharepoint.com/sites/SPSBoardOffice-O365/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FSPSBoardOffice%2DO365%2FShared%20Documents%2FSchool%20Board%2FBoard%20Meetings%2F2025%2D26%2F2025%2D08%2D26%20Special%2F20250826%5FEnrollment%20Update%2Epdf&amp;parent=%2Fsites%2FSPSBoardOffice%2DO365%2FShared%20Documents%2FSchool%20Board%2FBoard%20Meetings%2F2025%2D26%2F2025%2D08%2D26%20Special&amp;p=true&amp;ga=1" data-vars-content-id="d3d216f7-aa21-43a8-a643-d67a4dfb2e8d" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s school application time for Seattle parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattleschools.sharepoint.com/sites/SPSBoardOffice-O365/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FSPSBoardOffice%2DO365%2FShared%20Documents%2FSchool%20Board%2FBoard%20Meetings%2F2025%2D26%2F2025%2D08%2D26%20Special%2F20250826%5FEnrollment%20Update%2Epdf&amp;parent=%2Fsites%2FSPSBoardOffice%2DO365%2FShared%20Documents%2FSchool%20Board%2FBoard%20Meetings%2F2025%2D26%2F2025%2D08%2D26%20Special&amp;p=true&amp;ga=1" target="_blank">trying to place</a> more families in their top-choice schools, while reducing the months of uncertainty associated with the past waitlist system.

The Seattle Colleges: Bedrock for a resilient community

Celebrate the everywhere, everyday contributions of Seattle Colleges grads by helping students with scholarships, mentorship and more.

Partners

Community college opens a door for all to many of tomorrow&#x27;s most stable and essential jobs.Why it&#x27;s important: AI is rewriting the future of work, and many entry-level white-collar jobs are disappearing.<ul><li>Okay, but: The jobs that Seattle Colleges graduates step into — including nursing, carpentry, early childhood education, public health, electrical work and social services — are both harder to automate and critical to the city&#x27;s future.</li></ul>

University of Washington rises in U.S. News college rankings

The University of Washington is now tied for 42nd nationally, up from 46th last year.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Washington" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2022/10/07/university-washington-beautiful-campus-ranking" data-vars-content-id="76f8d0a8-3117-42f2-860f-1f98358bfb09" data-vars-headline="University of Washington rises in U.S. News college rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2022/10/07/university-washington-beautiful-campus-ranking" target="_self">University of Washington</a> has climbed four spots in U.S. News &amp; World Report&#x27;s Best Colleges <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges?src=usn_pr" data-vars-content-id="76f8d0a8-3117-42f2-860f-1f98358bfb09" data-vars-headline="University of Washington rises in U.S. News college rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges?src=usn_pr" target="_blank">rankings</a>, which were released Tuesday.Zoom in: Among more than 400 national universities evaluated, the UW tied for 42nd place this year.

As WA districts curb phone use, Seattle lets schools decide

Most Washington districts now limit student phone use — but Seattle still lets schools decide.

Heading into a new school year, more than two-thirds of Washington school districts say they&#x27;ll have policies in place limiting student <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cellphone use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/22/cell-phone-bans-gen-z-middle-high-school-parents-survey" data-vars-content-id="67cd4a83-cbfe-44f4-aa51-9164397483f2" data-vars-headline="As WA districts curb phone use, Seattle lets schools decide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/22/cell-phone-bans-gen-z-middle-high-school-parents-survey" target="_self">cellphone use</a> — although in Seattle, the rules will continue to be decided school by school. Why it matters: Many school leaders <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="argue" data-vars-click-url="https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/2_19_2025.asp" data-vars-content-id="67cd4a83-cbfe-44f4-aa51-9164397483f2" data-vars-headline="As WA districts curb phone use, Seattle lets schools decide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/2_19_2025.asp" target="_blank">argue</a> that cellphone use is hurting students&#x27; academic performance, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="teachers reporting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/06/12/72-percent-of-us-high-school-teachers-say-cellphone-distraction-is-a-major-problem-in-the-classroom/" data-vars-content-id="67cd4a83-cbfe-44f4-aa51-9164397483f2" data-vars-headline="As WA districts curb phone use, Seattle lets schools decide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/06/12/72-percent-of-us-high-school-teachers-say-cellphone-distraction-is-a-major-problem-in-the-classroom/" target="_blank">teachers reporting</a> the devices have become major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="distractions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/04/teens-phone-use-during-school" data-vars-content-id="67cd4a83-cbfe-44f4-aa51-9164397483f2" data-vars-headline="As WA districts curb phone use, Seattle lets schools decide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/04/teens-phone-use-during-school" target="_self">distractions</a> in classrooms.

The online school helping Washington level up

Graduates typically see a $22,000 annual salary boost, says Western Governors University.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Western Governors University" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/25/labor-market-jobs-college-graduates-economy-trump" data-vars-content-id="30c15d4f-8436-4cd8-aa08-fe430037c0f5" data-vars-headline="The online school helping Washington level up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/25/labor-market-jobs-college-graduates-economy-trump" target="_self">Western Governors University</a>, a nonprofit online school, is quietly transforming how working adults in Washington earn degrees.Why it matters: WGU&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flat-rate tuition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wgu.edu/student-experience.html" data-vars-content-id="30c15d4f-8436-4cd8-aa08-fe430037c0f5" data-vars-headline="The online school helping Washington level up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wgu.edu/student-experience.html" target="_blank">flat-rate tuition</a> and competency-based model have helped nearly 14,000 Washington students — and 47,000 alumni — earn degrees faster and cheaper, advocates say.

Washington state schools left waiting for $137M in federal funds

The missing funds amount to 15.6% of Washington state's federal K–12 education funding.

States are missing billions in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal education funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/local-schools-federal-funding-superintendents" data-vars-content-id="425301a8-c68b-43f8-9ab3-b4c2830a2c3b" data-vars-headline="Washington state schools left waiting for $137M in federal funds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/local-schools-federal-funding-superintendents" target="_self">federal education funding</a> that was expected to be accessible on July 1 but has yet to be released by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="425301a8-c68b-43f8-9ab3-b4c2830a2c3b" data-vars-headline="Washington state schools left waiting for $137M in federal funds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration.Why it matters: In Washington state, an estimated $137 million is being withheld, which amounts to 15.6% of the state&#x27;s federal K–12 education funding, according to the state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction" data-vars-click-url="https://ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/news-center/news-releases/state-superintendent-chris-reykdals-statement-federal-governments-threat-withhold-congressionally" data-vars-content-id="425301a8-c68b-43f8-9ab3-b4c2830a2c3b" data-vars-headline="Washington state schools left waiting for $137M in federal funds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/news-center/news-releases/state-superintendent-chris-reykdals-statement-federal-governments-threat-withhold-congressionally" target="_blank">Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction</a>.

Washington state infant care now averages over $21K a year

That's more than $8,000 above annual in-state tuition at the University of Washington.

Washington state has some of the highest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="day care center prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/06/20/child-care-costs-washington-state" data-vars-content-id="6288df4b-403b-437e-bf67-7c4993dc52d3" data-vars-headline="Washington state infant care now averages over $21K a year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/06/20/child-care-costs-washington-state" target="_self">day care center prices</a> in the country, with the average infant tuition topping $21,000 per year, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf" data-vars-content-id="6288df4b-403b-437e-bf67-7c4993dc52d3" data-vars-headline="Washington state infant care now averages over $21K a year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a>.Why it matters: Rising child care costs put a huge financial strain on families, forcing some parents — typically women — to either ratchet back their working hours or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leave the labor force" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/16/child-care-costs" data-vars-content-id="6288df4b-403b-437e-bf67-7c4993dc52d3" data-vars-headline="Washington state infant care now averages over $21K a year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/16/child-care-costs" target="_self">leave the labor force</a> entirely, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Emily Peck writes." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/24/child-care-costs" data-vars-content-id="6288df4b-403b-437e-bf67-7c4993dc52d3" data-vars-headline="Washington state infant care now averages over $21K a year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/24/child-care-costs" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Emily Peck writes.</a>

Stand out in today's competitive job market with UW specializations

Peek inside UW's new specializations to help you stand out in today's competitive job market.

Two new specializations — with more planned for fall 2025 — recently launched at University of Washington Professional &amp; Continuing Education.What you need to know: Specializations are a short-format offering for students to develop a focused skill and competency in high-demand areas from expert instructors.

Seattle's schools are changing — here's who's behind it

Help the Alliance for Education celebrate 30 years of building a brighter future for Seattle's students.

2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Alliance for Education, Seattle&#x27;s local education foundation.The story: Since 1995, the Alliance for Education has partnered with Seattle Public Schools, uniting community leadership and private resources to support students, families and educators.

Education 📚

Seattle ranks among most educated U.S. metros

It's school application time for Seattle parents

The Seattle Colleges: Bedrock for a resilient community

University of Washington rises in U.S. News college rankings

As WA districts curb phone use, Seattle lets schools decide