Washington lawmakers made big headlines last month by passing a new income tax, but they also rolled back a few taxes they approved last year, including a big estate tax hike.

Why it matters: The new income tax has drawn criticism that it could hurt the state's business climate or push wealth out of state — outcomes the tax rollbacks aim to help prevent.

Zoom in: Senate Bill 6347 lowers the top estate tax rate in Washington from 35% to 20%, undoing an increase imposed last year. The estate tax applies to property transfers when someone dies.

• The top rate affects estates valued at $12 million or more, with the first $3 million exempt from taxation.
• Estates valued at less than $3 million don't pay.

What they're saying: Top lawmakers said the 35% rate was far higher than other states, and could cause people to try to move money elsewhere to evade the tax.

• "In a country where people are mobile, capital is mobile, being an outlier is not usually in our interest," House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon (D-West Seattle) said during a House floor debate last month.
• Senate budget writer June Robinson (D-Everett) said she heard from constituents about the higher estate tax "probably more than any of the other changes that we made last year."

Lawmakers also rolled back some sales tax hikes they passed last year.

• Those rollbacks were included in the income tax bill, and they repeal sales tax increases on services such as information technology support, website development, temporary staffing and live presentations.
• State Sen. Noel Frame (D-Seattle), Senate Democrats' lead on tax issues, told Axios that those tax reductions were "part of negotiations to get votes and garner support" for the income tax.
• "It was a big request from the business community," said Frame, who said she personally did not want to see many of those sales tax increases rolled back.

What's next: The revised estate tax rates take effect in July, while most changes to sales taxes on services will take effect in January 2029.

• Some repeals will kick in sooner for services provided to schools and hospitals, and for live presentations by nonprofits.

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Spring brings one of the easiest chances of the year to spot an otherworldly glow in the night sky.

Now is prime time in the Northern Hemisphere to see the zodiacal light — or "false dusk" — about an hour after sunset on the western horizon.

• Many people mistake it for distant city lights or lingering twilight, but it's actually sunlight reflecting off a vast cloud of dust spread through our solar system, according to EarthSky.
• Scientists have long thought the dust comes from comets and asteroid collisions — but newer research suggests some of it may come from Mars, per NASA.

The zodiacal light is one of the most magical night sky sights — and one of the few cosmic phenomena you can see with the naked eye if you know when and where to look, said Deborah Byrd of EarthSky.

Pro tips: A good opportunity is coming up next week with the new moon on April 17.

• Head to a dark rural area away from city lights.
• Go on a clear night with little or no moonlight.
• Watch for a faint triangular glow that's whitish, not pink like twilight, according to StarWalk.

What's next: The zodiacal light is also visible in the east before sunrise in the fall, when it's called "false dawn."

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🏘️ Seattle approved funding for 500 new tiny homes using reallocated funds to expand shelter capacity and address homelessness ahead of the World Cup. (KIRO)

⚓️ Defense company Anduril has been quietly building autonomous warships for the U.S. Navy at the former Foss Shipyard on Seattle's Lake Washington Ship Canal since at least late last year. (GeekWire)

🤿 A 72-year-old Richland man survived a crocodile attack during a scuba trip in Cozumel after bystanders helped him to shore and applied a tourniquet to save his arm. (MyNorthwest)

📍Sekiu, a fishing town on the Olympic Peninsula, has been named one of the country's top 20 "off-the-map" destinations by Airbnb. (Seattle Times)

Jim Whittaker, a Seattle native who became the first American to summit Mount Everest and later led REI, died at 97 in Port Townsend. (Cascadia Daily News)

Washington diners are among the stingiest tippers in the country, according to Toast's latest restaurant trends report.

• Diners at full-service restaurants in Washington that use Toast's restaurant technology platform leave about 17.6% on average, below the 19.2% national rate.

Yes, but: We are among the few states that require employers to pay the full minimum wage, with tips on top.

• As of January, we also had the highest statewide minimum wage: $17.13 per hour.

The other side: Delaware, West Virginia, New Hampshire and Indiana are home to America's best tippers, with diners leaving roughly 21% or higher on average.

The Masters tee off today in Augusta — and there are a couple of golfers with Washington ties to keep an eye on.

• It's a chance to watch both a Husky-linked contender and a hometown legend on golf's biggest stage.

Nick Taylor, a University of Washington alum and five-time PGA Tour winner, is back in the mix, while Seattle native Fred Couples, a former Masters champion, returns for his 41st start.