The fight over Democrats’ new income tax has somehow devolved into a lawsuit between people who are supposed to be fighting on the same side.

Open-government activist Arthur West is suing Washington State Republican Party Chairman Jim Walsh and the state GOP for defamation after Walsh criticized West’s unsuccessful challenge to the ballot language accompanying Initiative 645. West and Republicans both oppose language claiming that repealing the income tax would reduce funding for education and healthcare—even though the new tax hasn’t started generating that revenue yet.

Now they’re fighting each other instead of the policy that got everyone here.

That’s a gift to Olympia Democrats. They passed a new income tax, slapped controversial language on the repeal initiative, and would undoubtedly be thrilled to watch their opponents burn time and money attacking one another rather than making the case to voters.

The irony gets even better: West’s lawsuit has been assigned to Judge Chris Lanese, the same judge Walsh has accused of behaving more like an advocate than an impartial judge during the ballot-language fight.

Washington has a real opportunity to repeal the income tax and push back against years of one-party rule. But that requires keeping the target in sight. There’s plenty to fight about in Olympia without picking fights with people trying to move the ball in the same direction. Read more at The Center Square.

As Shift WA readers know, Seattle’s powerful teachers union is threatening to keep 50,000 students out of classrooms next week, with 91% of Seattle Education Association members voting to authorize a strike—even though Washington law does not grant public employees the right to strike.

Of course, the timing is particularly rich. Seattle Public Schools is staring at an $87 million budget hole after losing roughly 3,000 students in six years, while teachers already average around $117,000 annually. SEA nevertheless wants raises running 1% to 2% above inflation, along with additional staffing and smaller classes.

And where are Olympia Democrats? Certainly not reminding their union allies about state law. Democrat Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen’s answer was predictably to suggest the state needs more revenue for education.

That relationship isn’t exactly difficult to understand. Teachers unions are major players in Democratic politics, and when contract negotiations get ugly, parents and students are left holding the bag while politicians friendly to the unions start talking about taxpayers coughing up more money.

Seattle families already endured a teacher strike that delayed school in 2022. Now the district is hemorrhaging students and money, and the union is threatening to do it again. Read more at Seattle Red.

The Little Giant Fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has become the highest-priority wildfire in the country, giving requests for additional crews and equipment greater priority as firefighters battle extremely difficult conditions.

The lightning-caused fire has burned roughly 150,000 acres and is just 25% contained, with more than 6,000 structures threatened, including nearly 2,400 homes. About 1,857 personnel are assigned to the fire, with the Washington Army National Guard also helping secure fire lines and protect structures.

Officials say an unusually dry winter left fallen timber with extremely low moisture levels, creating what one fire analyst compared to “kiln-dried” lumber. Strong winds have compounded the danger, carrying embers across ridges near Lake Chelan.

There is at least some potentially good news: a storm moving into the region could bring limited rainfall next week and give crews some help. Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

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