Lynnwood Times Political Maverick of the Year goes to Brian Heywood
The Lynnwood Times Political Maverick of the Year for 2024 goes to Brian Heywood, CEO of Taiyo Pacific Partners and founder of Let’s Go Washington, for introducing a record-breaking six citizen initiatives during the 2024 legislative session—three of which were approved by both legislative chambers (the most citizen initiatives ever approved by law makers in […]
‘Legal Dream Team’ file lawsuit challenging Washington state income tax
OLYMPIA—The Citizen Action Defense Fund (CADF), former Attorney General Rob McKenna, and former Supreme Court Justice and State Senator Phil Talmadge officially filed a lawsuit against the state of Washington, the Department of Revenue and Acting Director John Ryser challenging the newly enacted income tax on Thursday, April 9. The suit filed in Klickitat County […]
WA Supreme Court fast-tracks Let’s Go Washington referendum fight against new income tax law
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Supreme Court has agreed to review an emergency petition brought by Let’s Go Washington after the political action group was denied a referendum to repeal SB-6346, the income tax bill signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson on March 30. “At the direction of the Court Commissioner, the emergency motion for accelerated […]
Ferguson signs new income tax bill, lawsuit and referendum challenges begin
OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 6346 into law March 30, enacting a 9.9% income tax on annual income above $1 million as the Citizen Action Defense Fund announced a legal challenge and Let’s Go Washington also announcing it is launching a referendum to repeal the measure. The bill passed the full Senate […]
As Washington gets an income tax, the fight to overturn it begins
[OLYMPIA | JERRY CORNFIELD]—Come Monday, Washington is expected to have a state income tax on the books for the first time in nearly a century. Then what? A legal challenge certainly, maybe two. A ballot battle as well, its timing less certain. Opponents of the much-debated 9.9% tax on households with incomes above $1 million a […]
Bill critics dubbed the ‘initiative killer’ appears dead for 2026 session
OLYMPIA [The Center Square] — The initiative killer bill appears to be dead in Olympia, at least for this session. SB 5973 – sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, cleared out of the Senate State Government Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee last month, but on Tuesday, Sen. Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, said the bill was not expected to […]
Millionaires’ Tax Showdown in Olympia: Fears of Business Exodus vs Calls for Fairness
OLYMPIA—Washington lawmakers heard impassioned pleas from both sides during a packed Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing on Friday, February 6, 2026, over Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax on individuals earning more than $1 million annually. Supporters cast the measure as a vital step toward fixing what they call a […]
‘Pie Crust Promise,’ Rally at Capitol pushes for Parental Rights and Girls’ Sports protections
OLYMPIA—Hundreds gathered on the steps of the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday to rally in support of two citizen initiatives aimed at restoring parental rights in schools and barring biological males from competing in female sports, voicing frustration that Democratic leaders in the Legislature have refused to hold hearings on the measures despite constitutional requirements. […]
Let’s Go WA turn in well over 400,000 signatures for parental rights and protecting girls’ sports initiatives
[The Center Square] — On Friday, January 2, Let’s Go Washington submitted signatures for two new legislative initiatives concerning parental rights in schools and transgender athlete participation. The citizen-led political group and supporters gathered at the Secretary of State’s Office in Tumwater at 3:30 p.m. as part of the process for getting the measures to […]
Republicans are in panic mode as initiative deadline approaches
The deadline to turn in three statewide initiatives is January 2, 2026, has left Republican organizers and officials scrambling to get the word out to residents to turn in signature sheets “NOW! Don’t wait! Get them in ASAP!” Let’s Go Washington, the primary sponsor for initiatives’ IL26-001, aimed at strengthening communication between parents and schools, […]
