Supreme Court Grapples With The Income Tax + Washington State Employee Raises Cost Nearly $2 Billion

Washington voters will help shape the future of the state's highest court this year, with a record five Washington Supreme Court seats on the ballot. Full Court Press Executive Director Tim Kovas says the races could have major implications for future legal challenges involving Washington's new income tax and other high-profile policy issues. Questions surrounding judicial appointments, campaign donations, and recusal standards are also drawing new scrutiny. Meanwhile, new data shows Washington has added roughly 30,000 state employees over the past three years, while employee compensation now accounts for as much as 30% of the state budget. Critics argue taxpayers have little insight into collective bargaining negotiations that added nearly $2 billion in new spending for employee raises. The show also examines how a potential agreement between the Trump administration and Iran could affect gas prices in Washington. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan says reopening the Strait of Hormuz could lower fuel prices, but Washington drivers are likely to continue paying some of the highest prices in the country due to state taxes, environmental programs, and West Coast refining challenges. #WashingtonPolitics #WashingtonSupremeCourt #StateBudget #GasPrices #WashingtonGasPrices #Taxpayer #JudicialElections #IncomeTax #PublicPolicy #BobFerguson #WashingtonState #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonNews #FuelPrices #GovernmentSpending