Soundside

The debate over WA's millionaires tax

October 7, 2026·51 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

The fate of the high earners income tax, sometimes called the “Millionaire’s Tax," is in the hands of Washington voters. This year, Democrats in Olympia passed a nearly 10 percent tax on every dollar of household income over $1 million.  Almost immediately after the legislature passed it, the tax was challenged; both in court and with an initiative on this November’s ballot.  The legal battle is ongoing, today, we're focusing on you, the voters. We have two people ready to debate whether voters should repeal the income tax by passing  Initiative 645.  Plus: We hear from you about yesterdays segment on eldercare and AI. Today on the show: Rian Watt, executive director of the Economic Opportunity Institute  Jaime Herrera Beutler, former congresswoman for WA-03 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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