Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Recall Effort Intensifies + Income Tax Repeal Hits State Supreme Court

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is facing a recall effort as criticism grows over public safety, the city's response to the Bite of Seattle shooting and the resignation of Police Chief Shawn Barnes. Seattle Police Guild President Kent Loux reacts to the filing and calls it a potential “wake-up call” for the mayor's office. Meanwhile, Seattle's LEAD diversion program is facing renewed scrutiny following a Washington Policy Center analysis questioning claims surrounding the program's results. Loux weighs in on whether diversion programs provide enough accountability for drug-related crime. Washington's parental rights debate is also attracting national attention as voters prepare to decide Initiative 26-001 in November. Parents Rights in Education Executive Director Suzanne Gallagher explains why her organization is watching Washington's fight over parental involvement in schools. And the battle over Washington's new income tax continues as the state Supreme Court expedites a challenge involving the ballot language for Initiative 645. The Washington GOP and former Supreme Court Justice Richard Sanders are weighing in as the court prepares to consider the appeal. It's all on today's Washington in Focus Daily. #Seattle #KatieWilson #SeattleMayor #SeattleCrime #SeattlePolice #PublicSafety #WashingtonState #WashingtonPolitics #WashingtonNews #LEADProgram #ParentalRights #WashingtonSchools #IncomeTax #WashingtonIncomeTax #IncomeTaxRepeal #Initiative645 #WASupremeCourt #Election2026 #WashingtonInFocus #CenterSquare