Seattle Business Taxes Soar as City Loses Jobs + WA Group Sues New York Over New Union Speech Law

A Washington high-school wrestler is asking the U.S. Supreme Court for emergency relief in a major girls sports and Title IX case, while Seattle business leaders are sounding the alarm over the city's growing tax burden and the Freedom Foundation is suing New York over a new union-related communications law. Washington wrestler Kallie Keeler and her mother have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in their ongoing legal fight involving Washington's rules for girls high-school sports. Attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom filed an emergency application seeking relief before the upcoming wrestling season. Keeler alleges she was sexually assaulted during a December 2025 wrestling match against a transgender athlete. Prosecutors declined to file charges against the opposing athlete. Keeler and her attorneys are now asking for protections that would allow her to participate in girls wrestling without being required to compete against male athletes, while also raising Title IX and parental-notification claims. Attorney Hal Frampton says Keeler already lost an entire wrestling season during the dispute and argues expedited relief is necessary because high-school athletic careers are limited. Also in today's Washington In Focus Daily, Seattle business leaders are raising new concerns about the city's tax structure. A new analysis commissioned by the Downtown Seattle Association and Seattle Metro Chamber found Seattle tax collections increased 172% between 2013 and 2025, substantially outpacing growth in population and employment. Businesses are estimated to account for roughly 68% of Seattle city tax collections in 2026, or approximately $1.65 billion. Seattle's overall tax collections have grown from roughly $900 million in 2013 to a projected $2.8 billion in 2026. Downtown Seattle Association President and CEO Jon Scholes says Seattle's tax system has become increasingly reliant on a relatively small number of companies and argues the city must become more competitive with neighboring communities for jobs and investment. The tax analysis comes amid continued concerns over Seattle employment losses and businesses relocating jobs elsewhere in the region. The Freedom Foundation is also suing the state of New York over a newly enacted law governing communications that purport to come from or be authorized by labor organizations. The Freedom Foundation argues the law violates the First Amendment and could interfere with its efforts to inform public employees of their rights regarding union membership and dues following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision. New York describes the legislation as a protection against fraudulent or deceptive communications involving labor organizations. The Freedom Foundation argues its communications are clearly identified and that the law could chill constitutionally protected speech. The organization is seeking a preliminary injunction in federal court. Finally, new polling released by Let's Go Washington shows support for two initiatives appearing on Washington's November 3 ballot. According to the sponsor's adjusted polling results presented by Let's Go Washington, Initiative 001 has 51% support with 32% undecided, while Initiative 638 has 56% support, 24% opposition and 22% undecided. I-638 concerns participation in girls K-12 sports, while I-001 concerns Washington's parental-rights policies. Today's Washington In Focus Daily examines the U.S. Supreme Court, Kallie Keeler, girls sports, Title IX, Initiative 638, Seattle business taxes, Seattle job losses, the Freedom Foundation, New York union law, public employee union rights, Initiative 001 and the November 2026 Washington election. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Washington state government, Seattle's economy, taxes, elections, education policy, the courts and public-sector unions. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersquarewa Msg & data rates may apply. #WashingtonState #Seattle #SeattleTaxes #KallieKeeler #SupremeCourt #SCOTUS #TitleIX #GirlsSports #FreedomFoundation #Initiative638 #I638 #Initiative001 #WashingtonElection #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.