AGP Executive Report

Federal Courts & Trump Power Grab: Fired Western District of Washington U.S. attorney Roger Rogoff sues after being removed just 54 minutes after swearing in, setting up a direct fight over presidential authority over court-appointed prosecutors. State Politics & Ballot Measures: Let’s Go Washington says I-645 would only repeal Washington’s 9.9% “millionaires’ tax,” pushing back on claims it would also kill other taxes or paid leave programs. Sports & Culture Wars: WNBA star Sophie Cunningham doubles down on her stance about men in women’s sports, drawing fresh national backlash and media attention. Seattle Local Government: Seattle agrees to relocate Pioneer Square’s new public toilets after a property owner appeal tied to historic district guidelines. Public Safety & Wildfire Readiness: Spokane-area officials and utilities are preparing for strong winds and hot conditions that could worsen wildfire risk, with Red Cross support for displaced residents. Elections Administration: Spokane County voters face another ballot error, with supplemental ballots planned after incorrect ballot styles were sent.

Spokane Primary Ballot Errors: Spokane County election officials say boundary mistakes sent incorrect ballot styles to voters in multiple areas, including Airway Heights (missing the Spokane County Library District levy), Precinct 6038 (missing an STA sales tax issue), and West Plains Precinct 6065 (missing the aquifer protection district measure), with supplemental ballots going out to affected voters. City of Spokane Litigation: Spokane City Council approved another $200,000 to fight a firefighter COVID-vaccine lawsuit, bringing total legal-defense spending to $885,000. Lummi Burial-Protection Fight: A federal judge ordered Whidbey Telecom to give the Lummi Nation at least 30 days’ notice before ground-disturbing work tied to Point Roberts broadband projects, citing likely violations of Washington burial-remains rules. Olympia Homeless Encampment Pressure: Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne says the city needs more state help to manage “The Jungle,” warning against scattering nearly 300 residents and pushing for a phased approach. Statehouse Symbol Shift: Washington lawmakers approved moving the Marcus Whitman statue to make room for a Billy Frank Jr. statue in the Capitol. Federal Funding Lawsuit: AG Nick Brown joined a coalition suing DHS and FEMA over conditions attached to emergency-preparedness grant funding. Seattle Universal School Meals: Seattle’s mayoral push for universal school meals faces delays tied to costs, with the program’s timeline shifting.

Wildfire Watch: Crews in northeast Spokane are bracing for more lightning and gusty winds as major fires keep growing, with the Kaiser Canyon Fire topping 80,000 acres and evacuation orders still in place. State Budget & Courts: A new WSAC white paper warns soaring county liability costs could push Washington counties toward insolvency, raising alarms for public safety and essential services. Local Government Finance: S&P cut Edmonds’ bond rating from AAA to AA-, citing sustained operational deficits and weakened reserves. Housing & Rent Rules: A Spokane County Superior Court hearing continues in the rent-cap lawsuit, with manufactured-home park owners arguing the law is unconstitutional and unworkable. Seattle Schools: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s universal free student meals plan is likely delayed a year as City Council weighs funding risks, with vouchers for eligible students moving forward. Elections (6th District): Voters in Washington’s 6th Legislative District face a crowded Aug. 4 primary to narrow races for two open state House seats. Public Health: Spokane expands its Behavioral Response Unit hours, adding capacity for overdoses and psychiatric emergencies.

Transit Tax Showdown in Seattle: The City Council unanimously advanced a sales tax hike to the November ballot, doubling the city’s dedicated transit rate to fund bus expansion and safety upgrades. Local Governance: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s universal school meals plan was delayed a year, shifting toward a voucher approach for holiday and summer meals. Elections Administration: Spokane County is mailing replacement ballots after boundary errors left nearly 6,000 voters with missing library or STA tax measures. Public Safety & Police Oversight: Spokane’s police ombuds report on the June 11 anti-ICE protest calls for major improvements in communications, planning, and recordkeeping, alongside expanded dialogue policing. Legal & Courts: A judge issued a preliminary injunction against Kalshi, finding it likely violated Washington’s gambling laws. Immigration Data Use: UW research says federal agents accessed Washington driver data in 58 immigration arrests via a national system. State Legal Costs: Washington’s lawsuit payouts and defense costs hit a new record near $614 million. Spokane Economy: June unemployment held near historic lows, with job growth mainly in health services and private education.

Data Center Fight in Spokane County: Spokane County commissioners decided not to impose a nine-month moratorium on large data centers for now, after hearing heavy public concern about electricity costs, water impacts to aquifers, and noise. Local Elections Glitch: Spokane County also sent incorrect ballots to a few thousand voters, leaving some residents to sort out what measures they should be voting on ahead of the Aug. 4 primary. Olympia Courts & Governance: Washington’s Supreme Court is heading into a major transition as multiple justices retire or leave, with Chief Justice Debra Stephens pitching “stabilizing leadership” while challengers line up for the August primary. Budget Pressure Watch: A new bipartisan panel in Olympia is trying to explain why Washington keeps running structural budget deficits, though some lawmakers question whether it’s a cover for more spending. Seattle Transit Vote: Seattle City Council advanced a transit sales-tax measure for the November ballot, with supporters touting more bus service and free passes while critics warn about spending and budget gaps. Housing & Community Landmarks: Byrd Barr Place transferred the first right of refusal for Seattle’s Liberty Bank Building to Africatown Community Land Trust, aiming to keep the Central District landmark under Black community stewardship.

Federal Courts & DOJ Power Struggle: Roger Rogoff, the Seattle U.S. attorney fired about an hour after being sworn in, sued the Trump administration, arguing the ouster was unlawful and bypassed Senate-confirmation protections. Elections Administration: Spokane County mailed nearly 6,000 primary ballots with missing or wrongly included local tax measures, including thousands in Airway Heights tied to the library district and errors involving the STA renewal. Local Transit & Taxes: Seattle City Council voted to put a 0.3% sales-tax transit renewal on the November ballot, aiming to expand bus service and ORCA subsidies. Public Safety Funding in Spokane: County commissioners shelved a proposed 2026 public safety sales tax, signaling it’s unlikely to appear until at least 2027. Housing & Homelessness: Tukwila approved a misdemeanor camping ban on city property, while Seattle City Council debates whether to make universal free school meals immediate or delay them. State Legal Watch: A King County judge ruled Kalshi likely violates Washington gambling laws, setting up another state showdown. Education Oversight: OSPI proposed changes to how teacher misconduct is reported and investigated, including faster reporting timelines and emergency license limits.

Housing Costs & Transparency: Seattle leaders are pushing an ordinance to ban “junk” rental fees and require landlords to clearly list all mandatory and optional charges in ads and leases, aiming to stop surprise costs for renters. Election & Courts: A Washington judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking Kalshi from offering sports prediction markets to state residents, ruling the platform likely violates Washington gambling laws and that federal commodities law doesn’t override them. Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrested an Alaska Department of Law attorney in Anchorage and is holding him in a Tacoma detention facility, raising questions about work authorization and status. Local Housing Funding: Clallam County will apply for up to $300,000 in state CHIP funds to connect a 24-unit Peninsula Housing Authority development to water and stormwater systems. Politics & Party Identity: A report argues Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s “blue-collar” branding doesn’t match her ties to Washington Democrats’ fundraising and policy agenda. Business & Culture: A Seattle-based radio adaptation of “Treasure Island” is rolling out nationally via public radio and distribution partners. Sports & Community: Ku Stevens is inviting runners to join his Remembrance Run in August, honoring a great-grandfather’s escape from the Stewart Indian School.

Seattle Politics & Courts: A Seattle restaurant owner, Ruadhri McCormick, was charged in federal court for allegedly withholding more than $1 million in payroll taxes from employees over a decade. Seattle Mayor & Elections: Mayor Katie Wilson is testing her political power by endorsing left-wing challengers against two veteran incumbent Democrats in the Aug. 4 primaries. Spokane Local Government: Spokane City Council staff cuts are triggering potential salary increases starting in 2027, after the council eliminated positions to address a funding cliff. State Ballots & Voting: Ballots are already going out for the Aug. 4 primary, with turnout expected to rise in Kittitas County; Whitman County also flagged an error in its voters’ pamphlet. Public Safety: Medical Lake is considering permanent fireworks restrictions after a Fourth of July ban failed to prevent multiple fires. Health Policy: Washington’s enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expired, and hundreds have reportedly dropped health insurance due to higher costs. Energy & Environment: Washington’s Commerce Department is taking proposals for a study on replacing Snake River dam electricity if removal proceeds. Civil Rights & Education: Former U.S. Education officials and Sen. Patty Murray criticized plans to outsource special education and civil rights enforcement.

Wildfire Response: The U.S. raised wildfire preparedness to Level 5 as the Northwest led the nation in uncontained large fires, with new threats around Oregon and heavy smoke impacts continuing. Endangered Species Act: The Trump administration rolled back key ESA habitat protections, and states and wildlife groups say they can’t realistically replace federal safeguards. Local Governance: Spokane’s Hillyard community is still split after protests over controversial signs at Second Base Espresso, with officials saying the messages may be protected speech. Public Safety: King County sheriff’s deputies were involved in an incident near SeaTac Airport, now under investigation by the Valley Independent Investigation Team. Health Policy: HHS is seeking input on addiction treatments, but critics note there are no proven medications for stimulant addiction—while “contingency management” is highlighted as one of the few approaches with strong results. Elections & Courts: A Washington Supreme Court seat fight is underway, with a former AG civil rights litigator seeking to keep the seat after stepping in for a retiring justice.

Election Security Clash: Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs pushed back on President Trump’s election integrity claims, saying the “information” doesn’t change the record that fraud allegations have been disproven, while warning federal cuts could leave Washington needing $3 million annually to sustain election cybersecurity. Wildfire Threat in Eastern WA: A fast-growing Kaiser Canyon wildfire near Nespelem surged to 72 square miles, destroying at least 10 structures and forcing about 1,000 evacuations as crews build a buffer zone overnight. Heat + Fire Danger: Western Washington faces high wildfire danger as temperatures near the 90s, with forecasters also flagging above-normal heat risk through late summer. College Sports Policy: Congress is back and the Protect College Sports Act is heating up again, with the Senate Commerce Committee eyeing an early-August floor vote that could reshape conference realignment and future media rights. Local Government Finance: Pacific Transit approved a $5 million bond anticipation note to cover a budget shortfall after a missed WSDOT grant renewal, setting up tough spending decisions. Renters’ Rights: A new WA law took effect June 11 expanding renters’ ability to install portable and window AC units, limiting what landlords can block. Tribal Fishing Fight: Quinault and Chinook nations are escalating court battles over treaty fishing boundaries, with the Quinault seeking Ninth Circuit review after a federal ruling blocked an expansion effort. Democrats Split on Israel Aid: Washington’s Jayapal, Adam Smith, and Emily Randall voted for a House amendment to cut Israel military assistance, reflecting growing tension inside the state party. Transit Nonprofit Funding: Yakima City Council approved a grant application for Yakima Valley Trolleys as the long-running debate continues over whether city money should support trolley operations and infrastructure.

Congressional Race (WA-4): Six Republicans vying for the open 4th District seat traded views on crypto, gun rights, wildfires and election integrity at a Yakima forum, with ballots already out for the Aug. 4 top-two primary. ESA Fight: Washington tribes and environmental groups sued the Trump administration over changes to the Endangered Species Act “harm” definition, arguing the rule shift could endanger salmon, steelhead, grizzlies and owls. K-12 Funding Watch: A federal K-12 scholarship tax credit program could send money to Washington families via nonprofit scholarship organizations, but Gov. Bob Ferguson is waiting on final rules before deciding whether to join. Tech & Privacy: A Spokane Grocery Outlet uses facial recognition to scan shoppers and compare faces to alleged shoplifting and assault lists, raising new questions about how lightly regulated the practice is in Washington. Local Transit: Spokane Transit Authority backers urged a “yes” vote on STA Proposition 1 to maintain funding and preserve expanded service. State Courts: Washington voters will choose among Supreme Court candidates, with major partisan splits and limited public info driving scrutiny. Renton LGBTQ+: Renton City Council affirmed the city as a “welcoming and protective city” for LGBTQIA2S+ residents.

State Politics & Elections: Washington election leaders pushed back on President Trump’s claims of foreign interference, as voters begin casting 2026 primary ballots and counties add drop boxes and vote centers ahead of Aug. 4. Campaigns & Governance: Debra Long is making affordability and gas-tax pressure a centerpiece of her bid for the Washington state House. Courts & Public Safety: A judge ordered Seattle to address unlawful activity at Denny Blaine Park, issuing a permanent injunction tied to ongoing lewd conduct and safety/access problems. Education Accountability: An Edmonds teacher accused of inappropriate touching remained in a classroom for 20 months, raising questions about district response and oversight. Tech, Business & Consumer Law: Amazon agreed to a proposed $201 million judgment in a Washington state case targeting social casino apps sold through its app store. Civic Protest: Activists plan a Sunday rally outside Anduril’s downtown Seattle office over AI weapons concerns.

Elections & Ballot Access: Washington’s tax repeal measure has qualified for the state ballot, while voters begin casting 2026 primary ballots ahead of the Aug. 4 deadline; guidance continues on signing envelopes and using county drop boxes. Local Governance: Kate Smith was named managing editor of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, and Columbia County’s Board of Commissioners Position 3 heads to November with two Republicans advancing from the primary. Immigration Enforcement: Seattle-area advocates and Rep. Pramila Jayapal are pushing for accountability after ICE arrests at Logan Airport and reports of immigrant community fear tied to recent ICE activity. Healthcare Policy: HHS denied an NPR report that it’s abandoning a rule that would bar Medicaid/Medicare funding for hospitals providing transgender surgery to minors. Public Safety & Community: Spokane Buddhist Temple hosts its annual Japanese Obon festival, and Spokane/area coverage also highlights local crime reports. Sports & Politics: World Cup momentum is feeding debate over youth sports costs and access, with Washington tied to the broader affordability fight.

Elections & Voting Access: Washington voters are already casting ballots in the Aug. 4 primary, with Pierce County adding seven ballot drop boxes and opening two more vote centers to expand access. Local Governance: Renton’s Legacy Square is drawing World Cup crowds and is part of a broader $15 million downtown revitalization plan. State Politics & Labor: Washington state employee union leaders say they’re preparing an Aug. 31 walkout over what they call an insulting wage offer in Ferguson’s 2027-29 contract talks. Public Transit: In Spokane, voters are weighing renewal of a 0.2% STA sales tax as the agency reports stronger-than-expected collections and a growing fund balance. Criminal Justice: King County corrections officials face scrutiny after inmates allegedly used broken tablet parts to make weapons, prompting calls for policy changes. Congress & Foreign Policy: WA Democrats split on a vote to cut U.S. military aid to Israel, reflecting a wider party rift. Courts & Public Safety: A McNeil Island resident was unconditionally released and moved to Enumclaw, reigniting local debate over community notification and transfers.

Federal Courts/Prosecutors: Trump fired newly appointed U.S. Attorney Roger Rogoff for the Western District of Washington less than an hour after judges swore him in, teeing up a fight over who can remove court-assigned prosecutors. Elections: Ballots are in the mail for Washington’s August primary, with multiple races heating up in Legislative District 32 (including three Senate candidates). Local Governance/Elections Integrity: Yakima’s mayor is behind a new “Stranger Things”-style attack ad targeting Spokane County auditor candidate Michael Cathcart, raising questions about political action committee spending and election rules. Public Safety/Health: Spokane Public Library is asking the city for an extra $2.3 million to cover a projected 2027 cash shortfall ahead of a potential levy. State Budget/Commerce: Gov. Ferguson’s team is sending a Washington aerospace delegation to the Farnborough air show, betting on new deals as the state faces fiscal pressure. Public Health: Washington is among states tracking a national cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to contaminated food.

FAFSA Push in Olympia: Gov. Bob Ferguson’s proposal to require Washington high school seniors to complete FAFSA (or the state alternative WAFSA) is drawing questions from families, but aid experts say it doesn’t force college attendance or loans. Elections Security: Spokane County is mailing ballots for the Aug. 4 primary, stressing a strict chain of custody and signature verification process. Public Health Watch: Health officials say Washington is not seeing a spike in cyclospora tied to a nationwide outbreak, but residents should stay alert. Justice System Clash: Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs says the DOJ is trying to intimidate states and interfere with election administration after a warning letter about noncitizens voting. Energy & Courts: AG Nick Brown is joining a coalition to challenge the Defense Department’s freeze on routine reviews for land-based wind projects, including multiple Washington sites. Local Governance: Seattle Public Schools will require phones to be kept away during class for students returning in September, with limited exceptions. Transit Update: Sound Transit will use buses to replace parts of Link light rail for maintenance later this month and early August. Criminal Justice: Neighbors in Enumclaw are alarmed after a Level 3 sex offender was released from McNeil Island and moved into their community.