Outgoing Washington governor suggests 'wealth tax' to avoid cuts to education and police

SEATTLE (AP) — Outgoing Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is proposing a novel tax on personal wealth above $100 million in hopes of plugging a budget shortfall and averting cuts to education, mental health services and police. The tax would apply to about 3,400 residents — Microsoft...

Proposed merger of supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons is halted by federal, state judges

The proposed merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons floundered on Tuesday after judges overseeing two separate cases both halted the deal. U.S. District Court Judge Adrienne Nelson issued a preliminary injunction blocking the merger Tuesday after holding a three-week...

Democratic state leaders prepare for a tougher time countering Trump in his second term

Democratic governors and state attorneys general are dusting off the playbooks from their offices' pushback against President-elect Donald Trump's policies, but they know it could be a harder battle in his second time in office. Trump's campaign promises included mass deportations of...

AP Race Call: Democrat Bob Ferguson wins election for governor in Washington

Democrat Bob Ferguson won election as governor of Washington on Tuesday, defeating Republican former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert. Ferguson is the state's three-term attorney general. He came to national prominence by repeatedly suing former President Donald Trump's administration, including bringing the lawsuit that...

Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson wins governor’s race in Washington

SEATTLE (AP) — Longtime Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson was elected governor of Washington on Tuesday, defeating former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, a Republican, in a state that’s considered a Democratic stronghold. Ferguson will take over for three-term Gov. Jay Inslee, a...

Democrat Bob Ferguson wins election for governor in Washington

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Washington on Election Day

WASHINGTON (AP) — Voters in Washington will cast ballots for president, governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House, as well as several state and local offices and ballot measures. Most of those votes will be cast before Election Day because the state votes almost entirely by mail. ...

Washington state AG and ex-sheriff face off in governor's race

SEATTLE (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, a two-term sheriff known for helping to hunt down a prolific serial killer, is trying to become Washington’s first GOP governor in 40 years. But he faces a difficult hurdle in the Democratic stronghold against longtime Attorney General Bob...

Accusations of dishonesty fly in debate between Washington gubernatorial hopefuls

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington’s longtime attorney general and a former sheriff known for his work hunting down a notorious serial killer traded accusations of lying to voters during their gubernatorial debate Wednesday, as each made his case for becoming the next governor of the Democratic...