Sarah Mizes-Tan
State Government ReporterSarah Mizes-Tan leads coverage of state government for KUOW and KNKX and reports stories of people affected by officials’ decisions. Her work reaches audiences across Washington, Idaho, and Oregon through the Northwest News Network.
Before moving to Olympia, Sarah launched the race and equity beat at Cap Radio in Sacramento. She reported for WCAI on Cape Cod, KQED in the Bay Area, and on education for the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
She has a master's in journalism from Columbia University.
Reach her at smt@knkx.org or sarah@kuow.org
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Former Attorney General Rob McKenna and the Citizens Action Defense Fund have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Washington’s new income tax on high earners. -
Washington’s Supreme Court has agreed to weigh in on the constitutionality of a portion of the recently passed income tax on high earners, also known as the “millionaires tax.” -
Some experts — and Washington lawmakers themselves — think the state’s problems are starting to outgrow the Legislature's limited schedule. -
The 9.9% tax on incomes over $1 million starts in 2029, funding child care subsidies, tax breaks for low-income families and sales tax breaks, and supporting the general fund. -
Lawmakers have set aside $19 million to fill in the federal government's cuts to Medicaid.
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The Washington Legislature wrapped up the 2026 session last week. Updates to the budget included cuts to childcare subsidies and a one-time pull from the state's rainy day fund. -
Democrats and Republicans argued over whether spending and taxing plans will make Washington more affordable. Lawmakers will have to wrangle with a forecast deficit next year. -
It would be the state's first-ever income tax. The Senate's final approval came after a historic 25-hour debate in the House.
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In a 51 to 46 vote with four Democrats dissenting, the bill now has a clear path to the governor’s desk. If signed into law, it would become the first income tax for the state of Washington. -
Gov. Ferguson had previously wavered on his support in the bill’s earlier form, saying the legislation did not include enough to support working families as written.
