House Republicans pushed a sweeping budget reconciliation package through Congress this week that would enact President Trump’s tax, defense, and immigration priorities while offsetting costs with deep cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and clean energy programs.
The bill would reduce federal health spending by over $900 billion over a decade, largely through changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. An estimated 8.6 million Americans would lose insurance coverage under provisions that include monthly work requirements for childless adults starting in 2029 and stricter income verification rules that could purge enrollees who miss paperwork deadlines. States that fund coverage for undocumented immigrants would face penalties, and federal funding formulas would be frozen—potentially blowing holes in state budgets.
In Washington State, more than 600,000 adults could be subject to the new work requirements. According to the state Health Care Authority, about 138,000 residents would likely lose coverage—many not because they refuse to work, but because they can’t consistently document hours or navigate reporting systems. In King County alone, approximately 210,000 low-income adults are covered by Medicaid under ACA expansion and could be affected.
The fiscal impact is also significant. Freezing or reducing the federal matching rate could shift $1.2 to $2.75 billion per year in costs to the state, forcing lawmakers to either cut services or find new revenue.
The legislation tightens work requirements for SNAP recipients aged 18–64, including parents of children over age 6, and shifts some program costs to the states. It would restrict eligibility to citizens and lawful permanent residents and limit future increases in benefit levels. These changes could result in millions losing access to food assistance nationwide.
In Washington, over 900,000 people currently rely on SNAP, including 118,000 households in King County. State officials estimate more than 75,000 Washington parents of school-age children would be newly subject to work reporting requirements and could lose food aid if they cannot verify 20 hours of weekly employment. Older adults up to age 64 would also face time limits under the expanded work rules.
The proposal would also transfer SNAP benefit and administrative costs to the states. Washington could be on the hook for an estimated $430 million annually—including $390 million in direct benefit payments and $42 million in administrative overhead—forcing budget trade-offs or additional cuts.
The package would phase out most Inflation Reduction Act tax credits for clean energy, including incentives for electric vehicles, wind, solar, and hydrogen. The rollback threatens over $800 billion in private sector investments made since the IRA passed.
In Washington, the repeal would jeopardize major local investments. King County recently received a $50 million climate grant to fund building electrification for over 600 affordable housing units and more than 150 child care centers across the Puget Sound region. State officials also planned to distribute federal home energy rebates to help families install heat pumps and other energy-efficient appliances; those programs would be scrapped under the GOP plan.
Other provisions include permanent extensions of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, and new incentives for U.S.-made vehicles and factories.
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Prosecutors are weighing a non-criminal settlement with $444 million in compensation, despite earlier plans for a guilty plea in the deaths of 346 people.
The case marks the third measles exposure this year involving non-residents, with potential transmission sites including Sea-Tac Airport, gyms, restaurants, and shops between April 30 and May 3 (See all locations of potential exposure).
About 3% of the company’s global workforce is affected, including nearly 2,000 roles in Washington tied to its Redmond headquarters.
All three major agencies no longer give the U.S. a top rating, citing rising debt and fiscal gridlock; economists warn borrowing costs could rise across the economy.
The plan, introduced by Councilmember Cathy Moore, would require public disclosure but eliminate mandatory recusals.
Instead, 160 refugees with imminent pre-inauguration travel plans will be admitted immediately, while the rest must be reviewed individually under new court guidance.
New cameras will target speeding hotspots, with revenue directed toward sidewalk repairs and pedestrian safety improvements.
Authorities say a failed anchor point caused the group to plunge while descending Early Winters Spires. The lone survivor, despite serious injuries, trekked for hours to reach a pay phone and call for help.
Daily service to Narita, operated by Hawaiian Airlines, kicks off a new long-haul strategy with plans to reach 12 international destinations from Seattle by 2030.
Despite nearly $3 billion in cuts, the state’s $78 billion budget for 2025–27 includes new funding for special education, law enforcement hiring, and homelessness services. Lawmakers prioritized core programs while delaying others, aiming to address immediate needs without tapping the state’s reserves.
The largest single new investment in the budget goes to K-12 special education. Lawmakers approved $775 million through 2027 to help school districts meet federal requirements and reduce reliance on local levies to fund services for students with disabilities.
At Gov. Ferguson’s request, the budget sets aside $100 million in competitive grants to help local law enforcement agencies address staffing shortages. Departments can use the funds for recruitment, training, and retention.
To prevent disruptions in homelessness services, the budget includes stopgap funding for counties facing shortfalls from declining real estate document recording fees. These fees typically support local housing and homelessness programs.
The budget includes grants to expand behavioral health provider capacity and funding for school maintenance and facility repairs. It also supports programs serving foster youth and tribal education initiatives.
The U.S. and China have agreed to temporarily reduce tariffs in a move aimed at defusing a costly trade war that had brought cross-Pacific commerce to a near standstill.
The White House cut tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, while China reduced its duties on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. The rollback, effective for 90 days, comes as both countries signal a desire to restart stalled trade and avoid further economic fallout.
For consumers, the truce may slow price increases and help stabilize supply chains that have been under strain. At the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, which had seen blank sailings and reduced trucking activity, officials say it may take weeks for the rebound to register, and warn that volatility could persist.
Talks now shift to a broader agreement that could include increased Chinese purchases of U.S. products, including agricultural goods and manufactured equipment. U.S. officials also signaled they want stronger commitments from Beijing on curbing the export of fentanyl precursors and enforcing intellectual property protections. However, no formal benchmarks or enforcement mechanisms have yet been outlined.
The White House described the rollback as a negotiating tactic, not a concession, and warned that tariffs could climb again if no deal is reached by the end of the 90-day window. Trade observers say the outcome may hinge on whether both sides can formalize a framework to address long-running disputes over industrial subsidies, market access, and overcapacity in key sectors like steel and semiconductors.
Despite the reprieve, economists note that tariff rates remain far above pre-2025 levels and continue to inject risk into global supply chains. With no binding treaty in place, the stability of U.S.-China trade relations remains uncertain.
Annual inflation rate in April, slowest since early 2021
Consumer prices rose 2.3% year over year in April, easing slightly from March’s 2.4% and marking the lowest rate since February 2021 — but economists warn tariff effects could push prices back up.
Candidates challenging Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell in 2025
The crowded field includes a doctor, an actor, a former T-Mobile executive, and a housing advocate. If reelected, Harrell would be the city’s first two-term mayor since 2009.
New target year for Eastside light rail connection via Judkins Park Station
Originally slated for 2023, the cross-lake light rail link between Seattle and the Eastside is now expected to open in early 2026 after major delays rebuilding defective track beds on the I-90 bridge.
Seattle is launching a new $1 million ambassador program in the Chinatown–International District to improve public safety and support small businesses. Starting June 1, trained neighborhood stewards will patrol daily from 2 to 10 p.m., helping de-escalate conflicts, connect people to services, and provide a visible safety presence. The program is backed by city funds, nonprofits, and a $250,000 contribution from Amazon.
A fiery RV crash inside the Mount Baker Tunnel shut down all eastbound I-90 lanes for nearly seven hours Monday, triggering major afternoon delays and long-term detours for freight. The RV collided with another vehicle and caught fire just after 12:30 p.m., sending smoke billowing through the tunnel. No injuries were reported, but eastbound lanes didn’t reopen until 7:15 p.m. A new flammable cargo ban now reroutes hazmat traffic via I-5 and I-405 indefinitely.
SeaPort Airlines is relaunching commuter flights between Boeing Field and Portland International Airport. The revived service will offer departures every 45 minutes using nine-seat aircraft, with round-trip fares starting at $279—making it the only commercial carrier currently flying the Seattle–Portland route from Boeing Field.
SDOT is planting new trees in the medians along Rainier Ave S as part of a community-inspired project to calm traffic and improve street safety. The work includes landscaped medians now in place at S Kenyon, Spencer, and Thistle Streets—with more greenery and walk signals coming soon. Additional medians are planned between Charlestown and Andover, and Bayview and McClellan by next year.
I would just go to the bathroom and stick toilet paper in my ears. It’s not the coolest thing in the world … but it definitely works.
