Administrative State

2026 CAPR Banquet Featuring Brandi Kruse, thank you Brandi!

 

May 22, 2026

The CAPR Annual Banquet was held May 9th, 2026 at the Doubletree Suites Tukwilla.

The Keynote Speaker for the banquet was Brandi Kruse!  Witty, outspoken, passionate, Brandi is a shining example of an investigative journalist who makes a difference in Washington state! 

Brandi's blend of elegance, sharp wit, and a fun spirit enhanced our event making it fun, and well appreciated by guests.  Thank you Brandi for inspiring a great, successful evening event for CAPR!

Administrative State


May 22, 2026

King County’s Outside Counsel Monopoly: How Taxpayer Dollars Are Used to Block Taxpayers

December 4, 2025

By Dominique Scarimbolo, CAPR King County President

King County’s Outside Counsel Monopoly: How Taxpayer Dollars Are Used to Block Taxpayers

Through extensive public-records requests, CAPR has uncovered a deeply troubling pattern inside King County government: the County has spent over $56 million on outside legal counsel since the year 2000—despite already employing hundreds of attorneys in-house.

The records we obtained show 20,334 payments to 1,607 different payees, with a staggering $43.6 million (about 78%) of all spending going to 629 private law firms. These are not small solo practices—many are major institutional firms with the staff, resources, and litigation power normally needed to stand up to government agencies.

Meeting Items, Events
Administrative State


May 22, 2026

SSB 6162: Property Tax “Reform” or Reform Theater?

By Dominique Scarimbolo, CAPR King Chapter President, 2/16/26

Bottom Line:
SSB 6162 is not a bad bill — but it is not meaningful property tax reform. It expands an existing relief program for a narrow group and rebrands part of the tax system, without fixing the underlying problems driving Washington’s property tax crisis.

Meeting Items, Events
Administrative State


May 22, 2026

Washington’s 2026 Attorney General Expansion: A Threat to Core Liberties?

By Cindy Alia 4/24/26

In the final weeks of the 2025–26 legislative session, Washington lawmakers quietly passed four bills that dramatically expand the power of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO). Signed in late March 2026 and set to take effect June 11, 2026, these measures—SB 5925, HB 1710, HB 1750, and HB 2156—were largely requested by the AGO itself. While framed as modern enforcement tools, their combined effect raises serious concerns about government overreach, chilled freedoms, and the erosion of constitutional protections that belong to all citizens.

The New Powers

Administrative State


April 24, 2026

Judge denies injunction in King ranch dispute with Washington Dept of Ecology

By , Tri-State Livestock News

The state department of ecology has “doubled down” on efforts to stop Wade and Teresa King from grazing state and privately owned land.

A judge denied a preliminary injunction on March 20, 2026, and the case moves forward as the family continues to fight for their constitutional right to a jury trial.

Administrative State


March 24, 2026

ESA BASED RULING GIVES JUDGE AUTHORITY TO CURTAIL HYDRO-POWER GENERATION

By Steve Busch

On  By Steve Busch

On February 25th, 2026, a U.S. District Court in Oregon issued a ruling that will significantly affect dam operations in the Pacific Northwest.  The eight dams impacted include four on the Columbia River…. Bonneville, the Dalles, McNary, and John Day, plus four on the Snake River….Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite.

Administrative State
Natural Resources


March 24, 2026

2026 CAPR Banquet Featuring Keynote Speaker Brandi Kruse!

May 22, 2026

The CAPR Annual Banquet was held May 9th, 2026 at the Doubletree Suites Tukwilla.

The Keynote Speaker for the banquet was Brandi Kruse!  Witty, outspoken, passionate, Brandi is a shining example of an investigative journalist who makes a difference in Washington state! 

Brandi's blend of elegance, sharp wit, and a fun spirit enhanced our event making it fun, and well appreciated by guests.  Thank you Brandi for inspiring a great, successful evening event for CAPR!

Administrative State


February 26, 2026

SSB 6162: Property Tax “Reform” or Reform Theater?

By Dominique Scarimbolo, CAPR King Chapter President, 2/16/26

Bottom Line:
SSB 6162 is not a bad bill — but it is not meaningful property tax reform. It expands an existing relief program for a narrow group and rebrands part of the tax system, without fixing the underlying problems driving Washington’s property tax crisis.

Administrative State


February 16, 2026

Senate Ways and Means Ignores the Will of the People and Passes Millionaire Tax onto the Rules Committee

By Cindy Alia 2/9/26

At 3:15 today the Senate Ways and Means Committee Democrats voted in favor of passing the Millionaire's Tax, SB 6346 from their committee to the Rules Committee where it will have a no doubt short wait to be moved to the Senate Floor for a final vote.  This in spite of historically overwhelming numbers giving testimony in the committee hearing of over 61,000 clearly telling the legislators NO on SB 6346 and its companion bill 2724 which is waiting in the wings while the senate does the dirty work for the house. 

Administrative State


February 9, 2026

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