The election is less than six weeks away and Washingtonians will be deciding on a slate of initiatives, including one measure affecting funding in support of children.

If passed, Initiative 2109 would repeal a 7% tax on capital gains for assets worth more than $262,000. The repeal has support from hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, who said it is a slippery slope toward a state income tax, which the state does not have.

Gabriela Quintana, senior policy associate for the Economic Opportunity Institute, said fewer than 4,000 people in the state pay the tax.

"It's a very privileged move to be able to fund these initiatives for your own needs and to not think about the impact this will have on a huge majority in Washington state," Quintana contended.

Last year, the tax pulled in about $786 million. The first $500 million collected from it goes toward schools, early learning and child care. Any additional money collected goes toward school construction.

Justin Fox-Bailey, president of the Snohomish Education Association, said the vast majority of Washingtonians who do not pay the capital gains tax will be affected if Initiative 2109 passes, especially kids.

"They're going to feel it in their communities when we give a tax cut to these millionaires and billionaires and you don't have the same access to child care, your kid's school isn't getting updated, public services are being cut or reduced," Fox-Bailey pointed out.

Washington has historically had one of the most regressive tax systems in the country and a recent report found the lowest-income 20% pay more than three times as much of their income as the top 1%.

Quintana argued the capital gains tax is vital for the state.

"We all need to play a role, including the wealthy individuals," Quintana asserted. "Repealing it will only really hurt families and children."

Ballots start going out on Oct. 18.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is joining forces with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency to cut costs at the Postal Service, this week announcing plans to cut 10,000 workers, amid other reforms.

Kentucky has lost postal service offices at higher rates than other states, especially in rural and Appalachian counties.

Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union, said older adults, veterans and others depend on the service's commitment to deliver mail to everyone, regardless of where they live, noting the Postal Service delivers to every address in the country, 169 million addresses and 318 million pieces of mail, every day. Local unions in Kentucky are participating in a National Day of Action on Thursday.

"Part of the effort on Thursday is to make the postal customers around the country fully aware of this threat to what belongs to them," Dimondstein explained.

In a letter to Congress, DeJoy said the agency needs help with lease renewals on its retail centers and tackling the issue of counterfeit postage. The Trump administration has also floated the idea of privatizing the post office. Supporters argued the change would make the Postal Service run more efficiently and save money.

Polling from the Pew Research Center finds 72% of Americans have a favorable view of the Postal Service.

Dimondstein pointed out more than five decades ago, postal workers won collective bargaining rights. He stressed the union is prepared to fight back on any attempt to weaken union rights or target worker protections and working conditions.

"It's also very important, I think, for the public to be reminded that good living-wage jobs help our communities," Dimondstein added. "They help make them stronger. That's good jobs, turnover in the community to restaurants to small retail stores to housing."

According to the union, privatization would eliminate more than 600,000 living-wage union jobs, including more than 70,000 military veterans. As of last November, the Postal Service employed more than 7,000 Kentucky workers.

Indiana lawmakers introduced a third property tax plan this week, aiming to protect local governments from funding cuts while offering minimal relief to homeowners.

The proposal, led by state Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, would change how property taxes are calculated, including phasing out certain homestead deductions and shifting local income tax authority.

"When you raise the rate, pocketbook lost some money," he said. "You lower the rate; pocketbook gains some money - that's the right system. It won't be always smooth, but the alternative is where we're at right now, and we can continue on down the path and we'll have the same results."

Thompson's plan joins competing proposals from Gov. Mike Braun and Senate Republicans. Braun's plan, which was central to his campaign, would significantly cut property taxes but at the expense of local government funding. The Senate version proposes smaller cuts to both homeowner taxes and local budgets.

David Ober, vice president for taxation and public finance at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, told lawmakers that changes to the business personal property tax rate were "a bit of a double-edged sword."

"It eliminates the aggregate floor," he said. "It doesn't eliminate individual pool floors. A lot of businesses' personal property is sitting at that floor - at that 30% - but if you eliminate that 30% floor, it's not like it goes down to zero."

Despite the differences, all three plans would shift tax burdens between property classes.

Critics argued that reducing business taxes could place more financial pressure on homeowners. The Ways and Means Committee is also considering separate legislation to gradually lower the state income tax rate if revenue growth meets specific targets.


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In a significant development for family caregivers across America, AARP is spearheading initiatives at both federal and state levels to provide tax relief for those caring for loved ones. The organization is championing the Credit for Caring Act, which proposes a $5,000 federal tax credit, while also pursuing similar legislation at the state level in Ohio.

Jenny Carlson, AARP Ohio state director, said it's a comprehensive approach to supporting the 48 million Americans who serve as family caregivers.

"We're doubling down on this initiative! We feel strongly that it's going to work on the national level. We are turning our attention to the state law, working towards (a) swift package so that family caregivers could take advantage of it for their 2026 returns," she explained.

Carlson added that Ohio is home to approximately 1.5 million family caregivers, providing an estimated $21 billion worth of unpaid care each year. She added they struggle to balance caregiving with full-time jobs, often sacrificing income and retirement savings. The proposed tax credit has received bipartisan support.

AARP has been vocal in its support for Rep. Mike Carey, R-OH, who is sponsoring the legislation in Congress. Carlson emphasized the importance of enabling caregivers to continue working while supporting their loved ones.

"It's called the Credit for Caring Act, which would provide eligible working caregivers a tax credit to help offset the costs of care that they offer. It would allow them to continue to work while caring for a loved one through illness, disability and aging in place," Carlson said.

A recent AARP backed survey found that 84% of voters across party lines support a tax credit for family caregivers. However, some experts caution that while tax relief is helpful, broader policies-such as increased Medicaid coverage for home care may be necessary to fully address the challenges caregivers face. The bill's future now rests with Congress.