# Income Tax Fight Sparks New Supreme Court Questions + DCYF Responds To Audit Of Childcare Subsidies

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/washington-in-focus-5357202/income-tax-fight-sparks-new-supreme-court-questions-dcyf-responds-to-audit-of-childcare-subsidies
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/washington-in-focus-5357202/income-tax-fight-sparks-new-supreme-court-questions-dcyf-responds-to-audit-of-childcare-subsidies.md
Podcast: [Washington in Focus](https://stenobird.com/podcast/washington-in-focus-5357202)
Published: 2026-05-21T23:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.americastalking.com/
Audio file: https://afp-444292-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/f06f0f67-bac9-420c-abc3-8c71315e9d6c/episodes/c28923e1-69e6-4e11-aafc-f80bb9091233/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=f06f0f67-bac9-420c-abc3-8c71315e9d6c&awEpisodeId=c28923e1-69e6-4e11-aafc-f80bb9091233&feed=wkN9yRka
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Duration seconds: 1703

## Resource

Newly obtained unredacted communications between Sen. Jamie Pedersen and the Washington Attorney General’s Office are continuing to fuel scrutiny over how the state’s new millionaire’s tax was crafted and defended legally. Center Square reporters TJ Martinell and Carleen Johnson attended a state Supreme Court swearing-in ceremony this week hoping to question Chief Justice Debra Stephens and Gov. Bob Ferguson regarding: The income tax Supreme Court conflicts Attorney General coordination Efforts to block a referendum vote Martinell attempted to ask Stephens about communications showing a former Supreme Court clerk speculating that justices might prefer avoiding a direct constitutional ruling on whether income is property. The broader legal battle centers on: Washington’s long-standing precedent treating income as property Whether a progressive income tax violates the state constitution Potential conflicts involving recently appointed justices Questions are also being raised over whether Justices Theo Angelas and Colleen Melody should recuse themselves due to prior professional ties involving: Gov. Ferguson Sen. Pedersen The Attorney General’s Office DCYF FACES CONTINUED SCRUTINY OVER DAYCARE PAYMENTS DCYF Secretary Tana Senn gave an update Thursday to the department’s oversight board following a recent audit that identified approximately $37 million in questionable childcare subsidy payments. Senn argued: The audit findings represented extrapolations rather than confirmed fraud Many childcare providers felt unfairly targeted Public scrutiny created stress and anxiety throughout the childcare community According to Senn: “A lot felt like they were under attack probably for no very good reason.” Center Square reporters noted they have spent months investigating providers…

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