Seattle Business Taxes Soar as City Loses Jobs + WA Group Sues New York Over New Union Speech Law

A Washington high-school wrestler is asking the U.S. Supreme Court for emergency relief in a major girls sports and Title IX case, while Seattle business leaders are sounding the alarm over the city's growing tax burden and the Freedom Foundation is suing New York over a new union-related communications law.

Washington wrestler Kallie Keeler and her mother have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in their ongoing legal fight involving Washington's rules for girls high-school sports.

Attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom filed an emergency application seeking relief before the upcoming wrestling season.

Keeler alleges she was sexually assaulted during a December 2025 wrestling match against a transgender athlete. Prosecutors declined to file charges against the opposing athlete.

Keeler and her attorneys are now asking for protections that would allow her to participate in girls wrestling without being required to compete against male athletes, while also raising Title IX and parental-notification claims.

Attorney Hal Frampton says Keeler already lost an entire wrestling season during the dispute and argues expedited relief is necessary because high-school athletic careers are limited.

Also in today's Washington In Focus Daily, Seattle business leaders are raising new concerns about the city's tax structure.

A new analysis commissioned by the Downtown Seattle Association and Seattle Metro Chamber found Seattle tax collections increased 172% between 2013 and 2025, substantially outpacing growth in population and employment.

Businesses are estimated to account for roughly 68% of Seattle city tax collections in 2026, or approximately $1.65 billion.

Seattle's overall tax collections have grown from roughly $900 million in 2013 to a projected $2.8 billion in 2026.

Downtown Seattle Association President and CEO Jon Scholes says Seattle's tax system has become increasingly reliant on a relatively small number of companies and argues the city must become more competitive with neighboring communities for jobs and investment.

The tax analysis comes amid continued concerns over Seattle employment losses and businesses relocating jobs elsewhere in the region.