Opponents of Washington’s new income tax on high earners are looking to fight the law on a couple of fronts: on the ballot, and in court.  

And last week, Citizens Action Defense Fund, a conservative nonprofit, filed a legal challenge to the tax in Klickitat County Superior Court, claiming the tax violates the state’s constitution. 

We talk to one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs in that suit against the so-called “millionaires tax.” 


Guest

Rob McKenna, former Washington State Attorney General, 2012 Republican candidate for governor

Related Links

New lawsuit challenges constitutionality of Washington’s ‘millionaires tax’- KUOW

Opponents sue to block WA’s new ‘millionaires tax’ - The Seattle Times

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Opponents of Washington&rsquo;s new income tax on high earners are looking to fight the law on a couple of fronts: on the ballot, and in court.&nbsp;&nbsp;
And last week, <a href="https://citizenactiondefense.org/about/">Citizens Action Defense Fund</a>, a conservative nonprofit, <a href="https://citizenactiondefense.org/app/uploads/2026/04/WA-State-Income-Tax-Complaint.pdf">filed a legal challenge</a> to the tax in Klickitat County Superior Court, claiming the tax violates the state&rsquo;s constitution.&nbsp;
We talk to one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs in that suit against the so-called &ldquo;millionaires tax.&rdquo;&nbsp; 
Guest
Rob McKenna, former Washington State Attorney General, 2012 Republican candidate for governor
Related Links
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/new-lawsuit-challenges-constitutionality-of-washington-s-new-millionaires-tax">New lawsuit challenges constitutionality of Washington&rsquo;s &lsquo;millionaires tax&rsquo;</a> <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/sarah-mizes-tan"></a>- KUOW
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/opponents-sue-to-block-was-new-millionaires-tax/">Opponents sue to block WA&rsquo;s new &lsquo;millionaires tax&rsquo;</a> - The Seattle Times
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

At the center of the argument is a Great Depression-era state Supreme Court ruling.

The legal argument fueling one challenge to the "millionaires tax"

Artist Bootsy Holler joined Seattle's punk and grunge scene while it was taking off. Then, she documented the genesis of the “post-grunge” independent music boom of the early 2000s.

She photographed many of the bands that would go on to define the “indie” scene: like Death Cab for Cutie, Fleet Foxes, Gossip, Modest Mouse, Interpol and more.

Whether the bands are onstage or in a portrait, her photos are full of movement, life and quirk. When you see them, you feel like you can almost hear the microphone feedback and smell the sweaty crowd at the Crocodile or El Corazon.

Her new book is "Making It: An Intimate Documentary of the Seattle Indie, Rock & Punk Scene, 1992–2008".

Guest 

Bootsy Holler

Related links

Bootsy Holler’s photobook is a tribute to the golden era of indie rock (flying bassists and attitude included)- It's Nice That

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Artist Bootsy Holler joined Seattle's punk and grunge scene while it was taking off. Then, she documented the genesis of the &ldquo;post-grunge&rdquo; independent music boom of the early 2000s.
She photographed many of the bands that would go on to define the &ldquo;indie&rdquo; scene: like Death Cab for Cutie, Fleet Foxes, Gossip, Modest Mouse, Interpol and more.
Whether the bands are onstage or in a portrait, her photos are full of movement, life and quirk. When you see them, you feel like you can almost hear the microphone feedback and smell the sweaty crowd at the Crocodile or El Corazon.
Her new book is "<a href="https://bootsyholler.com/BOOKS/1">Making It: An Intimate Documentary of the Seattle Indie, Rock &amp; Punk Scene, 1992&ndash;2008</a>".
Guest&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bootsyholler/">Bootsy Holler</a>
Related links
<a href="https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/bootsy-holler-making-it-photography-project-140126">Bootsy Holler&rsquo;s photobook is a tribute to the golden era of indie rock (flying bassists and attitude included)</a> - It's Nice That
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Bootsy Holler photographed some of the PNW'S biggest indie artists. 

What "Making It" in the PNW indie music scene looked like

The animated short film ‘Tulip’ opens as many stories do - with "once upon a time."

The tale might sound familiar. It begins with a woman finding a tiny baby girl, curled up at the center of a blooming flower. Soon, Tulip climbs out her window and sets off on an adventure in her own backyard – meeting the many creatures that call it home as she tries to find her way back to her own.

The film is a take on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale Thumbelina. Each scene is awash in bright colors and textures. 

Every part of Tulip - from the characters to the sets and backgrounds - is made by hand, most of it in felt, and brought to life using the time-intensive technique of stop motion animation.

And the lush, green backgrounds may look familiar - the co-directors behind the film are based here in Western Washington.

Tulip was originally released in 2020. It screened at film festivals like the Annecy International Animation Festival and the Seattle International Film Festival.

Now, for the first time, anyone can watch the short on YouTube.

Guests:


Andrea Love is a stop motion animator based in Port Townsend. She was co-director for Tulip, and also headed up fabrication & animation. 
Phoebe Wahl is an illustrator and children’s book author based in Bellingham. She was the co-director, lead set and character designer, and script writer for Tulip.

Related links:
Watch 'Tulip' on Youtube

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The animated short film &lsquo;Tulip&rsquo; opens as many stories do - with "once upon a time."
The tale might sound familiar. It begins with a woman finding a tiny baby girl, curled up at the center of a blooming flower. Soon, Tulip climbs out her window and sets off on an adventure in her own backyard &ndash; meeting the many creatures that call it home as she tries to find her way back to her own.
The film is a take on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale Thumbelina. Each scene is awash in bright colors and textures.&nbsp;
Every part of Tulip - from the characters to the sets and backgrounds - is made by hand, most of it in felt, and brought to life using the time-intensive technique of stop motion animation.
And the lush, green backgrounds may look familiar - the co-directors behind the film are based here in Western Washington.
Tulip was originally released in 2020. It screened at film festivals like the Annecy International Animation Festival and the Seattle International Film Festival.
Now, for the first time, anyone can watch the short on YouTube.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/andreaanimates/">Andrea Love </a>is a stop motion animator based in Port Townsend. She was co-director for Tulip, and also headed up fabrication &amp; animation.&nbsp;
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/phoebewahl/">Phoebe Wahl </a>is an illustrator and children&rsquo;s book author based in Bellingham. She was the co-director, lead set and character designer, and script writer for Tulip.</li>
</ul>
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktvMuSpGmZ8">Watch 'Tulip' on Youtube</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The animated short film ‘Tulip’ opens as many stories do - with "once upon a time." But every part of Tulip - from the characters to the sets and backgrounds - is made by hand, most of it in felt, and brought to life using the time-intensive technique of stop motion animation. 

Stop motion film 'Tulip' reimagines Thumbelina in our own backyard

Federal lawmakers are returning from their Spring Break tomorrow, when the House goes back in session. And, what a two week recess it has been.

The President threatened Iran with destruction of its “whole civilization,” and then agreed to a cease fire. That cease fire is now in doubt after peace talks failed in Islamabad over the weekend and the U.S. military began a blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz. 

Meanwhile, congress is still battling over whether to fund the Department of Homeland Security with future pay for TSA agents and other workers in doubt.

And Cuba saw a brief respite from a U.S. oil blockade that has led to nationwide blackouts. My next guest says U.S. policy amounts to collective punishment of the Cuban people and she’s calling for formal negotiations to begin. 

Guest: 

Representative Pramila Jayapal

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes


Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Federal lawmakers are returning from their Spring Break tomorrow, when the House goes back in session. And, what a two week recess it has been.
The President threatened Iran with destruction of its &ldquo;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116363336033995961">whole civilization</a>,&rdquo; and then agreed to a cease fire. That cease fire is now in doubt after <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/12/us/jd-vance-pakistan-iran-war-talks.html">peace talks failed in Islamabad over the weekend</a> and the U.S. military began a blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, congress is still battling over whether to fund the Department of Homeland Security with <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/5826637-lawmakers-return-dhs-pay-uncertainty/">future pay for TSA agents and other workers in doubt</a>.
And Cuba <a href="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CUBA-CRISIS/OIL-EXPLAINER/gkvlkjgxkpb/">saw a brief respite</a> from a U.S. oil blockade that has led to nationwide blackouts. My <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/pramila-jayapal-calls-u-s-oil-blockade-on-cuba-outrageous-full-interview-261197381859">next guest says</a> U.S. policy amounts to collective punishment of the Cuban people and she&rsquo;s calling for formal negotiations to begin.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;
Representative Pramila Jayapal
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a> 
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Representative Pramila Jayapal joins Soundside as federal lawmakers return from a two week recess.

The legal argument fueling one challenge to the "millionaires tax"

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