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GeekWire’s civic coverage examines tech policy, urban development, transportation, housing, the environment, regulation, and other issues impacting the innovation economy. Read more.

Mar 13, 2026, 12:42 PM

Big tech dodged Washington state’s data center rules – but didn’t escape a sales tax bill

Big tech scored a big win with the defeat of data center regulations, but it lost a significant tax break for the facilities with Thursday’s 11th-hour passage of a Senate bill. Read More

Mar 12, 2026, 8:05 PM

The ‘Tesla exemption’ no more: Rivian and Lucid break through Washington state’s dealership wall

At the start of next year, Washington state shoppers will for the first time be able to visit showrooms for Rivian and Lucid Motors, take a test drive and buy an EV. Read More

Mar 12, 2026, 11:32 AM

Seattle’s downtown paradox: Commercial engine sputters amid improved safety and visitor growth

Seattle is witnessing a curious role reversal in its economic narrative. While the city finally gains ground on perennial challenges like crime and transportation, its traditional growth engine — the tech sector and downtown employment — is beginning to sputter. Read More

Mar 11, 2026, 8:08 AM

Washington House passes 9.9% ‘millionaires tax’ as business leaders warn of ‘seismic shift’

Some tech leaders and entrepreneurs worry the legislation could undermine their sector by souring Washington’s relatively favorable tax laws for startup founders, investors and high-wage earners. Read More

Mar 9, 2026, 9:32 AM

New free, on-demand EV service launches in Redmond to shuttle riders to light rail

RedLink riders can access the service via the Circuit app. It’s available to all Redmond residents and visitors traveling within the service area, which includes parts of Downtown Redmond, Education Hill, and Southeast Redmond. Read More

Mar 6, 2026, 10:53 AM

Washington governor says he’ll sign millionaires tax

Ferguson said a revised proposal met his desire to send more revenue back to working families and small businesses. The legislation has sparked intense debate within the state’s tech and business circles. Read More

Mar 6, 2026, 7:51 AM

Washington state bill to ban microchipping of employees heads to governor for approval

The bill prohibits employers from requiring, requesting or coercing employees to have microchips implanted in their bodies as a condition of employment, and would bar the use of subcutaneous tracking or identification technology for workplace management or surveillance. Read More

Mar 5, 2026, 7:02 AM

Washington state lawmakers target data center sales tax breaks to help plug $2B budget gap

Washington lawmakers are considering ending a sales tax break for data center owners when they replace equipment. Read More

Mar 4, 2026, 8:46 AM

Washington state bill allowing direct sales of Rivian and Lucid is speeding toward finish line

Washington lawmakers are racing to pass legislation to let Rivian and Lucid sell their EVs directly to consumers following Rivian’s threat to put the issue on the ballot. Read More

Mar 3, 2026, 10:34 AM

Washington state’s data center regulation bill fails following pushback from tech industry

Microsoft last week publicly came out in opposition to the bill, which garnered support from environmental groups, tribal nations, and ratepayer advocates warning that the rapid expansion of data centers risked driving up utility bills and straining limited water supplies. Read More

Mar 2, 2026, 9:50 AM

In new letter to governor, Seattle tech leaders say income tax proposal will hurt region’s AI innovation

A group of AI researchers, founders, and investors argue that higher taxes on high earners and investment gains would push top talent and future startups elsewhere at a critical moment in tech. Read More

Feb 28, 2026, 7:41 AM

Microsoft urges major changes to Washington data center regulations as bill nears final vote

After weeks on the sidelines, Microsoft publicly declared its opposition to a bill that aims to rein in the environmental and economic impacts of the data center boom. Read More

rivian
Feb 27, 2026, 2:22 PM

Washington state is primed to let Rivian and Lucid sell EVs directly to consumers

Electric automakers have fought for years to change the state law that only allows Tesla to directly sell cars, operate showrooms and offer test drives to potential customers in Washington. Read More

Feb 27, 2026, 9:56 AM

City of Seattle CTO Rob Lloyd is resigning to lead a government institute with national reach

City of Seattle CTO Rob Lloyd announced his resignation after less than two years on the job to take a new role with the Center for Digital Government. Read More

Feb 27, 2026, 9:33 AM

Washington state gets federal sign-off for huge broadband buildout

“This is a transformative moment for Washington,” Washington State Broadband Office Director Jordan Arnold said in a statement. Read More

Feb 26, 2026, 10:16 AM

‘Meaningless’ theater? As tech giants pledge ratepayer protections in D.C., others question real-world impact

While the tech companies pledge to cover data center energy costs, some industry veterans say they’re solving a problem that doesn’t exist. Read More

Feb 26, 2026, 7:54 AM

Reviving the ‘Mosquito Fleet’: Washington eyes passenger ferries to scale maritime transit and tech

Supporters of a proposed bill argue that a fast-tracked, passenger-only ferry service would help workers commute, connect residents to medical care, and boost tourism in harder-to-reach areas. Read More

Feb 24, 2026, 7:50 AM

Column: Public trust is becoming AI’s real bottleneck

The two towers near Aberdeen weren’t supposed to be monuments. They were supposed to be engines. Drive west from Olympia… Read More

Feb 23, 2026, 3:05 PM

Group alleges fake sign-ins used to pad apparent opposition to Washington state ‘millionaires tax’

Invest in Washington Now said there have been tens of thousands of duplicate names used as sign-ins for hearings and more than 100 sign-ins marked “con” were confirmed as fraudulent over the weekend. Read More

Feb 19, 2026, 2:45 PM

Seattle transit’s new ‘tap-to-pay’ feature goes live next week as region gears up for World Cup

The ubiquitous tap-to-pay technology that has become commonplace in grocery stores and coffee shops is coming to Seattle-area buses and trains beginning Feb. 23. Read More

Feb 17, 2026, 1:02 PM

Former Avalara exec leads new Seattle-area startup inspired by Washington’s estate tax

The idea for Legata grew out of frustration with Washington’s estate tax and how little many families understand about the risk to their assets if they don’t plan. Read More

Feb 17, 2026, 12:00 PM

Don’t take success for granted: Seattle Chamber CEO Joe Nguyen on tech’s evolving storyline

GeekWire caught up with Nguyen to discuss his new role with the chamber; the state of Seattle’s economy; and competition in the age of AI. Read More

Feb 16, 2026, 8:15 PM

Proposed income tax on high earners advances in Washington state

The so-called “millionaires tax,” which would create a 9.9% tax on income that exceeds $1 million, has drawn opposition from some tech leaders and entrepreneurs. Read More

Feb 16, 2026, 7:00 AM

Washington state has embraced data centers – but now it’s looking to set terms of engagement

Washington’s House on Saturday approved a slate of rules for data centers around energy costs and transparency. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration. Read More

Feb 12, 2026, 12:35 PM

Opinion: Here’s what’s missing from the tax debate in Washington state

Editor’s note: GeekWire publishes guest opinions to foster informed discussion and highlight a diversity of perspectives on issues shaping the… Read More

Feb 12, 2026, 8:05 AM

Q&A: Bellevue’s new mayor wants to move at the speed of innovation in growing AI hub

A councilmember since 2023, Mo Malakoutian is an Amazon vet and executive director of the Consulting and Business Development Center at the University of Washington. Read More

Feb 6, 2026, 9:59 AM

Opinion: ‘Millionaires tax’ threatens Washington’s startup economy — here’s the math to prove it

The real story isn’t one bill — it’s the full stack of taxes that Washington is building, layer by layer, session by session, writes startup attorney Joe Wallin in a guest column responding to a recent GeekWire op-ed arguing critics should “cool it on the millionaires tax hysteria.” Read More

Feb 5, 2026, 12:56 PM

Opinion: The ‘millionaires tax’ is not an existential threat to Washington’s startup economy

Editor’s note: GeekWire publishes guest opinions to foster informed discussion and highlight a diversity of perspectives on issues shaping the… Read More

Feb 3, 2026, 7:17 PM

Washington’s ‘millionaires tax’ targets top earners as tech leaders warn of startup fallout

Washington leaders unveiled their so-called “millionaires tax” — a proposed 9.9% tax on personal income in excess of $1 million. Business leaders are worried about additional financial burdens in a shaky economy while supporters stress the growing affordability crisis. Read More

Jan 28, 2026, 12:20 PM

Seattle’s data privacy chief falls victim to identity theft, and shares tips for how to recover

Ginger Armbruster found herself on the other side of a breach when she discovered a fraudster had used her leaked information to open a sham bank account. Read More

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