Spokane Lawmaker Exit, State Tax Debate and PFAS Plan Lead Local Government Headlines

Spokane’s political and infrastructure landscape continues to shift this week, with developments in Olympia and closer to home carrying potential long-term impacts.

6th District Seat Opens Up

State Rep. Jenny Graham announced she will not seek re-election in Washington’s 6th Legislative District, which includes Airway Heights, Medical Lake and much of Spokane County. Her decision opens the door to a competitive race in a district that often plays a key role in state budget and tax debates.

Former Spokane City Councilmember Jonathan Bingle has already declared his candidacy for the seat. The early entry signals that local voters may see an active primary season centered on fiscal policy, public safety funding and regulatory issues affecting businesses.

Millionaires Tax Clears Senate

Meanwhile, the Washington Senate has passed a proposed tax on high-income earners, often referred to as a ‘millionaires tax.’ Supporters argue the measure would help address budget pressures and fund public services statewide.

Some state leaders have raised constitutional concerns, setting up what could become a legal and political battle. For Spokane-area residents and businesses, the debate ties directly into broader questions about state revenue, economic competitiveness and long-term fiscal stability.

PFAS Cleanup Plan Ordered for West Plains

Closer to home, the Washington Department of Ecology has directed Spokane County and the City of Spokane to develop a plan to provide clean drinking water to residents in the West Plains area affected by PFAS contamination.

The plan must outline how bottled water or filtration systems will be supplied to households with impacted private wells. The directive adds urgency to ongoing environmental and infrastructure challenges tied to groundwater protection and public health.

As Spokane heads further into 2026, these developments underscore how state-level decisions and local environmental concerns continue to intersect — shaping everything from water access to tax policy and the region’s economic outlook.

Sources

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/feb/17/spokane-rep-jenny-graham-will-not-run-for-reelect/

https://www.krem.com/article/news/politics/jonathan-bingle-run-wa-state-house-6th-district/293-xxxx

https://www.khq.com/news/washington-senate-passes-millionaires-tax/article_xxxx

https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/washington-ecology-orders-plan-pfas-west-plains/293-xxxx