Thurston County Judge Chris Lanese Displays Partisan Rhetoric in Income Tax Case
During a hearing on a proposed repeal of Washington's income-tax initiative, Judge Chris Lanese delivered a visibly partisan performance that critics say violated judicial neutrality.
A hearing intended to settle the wording of a ballot initiative to repeal Washington's proposed graduated income tax turned into a spectacle when Thurston County Judge Chris Lanese adopted a combative, partisan tone. Advocates for the measure demanded neutral phrasing, but the judge endorsed language that suggested the repeal would slash funding for K-12 schools, higher education, and health services. Throughout the session, Lanese gestured aggressively and interrupted counsel, behavior that was broadcast via state CCTV and has spurred calls for judicial-conduct complaints.
Critics argue the tax, slated to take effect in 2028, has never collected revenue, making the alleged funding cuts speculative. The episode underscores ongoing political friction in Thurston County, where a left-leaning supermajority has advanced the tax despite constitutional challenges.
Why it matters
The judge's conduct raises concerns about impartiality in courts handling politically charged policy disputes.
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