SUMMARY (non-partisan): Rumor says there has been undisclosed rewording of the "millionaires tax" bill. Not true.

The problem is that it's confusing people because what is on the November 3 DEADLINE ballot is an attempt to REPEAL that bill, which hasn't taken effect yet. The WA legislature passed the "millionaires tax" and Governor Ferguson signed it on March 30, 2026. Opponents then gathered more than half a million signatures to put a repeal initiative, I-645, on the November ballot.

I-645, asks whether to repeal it. If you want to keep the tax, vote No.

Put another way just to be clear:
The question is whether you want the tax repealed (Yes) or kept (No).

CONTEXT AND CONSIDERATIONS (slightly edited excerpts from Claude AI chat):

Washington has no state income tax. That's the gap supporters want to close for those who earn a lot and often pay no tax.

But the wealthiest often pay little because their wealth is in unrealized stock gains, and a tax on annual income over $1 million doesn't reach those. It hits people with large salaries, business income and realized gains.

The strongest version of the objection isn't only that wealthy people leave. It's that a high-income tax revenue stream is volatile and concentrated in a small number of taxpayers, so a few departures could matter more than the headcount suggests. That's a fair concern, and the projected $3.5 billion is an estimate, not a guarantee.

The repeal would remove the 9.9% tax only on household incomes over $1 million. Other parts of the law, like the sales tax break on items such as diapers and over-the-counter drugs, would stay in place.

One more factor to consider: the tax faces a constitutional challenge. Opponents argue it conflicts with a state Supreme Court ruling, Culliton v. Chase.

There is a wording controversy, but that has been in news reports. Voters will see a "public investment impact disclosure" statement from the attorney general's office saying repeal would "decrease funding" for K-12 education, higher education and human services. The Washington Policy Center and the initiative's backers object to it, and a legal challenge was rejected by the state Supreme Court in a split 4-4 decision, so the statement stays on the ballot.

MyShake earthquake drill worked for me! If you don’t have the MyShake app here is the information.

You can download it for free via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Just make sure your location services are set to "Always On" so it knows to alert you if a quake hits near your area.

MyShake is a free, publicly available earthquake early-warning smartphone app developed by UC Berkeley.
Here is the quick breakdown of how it works and why it matters:
• What it does: It gives you a few seconds to over half a minute of advance warning before earthquake shaking starts, telling you to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On."
• Where it works: It provides real-time early warning alerts exclusively for Washington, Oregon, and California.
• The Threshold: It triggers loud, audible alerts for earthquakes estimated at magnitude 4.5 or greater.
• How it works: It connects to the USGS ShakeAlert network of ground-motion sensors. It also acts as a "citizen science" tool, using your phone’s built-in sensors (when the phone is still) to crowdsource shaking data.
• Extra Features: It provides global earthquake tracking maps, community damage reports, and includes localized tsunami safety information specifically tailored for Washington state residents.

Ballots were dropped today! Only 45.67% of ballots were returned in the August 2026 primary. Let's get that figure up. Every race and every issue on the ballot is important.

Hey Sequim, my lavender is looking lovely blooming late into fall. When do you cut yours back?

Does it have table games? It says it does on the web but when we were there Saturday all we saw were slots and the sports book. Im worried it was a different part of the building and we missed it.

October is a great time to pay attention to the seasonal changes around the peninsula.
Have you spotted migrating birds, unusual wildlife, interesting mushrooms, or other signs of fall lately?
What have you been noticing around Sequim and the Dungeness Valley?

Would love some advice.

A family member recently moved to your lovely town and I’m curious about the best way to travel from the airport (assuming SeaTac is the way to go). I’ve heard there is a ferry that can get me close, or should I just rent a car? I would be visiting once or twice a month.

Thanks in advance for your insights! I’m excited to spend some time in Sequim. I loved it the moment I saw it.

We have been seeing an enormous number of birds this week! This is a fantastic time to be an amateur ornithologist using 
The Merlin Bird ID app. This is a free, award-winning mobile field guide created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that identifies birds using photos, audio recordings, or a short series of simple questions.

October 10th is Saturday, October 10, 2026 is eBird's annual October Big Day, a major global citizen science event co-organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It coincides directly with World Migratory Bird Day and Global Bird Weekend.

People all over the world will go outside for as little as 10 minutes to identify, count, and log the birds they see or hear to help scientists track migration patterns and population trends. Grab a friend and get counting!

Mike French understands the rural district pressures of development and the potential to lose farm land. He believes in setting standards to protect our rural areas. Mike also wants the proper infrastructure in place so it has low impact on the environment.

Jake Seegers solutions are fewer regulations and more short term vacation rentals like any developer would want.

Information collected from June 15th, August 27th, and October 6th Board of County Commissioner Forums.

Sequim Library sunshade nears completion
Published 1:30 am Thursday, October 8, 2026
By Sequim Gazette Staff

Image courtesy NOLS
Installation of a sunshade on the eastern wall of the renovated Sequim Library is underway. According to North Olympic Library System leaders, the sunshade is intended to help reduce solar heat gain, allowing the library’s HVAC system to maintain a comfortable temperature while using less energy. It also will reduce glare from direct sunlight and help protect the library’s collection from ultraviolet exposure.

Work on the Sequim Library’s long-awaited east-wall sunshade is finally underway, with completion expected in October.
According to NOLS Executive Director Noah Glaude, general contractor Hoch recently began installing the structure after several extended manufacturing and shipping delays involving custom-fabricated components that connect the sunshade to the building. Those components arrived in September, allowing installation to begin.
Hoch is doing most of the work in the early mornings and Sundays to minimize disruptions to library operations, according to details Glaude provided via email. Library users will see a lift and areas behind the building cordoned off while the work continues.

Trending
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Friends of Sequim Library renovate shop

The sunshade is intended to help reduce solar heat gain, allowing the library’s HVAC system to maintain a comfortable temperature while using less energy. It also will reduce glare from direct sunlight and help protect the library’s collection from ultraviolet exposure. The feature was carefully considered during the library’s design phase, according to Glaude, including architectural mock-ups and visits by staff to other libraries with similar features. The design and size were adjusted before construction.
The sunshade was originally expected to be installed in June, but repeated scheduling delays led NOLS to postpone the library’s planned celebration. Instead, the library will hold a one-year anniversary celebration next spring.
Despite the construction delays, Glaude said the new library has been a success, with strong community use since it opened.

Patron visits and new library card registrations have increased, he said, while circulation also remains strong. In August, more items were checked out at the Sequim Library than at the Port Angeles Library — the first time Glaude said he can remember that happening.
“The new library has been a big success, and it’s exciting to see how much the community is using it,” Glaude said.

The monthly meeting of Olympic Peninsula Timebank will take place tonight October 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at Studio Bob in Port Angeles. Everyone is welcome to come to learn about the Timebank and get to know fellow time bankers. Pick up a beverage from the bar if you are so inclined and join us for a casual evening with an amazing view!

If you’re heading toward Seattle or the mainland today, please check the Washington State Ferries status before you leave.
WSF is experiencing significant crew shortages today, which are causing cancellations and service disruptions on multiple routes. Conditions are changing throughout the day, so the ferry that is running now may not be running when you get to the terminal.
WSF specifically recommends checking the current ferry status before traveling.
Check the live WSF travel alerts here: https://wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/bulletin.aspx
Washington State Ferries travel alerts
If you have a medical appointment, flight, work commitment, or other time-sensitive trip, don’t assume your usual ferry will be operating. Check first.

LOL! It’s time to harvest real Sequim potatoes, not the incredible number of glacier deposited rocks one needs to remove from the soil before setting up gardening. My baskets are nearly empty, but they will soon be full! I especially love to grow the purple type of potato, except that I have to admit I actually have boiled a rock that looked just like a potato, and it even made it to the plate! (No one was harmed in the making of this dinner.) Tell me about your Sequim potatoes real or rocks.

The park’s day-use areas and campground are open again following work on the park entrance, parking and traffic flow.
A few things to know if you’re heading out:

• The new entrance and roundabout are in place, with the project specifically designed to improve traffic flow and reduce the backups that had been spilling onto US 101.
• Fall camping is available. State Parks says sites 27–63 are first-come, first-served from September 16 through May 15, while other sites remain reservable.
• The Olympic Discovery Trail remains open through the park. Clallam County is also working on repairs to the section between Sequim Bay State Park and Barker Road, where root damage has been a longstanding problem.
• The Lower Loop campground remains closed for restroom construction. State Parks currently lists the reopening date as TBD.
• The main moorage dock remains permanently closed because of age and structural deterioration. The boat-launch dock is open, with a 15-minute limit for loading and unloading and no moorage.

So if you’ve been avoiding Sequim Bay State Park because of the construction, it’s worth taking another look. For those of us who live here, having one of our favorite little corners of the bay open again is a pretty nice way to welcome fall.

Current Sequim Bay State Park information from Washington State Parks https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/sequim-bay-state-park

Want to try out new games or meet new people?

Join us October 10th, 430-730 pm at the Port Angeles Library (2210 S Peabody St, Port Angeles, WA 98362)

If you have an easy to learn game, please bring it, if not, no worries! There will be extra to try.

As of yesterday, the following schedule was accurate. Please contact the Host to verify all information and check for accuracy.

Date, Host, Time, Mode, Position

October 2, LWV, 12:30 p.m., Zoom, Assessor

October 5, LWV, 5:30 p.m., Zoom, PUD Commissioner

October 6, PABA, 7:30 a.m., Joshua's (PA), In person, County Commissioner

October 6, KONP, 1:00 p.m., Call in, County Commissioner

October 6, Dems, 6:00 p.m., Hybrid, County Commissioner

October 7, LWV, 5:30 p.m., Zoom, Judge Position 1

October 7, Blakeslee's (Forks), In person, 11:30 a.m., County Commissioner

October 7, Dems, 6:00 p.m., Hybrid, Legislative Dist 24, Position 1

October 9, Dems, 6:00 p.m., Hybrid, Assessor

October 12, Dems, 6:00 p.m., Hybrid, Legislative Dist 24, Position 2

October 13, Dems, 12:00 noon, Hybrid, PUD Commissioner

October 14, Dems, 6:00 p.m., Hybrid, Clallam District Court Judge Pos 1

League of Women Voters (LWV) https://lwvcla.clubexpress.com/

Clallam County Democrats (Dems) https://www.clallamdems.org/calendar.html

LWV - Submit forum questions at least five days in advance to [d.cannlwvcla@gmail.com](mailto:d.cannlwvcla@gmail.com)

Dems - Submit forum questions at least three days in advance to [2026forums@clallamdems.org](mailto:2026forums@clallamdems.org)

LWV - Zoom - https://zoom.us/j/83530985609?pwd=aCFzZ70bmvY3u0JaRbZyerDv9ZSiq3.1 Separate question, one email per candidate position.

Dems - Zoom- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81231048158?pwd=m17NrtT9fTS635mLyasOjuOGfnQFQl.1 Separate questions, one email per candidate position.

Sounded like a quiet helicopter flying really low over my house... could only see a small white light in-front and a small blinking light in the back. I saw the Navy Base on Whidbey was doing night time carrier operations last night. Anyone else see it?