Washington has an income tax. Sort of. The millionaires tax. 9.9% on household income above $1 million… survived a 25-hour House floor marathon, a last-ditch Senate procedural fight, and eight Democratic defectors before clearing both chambers on March 12. Governor Ferguson will sign it. It takes effect in 2029... assuming it survives the state Supreme Court (which has struck down income taxes before) and a near-certain ballot measure after that. So: Washington almost, definitely, probably, has an income tax.

The Seahawks wrapped up their first week of free agency, and it was a lot. Rashid Shaheed stayed - three years, $51 million, because he actually wanted to be here. Everything else scattered: Riq Woolen to the Eagles, Boye Mafe to the Bengals, Coby Bryant to the Bears. The defense that won Super Bowl LX is now playing for four different teams. The new offensive coordinator, Brian Fleury, is from the 49ers coaching tree and has never called a play at the NFL level. That's either exciting or panic-inducing depending on your relationship with risk. Zach Charbonnet is still rehabbing his ACL. Emanuel Wilson - two career starts with Green Bay - is currently the only healthy back on the roster.

The Kraken beat Vancouver 5-2 on the road Saturday and crushed Florida 6-2 at home Sunday. Two wins, back to back, after dropping three straight. First Avenue South Bridge is open again. Spring arrives Friday. It is possible for several things to be fine simultaneously.

Here's your Monday.

Millionaires tax signed and on its way to court The 9.9% tax on personal income above $1 million cleared both chambers March 12 and heads to Governor Ferguson, who plans to sign it. The revenue - roughly $3 billion a year when fully running - is earmarked for expanded school meals, working families tax credits, and sales tax exemptions on diapers and over-the-counter medicine. Republicans say it's unconstitutional, and the courts and voters will both get a say before this is done. The state's constitution has blocked income taxes before. Whether that holds at the Supreme Court level is the actual question. For now: first income tax in Washington history. Pending everything.

Seahawks free agency: the wins, the losses, and the guy who's never called a play Day one of the legal tampering period saw Kenneth Walker sign with Kansas City, Riq Woolen land in Philadelphia, Boye Mafe head to Cincinnati, and Coby Bryant go to Chicago. Rashid Shaheed signed back on a three-year deal and kept the team from a total fire sale feel. New OC Brian Fleury replaces Klint Kubiak, who left to become the Raiders head coach. Fleury has never called plays in the NFL, though head coach Mike Macdonald said he thinks that's "a bit overrated." Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon extensions are still pending. The draft is April 23.

Kraken sweep the weekend, creep up the standings After losing three of their previous four, the Kraken beat Vancouver 5-2 on the road Saturday and dismantled Florida 6-2 at Climate Pledge Sunday. Bobby McMann scored in both games. They're 31-26, sitting in the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. Tampa Bay comes to town Tuesday. This is the Kraken looking like they want to be in the conversation, which is a different look than last week.

Mariners Opening Day: 10 days out The 2026 Mariners home opener is March 26 at T-Mobile Park. Spring training ends this week. Ten days to decide if you're optimistic. Seattle's default setting is cautious optimism with contingency plans for disappointment, which honestly is just being a Mariners fan. The bullpen is the question. It's always the bullpen.

Ballard encampment expands after Burke-Gilman Trail clearing A growing encampment in Ballard is drawing renewed neighbor concern just weeks after the city cleared another camp nearby along the Burke-Gilman Trail. The cycle is familiar at this point: clear one, another appears a few blocks over. The neighborhood is dealing with several things at once. This is one of them.

Homeless camp outside Seattle Center raises private property questions A camp just outside Seattle Center is prompting new questions about whether private property owners are responsible for managing what happens on adjacent vacant lots. The World Cup is in June. International eyes on the city. The timeline on these conversations just got more pointed than anyone wants to acknowledge out loud.

Downtown violent crime hits lowest level since 2017 Mayor Katie Wilson presented the State of Downtown report last week: violent crime in the core is down 14% from 2024 and at its lowest since before the pandemic. SPD Chief Barnes credited officer proactivity, which is up 12% year over year. The less good news: Belltown is up 24% and the CID remains elevated. The city is adding neighborhood resource officers to both. The World Cup is in June. Everyone is very motivated right now.

First Ave S Bridge: back open, with an asterisk All lanes are open again in both directions, but the speed limit remains 25 mph. The emergency closure lasted five days. The full deck replacement is still scheduled for 2027. WSDOT wants everything sorted before the World Cup in June. One bridge crisis at a time.

2 Line Crosslake Connection: 12 days out The 2 Line opens for passenger service Saturday, March 28, becoming the world's first light rail to operate across a floating bridge. Ribbon cutting is at 9 AM at Judkins Park Station, with the first train departing around 10 AM. Two new stations: Judkins Park and Mercer Island. Combined with the 1 Line, trains will run every 4 minutes through downtown Seattle. One note: the national "No Kings" protest is also scheduled for March 28. Downtown will be crowded. Either plan to stay on the train, or plan around it.

Cafe Lolo (Capitol Hill) - SOFT OPEN THIS WEEK The soft open is finally real: Thursday March 19 from 11 AM to 3 PM, and Friday March 20 from 5 to 10 PM, at 806 E. Roy. Three co-owners, all farmers market veterans, are taking over the Loveless Building space with a focus on handmade pasta and local Washington grains. The Russian Samovar murals from the building's earlier tenants are staying on the walls intact. Call ahead for dinner reservations.

Blue Willow (Capitol Hill) - OPENING THIS SPRING The team behind Tyger Tyger in Queen Anne is opening Blue Willow at 300 E. Pike - the old Stateside space. Stateside ran French-Vietnamese for a decade before closing last summer, and Tyger Tyger doing Sichuan in that footprint is a reasonable trade. No date yet.

Seattle Mariners Adjustable Cap Opening Day is March 26. Ten days to decide if you're showing up. The answer should be yes. T-Mobile Park in late March is cold, optimistic, and exactly what this city needs after a winter that technically ended Friday.

Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket Spring "arrived" Friday. The temperature did not get the memo. Mariners night games, 2 Line opening day, any outdoor moment from now through June - this is the layer. Packs to nothing, works everywhere. Seattle's unofficial second uniform.

That's your Monday. The income tax exists, pending a court battle. The Seahawks defense is now employed in Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Chicago. The Kraken beat two teams in two days. And ten days from now, you can take a train across Lake Washington and watch the Mariners play baseball.

See you Thursday with weekend plans!

If this made your Monday more manageable, forward it to someone who's still recovering from the bridge. Growing this thing is word-of-mouth, as always.

If you need me, I'll be watching Hockey, waiting for a train, trying to feel something about the income tax.

-- The Drizzle