WA Daycare Fraud Concerns Grow After New Investigation + Seattle Democrats Split On Crime

New questions are being raised about Washington's taxpayer-funded childcare system as reporters continue investigating Seattle-area home daycare providers receiving government subsidies.

Post Millennial reporter Katie Daviscourt recently visited Somali-run home daycares in South Seattle and Tukwila while examining how taxpayer childcare subsidies are being distributed. SEIU 925 subsequently contacted Washington lawmakers and early-learning officials, accusing Daviscourt of harassing immigrant childcare providers.

The dispute is now fueling a broader debate over investigative journalism, taxpayer accountability and whether Washington lawmakers could pursue new protections for childcare providers.

Republican lawmakers Jim Walsh and Travis Couture discuss their concerns about potential restrictions on reporters investigating taxpayer-funded programs. Walsh says he believes Washington could see an effort similar to a controversial California privacy law that opponents have nicknamed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act.”

The Center Square has also obtained Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families records concerning investigations into childcare providers. Some records describe allegations involving providers and parents improperly reporting childcare attendance to obtain taxpayer subsidy payments. The records discussed in this episode contain allegations and do not establish wrongdoing by every provider questioned by reporters.

Also in today's Washington in Focus, Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle is responding to new questions surrounding the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, better known as LEAD.

The Washington Policy Center has challenged how LEAD's early crime-reduction research was described publicly, arguing that a finding involving lower odds of arrest compared with a control group was repeatedly presented as a 58% reduction in arrests.

Kettle, who chairs the Seattle City Council's Public Safety Committee, says Seattle will collect and examine its own LEAD data as the city evaluates the diversion program and considers where changes or improvements may be necessary.

And with the November 3 election approaching, Pierce County voters will decide whether their sheriff should continue to be elected by voters or instead be appointed by the county executive and confirmed by the County Council.

Pierce County Charter Amendment 53 would change the sheriff from an elected to an appointed position. Voters will also see several other charter amendments and local measures on their November ballot.

Today's Washington in Focus covers Washington childcare subsidy investigations, the debate over press freedom and government accountability, Seattle's LEAD diversion program and the major Pierce County sheriff ballot question.

Follow The Center Square and Washington in Focus for continuing coverage of Washington state government, taxpayer spending, public safety, Seattle politics, elections and government accountability.

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