Here come the unintended consequences. Washington’s millionaires tax may have been designed to make wealthy residents pay more, but Seattle Children’s CEO Christopher Longhurst is warning that its $100,000 cap on the state charitable deduction could discourage major philanthropic gifts. And this isn’t an abstract concern. Seattle Children’s says it receives nearly $250 million annually in philanthropy, with a substantial portion supporting care for kids whose families otherwise might not be able to afford it. Tax policy changes behavior. Policymakers need to consider not only how much revenue a new tax might generate, but what investment, giving, and community support it might discourage along the way. This is why unintended consequences matter. komonews.com/news/local/seat… – at Bellevue, WA

If you are able, please give blood as the region is experiencing a regional blood shortage at the moment. Thanks you for considering! @BloodworksNW – at Bellevue, WA

India’s scale is unlike anything else in the democratic world - and understanding how leadership operates within that scale matters. My recent opinion piece in the @SAHeraldNews looks at what 25 years of Narendra Modi’s political trajectory reveals from a Pacific Northwest vantage point: how institutions adapt, how public expectations shift, and how democratic systems evolve under sustained, high‑visibility leadership. This isn’t about agreement or disagreement with any one leader. It’s about examining how the world’s largest democracy navigates complexity, identity, and modernization - and what those dynamics can teach us as we confront our own governance challenges here at home. #Democracy #Governance #GlobalPerspectives #India #Leadership #PublicPolicy southasianherald.com/democra… – at Bellevue, WA

October 7 is a day the world will never forget. Hamas - a violent terrorist organization responsible for mass violence and human rights abuses - murdered approximately 1,200 people and took around 250 men, women, and children hostage. Families were shattered, communities devastated, and an entire nation was forced to confront unimaginable horror. This summer, I traveled across Israel and met survivors from the Nova Music Festival and Kibbutz Nir Oz. I sat with people who ran for their lives, hid for hours, lost loved ones, and are still trying to rebuild. One conversation in particular stays with me: Barak Morag, who narrowly survived with his family as Hamas militants stormed their home, tried to break into their safe room, and set the house on fire. Trapped in smoke for hours, they were eventually rescued through a window. Barak later learned his father and brother were killed. Their story is a powerful reminder of both the horror of that day and the resilience of those who lived through it. On this anniversary, we remember the victims, honor the survivors, and stand with everyone still carrying the weight of October 7. May their strength guide us toward truth, healing, and a future where no community endures such terror again. #NeverForget #NeverAgain #October7 – at Bellevue, WA

Congratulations to the Honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi on completing 25 years in public office. A significant milestone marking a quarter-century of leadership, administration, and dedicated service to the nation. Wishing you continued strength and vision for India's future. #PMModi #25YearsofGovernance

🇵🇭 Happy Filipino American History Month! 🇵🇭 This October, we celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Filipino Americans who help shape Bellevue and communities across King County and Washington State. – at Bellevue, WA

Today isn’t just National Coffee Day. It’s a celebration of the fuel that keeps America moving - the early‑morning lifeline poured into chipped mugs, gas‑station cups, thermoses, and drive‑thru orders at 4:45 a.m. This one’s for the moms who are up before the sun, packing lunches, wrangling kids, and still making it to work with a cup in hand. For the first responders who don’t get the luxury of “slow mornings” - whose shift starts with sirens, not silence. For the truckers hauling the country’s heartbeat across every highway mile. For the construction crews building the places the rest of us take for granted. For every blue‑collar worker whose day starts with grit, sweat, and caffeine. Coffee doesn’t just wake us up - it powers us. It’s the unofficial sponsor of hard work, long shifts, double shifts, overnight shifts, and “just one more hour.” It’s the quiet partner in every job that demands toughness, reliability, and heart. So here’s to the people who make America run — and the beverage that runs right alongside them. #HappyNationalCoffeeDay! – at Bellevue, WA

To everyone in our community observing Yom Kippur, may this day of atonement bring peace, strength, and renewal. Washington is enriched by the Jewish families, leaders, and institutions who help shape our state, and today we honor the meaning and depth of this sacred day. G’mar Chatima Tova – at Bellevue, WA

Today, on National Thank a Police Officer Day, I want to recognize the men and women of the @BvuePD for the exceptional service they provide our community. BPD continues to deliver consistent, reliable, and professional police response every time our businesses and residents call for help. That dependability isn’t accidental; it’s the result of dedicated officers, strong leadership, and a commitment to public safety that sets Bellevue apart. To every @bellevuewa officer: thank you for showing up, for protecting our neighborhoods, and for being a model of what effective, community‑focused policing looks like. Our city is safer because of you. #ThankAPoliceOfficerDay #BellevuePD #PublicSafety #Bellevue #BVUE – at Bellevue, WA