How often stories included each key fact

What this dataset measures

Stories were collected from the outlets named in the audit design: mainstream and public media (18 outlets), conservative outlets (6) and progressive advocacy media (2), found through outlet search and tag pages, sitemaps, web search and syndicated copies. The aim was every substantive I-645 story we could find from each outlet in the window, with at least two per outlet where they existed. Pure link roundups, letters to the editor, and video-only pages with no text were excluded.

Geography

Washington State, United States

Unit of observation

One story (news, explainer, fact check, broadcast write-up, opinion piece or editorial)

Update cadence

One-time release; later versions only for corrections

Curator

FactHub Research Team

Curated data tables

How often stories included each key fact

For each group of stories and each fact (O1-O9, plus the voice split for O3b and O4), how many stories included it.

Unit of observation: Story group by fact

media_omission_rates.csv text/csv · 8.4 KB (8,583 bytes)

All 98 rows 7 columns Download the file

All 98 rows

group	fact_code	fact	rebuts_claims_of	stories_including stories	stories_coded stories	share_including fraction
Mainstream news	O1	Tax relief survives repeal	No side	9	58	0.155
Mainstream news	O2	Revenue not dedicated to K-12	No side	8	58	0.138
Mainstream news	O3a	Collections start in 2029	Neither (timing)	33	58	0.569
Mainstream news	O3b	No current appropriation relies on it	No side	7	58	0.121
Mainstream news	O4	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it	Yes side	7	58	0.121
Mainstream news	O5	Threshold can be lowered by simple majority	No side	15	58	0.259
Mainstream news	O6	Estimate is static / revenue volatile	No side	4	58	0.069
Mainstream news	O7	Union funding / No side outraised Yes	No side	6	58	0.103
Mainstream news	O8	Heywood's personal financial interest	Yes side	1	58	0.017
Mainstream news	O9	Legal risk to capital gains tax	No side	1	58	0.017
Mainstream TV news	O1	Tax relief survives repeal	No side	3	27	0.111
Mainstream TV news	O2	Revenue not dedicated to K-12	No side	3	27	0.111
Mainstream TV news	O3a	Collections start in 2029	Neither (timing)	15	27	0.556
Mainstream TV news	O3b	No current appropriation relies on it	No side	4	27	0.148
Mainstream TV news	O4	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it	Yes side	3	27	0.111
Mainstream TV news	O5	Threshold can be lowered by simple majority	No side	9	27	0.333
Mainstream TV news	O6	Estimate is static / revenue volatile	No side	0	27	0
Mainstream TV news	O7	Union funding / No side outraised Yes	No side	0	27	0
Mainstream TV news	O8	Heywood's personal financial interest	Yes side	0	27	0
Mainstream TV news	O9	Legal risk to capital gains tax	No side	1	27	0.037
Mainstream print/public/online news	O1	Tax relief survives repeal	No side	6	31	0.194
Mainstream print/public/online news	O2	Revenue not dedicated to K-12	No side	5	31	0.161
Mainstream print/public/online news	O3a	Collections start in 2029	Neither (timing)	18	31	0.581
Mainstream print/public/online news	O3b	No current appropriation relies on it	No side	3	31	0.097
Mainstream print/public/online news	O4	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it	Yes side	4	31	0.129
Mainstream print/public/online news	O5	Threshold can be lowered by simple majority	No side	6	31	0.194
Mainstream print/public/online news	O6	Estimate is static / revenue volatile	No side	4	31	0.129
Mainstream print/public/online news	O7	Union funding / No side outraised Yes	No side	6	31	0.194
Mainstream print/public/online news	O8	Heywood's personal financial interest	Yes side	1	31	0.032
Mainstream print/public/online news	O9	Legal risk to capital gains tax	No side	0	31	0
Conservative news	O1	Tax relief survives repeal	No side	5	16	0.313
Conservative news	O2	Revenue not dedicated to K-12	No side	7	16	0.438
Conservative news	O3a	Collections start in 2029	Neither (timing)	7	16	0.438
Conservative news	O3b	No current appropriation relies on it	No side	4	16	0.25
Conservative news	O4	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it	Yes side	2	16	0.125
Conservative news	O5	Threshold can be lowered by simple majority	No side	3	16	0.188
Conservative news	O6	Estimate is static / revenue volatile	No side	0	16	0
Conservative news	O7	Union funding / No side outraised Yes	No side	4	16	0.25
Conservative news	O8	Heywood's personal financial interest	Yes side	1	16	0.063
Conservative news	O9	Legal risk to capital gains tax	No side	1	16	0.063
Conservative opinion	O1	Tax relief survives repeal	No side	4	16	0.25
Conservative opinion	O2	Revenue not dedicated to K-12	No side	7	16	0.438
Conservative opinion	O3a	Collections start in 2029	Neither (timing)	12	16	0.75
Conservative opinion	O3b	No current appropriation relies on it	No side	7	16	0.438
Conservative opinion	O4	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it	Yes side	4	16	0.25
Conservative opinion	O5	Threshold can be lowered by simple majority	No side	3	16	0.188
Conservative opinion	O6	Estimate is static / revenue volatile	No side	3	16	0.188
Conservative opinion	O7	Union funding / No side outraised Yes	No side	4	16	0.25
Conservative opinion	O8	Heywood's personal financial interest	Yes side	0	16	0
Conservative opinion	O9	Legal risk to capital gains tax	No side	0	16	0
Mainstream opinion	O1	Tax relief survives repeal	No side	1	8	0.125
Mainstream opinion	O2	Revenue not dedicated to K-12	No side	1	8	0.125
Mainstream opinion	O3a	Collections start in 2029	Neither (timing)	2	8	0.25
Mainstream opinion	O3b	No current appropriation relies on it	No side	0	8	0
Mainstream opinion	O4	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it	Yes side	2	8	0.25
Mainstream opinion	O5	Threshold can be lowered by simple majority	No side	2	8	0.25
Mainstream opinion	O6	Estimate is static / revenue volatile	No side	0	8	0
Mainstream opinion	O7	Union funding / No side outraised Yes	No side	2	8	0.25
Mainstream opinion	O8	Heywood's personal financial interest	Yes side	1	8	0.125
Mainstream opinion	O9	Legal risk to capital gains tax	No side	0	8	0
Progressive (all)	O1	Tax relief survives repeal	No side	5	19	0.263
Progressive (all)	O2	Revenue not dedicated to K-12	No side	1	19	0.053
Progressive (all)	O3a	Collections start in 2029	Neither (timing)	5	19	0.263
Progressive (all)	O3b	No current appropriation relies on it	No side	0	19	0
Progressive (all)	O4	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it	Yes side	2	19	0.105
Progressive (all)	O5	Threshold can be lowered by simple majority	No side	0	19	0
Progressive (all)	O6	Estimate is static / revenue volatile	No side	0	19	0
Progressive (all)	O7	Union funding / No side outraised Yes	No side	2	19	0.105
Progressive (all)	O8	Heywood's personal financial interest	Yes side	7	19	0.368
Progressive (all)	O9	Legal risk to capital gains tax	No side	2	19	0.105
Mainstream news	O3b-fact	No current appropriation relies on it (stated as fact)	No side	2	58	0.034
Mainstream news	O3b-advocate	No current appropriation relies on it (only in an advocate quote)	No side	5	58	0.086
Mainstream news	O4-fact	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (stated as fact)	Yes side	6	58	0.103
Mainstream news	O4-advocate	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (only in an advocate quote)	Yes side	1	58	0.017
Mainstream TV news	O3b-fact	No current appropriation relies on it (stated as fact)	No side	1	27	0.037
Mainstream TV news	O3b-advocate	No current appropriation relies on it (only in an advocate quote)	No side	3	27	0.111
Mainstream TV news	O4-fact	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (stated as fact)	Yes side	2	27	0.074
Mainstream TV news	O4-advocate	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (only in an advocate quote)	Yes side	1	27	0.037
Mainstream print/public/online news	O3b-fact	No current appropriation relies on it (stated as fact)	No side	1	31	0.032
Mainstream print/public/online news	O3b-advocate	No current appropriation relies on it (only in an advocate quote)	No side	2	31	0.065
Mainstream print/public/online news	O4-fact	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (stated as fact)	Yes side	4	31	0.129
Mainstream print/public/online news	O4-advocate	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (only in an advocate quote)	Yes side	0	31	0
Conservative news	O3b-fact	No current appropriation relies on it (stated as fact)	No side	1	16	0.063
Conservative news	O3b-advocate	No current appropriation relies on it (only in an advocate quote)	No side	3	16	0.188
Conservative news	O4-fact	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (stated as fact)	Yes side	0	16	0
Conservative news	O4-advocate	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (only in an advocate quote)	Yes side	2	16	0.125
Conservative opinion	O3b-fact	No current appropriation relies on it (stated as fact)	No side	0	16	0
Conservative opinion	O3b-advocate	No current appropriation relies on it (only in an advocate quote)	No side	0	16	0
Conservative opinion	O4-fact	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (stated as fact)	Yes side	0	16	0
Conservative opinion	O4-advocate	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (only in an advocate quote)	Yes side	0	16	0
Mainstream opinion	O3b-fact	No current appropriation relies on it (stated as fact)	No side	0	8	0
Mainstream opinion	O3b-advocate	No current appropriation relies on it (only in an advocate quote)	No side	0	8	0
Mainstream opinion	O4-fact	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (stated as fact)	Yes side	0	8	0
Mainstream opinion	O4-advocate	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (only in an advocate quote)	Yes side	0	8	0
Progressive (all)	O3b-fact	No current appropriation relies on it (stated as fact)	No side	0	19	0
Progressive (all)	O3b-advocate	No current appropriation relies on it (only in an advocate quote)	No side	0	19	0
Progressive (all)	O4-fact	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (stated as fact)	Yes side	0	19	0
Progressive (all)	O4-advocate	2027-29 budget outlook counts on it (only in an advocate quote)	Yes side	0	19	0

7 field definitions

Field	Type	Meaning	Units	Value type
group	string	Story group, e.g. "Mainstream news" (news, explainer, fact check and broadcast stories from mainstream outlets).	—	derived
fact_code	string	Codebook fact code; -fact / -advocate suffix = voice split.	—	derived
fact	string	Plain-language fact.	—	derived
rebuts_claims_of	string	Which campaign's claims the fact rebuts.	—	derived
stories_including	integer	Stories that included the fact.	stories	derived
stories_coded	integer	Stories coded for the fact.	stories	derived
share_including	number	stories_including / stories_coded.	fraction	derived

Supporting files

Source snapshots, manifests, quality reports, documentation, and other materials used to produce or review this release.

• media_derived.json Derived table · application/json · 41.5 KB (42,472 bytes)

  The summary tables as JSON (omission, claims, sourcing, chartRows), used for the saved analyses.

• media_recode_agreement.json Quality report · application/json · 2.7 KB (2,746 bytes)

  Agreement results as JSON.

• media_recode_second_coder.md Quality report · text/markdown · 10 KB (10,263 bytes)

  The blind second coder's codes and justifications for the 20 sampled stories.

• media_coding_codebook.md Data dictionary · text/markdown · 7.9 KB (8,114 bytes)

  The codebook: every column, claim code and omission fact, with definitions.

• media_coding_overrides.json Transformation manifest · application/json · 1.2 KB (1,191 bytes)

  The voice re-pass for O3b and O4 and the N460K correction, applied after the reliability check.

• media_audit.js Transformation manifest · text/javascript · 8.7 KB (8,906 bytes)

  Merges the coders' notes into the stories table and applies the overrides.

• media_audit_derived.js Transformation manifest · text/javascript · 8.7 KB (8,949 bytes)

  Computes every summary table from the stories table.

• media_recode_agreement.js Transformation manifest · text/javascript · 4.4 KB (4,480 bytes)

  Computes percent agreement and Cohen's kappa against the second coder.

• media_dataset_parts.json Documentation · application/json · 49.4 KB (50,565 bytes)

  Sources, table and field definitions, and headline rows for this release, generated by media_dataset_build.js.

• media_dataset_build.js Transformation manifest · text/javascript · 15.2 KB (15,559 bytes)

  Builds the sources, table definitions and headline rows.

Sources

1. Seattle Times Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

   Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

   Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

2. Spokesman-Review Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

   Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

   Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

3. The Columbian Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

   Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

   Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

4. Everett Herald Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

   Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

   Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

5. Tri-City Herald Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

   Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

   Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

6. Washington State Standard Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

   Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

   Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

7. KUOW Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

   Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

   Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

8. Cascade PBS Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

   Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

   Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

9. The Stranger Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

   Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

   Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

10. Deseret News Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

11. Cascadia Daily News Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

12. KOMO Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

13. KING 5 Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

14. KIRO 7 Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

15. KXLY Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

16. Fox 13 Seattle Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

17. Axios Seattle Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

18. KREM Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

19. The Center Square Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

20. Seattle Red/KTTH Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

21. MyNorthwest/KIRO Newsradio Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

22. Washington Policy Center Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: Advocacy group. Free-market think tank that argued for I-645 (repeal); its staff are quoted as Yes-side sources. Its own I-645 posts are coded rows (opinion).

23. The Daily Wire Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

24. Lynnwood Times Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: News report. News publisher whose coverage is the subject of the coding; its I-645 stories (June 1 to Oct 21, 2026) are rows in the stories table. It has no stake in the counts beyond its own coverage.

25. NPI Cascadia Advocate Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: Party to the dispute. Northwest Progressive Institute, part of the coalition opposing I-645; it published the No coalition's legal memo. Its blog posts are coded rows (opinion).

26. The Stand Publisher of coded I-645 stories. Each story's exact URL is in the stories table (column url); the publisher's site is listed here.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved (publisher copyright). Story text is not redistributed. The dataset holds coding, story metadata and quotes of 25 words or fewer.

    Reliability: Party to the dispute. News site of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, which opposes I-645 and whose president debated for the No side. Its posts are coded rows.

27. Washington Research Council, "New brief: I-645: Repealing the State Individual Income Tax" (Sept. 22, 2026) Anchor for facts O3b (no current appropriation relies on the tax) and O4 (the 2027-29 outlook assumes the revenue). Free copy

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. All rights reserved. Linked only.

    Reliability: Other. Business-funded nonpartisan fiscal research group. Its brief states both that no current appropriation relies on the tax and that the four-year outlook assumes $2.698 billion from it in 2027-29.

28. Washington Secretary of State, 2026 General Election Voters' Pamphlet (Edition 10, Spokane) Anchor for fact O1 (the Attorney General's explanatory statement says the tax relief would remain in place) and for the ballot sentence text.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. Washington State government publication. Linked only.

    Reliability: Government. Official state publication. The explanatory statement and ballot disclosure are written by the Attorney General's office; the statewide text is the same in every edition.

29. Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, enacted 2026 supplemental budget outlook (Apr. 22, 2026) Anchor for fact O4: the outlook counts ESSB 6346 revenue in 2027-29.

    Retrieved October 21, 2026. Washington State government publication. Linked only.

    Reliability: Government. State council that adopts the official four-year balanced-budget outlook; lists ESSB 6346 at +$2,309.18 million (net) for 2027-29.

Limitations and reproducibility

Partially reproducible: The coded rows are judgments by trained coders following media_coding_codebook.md; a reader can re-read any story at its URL and recode it. Every summary table is recomputed exactly from the stories table by media_audit_derived.js (node media_audit_derived.js), and the reliability table by media_recode_agreement.js from media_recode_second_coder.md. media_audit.js, which merged the coders' working notes, is included for transparency, but those working notes are not published.

• Not a random sample. Stories were found by search, so outlets whose sites block automated reading (Tacoma News Tribune, Bellingham Herald, The Olympian) are missing and the Tri-City Herald has one story. No AP story on I-645 was found.
• TV stories were coded from their web text, not the broadcast video.
• Coding involves judgment. A blind second coder recoded 20 randomly drawn news stories: agreement was 85-100% on every field (Cohen's kappa 0.33-1.0), 100% on which side had more sources and on the relief-survives fact.
• The second-coder check showed the first coding missed several mentions of two budget facts (O3b, O4) and one claim (N460K) that appeared only inside advocates' quotes. Every news story's text was then searched for them and each mention was classified by voice (media_coding_overrides.json). O3b and O4 counts include both voices; O3b_voice and O4_voice separate them.
• The relief fact (O1) and the other omission facts were not split by voice; they mostly appear in reporter voice.
• Outlet groups follow the audit design, not a measurement of each outlet's slant. The Stranger is grouped as mainstream though it is an openly progressive weekly; MyNorthwest/KIRO Newsradio is grouped as conservative though two of its rows are straight news.
• Per-outlet counts are small (1 to 14 stories) and describe this sample, not the outlet's overall coverage.
• An omitted fact is not necessarily an error: short event stories cannot carry every fact. Omission rates measure what readers of these stories were told, not intent.
• Sample size for the news groups: 58 mainstream news stories, all read in full. An earlier internal count used 53-54 because five KING 5 and KREM stories had not yet been read (they were later read in a browser) and one paywalled Columbian story was only partly read; that story is now excluded from the news groups so every fact shares one denominator.