Washington State

April 2026

April 20, 2026

Washington awarded $56 million to expand child care as 1,800 pre-K slots were cut — The state Commerce Department distributed $55.9 million in facility grants to 74 providers this week, adding roughly 2,000 spots.

April 6, 2026

State auditor questions $37M in child care payments — Washington made an estimated $37 million in questionable payments to child care providers over one year using federal dollars; more than two-thirds of payments reviewed were overpayments, the state auditor’s office found.

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Washington’s $79.4 billion supplemental operating budget on Wednesday, a plan that taps $880 million from the state’s rainy day fund, cuts $143 million in child care subsidies, and projects an $878 million deficit by 2028 — two days after he signed the milliona...

Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 6346 on Monday, establishing Washington's first personal income tax. The 9.9% levy on household income above $1 million takes effect January 1, 2028, with first payments due in 2029. It is expected to generate roughly $3 billion a year from approximately 21,0...

March 2026

March 30, 2026

Washington’s estate tax drops from 35% to 20% starting July 1 — Democrats reversed last year's rate hike after warnings that wealthy residents and family businesses would relocate to avoid paying what had become the nation's highest estate tax.

August 2025

August 25, 2025

Washington joins states seeking FDA changes on abortion pill — The petition argues rules on prescribing and dispensing mifepristone are unnecessary given its safety record.

August 25, 2025

Postal Service fined for hazardous waste at Seattle site — The state Department of Ecology issued a $33,000 penalty after inspectors found repeated violations in storing and disposing of dangerous materials at the Bulk Mail Center.

August 25, 2025

Democratic AGs sue DOJ over crime victim funds — Twenty-one attorneys general, including Washington’s, filed suit to block the federal government from tying $1.4 billion in Victims of Crime Act grants to immigration enforcement.

August 25, 2025

Homelessness growth slows but continues statewide — The Department of Commerce’s Point in Time Count found 22,173 people homeless in January, up 4.4% from 2024.

August 18, 2025

Washington sues Trump administration over $9M in climate funding cuts — State AG says loss of NOAA funds jeopardizes programs preparing communities for wildfire, flooding, and other climate impacts.

April 2026

Washington awarded $56 million to expand child care as 1,800 pre-K slots were cut — The state Commerce Department distributed $55.9 million in facility grants to 74 providers this week, adding roughly 2,000 spots.

State auditor questions $37M in child care payments — Washington made an estimated $37 million in questionable payments to child care providers over one year using federal dollars; more than two-thirds of payments reviewed were overpayments, the state auditor’s office found.

Ferguson Signs $79.4B State Budget, Drawing Down Reserves and Cutting Child Care

Washington Passes Income Tax on Earnings Above $1 Million

March 2026

Washington’s estate tax drops from 35% to 20% starting July 1 — Democrats reversed last year's rate hike after warnings that wealthy residents and family businesses would relocate to avoid paying what had become the nation's highest estate tax.

August 2025

Washington joins states seeking FDA changes on abortion pill — The petition argues rules on prescribing and dispensing mifepristone are unnecessary given its safety record.

Postal Service fined for hazardous waste at Seattle site — The state Department of Ecology issued a $33,000 penalty after inspectors found repeated violations in storing and disposing of dangerous materials at the Bulk Mail Center.

Democratic AGs sue DOJ over crime victim funds — Twenty-one attorneys general, including Washington’s, filed suit to block the federal government from tying $1.4 billion in Victims of Crime Act grants to immigration enforcement.

Homelessness growth slows but continues statewide — The Department of Commerce’s Point in Time Count found 22,173 people homeless in January, up 4.4% from 2024.

Washington sues Trump administration over $9M in climate funding cuts — State AG says loss of NOAA funds jeopardizes programs preparing communities for wildfire, flooding, and other climate impacts.