Washington State

Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed a two-year, $78 billion state operating budget into law. The budget addresses a projected $16 billion shortfall through a mix of new taxes, account transfers, and modest spending cuts. The budget includes about $4 billion in new and higher taxes for the upcomin...

Despite nearly $3 billion in cuts, the state’s $78 billion budget for 2025–27 includes new funding for special education, law enforcement hiring, and homelessness services. Lawmakers prioritized core programs while delaying others, aiming to address immediate needs without tapping the state’s ...

The newly adopted state budget closes a $16 billion projected shortfall with nearly $3 billion in cuts, including delayed program expansions, reduced health care investments, and the phasedown of select services. While lawmakers avoided furloughs and preserved reserves, the final plan postpones or s...

Washington drivers will pay an extra 6 cents per gallon at the pump starting in July, part of a $3.2 billion transportation funding package passed by the Legislature. The increase—the first in nearly a decade—raises the state gas tax to 55.4 cents per gallon and adds a 2% annual inflation adjust...

Lawmakers approved a suite of tax increases to help close Washington’s projected $16 billion shortfall. The new taxes total $4.3 billion over the next two years as part of the state’s $77.8 billion operating budget. Business & occupation tax The largest share—$2.1 billion—comes fro...

Washington state health officials confirmed a fifth case of measles this week, as infections climb both locally and nationally. The latest case involves an infant in King County who contracted the virus after exposure to a contagious traveler. Officials said the child was too young to be vaccinated....