Washington State

Washington’s latest revenue forecast reveals a $720 million gap over the next four years, raising concerns about the state’s financial footing just ahead of the start of the new biennium. Gov. Bob Ferguson said he does not plan to call a special session — for now. The drop is driven by weak...

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is urging state agencies and public colleges to tighten their belts further, even after approving a budget this spring that closed a historic shortfall with tax hikes and cuts. A June 4 memo from the Office of Financial Management directs agencies to request new funds on...

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...