What’s on the agenda for Washington’s 2026 legislative session
With a looming $1.6 billion to $2.3 billion budget shortfall hanging over the Washington state legislature, House and Senate leaders and Governor Bob Ferguson presented differing proposals to address the issue. Three panels of House and Senate leaders discussed the state’s transportation budget and general fund, while Ferguson renewed his support for a “millionaire tax.” […]
WA governor calls for tapping reserve fund and climate law cash to fill budget hole
OLYMPIA [JERRY CORNFIELD]—Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson made a splash Tuesday with his full-throated endorsement of taxing the earnings of millionaires. The surprise declaration from the first-term Democratic governor nearly drowned out his newly released plan to erase a multibillion-dollar shortfall in the current state budget. He made “super clear” that if Washington taxes millionaires, the […]
John Braun commentary: A state income tax is illegal, but don’t expect that to stop Democrats
Our state’s Democratic legislators have a long list of tax dreams. It’s safe to say a state income tax is at the top of their list, even though Washington voters have repeatedly said no to one over the past 90 years. Even so, according to recent news reports, an income tax is a hot topic […]
Seattle pushes Olympia for funding on housing, public safety and immigrant aid
[The Center Square]—Seattle is pushing for a state-level backstop to help fund immigrant services and other top priorities as the Trump administration escalates federal immigration enforcement nationwide. The Seattle Office of Intergovernmental Relations briefed the city council on a proposed state legislative agenda for next year’s session during a council briefing on Monday. Priorities ranged from public […]
Lynnwood City Council balances downtown innovation with budget shortfall
LYNNWOOD—At a three-hour work session Monday, September 15, Lynnwood’s City Council walked a cautious tightrope between innovating its City Center, through the Lynnwood Public Facilities District (LPFC) Master Plan, while balancing short-term financing strategies to tackle the city’s looming $10.7 million budget deficit. Reimagining “The District” One third of Monday’s meeting revolved around the LPFD […]
Everett Community College unanimously votes to close Early Learning Center
EVERETT—After over an hour of public comment backlash, the Everett Community College Board of Trustees unanimously decided to close its Early Learning Center during a court-ordered special session Thursday, June 26. To a packed room, the crowd chanted, “shame,” immediately following the Board’s vote. “This is not a cavalier decision, this is well thought out […]
Washington state wants to increase bureaucrats’ salaries by $1.3 billion despite claims the state is facing a budget shortfall
When Jay Inslee took the job as Governor in 2013, the state’s annual operating budget was approximately $38.4 billion. After 12 years of the Inslee administration, the state is now spending almost twice as much per year, $75.5 billion. Yet, despite this massive increase in state spending, legislators are claiming that they will need another $10-12 billion over the […]
