WFSE members approved a 2027-29 contract that delays raises
OLYMPIA — Members of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) have accepted a tentative agreement covering the union’s general government contract for the 2027-29 biennium, locking in healthcare funding and a package of workplace protections while leaving general wage increases for a second-year reopener. The agreement contains no additional general compensation in its first […]
Washington State Workers Plan Statewide Walkout After ‘Not a Dime’ Pay Offer
OLYMPIA — Thousands of Washington public employees plan to walkout for a short, coordinated protest Monday, August 31, as contract talks with the state remain stalled. The Washington Federation of State Employees, known as WFSE or AFSCME Council 28, said members at about 125 locations across the state will take part in the “Walkout with […]
Washington State Government Misconduct Payouts Hit Record $537 Million High
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street] — Washington’s runaway payouts for government misconduct climbed to $537 million in the past year, as the ever-growing sum continues to strain the state’s finances. That tally from the fiscal year that ended June 30 is an all-time high, up from roughly $500 million the previous year and five times what Washington shelled out in […]
Washington’s gas tax is going up, but state transportation revenue is falling short
OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield]—Washington state’s gas tax, already among the highest in the nation, is going up next week. The state’s per-gallon fuel tax of 55.4 cents will climb 1.1 cents on July 1. The 2% bump is the first of the annual inflationary adjustments required by a 2025 law. With the increase, Washington’s gas tax will […]
OFM sounds alarm on 2027-29 budget shortfalls, Ferguson says no new taxes, and how we got here
OLYMPIA — The Office of Financial Management has warned state agencies that Washington faces “significant budget shortfalls” in the 2027-29 biennium, calling it likely the most “most challenging budget any of us has yet faced” and directing a sharp break from routine spending practices. “A ‘business as usual’ approach will not meet the need of […]
WA public lands commissioner wants $100 million boost for wildfire funding
Washington’s public lands commissioner is asking the Legislature for roughly $100 million more to prevent and fight wildfires. Dave Upthegrove wants a $60 million boost for wildfire prevention funding that was shortchanged in the last legislative session. Plus, he is seeking $44.8 million more for wildfire fighting for the 2026 fiscal year, which runs through […]
