The Washington state legislative session has begun, focusing on a significant budget gap and various pressing issues.
Olympia: The 2025 Washington state legislative session has officially started! The opening ceremonies kicked off at noon today at the Capitol.
Right now, everyone’s buzzing about a budget gap that could hit between $10 billion and $12 billion over the next four years. That’s a big deal!
Democrats are hinting that new or higher taxes might be necessary to tackle this issue. On the flip side, Republicans argue that the state has a spending problem and tax hikes aren’t the solution. Governor-elect Bob Ferguson, who will take office on Wednesday, has proposed a budget plan that includes 6% cuts across most state agencies. But even that won’t fully close the gap. Plus, he’s not on board with a new “wealth tax,” which some progressives and outgoing Governor Jay Inslee had pushed for.
Aside from the budget, there are other hot topics on the table, like capping rent increases, school funding debates, and new gun restrictions. And with the incoming Trump administration, there are questions about how the Legislature will handle federal policies on immigration.
From now until the session wraps up, reporters will be on the ground at the Capitol, keeping everyone updated. If you want to catch up on what’s happening, there are guides available to help you out.
So, it’s an exciting time in Olympia, and there’s a lot to keep an eye on as the session unfolds!
