Final $77.9 billion WA state budget released, vote set for Sunday

OLYMPIA, Wash. - With just over 24 hours before the 2025 legislative session has to adjourn, lawmakers in Olympia have released their final budget proposal for the next two years on the day before the session ends. 

"It’s probably not the budget that we thought we were gonna be writing a year ago," said Senator June Robinson.

After weeks of ironing out differences between the House and the Senate, a conference committee has come out with a $77.9 billion balanced budget for the next two years. 

Big picture view:

Spending on higher education, health care, and behavioral health are seeing the most cuts on net. Democrats who negotiated the compromise say they understand the reductions may be harmful, but they had to make strategic cuts because of the state’s projected revenue shortfall.

"Going forward, we’re hoping that we rebound economically and that we can continue to reinvest in programs and services that the people of this great state expect," said Rep. Timm Ormsby.

Though areas like K-12 education and long-term care are seeing an increase in funding. The budget also includes $100 million in the next year for a police hiring grant program pushed by the governor. And it also honors collective bargaining agreements for state workers while avoiding furloughs – a large point of contention in recent weeks.

"We need to project outward to the rest of the state what it looks like to appreciate the work that people do, compensate them fairly and keep them employed," said Rep. Timm Ormsby.

Dig deeper:

Republicans have consistently been opposed to the budget, saying it relies on tax increases that’ll raise costs for everyday people – including business taxes, sales taxes on certain services, and capital gains and estate taxes. They also say they’ve been cut out of conference negotiations – which should only be used to resolve minor differences.

"This was a complete rehaul of the budget. And it was done in private, it was done out of view of the public. And I honestly believe that it brings shame on the legislature for doing it this way and it brings shame on the people of Washington state. It should not happen this way," said Sen. Chris Gildon.

Ormsby countered by saying the conference process has always been used for the budget, regardless of the party in power.

What's next:

Democratic budget leaders said they have been in communication with the governor’s office about their work, including their revenue proposals, but could not provide insight as to how the governor will respond because it is a separate branch of government.

"I cannot predict, nor do I know what they will choose to do," Robinson said.

Ferguson told reporters Friday that "we're on track to get to a budget that works for Washingtonians."

Under legislative rules, the compromise has to sit for 24 hours before lawmakers can vote on it. The House is expected to take it up first Sunday morning – then it’ll go to the Senate. By law, the session has to adjourn Sunday night. 

Albert James is a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University.

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