Washington lawmakers close out session, sending budgets to governor; WA’s 2025 legislative session has adjourned. Here are some defining moments

Washington lawmakers close out session, sending budgets to governor

Washington State Standard — Republicans in both chambers assailed the tax hikes and insisted Democrats could have written a balanced budget without them. “When we started this session, all I heard about was making the wealthy pay their fair share,” said Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick. “This budget spreads taxes across all working Washington residents in a manner that is going to make this state more and more and more unaffordable to live in. This budget does not fix Washington, it hurts Washington.”

WA’s 2025 legislative session has adjourned. Here are some defining moments

The Olympian — Democrats broadcast a slew of revenue options this year. Republicans, naturally, objected — and Ferguson also poo-pooed the suggested mountain of taxes as being far too high, citing looming federal threats to funding, programs and jobs … Republicans pushed back against Democrats’ efforts to lift the 1% annual property-tax growth cap. They also slammed a proposed 50% increase on the price of state-park Discover passes and other taxes on “joy.” Ferguson hasn’t said which taxes he would support. $

CAPITAL BUDGET

• More than $106 million secured for 12th District projects in state’s approved construction budget (KOZI Radio)

CONGRESS

• Rep. Emily Randall’s busy first months in Congress (KNKX Radio)

DRUG CRISIS

• Seattle nonprofit rolling out potential ‘game changer’ for fentanyl addiction (The Seattle Times) $

EDUCATION

• States push for school voucher programs despite tight budgets (AP)

FOOD SAFETY & SECURITY

• USDA set to cut $1B for food programs. WA food banks are worried (Cascade PBS)

HEALTH CARE & HOSPITALS

• Spokane’s Maddie’s Place set to avoid potential closure with $2M in funding from WA legislature (KXLY TV)

HOUSING

• Washington Democrats push through rent cap bill after negotiations (MyNorthwest)
• Cap on rent hikes passes in Olympia, heads to WA governor (The Seattle Times) $
• Washington state lawmakers approve rent control after four-decade ban (Puget Sound Business Journal) $

IMMIGRATION

• Pierce County exec, sheriff at odds over working with immigration authorities (The News Tribune) $
• Irish woman with green card held at Tacoma ICE center, questioned about decades-old drug conviction (KUOW Radio)

LAW ENFORCEMENT

• Bill revises rules for police, fire state retirement plan (Columbia Basin Herald) $

LEGISLATURE

• WA Legislature passes $78B budget, rent cap, gun permits as it adjourns (The Seattle Times) $
• Legislature completes work on time as focus turns to governor (The Spokesman-Review) $
• New tax hikes, rent limits head to governor as Washington lawmakers end session (NW News Network)
• WA lawmakers’ final day of 2025 legislative session (FOX 13)
• Washington Legislature adjourns after passing tax hikes, rent cap (Axios – Seattle)
• Washington legislature ends 2025 legislative session by passing operating budget, other final legislation (KXLY TV)
• WA lawmakers mourn a pair of deaths as session ends (The Center Square)
• WA lawmakers honor late state senator: ‘Bill Ramos made Washington better’ (The News Tribune) $

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

• Walla Walla drafts letter to FEMA after hazard mitigation grant program is cut (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin) $

OPERATING BUDGET

• Nearly $78 billion budget sent to Gov. Ferguson to close out legislative session (The Center Square)
• WA’s $77.9B budget saga: Bob Ferguson is on the clock to make the final call (MyNorthwest)
• Washington state legislature approves $77 billion budget amid tax debates (KOMO TV)
• Democrats say Washington’s $77 billion budget proposal aims to protect K-12 education, essential services (KING TV)
• Washington State lawmakers tackle $16B shortfall as legislative session adjourns (KNDO/KNDU)

OTHER STATES

• Washington lawmakers OK unemployment for striking workers. Is Oregon next? (The Oregonian) $

SPORTS

• WA state funds for Story Field updates lost over LCC, Black Bears disagreements (The Daily News) $

STATE GOVERNMENT

• WA lawmakers shift approach on closing center for people with disabilities (Washington State Standard)
• Washington State Legislature approves Rainier School closure; new amendment sets transition plans (KNDO/KNDU)

TRANSPORTATION

• Washington drivers react to lawmakers’ approval of 6-cent gas tax hike (KIRO TV)
• Washington State Ferries prepare for triple traffic surge (KING TV)

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