Bob Ferguson

Severe storms in December flooded farmland across Western Washington. In Snohomish County, farmers are continuing their recovery efforts ahead of this year’s growing season.

The Department of Housing Task Force will use feedback from the survey to help shape a report to the governor and Legislature.

The 9.9% tax on incomes over $1 million starts in 2029, funding child care subsidies, tax breaks for low-income families and sales tax breaks, and supporting the general fund.

Even as lawmakers cut funding for other early education and childcare programs, they expanded the state’s free preschool program during the recent legislative session.

The state will require large AI developers to provide tools for people to detect if content was AI-generated. Another law focused on suicide prevention for minors using chatbots.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans to Washingtonians who need help repairing their homes and businesses after major flooding in December.

The Washington Legislature wrapped up the 2026 session last week. Updates to the budget included cuts to childcare subsidies and a one-time pull from the state's rainy day fund.

Lawmakers avoided a multi-million dollar cut to state funding that helps programs such as rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and legal aid.

Democrats and Republicans argued over whether spending and taxing plans will make Washington more affordable. Lawmakers will have to wrangle with a forecast deficit next year.

It would be the state's first-ever income tax. The Senate's final approval came after a historic 25-hour debate in the House.