Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard

Estimates show tax collections for the two-year operating budget that begins July 1 will be hundreds of millions of dollars less than what they assumed when they passed the budget that Gov. Bob Ferguson signed last month.

Washington Legislature cuts funding for some library functions

It’s been criticized, revised and survived a ballot box challenge. Now, the first-in-nation benefit is on track for a 2026 rollout.

They argue it is unconstitutional to force Catholic priests to divulge information learned in confession.

The governor used his veto pen sparingly, to the delight of Democrats and the disappointment of Republicans.

Gov. Bob Ferguson vowed to not sign a budget without the program. There’s also a new local sales tax option to pay for public defenders and domestic violence services.

Lawmakers say a union representing 5,300 Washington state workers and community college employees ratified a contract too late to be funded this year.

They rejected a new contract last fall. They approved one in recent weeks, but lawmakers said it arrived too late to be funded in the budget.

Democrats plowed ahead with a $12 billion tax package Saturday despite Republican objections and a lack of clarity about what Gov. Bob Ferguson will support.