Washington

Governor Ferguson proposed using revenue from a new Millionaires' Tax to put more money into K-12 schools and highlighted the state's strong higher education system. He challenged legislators to join the 'Washington Completes FAFSA' campaign, noting Washington ranks 47th nationally in FAFSA completion despite generous state financial aid. He signed an Executive Order establishing a campaign to increase completion rates, including a student advisory group.

Governor Ferguson announced Washington would join the West Coast Health Alliance with other governors to ensure continued science-based health recommendations after CDC policy shifts. He proposed legislation to shift vaccine recommendations from federal committees to the Washington State Department of Health. He also noted partnerships with Senator Krishnadasan and bipartisan legislators on this effort.

Governor Ferguson reported Washington has the 9th largest economy, a Triple-A bond rating, and the largest increase in business applications in the country at 16.2% growth while nationwide applications dropped 5%. He highlighted fusion energy development in Chelan County, the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator, and proposed a Millionaires' Tax with revenue directed to working families tax credits and eliminating B&O taxes for small businesses grossing under $1 million.

Governor Ferguson proposed the largest investment in transportation maintenance and preservation in over two decades, including more than $1 billion for bridges in 'poor' condition, $164 million for pothole repair, $756 million over ten years for road paving, and an additional billion dollars to build three new ferries. He noted Washington ranks first nationally for potholes and has 80 bridges in poor condition, and highlighted $244 million — the largest-ever supplemental budget investment — in housing infrastructure.

Governor Ferguson sharply criticized ICE operations, calling them 'horrific' and 'unjust,' and supported Senator Valdez's bill to prohibit law enforcement from wearing masks and require visible identifying information. His public safety discussion focused primarily on flood emergency response, infrastructure investment, and opposition to federal immigration enforcement tactics rather than traditional crime policy.

Governor Ferguson proposed a historic billion-dollar investment in infrastructure without raising taxes and highlighted Washington's clean energy achievements, including building the world's first commercial fusion power plant in Chelan County and launching the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator. He noted Washington's economy is the 9th largest in the nation with a Triple A bond rating. He criticized federal policies that threaten energy investments.

Governor Ferguson proposed a historic $244 million housing investment — the largest-ever supplemental budget investment in housing — to build and protect thousands of affordable housing units, help first-time homebuyers enter the market, and accelerate building processes. He emphasized continuing momentum from housing legislation passed in the previous session.

Governor Ferguson proposed a Millionaires' Tax on individuals earning over $1 million annually (less than 0.5% of Washingtonians) to fund expanded Working Families Tax Credits, small business B&O tax elimination for businesses grossing under $1 million (the 'biggest tax break for small business owners in state history'), and K-12 education investments. He also proposed historic infrastructure spending including over $1 billion for bridges and $756 million for road paving over ten years without raising taxes.

Governor Ferguson highlighted Washington's dominance in space manufacturing, a commercial fusion power plant being built in Chelan County, and the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator in Snohomish County. He emphasized government efficiency through technology, citing reduced processing times (behavioral health licenses from four months to six weeks) and proposed legislation requiring agencies to refund fees if deadlines are missed. He also announced a partnership with UW to study nuclear energy opportunities.

Governor Ferguson proposed a Millionaires' Tax to make the tax system more fair, noting the bottom 20% pay 13.8% of income in taxes while the top 1% pays only 4.1%. He highlighted government responsiveness improvements including reducing behavioral health license processing from four months to six weeks, and signed an executive order requiring agencies to refund application fees when they miss processing deadlines.

Governor Ferguson proposed a one-time $200 utility bill credit for 125,000 families, $33 million to expand the State Home Energy Assistance Program, and highlighted a partnership with the Ballmer Group providing up to $1 billion for free early learning programs adding 10,000 childcare spots. He proposed the largest-ever supplemental budget housing investment of $244 million and announced efforts to protect residents from the impacts of federal ICE actions.

Governor Ferguson proposed a Millionaires' Tax on those earning over $1 million annually, with revenue directed to expanding the Working Families Tax Credit (direct checks to working families), creating the biggest small business tax break in state history (exempting B&O taxes until $1 million gross revenue), and K-12 investment. He also proposed $200 utility bill credits for 125,000 families, $33 million for home energy assistance, $244 million for housing (largest-ever supplemental investment), and $164 million for pothole repair.

Governor Ferguson called ICE actions "horrific" and "unjust," referencing "federal agents in masks jumping out of unmarked cars and grabbing people off our streets." He endorsed Senator Valdez's bill to prohibit law enforcement from wearing masks and require visible identifying information, calling the conduct "a shameful period in our nation's history."