Washington Lawmakers Ordered to Freeze New Spending as Budget Deficit Looms
Senate budget chair June Robinson warns colleagues to halt 2026 funding requests amid falling state revenues and mounting fiscal pressure
Washington state’s top budget writer has instructed lawmakers to stop submitting funding requests for the upcoming 2026 legislative session, citing a worsening financial outlook that leaves no room for new spending.
Senator June Robinson, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, told colleagues in an email that she would not be accepting operating budget proposals and urged them to manage constituent expectations as the state confronts a multi-billion-dollar shortfall.
The decision comes as updated forecasts show tax revenues dropping sharply, pushing the state’s two-year, 77.8 billion-dollar operating budget toward deficit despite billions in new and higher taxes approved earlier this year.
Governor Bob Ferguson’s administration now faces the challenge of rebalancing finances as revenue projections for the 2024–2026 cycle fall to roughly 74.3 billion dollars, with reserves thinning and spending pressures increasing.
Republican lawmakers, including Senator Chris Gildon of Puyallup, praised Robinson’s decision as a pragmatic step to temper expectations among legislators and advocacy groups.
House Appropriations Chair Timm Ormsby also acknowledged that his caucus is being cautioned against new budget requests amid tightening fiscal conditions.
Governor Ferguson is expected to release a revised budget proposal in December ahead of the 2026 session beginning January 12. Lawmakers across parties agree that significant adjustments, including potential program cuts, will likely be necessary to restore balance as the state contends with slowing revenues, federal policy uncertainty, and inflationary pressures.
Senator June Robinson, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, told colleagues in an email that she would not be accepting operating budget proposals and urged them to manage constituent expectations as the state confronts a multi-billion-dollar shortfall.
The decision comes as updated forecasts show tax revenues dropping sharply, pushing the state’s two-year, 77.8 billion-dollar operating budget toward deficit despite billions in new and higher taxes approved earlier this year.
Governor Bob Ferguson’s administration now faces the challenge of rebalancing finances as revenue projections for the 2024–2026 cycle fall to roughly 74.3 billion dollars, with reserves thinning and spending pressures increasing.
Republican lawmakers, including Senator Chris Gildon of Puyallup, praised Robinson’s decision as a pragmatic step to temper expectations among legislators and advocacy groups.
House Appropriations Chair Timm Ormsby also acknowledged that his caucus is being cautioned against new budget requests amid tightening fiscal conditions.
Governor Ferguson is expected to release a revised budget proposal in December ahead of the 2026 session beginning January 12. Lawmakers across parties agree that significant adjustments, including potential program cuts, will likely be necessary to restore balance as the state contends with slowing revenues, federal policy uncertainty, and inflationary pressures.
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