Ferguson proposes $4B in cuts to ease budget deficit

Gov. Bob Ferguson unveiled a budget-cutting plan to ease a projected $12 billion budget deficit during a 2025 legislative preview in Olympia on Jan. 9.

"Washingtonians expect that we will increase revenue as a last resort. I will not contemplate additional revenue options until we have exhausted efforts to improve efficiency," Ferguson said.

Estimates of the deficit vary, from $7 billion to $15 billion. To make up the deficit, Ferguson proposes cutting spending by 6% across most state agencies and a 3% cut to four-year higher education institutions. The cuts are projected to save $4 billion. P...