Washington Governor Ferguson Outlines Legislative Priorities in State of the State Address

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson delivered his first State of the State address, urging lawmakers to address infrastructure, tax reform, and housing during the 2026 legislative session. Ferguson stated that the state of Washington remains strong, attributing its resilience to its citizens. The address began with an acknowledgement of the historic flooding in December 2025 and recognized the efforts of first responders. For the upcoming 60-day legislative session, Ferguson advocated for increased infrastructure investment, tax system reforms, and continued action on the housing crisis. He supported a millionaires' tax, proposing to return much of the revenue to Washington residents. Ferguson also discussed external pressures on the state, such as scientific expert departures, changes in federal agency policies, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement deployment. He supports bipartisan bills addressing these, including proposals to regulate law enforcement uniform identification and mask-wearing. Ferguson emphasized bipartisanship, noting that approximately half of the previous year's bipartisan legislative proposals were enacted. These included measures related to public safety, farmer rebates under the Climate Commitment Act, protection against unauthorized out-of-state National Guard deployment, and enhanced child protection. He also highlighted executive orders aimed at streamlining permit and license processing and increasing FAFSA completion rates among students. The governor repeatedly focused on themes of history and collective responsibility, encouraging legislative collaboration. He urged lawmakers to work together to enhance the state's strength for future generations.