Photo credit: Governor Bob Ferguson’s office
Governor Bob Ferguson was sworn in on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, before a joint session of the Legislature, where he outlined his vision and priorities for Washington State.
WR was pleased to hear Governor Ferguson reiterate his commitment to supporting Senator Jeff Holy’s proposal for $100 million in local government grants to increase the number of law enforcement officers in the state. Washington currently ranks last in the nation for officers per capita. Retailers have long been frustrated by the lack of resources in many jurisdictions to combat retail theft and organized retail crime. WR will also advocate for funding to support prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force. We look forward to collaborating closely with the Governor’s office on these initiatives.
One of the most significant challenges Governor Ferguson faces is a revenue shortfall estimated to range from $4 billion to $16 billion, depending on the metrics used. WR was encouraged to hear that the Governor plans to take a comprehensive approach to state spending, prioritizing programs to stay within existing revenues—similar to how families and businesses must budget. He emphasized that relying solely on tax increases to balance the budget is not his preferred approach.
Additional priorities that stood out include permitting reform and housing affordability, both of which received bipartisan support. The Governor announced a policy ensuring that if permits are not issued within the required timeframe, businesses and citizens will not be charged fees. WR strongly supports this common-sense approach. Governor Ferguson also appointed Lt. Governor Denny Heck to lead the state’s housing affordability efforts, signaling a strong commitment to tackling this pressing issue.
Washington Retail congratulates Governor Bob Ferguson as he begins his four-year term serving the citizens of Washington State. We look forward to working closely with the Governor and his team to strengthen and support the retail industry.
