<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/blogs/legislative-news/2025/2025-01-17.aspx" dsn="blogs"><featured/><pubDate>01/17/2025</pubDate><title>Legislature convenes 2025 session facing $12 billion budget shortfall</title><description>With a new governor for the first time in 12 years and a $12 billion budget deficit, lawmakers returned to Olympia Monday facing big changes and difficult decisions. Outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee reflected on his time as governor in his final State of the State speech Tuesday, and incoming Gov. Bob Ferguson set the tone for his administration in his inaugural address Wednesday.</description><author>SBCTC Communications</author><category>operating budget, capital budget, budget, tribe, outreach, financial aid</category><image><img src="" alt=""/></image><image-caption/></item>