01/16/2026Lawmakers returned to Olympia Monday facing big challenges and difficult decisions. Gov. Bob Ferguson’s State of the State speech Tuesday addressed the projected $2.3 billion budget shortfall while outlining proposals he said would protect essential services and stabilize long-term finances. Committees also began their work, with House and Senate fiscal committees hearing testimony on Ferguson's proposed budgets that were released in December.SBCTC Communicationsousearch_category_Legislative