Pete Serrano resigned as mayor of Pasco after he was named interim United States attorney for the Eastern District of Washington earlier this month and can serve 120 days as he awaits confirmation by the U.S. Senate. But one of Washington state’s two Democratic senators plans to use a Senate maneuver known as the “blue slip” process to prevent him from serving in the federal post. 

Gov. Bob Ferguson is tapping the brakes on a controversial solar farm proposed in south-central Washington to allow more time to appraise concerns of Yakama Nation leaders.

As Washington lawmakers ease barriers to build more housing across the state, fire officials warn of an “unintended circumstance” making their jobs more difficult in some communities.

The increase will push the state’s per-gallon tax rate on gas and other vehicle fuels from 49.4 cents to 55.4 cents. Starting July 1, 2026, it will rise each year by 2% – about a penny annually – to account for inflation. 

The decline in receipts will force the state to draw down savings, but Ferguson isn’t summoning the Legislature into a special session to respond. At least not yet.

The warning from the Democratic governor comes amid an increasingly gloomy budget outlook and underscores that the state’s financial difficulties are not over.

State Rep. Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla, authored House Bill 1108 that sought to unearth “the primary cost drivers for homeownership and rental housing” in Washington. It had 25 co-sponsors – 14 Republicans and 11 Democrats – and cleared the Legislature with only nine people voting against it. The governor vetoed it quietly in his office on May 20, the final day on which he could act on legislation. 

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a two-year state budget and a tax package to produce billions of dollars in new revenue.

Lawmakers, lobbyists and business leaders are all watching to see what the governor does. Ferguson, just four months on the job, is aware of the acute interest and seems determined to keep folks in suspense right up until May 20.