Comcast is suing to block a new Washington law imposing sales tax on advertising services, imperiling a financial linchpin lawmakers relied on to balance the state’s budget.

The fate of a voter-approved measure to slow Washington’s shift from natural gas toward technology like electric heat pumps will be decided by the state Supreme Court.

Thousands of state government and community college employees in Washington are considering a new pact that would secure raises they lost out on in July when state lawmakers did not fund their contract.

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.