In total, the proposed general government budget includes $136.5 million in General Fund savings over the four-year outlook period. 

This includes the following: 

• Reducing the Extreme Weather Grant – Military Department: This grant program supports preparedness projects to build capacity for emergency shelters. The grant is consistently underutilized. The proposal would reduce grant funding by half. 
• Balancing the Rights of Way Safety Initiative to continue existing contracts only – Department of Commerce: The Rights of Way safety initiative delivers housing services to individuals residing on certain state-owned rights-of-way in coordination with the Washington State Department of Transportation and local governments. Constraints on the transportation budget mean that no new funding is available to continue engaging new rights-of-way encampment sites. Funding for the Department of Commerce is reduced to align with current WSDOT capacity. 
• Eliminate Digital Navigation Grant – Department of Commerce: This reduction rolls back a program that provided access to digital literacy and devices to low-income populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Other reductions that reflect staff vacancies, underspending in programs, delays in starting new programs, and elimination of programs that overlap with other existing services.  

These reductions are needed to fund essential items in the general government budget, including the following investments.

Children in Crisis

In 2024, the Legislature established the Washington State Children and Youth System of Care project to support children with complex needs, including state-dependent youth experiencing placement instability and others unnecessarily boarded in hospitals. Each child receives case management based on their unique needs. The program provides flexible funding to support these children with housing, caregiver support, and respite and relief services. Additional resources are needed to continue these critical services for children past June 30, 2025. 

($6 million General Fund-State)

Legal aid for low-income immigrants

This funding will enhance a low-income grant program for complex, long-term immigration and legal aid cases for individuals living in Washington without guaranteed legal counsel, focusing on immigrants at the Northwest ICE Processing Center and those at highest risk for removal from the country. Resources previously redirected to short-term asylum seeker legal services will now be covered by coordinated funding from the Department of Social and Health Services, allowing this program to refocus on its original priorities. 

($14 million GF-S)

Victims of Crime Act funding

Washington’s Office of Crime Victims Advocacy administers federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) assistance grants based on the state’s VOCA plan. Federal funding has steadily declined, creating a steep funding cliff for victim services such as crisis intervention, safety planning, emergency shelter, legal assistance, medical forensic exams, and more. This funding will bridge this gap to ensure victims of crime receive needed services.

($20 million GF-S)

World Cup safety and security

The 2026 World Cup will hold events at numerous locations around Washington and is projected to bring 750,000 visitors to the state. Funding will enhance local capabilities to handle anticipated large crowds. This includes securing commitments from non-Seattle law enforcement agencies to provide assistance, increasing personnel, pursuing early procurement to reduce costs, performing culturally competent local training and exercises, and boosting emergency response preparedness. 

($5.5 million GF-S)

Needs assessment and strategic plan

The Commission will gain more information about the needs of all Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities through a needs assessment, data disaggregation, and strategic planning. The Commission will also be able to begin learning the needs of recently resettled South Asian refugees, mainly from Afghanistan. 

($75,000 GF-S)

Department of Commerce

Expanding broadband to unserved homes

Washington is committed to expanding high-speed internet access to over 230,000 unserved households. A state match, combined with funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will reduce broadband inequity and ensure that Washingtonians have the connectivity they need to connect and participate in the digital world.  

($230 million State Building Construction Account, $982.2 million federal)

Public Works Board construction program

The Public Works Board provides low- or no-interest loans to local governments for repairing, replacing, or upgrading essential infrastructure. This includes rehabilitating bridges, roads, sanitary sewer systems, domestic water systems, storm sewer systems, and solid waste/recycling systems.  

($350 million Public Works Assistance Account)

Building Communities Fund (BCF)

The BCF is a key community development tool that provides state capital grants for acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation projects. Funding is provided to 38 construction projects for social service and multipurpose community center construction in a distressed community or serving low-income individuals.

($49.1 million State Building Construction Account) 

Department of Enterprise Services

Deschutes Estuary restoration

The 260-acre Capitol Lake Basin, a multi-biennium project, includes a new bridge that will allow the free flow of salt marsh habitat at the mouth of the Deschutes River. This funding will construct the bridge to make progress on restoring the estuary.  

($25.5 million State Building Construction Account)

Fire and life safety and preservation projects

Major investments are needed to address fire and life safety for several buildings on the capitol campus. Funding is provided for critical fire system upgrades, HVAC control upgrades, and an arc flash study. Buildings will be modernized with elevator restorations and clean energy efforts. Restoration of legislative chambers, centennial skylights, and building cleanings are included. 

($19.5 million State Building Construction Account)