HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Materials: Legislative Update2025 Legislative Update
Medina City Council
February 10, 2025
General Background
•2024 was a major election year in Washington State. Half of the
Senate, all of the House of Representatives and all of the
Statewide Elected Offices were up for election.
•The Democrats gained one seat in the House and one in the
Senate. The Democratic majority in the Senate will be 30-19. The
Democratic majority it the House will be 59-39.
•There has been significant legislative turn-over:
•The Senate has12 new members.
•The House has 22 new members.
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More General Background
•The 48th legislative district is now represented by Senator Slatter,
Representative Walen and Representative Salahuddin. There will
be a special election in the Fall.
•The 2025 legislative session started on January 13th and is a 105-
day session, ending on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
•It is the first year of the biennium. The Legislature must adopt a
two-year budget by June 30, 2025, to avoid a shut-down of any
part of state government.
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Gubernatorial Transition
•Governor Bob Ferguson (D)
•New Senior Staff, most are from the Attorney General’s Office.
•Almost an entirely new policy staff and a new budget office director.
•Relevant New Agency Appointments:
•Secretary of Transportation—Julie Meredith
•Director of Department of Commerce—Joe Nguyen
•Director of Department of Children Youth and Families—Tana Senn
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Budget Outlook
•The Office of Financial Management (OFM) recently indicated that
the General Fund Operating Budget deficit is between $10 and
$12 billion over the four-year outlook.
•Governor Ferguson directed state agencies to provide him options
for cutting 6% from state agency budgets.
•The State Transportation Budget shortfall for the 2025-27
biennium is $1 billion.
•Senator Slatter and Representative Walen submitted our request
for the next stage of the Expansion Joint Noise Mitigation study.
Proposed Legislation of Interest
•HB 1096 (Barkis)—Lot Splitting
•SB 5604 (Liias)—Transit Oriented Development
•HB 1491 (Reed)—Transit Oriented Development
•SB 5184 (Bateman)—Minimum Parking Requirements
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Questions
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