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Ferguson administration seeks to protect homelessness investments amid $14 billion shortfall, regional rep says
Summary
Luke Jasmine III said Gov. Bob Ferguson recommended $4 billion in savings to the legislature and is seeking to protect homelessness and housing assistance; the state faces an estimated $14 billion budget deficit.
Gov. Bob Ferguson’s administration is asking the Legislature to consider roughly $4 billion in proposed savings while protecting homelessness and housing assistance, Luke Jasmine III told Spokane County Spotlight.
Jasmine, the governor’s Eastern Washington outreach representative, said Ferguson “recommended protecting all investments to address homelessness and housing assistance in the current biennium.” He framed homelessness and housing as a top constituent priority alongside public safety and K‑12 education.
Host Chris Jordan noted the scale of the state’s budget challenge, saying the governor inherited about a $14 billion projected deficit. Jasmine said the administration is engaging broadly with stakeholders and legislators to find tradeoffs and preserve key programs.
Why it matters: County programs that rely on state funding — including homelessness prevention, housing assistance and services for people at risk of losing housing — could be affected by how the legislature balances the budget. Jordan said Spokane County receives funds that the county invests in prevention and supportive services.
Jasmine said the administration is talking with communities across Eastern Washington to prioritize protections and that policy teams are evaluating agency proposals for cuts. “We have a $14,000,000,000 deficit,” Jasmine said in the interview, and added that agencies submitted ideas about where cuts could be made.
The conversation noted a February 27 announcement from the governor outlining proposed savings recommendations to the Legislature; Jasmine described a continued emphasis on housing, public safety and K‑12 investments while pursuing savings elsewhere.
Looking ahead: The governor’s recommendations will go to the Legislature for deliberation; local officials including county and city leaders will continue coordinating with the administration as budget decisions proceed.
