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Thurston County readies lobbying push as short 2026 legislative session begins
Summary
County consultant warned the 60-day 2026 session will be "fast and furious," flagged a $2.3 billion state budget gap, and urged early hearings for county priorities including a $5 million ask for a Regional Justice Center, public defense reimbursement bills, and proposals for animal services funding.
Thurston County officials told commissioners Wednesday they will press early and persistent outreach to lawmakers as the 2026 short legislative session opens, stressing that the condensed schedule will leave little time to advance county priorities.
"It’s going to be the short session," consultant Deborah said, summarizing the 60-day supplemental session and its compressed deadlines. She said prefiling began Dec. 1 and about 374 bills were already in the system, and that the first cut-off date is Feb. 4, roughly 3½ weeks into the session.
Deborah told the board the Legislature faces an estimated $2.3 billion gap compared with the 2025 budget and…
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