The $10 Billion Elephant in the Room: Bob Ferguson’s Budget Circus

Faced with a staggering $10–$12 billion budget shortfall, Washington Democrats are already salivating over new taxes to save their bloated programs. Enter Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson, who claims he’s more interested in cost-cutting than tax hikes—at least for now. How noble.

In a Seattle Times interview, Ferguson spoke of “efficiencies” and “better ways” to manage the government, like a kid pretending to tidy up a house that’s already on fire. He even admitted to questioning the existence of certain state agencies, though conveniently refused to name any. Bold leadership, or just vague hand-waving?

Meanwhile, Ferguson has assembled a massive 53-member transition team. You know, because nothing screams fiscal responsibility like dozens of bureaucrats brainstorming “savings.” Don’t worry, there’s no “revenue subcommittee,” though House Democrats are already floating shiny new taxes, like a wealth tax and a high-salary corporate tax, to plug the gap left by their spending spree.

Outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee handed Ferguson this mess, after a decade of ramped-up spending and policies that shrank tax revenues. Now, Democrats are emboldened by their election wins to double down on “progressive” solutions that make your wallet their solution.

Ferguson, who campaigned on hiring more police, is promising a $100 million grant program for recruitment. That’s rich, considering he ignored public safety during his 12 years as attorney general. But hey, at least it made for good TV ads.

He’s also waffling on progressive pet projects like capping rent increases and giving striking workers unemployment benefits, signaling they might land on his desk for a noncommittal shrug later. And let’s not forget his preemptive legal battle plans against a potential second Trump administration, as if Washingtonians are more concerned about Trump than their skyrocketing costs of living.

Ferguson insists he’ll “rock the status quo” in Olympia. But if his record—and his party’s history—are any indication, expect a tax hike-heavy encore. After all, when the budget’s broken, Democrats’ go-to solution is simple: “It’s your problem now.”