OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Not everyone is happy about the new governor’s proposed budget cuts, including his former coworkers.
Governor Bob Ferguson doubled down on his proposal for large spending cuts during his inauguration speech on Wednesday, Jan. 15, including some that hit close to home for the former Attorney General.
“In my proposal, I included a $35 million sweep of the Attorney General’s Office, an agency that I care deeply about,” Ferguson said. “To meet these challenges, we cannot be leisurely when the times call for action.”
But incoming Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown told the Seattle Times after the speech that he’s opposed to cutting funds to the AG’s office. Brown went on to explain that the budget cuts would have a “devastating impact” on both the average resident and the state’s most vulnerable populations.
Former governor Jay Inslee also voiced his opposition to the proposed cuts in his farewell address on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
Ferguson’s proposal for a 6% spending cut across nearly all state agencies comes as a $12 billion budget deficit looms over the next four years.
