[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6581845,"mediaKeyId","5675246-a5ec529539d000533a6169009a5201c7","parentId",5675246,"title","Ferguson says state is investing in proven programs to address homelessness amid budget pressure","audioSeconds",43,"startMs",228740,"endMs",272590,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5675246-a5ec529539d000533a6169009a5201c7&start=228&end=272","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5675246-a5ec529539d000533a6169009a5201c7/thumbnail_228740.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6581845/Ferguson-says-state-is-investing-in-proven-programs-to-address-homelessness-amid-budget-pressure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581845-bcdab85d223a68a9d7b63519bcee10d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770581586&Signature=HEAyER0rIocj5MVr5JO8y9PMNZIMLkGZVCGqkxcr2rp9CkltdKw3SY44hyTaK4xTdoKeNu8I8sOo05Y6130H-Yt9SNbYS0B1Q9FEu-FLgRVfuH-C4NH1kx2ueb0ZMnUSwos6D38ebpKOiKwOD0GJwAkJMuLCn9629cnFWRJkYcWvX-X5s6v3rHZS0auiGrUdHaW3pz0mdqhfG5mljGAakO8K4kKj6q2sV4Um3QO5WbSySb42UyUdPsc52zFYNhYLsbkNOucJuxXXlg9z24-gwA73uNWwq0fFfIapYGz5WCz7rQkDatesposzGqo-BfMGzqawNsM~jDko9aBq29I1RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bob Ferguson","date","2025-04-19T00:00:00Z","article","Governor Bob Ferguson described homelessness as “one of our biggest challenges” and said the state is prioritizing investments in programs that can demonstrate results.

Speaking on King 5, Ferguson said homelessness intersects affordability, mental health and substance-use disorders and that the state is concentrating funding on strategies that show measurable outcomes. “We need to make sure that the investments we're making on that really critical issue are working,” he said.

Why it matters: homelessness is a persistent policy issue affecting municipalities and service providers across Washington. The governor said the legislature and his office are focusing on programs that demonstrate effectiveness, particularly given constrained budget conditions.

Ferguson did not provide dollar amounts, specific program names or new policy details in the interview; he said only that the state is making investments and that he believes the state “is making progress on that with this session.”","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Part 1: KING 5's extended interview with Gov. Bob Ferguson ahead of state budget deadline","oneSentenceSummary","Governor Bob Ferguson said homelessness remains a top challenge and that the state is focusing limited resources on programs that demonstrably help people experiencing homelessness.","taxTitle","Bob Ferguson - Governor, Washington State","taxId",80569,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6581850,"Ferguson: new training centers and $100 million grant would help chip away at officer shortage",180,142770,322890,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5675246-a5ec529539d000533a6169009a5201c7&start=142&end=322","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5675246-a5ec529539d000533a6169009a5201c7/thumbnail_142770.jpg","/articles/6581850/Ferguson-new-training-centers-and-100-million-grant-would-help-chip-away-at-officer-shortage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581850-610d19da1d73d599ac95a145884b8ef4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770581586&Signature=hKJvM3-o3T0b4PuiIEXVodHoKOnA01vhGRKXmgvieUerXj1cYdvr1TFYQPk8uMctQg0B0yPaUlvjo253nTXKxGR35jy382Qbd4ZL8HdelXB2PucVugXe5Qq8SihJOc9XMB0QO2R5ofi8YVEvek1NV5mafKzKkZ79IYggGE~3CID8bXlhWDFTDQDk-j~YuhKKCsoUYWGg69SMm36c5NysNvlmYoyjUT7tKswDfnemRFBWfhfaPvxC2Gg987qq05suY0FMDKCBwKEcgf1SKTBwkUnXPglwq2ZlAVd2EeR1IMcGWH4yEzeuxhlYRVudAMfOtoq27M7N1oIZSiYCfLVUTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Governor Bob Ferguson said Washington is “on the right track” to reduce a shortage of law enforcement officers but cautioned that solving the problem will take time.

In an interview on King 5, Ferguson pointed to the opening of three new regional training centers — in Pasco, Vancouver and Arlington — which bring the state’s total to five, and said increased geographic access has already helped more recruits complete training. “Not surprisingly, they can do it and go home at night as well, which makes it more accessible for Washingtonians all across our state,” he said.

Ferguson also discussed a bipartisan bill that would create a $100,000,000 grant program for local jurisdictions to use for hiring bonuses or salary increases intended to attract officers. “There’s a bill that is bipartisan moving through the legislature that obviously I support,” he said, adding he was “confident that will be a part of the final budget that I signed as governor.”

Why it matters: local jurisdictions hire most law enforcement officers, so grants targeted at hiring incentives or pay increases could affect recruiting and retention across the state. The governor emphasized the proposal is one part of a broader strategy and said the shortage will not be solved overnight.

The governor described the policy as “part 1” of his administration’s approach and said he expects the measure to reach his desk for signature if it survives the legislative process. No bill number or implementation details were provided in the interview.","Governor Bob Ferguson said new regional training centers and a proposed $100 million grant program for hiring incentives are part of a multi-pronged plan to address Washington's law enforcement officer shortage.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6581854,"Governor Ferguson urges 'balanced' approach to close $16 billion budget shortfall",53,21975,75155,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5675246-a5ec529539d000533a6169009a5201c7&start=21&end=75","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5675246-a5ec529539d000533a6169009a5201c7/thumbnail_21975.jpg","/articles/6581854/Governor-Ferguson-urges-balanced-approach-to-close-16-billion-budget-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581854-f4c41383fa8dd8dfd56584c0afd88351/orig.mp4?Expires=1770581586&Signature=afRyCHD5zdu7~xQu29YrBoby~mehDf0nP--ooIDs1qDnktqOMkxy-E0kJVej8X3NPZ7JPLxVz5DqjMK2oheWYLsalQGOHFX2NkdNvNE3-VSqH07bSyGohN3lf6ut7HTyPrMlI3TvqbsQE0pxFib6Y3pEESqXDkfTczeZNOzXint9AGhfTW1W9z-UlLm2CU0lQA3fMhQuuz58QuwDSe3agehVuI~AsJRU4aaHrqEhz90Gsp6EOy63nvf8cAQ5ipI6GGSMkiMU2bm1i-9OYry6kX9-ripk4rMJZfl~fgZ2MYrd7YHcPPvUKPbzmVkSaSdpUtFC9Kmg6D6OZzZPD1elSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Governor Bob Ferguson said Washington faces a $16,000,000,000 budget shortfall over the next four years and urged a balanced approach that uses some new progressive revenue while protecting core services.

Ferguson made the remarks in an extended interview on King 5 weekend mornings as lawmakers and the governor negotiate how to close the gap. “We can't tax our way out of it. There's not $16,000,000,000 in tax revenue, and we can't just cut our way out of it,” he said. “If we do that, we're cutting core services that working families depend on.”

Why it matters: the scale and structure of a final budget will affect public services and tax policy statewide. The governor said an initial legislative tax proposal of roughly $16 billion to $17 billion was “way too much,” and that a more recent package at about $12 billion remained too large. He called for a more balanced outcome between revenue and spending reductions.

Ferguson also flagged uncertainty from federal policy. He said the state must prepare for potential cuts in federal funding that “support our state budget” and factored that into budget planning.

On whether he would veto a budget or support a special session, Ferguson said it was premature to make that decision and noted Washington is legally required to adopt a balanced budget. “We still have another week to go,” he said, adding that it is not unusual for the legislature and governor to take extra time beyond the regular session to finalize complex budgets.

The governor called for efficiency in state government as part of the solution and said he was “confident we'll get there.” The interview formed part one of an extended conversation that the station said would continue the next morning.","In a King 5 interview, Governor Bob Ferguson said the state faces a $16 billion shortfall over four years and rejected an approach that relies solely on taxes or deep cuts, urging a balanced mix of revenue and efficiencies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ferguson says state is investing in proven programs to address homelessness amid budget pressure

Ferguson: new training centers and $100 million grant would help chip away at officer shortage

Governor Ferguson urges 'balanced' approach to close $16 billion budget shortfall