US EditionNew State Law Directs $100M in Grants Toward Hiring Police or Other Public Safety Options
- Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 2015 on May 19, directing $100 million in grants to local and tribal governments for public safety funding.
- Ferguson demanded the Legislature include this funding in the state budget to address Washington's low police staffing per capita and public safety concerns.
- The bill allows jurisdictions flexibility to use the grants beyond police hiring, reflecting some Democrats' skepticism about police staffing as the sole solution.
- Ferguson described the legislation as "a wonderful bill" that preserves local authority, while the bill's sponsor, Debra Entenman, emphasized that it was developed by and intended to benefit the local community.
- Some Democratic senators urged equal investment in social services, noting communities of color's neglected needs, and Ferguson's administration intends to proceed with the funding plan.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Issaquah Reporter
New state law directs $100M in grants toward hiring police or other public safety options
Gov. Ferguson signs bill that provides local sales tax option
washingtonstatestandard.com
New Washington law directs $100M in grants toward hiring police, improving public safety
The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)On his first day, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson angered many Democratic lawmakers by demanding the Legislature put $100 million in the next state budget to help local police departments hire police officers. “That idea was a cornerstone of my campaign for Governor. Any budget I sign must include this funding,” he said in his Jan. 15 inaugu…
Grand Jury: Richmond Police Short-staffed Amid Budget Cuts, Council Inaction
The Richmond Standard A newly released Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury report raised concerns about public safety in Richmond caused by an understaffed police department. The Grand Jury ultimately recommended that the Richmond City Council reverse its actions to defund the Richmond Police Department, which remains below the approved level of 146 sworn officers with a current vacancy of 23 officers, according to the report. In 2014, when the…
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