US Edition
New 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, embedding a $100 million grant program for local public safety funding.
- Ferguson demanded this funding to address Washington's ranking as last in police staffing per capita, though the bill allows local and tribal governments discretion in spending.
- The grant program aims to improve public safety with significant investments in law enforcement while permitting communities to invest in other options besides hiring officers.
- The bill passed by 55-42 in the House and 30-19 in the Senate, with Ferguson calling it "a wonderful bill" and Rep. Debra Entenman calling it "from the community, for the community."
- A dozen Democratic senators urged equal funding for social services addressing long-neglected needs affecting communities of color, reflecting ongoing debate over public safety strategies.
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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