Domestic violence advocates could be cut under budget reductions

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Thurston County commissioners are confronting a nearly $10-million deficit for the 2026-27 budget years, potentially forcing agency heads to implement significant cuts.

The County Clerk's Office faces among the steepest reductions, at a proposed 13.4%.

County Clerk Linda Myhre Enlow said that would eliminate eight positions, including staff who work as domestic violence survivor advocates. She warned the cuts could have deadly consequences for vulnerable residents who get assistance filling out protection order paperwork and are helped through the court process.

"I suspect there will be a lot of denials, because there won't be enough information in that petition for the court to make a good decision," Myhre Enlow said, adding that survivors could leave the courthouse "w