As Ferguson says he’s focused on cuts over tax hikes, some Democrats say cuts would be too deep

OLYMPIA — About five weeks before lawmakers return to Olympia for the 2026 session, the state’s budget deficit remains top of mind.

State Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, chair of the House Appropriations committee, said in an interview Friday that “it’s not immediately clear” how big of a gap legislators need to account for. While he anticipates getting a better picture of the state’s financial outlook as the session nears, Ormsby estimates the deficit is around $4 billion to keep the state at maintenance-level spending.

“And I think that’s a little bit on the low end,” Ormsby said. “And that’s to keep current programs and services.”

But while lawmakers agree work must be done, they differ when it comes to solutions.

Some Democrats have called on the Legislature to adopt new taxes on the