Joe Nguyen is stepping down as director of Washington state’s Department of Commerce and will be the next leader of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber.

“We are facing falling revenue, rising costs, and budget cuts and chaos coming from the Trump administration,” Gov. Bob Ferguson said. “I’m providing a road map for the Legislature. This is, of course, the first step in a conversation about how best to balance our budget.” 

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson unveiled a plan Dec. 19 to steer $3 billion into preserving the state’s roads and bridges and building three new ferries over the next decade.

At least five individuals – four Republicans and one Democrat – have either confirmed they will seek the 4th Congressional district seat or are considering a run. 

Pete Serrano will continue to lead the federal prosecutor’s office in Eastern Washington.
He’s got two new titles.

Pete Serrano’s time as a federal prosecutor in eastern Washington ended Tuesday. His tenure with the U.S. Department of Justice may not be over.

Gov. Bob Ferguson has approved a 1,300-acre solar farm in south-central Washington, over the protests of the Yakama Nation, calling the project a “win for our state.”

Gov. Bob Ferguson warned Dec. 2 that the budget proposal he’ll release this month will rely solely on spending cuts and not higher taxes to overcome what he says is a multi-billion dollar shortfall.

It is the latest salvo — and likely not the last — in a tax debate expected to dominate the 2026 session that begins Jan. 12.