Today, I’m signing the 2020 supplemental operating budget. Legislators and many others put in a huge amount of work to pass good policies and smart investments.

Under normal circumstances, I would not veto that work. However, these are not normal times. 1/5

COVID-19 has caused financial pain to Washingtonians. That includes lost revenue for the state.

So today, I’m vetoing 147 separate expenditure items. It will reduce state spending by $445 million over the next three years. 2/5

Let me be clear: there are many good policies that would have made our state stronger. That includes bills I personally requested and fought for.

But Washingtonians are making hard choices to protect our state as we speak. We in leadership positions must do the same. 3/5

There is good news. We’re still making new investments in:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> housing
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> public health
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> our most vulnerable populations
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> the overall safety net – a net many have accessed for the first time during this pandemic

Thanks to the Legislature for acting on these priorities.
4/5

Today’s budget better prepares us for what’s ahead.

We are taking the steps necessary to best serve the people of Washington now and in the future.

As always - Stay home. Stay healthy. #WeGotThisWA 5/5