Washington state’s worsening budget crisis is drawing fire from Republican lawmakers, with Rep. Travis Couture (R-Allyn) accusing Democratic leaders of reckless overspending and misplaced priorities. In an interview on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Couture warned the state is barreling toward a fiscal disaster—despite recently passing the largest tax increase in state history—and called out Gov. Bob Ferguson for what he described as “ideological” budget decisions that hurt the most vulnerable residents.
Budget Shortfall ‘Totally Predictable’
Reacting to the latest economic forecast, which projects a $1 billion revenue shortfall over the next four years, Couture said, “I predicted this at least 50 times during the session.”
Bob Ferguson is “the first governor since the center was founded to not visit the facility—and the first to outright refuse a visit. He couldn’t even face the babies or the staff.”@TravisSCouture SLAMS @GovBobFerguson for vetoing funding to help drug addicted babies.
“This… pic.twitter.com/nmHmNlzioP
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) June 27, 2025
Couture blamed Democrats for an 8% spike in state spending, which he said disproportionately benefits “politicians, bureaucrats, and criminals,” while pushing the budget to the brink. He said that while the 2025–27 budget was technically balanced on paper, it was built on shaky foundations.
At the end of the legislative session, the state’s ending fund balance had dropped from $250 million to just $80 million. The updated economic forecast shows a mere $2 million left in reserves for the first two years of the biennium, and a $331 million deficit in the following two years.
“If this were your household making $80,000 a year, you’d be ending the year with $2 in the bank,” Couture said. “It’s totally reckless and ridiculous.”
Ferguson Blames Trump—Couture Says Look Closer to Home
Gov. Ferguson, now officially running for a full term as governor, has attempted to preemptively blame the budget problems on potential federal funding losses tied to the Trump administration. But Couture pushed back hard.
“We haven’t lost any federal funding yet—and we don’t look like we’re going to lose it anytime soon,” he said. “If they didn’t want to lose it, all they have to do is follow the law.”
Instead, Couture argued, the revenue drop is driven by fewer home permits, lower sales tax income, and declining construction—all fallout from progressive economic policies.
“There’s a point where if you tax too much, you actually make less money,” he said, pointing to the latest revenue data. “They couldn’t budget their way out of a wet paper bag.”
Pick Center for Drug-Addicted Infants Faces Closure
Couture also raised the alarm about the potential closure of the Pediatric Interim Care Center (PICC) in Kent—a facility that has treated drug-addicted newborns for over three decades. The center is a nationally recognized model for its care of infants going through withdrawal from substances like meth, heroin, and fentanyl.
“This is not just any program—it is literally saving babies’ lives,” Couture said. “The sounds of those babies in pain, the way their little bodies shake and contort… It brings tears to your eyes.”
For years, PICC received around $700,000 annually from the state. Democrats cut that to zero this year, despite bipartisan support for a last-minute $100,000 lifeline. Couture said Gov. Ferguson vetoed even that minimal amount.
“He’s the first governor since the center was founded to not visit the facility—and the first to outright refuse a visit,” Couture said. “He couldn’t even face the babies or the staff.”
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), which Couture says is operating under Ferguson’s ideological direction, has also stopped referring babies to the center—effectively ending its ability to operate.
“This isn’t about money. This is about radical leftist ideology that is needlessly murdering babies,” Couture said. “Hospitals are already overwhelmed, and after that, these babies go back to drug-addicted homes to die.”
Plea for Action
Couture issued an urgent call for action from the public.
“We only have five days to save the PICC,” he said. “I’m asking every listener to call the governor’s office and demand that this contract be extended—even without new money—so we can give these babies a fighting chance.”
Rep. Couture vowed to continue pushing for responsible budget reforms and targeted spending cuts that preserve essential services.
“We’re not going to let this go quietly,” he said. “The people of Washington deserve better than this—especially our most vulnerable newborns.”
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