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The 2025 Washington State Legislative session has officially adjourned, wrapping up on time this past Sunday after 105 fast-moving days. In those final hours, lawmakers approved a sweeping mix of tax, budget, and policy measures that will have direct implications for businesses across every sector of the state economy—including right here in the Spokane Valley.
But as of today, the full picture is still coming into focus.
We are actively reviewing the hundreds of pages of legislation passed in the final weekend, and while some headlines are clear, many of the details—especially around implementation and enforcement—are still being analyzed. As your Chamber, our role is to sift through the technical language, track agency guidance, and deliver practical insights to help you prepare.
🕰️ What Happens Now?
Right now, all eyes turn to Governor Bob Ferguson.
While the Legislature has finished its work, the Governor still holds line-item veto power and could choose to strike entire bills—or specific sections—within the next two weeks. Through our connections with the statewide business advocacy community, we understand that strong appeals are being made to his office to reconsider some of the session’s most impactful proposals.
We also understand that the Governor’s office was directly involved in last-minute budget negotiations over the weekend, suggesting some alignment with legislative leaders. Still, many sectors across the state are now urging him to use his authority to slow down or reshape policies that would otherwise take effect quickly and carry steep costs for Washington employers.
🌄A Silver Lining: Capital Budget Investments Reinvest in Spokane Valley
While much of this year’s legislative session focused on navigating shortfalls and new taxes, there’s a bright spot worth recognizing: the capital budget.
As the state’s taxing authority expands, so too does its bonding capacity—allowing for meaningful investments in local infrastructure, education, and community development. This year’s capital budget delivers over $15 million in direct allocations to projects in the Spokane Valley area.
We extend our sincere thanks to our local legislative leaders who fought for these priorities and ensured the Spokane Valley’s needs were not overlooked. These projects will enhance public services, expand educational access, and support the long-term vitality of our region.
These projects are not only shovel-ready but community-ready—supporting wellness, education, recreation, and environmental restoration. They represent a reinvestment in the people and places that make Spokane Valley strong.
We’re proud to see these dollars coming home. We’ll continue working with local and state leaders to ensure they translate into lasting community value.
Capital Budget Allocations – Spokane Valley Region (Largest to Smallest):
Total Investment in Spokane Valley: $15,903,000
These projects are not only shovel-ready but community-ready—supporting wellness, education, recreation, and environmental restoration. They represent a reinvestment in the people and places that make Spokane Valley strong.
We’re proud to see these dollars coming home. We’ll continue working with local and state leaders to ensure they translate into lasting community value.
đź“Ł Join Us: Post-Session Debrief on May 13
This is a developing situation. Final decisions from the Governor’s office are still pending, and agency implementation timelines have not yet been released. That’s why we’re encouraging all members and regional partners to attend our upcoming:
- Government Action Committee Debrief
- Tuesday, May 13 | 8:00 AM
- Spokane Valley Chamber Office (10808 E Sprague Ave)
- Zoom attendance available
We will walk through:
- The most relevant legislation for Valley businesses
- What was decided, what might still change, and where we go from here
- Sector-specific questions and concerns as we move into implementation
📩 Do you have questions or issues you’d like us to address at the meeting? Email them in advance to lukas@spokanevalleychamber.org
Why It Matters
While we can’t yet provide a full policy breakdown, we can say this:
The bills passed this session represent significant change—from tax code shifts to new mandates on employers, and from local investments to statewide funding restructuring.
This is a moment of transition for how Washington does business, and the Chamber will be by your side to help navigate it. We’ll be sharing detailed updates as more becomes clear, and we’ll keep pushing for clarity and accountability in every conversation we’re part of—locally and statewide.
Stay tuned. Stay engaged. We’ll make sure you’re equipped with what you need to know—and when you need to know it.
