Washington state pushes back on federal overreach that threatens far-ranging issues from public health to the state budget

OLYMPIA - Governor Bob Ferguson and numerous state agencies are pushing back against the Trump administration's proposed sweeping changes to federal funding for communities and states.

The proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance Governing Federal Financial Assistance are a significant example of the onslaught of changes being made through agency rulemaking under the Trump administration. These proposed changes upend Washington's ability to administer federal money and grants in a timely and nonpartisan manner.

Governor Ferguson, along with ten agencies and boards in his administration, submitted comments detailing the devastating impacts the proposed new rules will have on everything from health care and education to workforce programs. The proposed changes by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) add unnecessary bureaucracy and additional layers of political review to grants administered by the federal government. The proposed changes will also have severe consequences for Washington's already strapped state budget.

"We all share the goals of transparency and accountability for public funds," Governor Ferguson said. "That is just a smoke screen for what these proposed changes really do: Force states to either bend to the administration's political goals or go without critical funding for health care, scientific research, education and more. Washington is leading the fight against this federal overreach."

In February, Governor Ferguson sent a letter, along with heads of multiple agencies, opposing a clearly unlawful attack on young people seeking medical treatment and gender-affirming care. The Trump Administration recently announced it will likely not pursue at least one of the proposed rules, following an outcry from the public, including parents, doctors, and states like Washington.

Agencies that sent comments to the proposed rule changes include Washington's Office of Financial Management, Labor & Industries, Health Care Authority, Workforce Board, Office of Equity, Employment Security Department, Department of Health, Student Achievement Council, Recreation and Conservation Office, and Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Governor Ferguson also cosigned a letter with 23 other governors across the nation, highlighting threats posed to maternal and reproductive health care if these changes go into effect.

Agencies raised varied concerns including across health care, education, the state budget, and workforce programs. The impact of these changes could result in less timely and accurate medical and vaccine information in a public health crisis, fewer resources in an already strained behavioral health care system, and wide-ranging impacts for businesses and entities that support marginalized populations. The changes would also likely exacerbate the state's budget challenges. With increased administrative burden, further unpredictability in federal reimbursements, at-will termination of grants mid-project, and potential loss of investment revenue for delayed repayments, these changes will increase the volatility from an already chaotic Trump Administration.