Governor’s office warns of a tight budget and proposes backfills for federal cuts to human services

Grace, a policy adviser with the governor’s office, briefed the Washington Women’s Commission on the governor’s proposed budget and how it affects human services and civil‑rights priorities.

Grace said the administration sought to preserve “Maslow‑level” services — housing, food and direct medical coverage — where possible. She said the budget proposes some reductions for service providers and that the state has backfilled certain federal program cuts; she cited approximately $50 million to maintain food coverage for some lawful immigrants and about $12 million allocated within a larger victim‑services funding package.

She described operational changes to an Apple Health expansion program: federal guidance requires restructuring that program from a managed‑care approach to fee‑for‑service, a move that may increase demand for the program while holding current funding levels steady. Grace warned that caseload and administrative pressures mean the state cannot expand enrollment immediately and that some services face increased demand as federal benefits change.

Grace also said the governor prioritized housing in the capital budget and urged commissioners to communicate community impacts to staff so the governor’s office can consider them when making budget decisions. She encouraged the commission to use its convening role to surface stories and data from providers and affected residents.

Staff said they will circulate the agency’s full bill tracker and coordinate times when commissioners might testify or provide technical expertise to legislative committees.