Gov. Bob Ferguson is pulling together a who’s who of Washington power players, signing an executive order Thursday that creates a 26-member Governor’s Economic Development Council just as the state braces for a serious budget crunch. The group is meant to chart a game plan to protect family-wage jobs and keep Washington competitive while the state tightens its belt.
What the Executive Order Does
The order, Executive Order 26-02, officially sets up the Governor’s Economic Development Council and tasks it with advising the governor and the Department of Commerce, reviewing regulations that may be in the way, spotting market openings and delivering a statewide competitiveness plan by June 2027, according to the Governor's Office. The council will meet every quarter and send the administration advisory reports that spell out specific, short-term moves state agencies could take to support jobs.
Budget Squeeze Behind the Move
At the signing event, Ferguson told reporters he “won’t be proposing new taxes” in his upcoming budget and warned that cuts are on the table, KIRO 7 reported. His administration has also told state agencies to brace for “significant budget shortfalls,” according to a memo reviewed by the Spokesman-Review, underscoring why Ferguson wants a cross-sector brain trust looking for practical steps that can be rolled out quickly.
Who’s at the Table
The council’s lineup features leaders from industry and labor, presidents of higher-education institutions, Tribal representatives and port executives. Among the better-known names on the list are Brad Smith of Microsoft, David Zapolsky of Amazon, Mike Katz of T-Mobile and Stephanie Pope of Boeing, according to the governor’s office. Staff at the Department of Commerce will handle logistics as the group collects recommendations that are supposed to be concrete and fast-moving, not theoretical.
What Comes Next
The council is scheduled to meet quarterly and must deliver a statewide economic development plan by June 2027, Washington State Standard reported. In the meantime, members will scout long-range opportunities, from workforce training strategies to pitching Washington to companies outside the state, and flag regulatory tweaks agencies could adopt in the near term.
Ferguson is pitching the council as a way to defend jobs and competitiveness without raising taxes, a stance that drew skepticism from some Republican lawmakers, KIRO 7 noted. With agencies already ordered to rein in spending, the council’s recommendations could help decide which programs get trimmed and which survive in the 2027 to 2029 budget cycle, the Spokesman-Review reported.
