The State of the State Budget for Counties

Earlier this week, the House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means committees introduced and held hearings on their respective budget proposals for fiscal years 2025-27.

Despite the challenges facing the State budget, counties fared better than expected in these early discussions, with several priorities finding support. WSAC staff are conducting a comprehensive review of each proposal, ensuring that no detail is overlooked. Here are some early line items of interest to counties.

In the Senate:

• New funding to support county public defense services ($20M)
• The transfer from the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA) to the General Fund (GF-S) in FY 26 and the transfer from the GF-S back to the PWAA in FY 27 ($166 M)
• Full funding for the Municipal Research Services Center ($6.827M)
• Investment in initiatives 3a and 3b of the 1115 demonstration waiver ($297.3M)
• Election costs reimbursements to counties for the state’s share ($38.448)
• Funding support for GMA comprehensive plan updates for local governments ($20M)
• Sexually transmitted infections program expansion ($1.4M)
• School-based health centers support ($2.4M)

In the House:

• Funding for Foundational Public Health Services ($324M)
• Document recording backfill ($117.6M)
• Funding to support local government planning to address climate change ($22.544M)
• Support for the Conservation Commission to work on community wildfire protection ($4M)
• Support for school-based health centers ($2.4M)
• Investment in initiatives 3a and 3b of the 1115 demonstration waiver ($297.3M)

We were disappointed to see cuts to the opioid and overdose prevention and harm reduction in both chambers. These are critical upstream strategies that help communities address substance use disorders.

As always, WSAC staff closely monitor all new legislation that shifts, increases, or creates new costs for counties. We will either ask the Legislature to fully fund their priorities or add null and void clauses without appropriation, as part of our proactive approach to ensuring that county interests are protected in the legislative process.