Protest erupts at WA Capitol, as outraged state workers slam Ferguson over furlough plan
Hundreds of Washington state workers descended on the Capitol on Wednesday, staging a sit-in outside the governor’s office and a march to the gates of the executive mansion to protest potential furloughs amid a massive budget shortfall.
Workers from the Washington Federation of State Employees and other local unions pushed for a so-called wealth tax rather than cutting their earnings or state programs to fill the estimated $16 billion budget hole. Gov. Bob Ferguson has shunned the revenue idea as an untested concept that will attract court challenges.
Protesting workers made two passes to Ferguson’s office. The first time they encountered a closed door and chanted from outside for the governor to meet with them. A short time later, they returned and a small crowd, including federation president Mike Yestramski, got inside but did not meet with the governor.
“One of his people came out and said we’ll let him know you were here,” Yestramski said. “I think we made our message clear.”
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/04/09/protest-erupts-at-wa-capitol-as-outraged-state-workers-slam-ferguson-over-furlough-plan/