Cuts leave security spread thin on Washington State Capitol campus

Security at Washington State's Capitol campus is increasingly compromised due to budget cuts that eliminated essential funding for security operations. Earlier this year, the Legislature and Governor Bob Ferguson approved spending reductions that significantly impacted the Security Operations Center and the Washington State Patrol's contract. The Department of Enterprise Services has requested $3 million in the upcoming 2026 supplemental budget to restore these critical security resources. Without this funding, agency officials warn that the campus will be unprotected during weekends and holidays. The Capitol complex has seen a surge in events, with a 158% increase in gatherings in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

This rise in activity coincides with increasing political activism, raising concerns over public safety. A 2019 study highlighted that Washington had the fewest law enforcement resources for its state capitol complex. The shift from preventative to reactive security measures could jeopardize the safety of state employees and the public.