Gov. Bob Ferguson and state Democrats have a history of tying Washington’s policies closely to those of California.
➡️In September 2025, the governors of Washington, California, and Oregon — Ferguson, Newsom, and Kotek — announced the West Coast Health Alliance, a partnership intended to coordinate responses to federal changes in the CDC.
➡️In 2024, Democrats in the state House and Senate passed Senate Bill 6058, facilitating the linkage of Washington’s carbon market with the California-Quebec carbon market. Analysts estimate that Washington’s carbon tax is adding about 51 cents to the cost of gasoline per gallon.
➡️In 2020, legislative Democrats passed House Bill 2311, adopting California’s zero-emission vehicle standard by 2050.
➡️In 2024, House Democrats introduced House Bill 1868 to mirror California’s ban on gas-powered landscaping equipment. Later that year, Democrats introduced House Bill 2051, which would have adopted California’s small off-road engine and equipment standards.
These policies disproportionately affect lower-income Washingtonians. Research shows that poverty and limited household income are strongly associated with higher rates of crime, homelessness, and illicit-drug use. (Studies: Wikström et al. 2016 on socio-economic disadvantage and crime; Sariaslan et al. 2014 on childhood low income and later substance misuse).
Before adopting California’s policies, it’s worth looking at the results of both states. Instead of going the way of California, legislative Republicans are offering a different plan: serious proposals that would make our state safer, more affordable, healthier, and better educated.
Sources:
➡️Washington has the fourth highest rate of crime in the nation, with 2,792 reported total crimes per 100,000 residents. California has the 8th highest rate with 2,565 reported crimes per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program 2024.
➡️On Nov. 4, 2025, the average price of regular gas in California was $4.66 per gallon, the highest in the nation. Washington had the third highest price at $4.27 per gallon. Source: AAA Fuel Prices.
➡️California has the highest rate of unsheltered chronic homelessness in the nation. Washington is not far behind at #3. Source: US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report.
➡️Washington has the 9th highest rate of drug overdose deaths in the nation. California ranks much better at 34th. Source: Center for Disease Control (CDC) Drug Overdose Mortality, August 2025 report.
➡️Only 32% of Washington fourth graders and 29% of California fourth graders scored at, or above, proficient in reading. Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2024 report.
