Washington state Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson on Thursday named a veteran price range author and coverage analyst to function his director of the Workplace of Monetary Administration.
Okay.D. Chapman-See, the company’s present legislative affairs liaison, would be the level individual serving to Ferguson trend his first state spending plan within the shadow of a possible multi-billion greenback price range deficit.
Additionally Thursday, Ferguson began his seek for new leaders of 9 state businesses, together with the departments of transportation, corrections, social and well being providers and ecology. Present administrators of most of these businesses have already introduced plans to step down or retire.
With Chapman-See, Ferguson tapped a talented and revered analyst with expertise within the govt and legislative branches of Washington state authorities.
Earlier than becoming a member of Gov. Jay Inslee’s price range workplace, she labored greater than a decade within the state Home of Representatives as a coverage director and as a senior analyst for working price range and tax coverage for the Home Democratic Caucus, in line with Ferguson’s transition workforce.
“K.D. brings tremendous talent and expertise to this critical position in state government,” Ferguson mentioned in an announcement. “She understands the budget challenges facing the state, and I look forward to working with her to deliver efficient, effective government.”
These price range challenges shall be vital as Ferguson begins his time period.
State tax revenues usually are not conserving tempo with the rising prices of present and promised applications. Inslee and his price range director, Pat Sullivan, have warned the hole is round $12 billion over the following four-plus fiscal years and directed state businesses to determine potential cuts.
Some concepts for what to trim could wind up in Inslee’s proposed price range for the 2025-27 biennium. So too could some concepts for elevating further income. The price range proposal is due out in mid-December and shall be a template for Ferguson and state lawmakers after they craft closing budgets within the 2025 legislative session.
Whereas Ferguson has not commented publicly in regards to the state’s price range state of affairs, Democratic legislators have mentioned they anticipate to think about spending reductions and new income sources to erase the shortfall.
Chapman-See will assume her new function on Jan. 15 and be a part of Ferguson’s govt management workforce.
She’s going to succeed Sullivan, a former state lawmaker who was appointed director of the Workplace of Monetary Administration in July when David Schumacher, Inslee’s longtime price range director, departed.
“I am deeply grateful to Pat Sullivan for his leadership during this challenging time as he develops Governor Inslee’s final budget,” Ferguson mentioned. “He is an outstanding public servant who puts the needs of Washingtonians first.”
Different businesses the place Ferguson mentioned he intends to rent new leaders embrace the Division of Kids, Youth and Households, Division of Enterprise Companies, the Well being Care Authority, and Governor’s Workplace of Indian Affairs.
Administrators of all however transportation and enterprise providers had beforehand mentioned they might be leaving. Enterprise providers manages state buildings and automobile fleets, amongst different duties.
Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar informed the Washington State Commonplace in a latest interview that he hoped to remain on within the new administration. He knowledgeable Division of Transportation workers Thursday afternoon that his final day shall be Jan. 15.
Within the launch, Ferguson mentioned he’s evaluating the management of different cupboard businesses and can present an replace subsequent week. These taken with making use of for a management place or serving on a board or fee can achieve this on-line by means of a newly launched internet portal.