OLYMPIA – Today, Rep. Mari Leavitt (D-University Place) issued the following the statement after Governor Ferguson vetoed a budget allocation of $500,000 to combat organized retail crime in Washington:
“I am deeply disappointed and puzzled by the Governor’s decision to veto a budget measure that focuses on combatting organized retail crime.
Washington is number one in the nation for retail crime, contributing to nearly a $3 billion impact to our economy and businesses because of lost revenue, and representing a consequential challenge to our state. Not only is the economic impact staggering, but the disturbing pattern also creates safety concerns for employees and customers, disrupts store operations, and places added strain on small businesses. This is something that we pledged to address, and did, with a pilot program last year that provided $1 million, which the governor supported, to help our counties make a real and meaningful dent in combatting this issue. And it worked.
For example, from January through June of 2025, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed 142 retail theft cases – 2.5 times more than the average across the past four years. King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion said the success was a direct result of the funding allocated by the legislature which allowed the office to temporarily hire an additional prosecutor. Snohomish and Spokane counties also used these dollars in strategic ways to meaningfully and creatively combat organized retail crime. This included strengthening local coordination and supporting diversion-oriented interventions.
According to the Washington Retail Association, in the first five months of 2025, the pilot generated 402 program-driven law enforcement responses, identified 1,194 people eligible for diversion, offered diversion to 343 individuals, initiated 154 diversions, and generated 5,868 organized retail crime reports. This is remarkable success for a pilot program.
It is surprising then, that the Governor would veto funding to continue a successful program under the guise of saving money for the state. This funding has proven to be an effective use of tax dollars with a return on investment that has made a measurable difference in tackling a major issue impacting our state’s economy. Without these funds, we are unable to build on those successes and the progress we have made has been put at risk.
Vetoing this budget allocation, which has been proven to work, I believe is a mistake that undermines our public safety efforts. It leaves our small businesses at risk and does nothing to help customers and workers in our communities feel safe. It is short sighted and harmful to our neighborhoods. This veto will end up costing us far more than what was requested in the allocation.
These resources would have addressed real and dangerous retail crime actions in local jurisdictions across the state. I will continue to work with our small businesses, law enforcement, and other advocates to find ways to combat this issue, but funding will remain a critical and necessary piece of solving this problem.”
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