Washington state boasts one of the strongest public pension systems in the nation, but recent legislative changes and mixed funding levels across plans are raising concerns about long-term taxpayer liability. While some retirement funds are projected to be overfunded, others still carry substantial unfunded liabilities, leading to a growing debate over investment assumptions and contribution rates.
After years of delays, contract disputes, and multiple ethics complaints, the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has officially launched the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety (WADEPS). The database, mandated by 2021’s Senate Bill 5259, aims to provide public access to police use of force incident data—but its rollout has been anything but smooth.
