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Washington Governor Bob Ferguson implemented policy requiring state agencies to obtain approval before releasing information or responding to media queries

AI Overview         
As of April 2026, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has implemented a policy requiring state agencies to obtain approval from his office before releasing information or responding to media queries, according to an investigative report by Axios. This centralized process has reportedly created significant bottlenecks, delayed public information on health and transportation, and created concerns regarding transparency.

Key Details on the Policy:

Approval Required: Agencies must get pre-approval for press releases and media inquiries.

Scope: The policy, which began around July 2025, impacts cabinet agencies, including the Department of Health and Department of Transportation.Suppressed Information: Internal documents indicate that agency staff were instructed by the Governor's office not to disclose this approval process to reporters.

Impact: Records suggest delays in communicating essential information, such as measles updates and bridge repair information.

Response: Governor Ferguson’s office has defended the policy, stating that a new administration has different ways of operating, while critics say this level of micromanagement is unusual compared to previous administrations.The policy has led to criticism from state employees who describe the process as a "grueling" and "painful" bottleneck, with some reports noting it hinders the ability of agencies to operate efficiently.

‘Tremendous bottleneck’: WA Gov. Ferguson’s new approval policy stalling public information
April 29, 2026 9:42pm PDT
https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/gov-ferguson-stalls-public-information

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ssq9FgxNbBw
https://mynorthwest.com/mynorthwest-politics/governors-office/4234898
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/tremendous-bottleneck-wa-gov-ferguson-044256352.html
https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-opinion/mayor-katie-wilson-ferguson/4234767
https://seattlered.com/seattle-red/jason-rantz-opinion/rantz-bob-ferguson-washington-governor-communications-crackdown/4118222
https://www.aol.com/news/seattle-news-weekly-audit-accountability-230720900.html