Washington’s budget boosts public defense funding

While Clark County’s chief public defender says he’s grateful the Legislature more than doubled funding for public defense services in its new budget, he still wishes the state would do more.

The new state budget, which has yet to be signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, includes $27.2 million to be disbursed to counties for the cost of providing public defenders for those accused of crimes who can’t afford their own attorneys. That’s an increase from $10.6 million in the previous biannual budget, according to reporting from The Seattle Times.