OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington State’s long-term Attorney General Bob Ferguson was sworn in Wednesday as the state’s 24th Governor. It’s the first time a new person stepped into the office in 12 years after Governor Jay Inslee did not seek reelection.
Ferguson wasted little time getting to work—and setting his differences from his predecessor. Less than 30 minutes after giving his inaugural address, he signed three executive orders aimed at housing production and reproductive freedoms.
Ferguson’s speech began highlighting past Governors who have met with challenging times, lifting a quote from late governor Dan Evans’ speech: “Let us not be leisurely when the times call for action.”
Two of the three executive orders focus on the state’s permitting process. One directs all agencies to find ways to streamline the process and the other mandates refunds on permits that are not returned by the stated deadline.
“Washingtonians need more housing, lots more housing. We need to make it easier, faster, and less expensive to build housing of all kinds. The times call for action.” Ferguson said.
Gov. Evans was renowned for not allowing partisanship to derail action. Washington’s Republican leadership sees the potential for a similar relationship, at least through his first hour.
“I think Governor Ferguson’s speech looked a lot more like mine than Governor Inslee’s,” said Rep. Drew Stokesbary, the Auburn Republican who is the House Minority leader.
Some Republican leaders reportedly walked out of Inslee’s last State of the State on Tuesday.
“Governor Ferguson was honest and I appreciate that. He started his speech talking about many of the areas where Washington is failing and he identified are the same ones Republicans have been talking about for years.” Stokesbary continued.
Specifically, Republican Leaders said the permitting executive orders are a “good start” and support Ferguson highlighting a bill that would provide $100 Million in grants to local agencies to hire law enforcement officers.
On the latter, Ferguson said, “Any budget I sign must include this funding.”
Combine that funding, with Ferguson’s pledge to provide state funding to pay for breakfast and lunches for all public school students at school, as well as his desire to fully fund K-12, increases in spending are contrary to the budget reality—and at least $12 Billion shortfall in funding expected over the next four years.
Ferguson also said he would direct nearly all state agencies to cut 6% out of budgets, aiming to save $8 Billion.
Ferguson blamed excessive spending that was justified by revenue forecasts that he says were ‘unrealistic.’
“Let us work together to ensure that we correct some of the actions that brought us here, but let me start by saying: The era of assuming unrealistic growth in revenue,” Ferguson said, with noticeable cheers from the Republican caucus.
Ferguson called out Republican Senate Minority Leader John Braun’s proposal to limit the Governor’s executive authority on something he would support.
He did, however, take note of the man leading conservatives on the national stage: Re-elected President Donald Trump.
“My administration will work with President Trump where we can. We will stand up to him where we must and that most certainly includes protecting Washingtonians’ reproductive freedom.” Ferguson said in his speech.
Stokesbary didn’t mind that comment, saying himself that he disagreed with the President-elect’s tariff strategy and said he could see a similar approach for his caucus.
“That’s exactly how Republicans feel about Governor Ferguson: There is a lot in his speech to agree with and we are going to support him and his efforts when we have those areas of agreement,” Stokesbary said.
There are several tax increase proposals floating around the State House, Ferguson didn’t address any new taxes in his speech but did not rule them out either.
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