HomePoliticsWashington's new governor plans to build an efficient government that helps people

Washington’s new governor plans to build an efficient government that helps people

Washington state’s incoming governor, Bob Ferguson, outlined his plans to help individuals while making government more responsive and efficient Wednesday during his inaugural address as the state Legislature convened for its first week of session.

Ferguson, 59, served as the state’s top prosecutor for more than a decade before being elected Washington’s 23rd governor. He replaces Governor Jay Inslee, a national political figure who has served three consecutive terms – the longest in the state’s history.

Ferguson, a Democrat, takes over at a time when Washington faces a budget deficit of at least $12 billion over the next four years. His budget proposal calls for cutting government agency spending by at least $4 billion while protecting K-12 education, public safety and the ferry system.

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But he stayed away from the numbers during his 30-minute speech. Instead, he delved into his family’s history while calling out specific lawmakers, both Democratic and Republican, about his desire to work with them to support law enforcement, farmers and youth.

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“Let us listen to each other without regard to party, so that the strongest argument prevails,” he said. “That’s how we do our best work.”

Ferguson said he supports the Homes for Heroes legislation, which would guarantee access to low-interest home loans for officers, firefighters and health care workers. He also supports efforts to address the youth mental health crisis and said he wants to put reasonable limits on the governor’s emergency powers.

He said he would work with President Donald Trump “where we can,” but added: “We will stand up to him when necessary, and that certainly includes protecting Washingtonians’ reproductive freedom.”

To that end, Ferguson said he would immediately sign an executive order directing the Department of Health to convene a roundtable of experts and policymakers to work on the issue.

He also wants the state to pass a law banning National Guardsmen from other states from coming to Washington to advance the president’s agenda without state approval.

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“Texas and Montana have had similar policies,” he said. “Washington must join them.”

Washington ranks last in the nation in the number of law enforcement officers per capita, he said. His proposed budget plan calls for $100 million every two years to increase the number of law enforcement officers in Washington state. He also wants to invest $600 million in the capital budget to build more housing and spend $240 million every two years to guarantee school lunches for every student in Washington.

Free breakfast and lunch should be part of basic training, he said during his speech.

“This will improve learning for children and save money for working parents,” he said.

Ferguson said government can hinder a state’s fiscal strength and stability. That’s why he wants to speed things up, improve customer service and ensure that individuals are at the center of every decision made.

“I’m in politics because I believe in the power of government to improve people’s lives,” he said. “At the same time, we must recognize that the government does not always keep this promise. So let me be clear: I’m not here to defend the government. I am here to reform it.”

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