Incoming Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson outlined his plans Wednesday to assist people whereas additionally making authorities extra responsive and environment friendly, throughout his inaugural deal with because the state Legislature convened for its first week of session.
Ferguson, 59, was the state’s prime prosecutor for greater than a decade earlier than being elected Washington’s twenty third governor. He replaces Gov. Jay Inslee, a nationwide political determine who has served three consecutive phrases — the longest in state historical past.
Ferguson, a Democrat, takes over at a time when Washington faces a funds shortfall of a minimum of $12 billion over the following 4 years. His funds proposal requires lowering state company spending by a minimum of $4 billion, whereas defending Okay-12 training, public security and the ferry system.
However he stayed away from the numbers throughout his 30-minute deal with. As a substitute, he delved into his household’s historical past whereas calling out to particular lawmakers, each Democratic and Republican, about his need to work with them to assist legislation enforcement, farmers and younger individuals.
“Let us listen to one another without consideration for party so that the strongest argument prevails,” he mentioned. “That is how we do our best work.”
Ferguson mentioned he helps the Houses for Heroes laws, which ensures entry to low-interest residence loans for officers, firefighters and well being professionals. He additionally backs efforts to deal with the youth psychological well being disaster and mentioned he needs to undertake cheap limits on the governor’s emergency powers.
He mentioned he would work with President Donald Trump “where we can,” however added: “We will stand up to him when we must, and that most certainly includes protecting Washingtonians’ reproductive freedom.”
To that finish, Ferguson mentioned he would instantly signal an government order directing the Division of Well being to convene a roundtable of specialists and policymakers to work on the difficulty.
He additionally needs the state to move a legislation that prohibits the Nationwide Guard from different states from coming into Washington to advance any of the president’s agendas with out the state’s permission.
“Texas and Montana have adopted similar policies,” he mentioned. “Washington must join them.”
Washington ranks final within the nation for the per capita variety of legislation enforcement officers, he mentioned. His proposed funds plan requires $100 million each two years to extend the variety of legislation enforcement officers in Washington state. He additionally needs to take a position $600 million within the capital funds to construct extra housing and spend $240 million each two years to ensure faculty lunches for each Washington scholar.
Free breakfast and lunch ought to be a part of a primary training, he mentioned throughout his deal with.
“This will improve learning for kids and save money for working parents,” he mentioned.
Ferguson mentioned authorities can stand in they method of a state’s fiscal energy and stability, so he needs to hurry issues up, enhance customer support and ensure people are on the heart of each resolution made.
“I’m in politics because I believe in the power of government to improve people’s lives,” he mentioned. “At the same time, we must recognize government does not always meet that promise. So let me be clear — I’m not here to defend government. I’m here to reform it.”