The 2025 legislative session is ticking by, however Ferguson has not held a single normal media availability — the televised question-and-answer intervals that previous governors have normally held weekly on the Capitol — to debate it.
Such briefings, usually aired dwell on TVW, the state’s public affairs community, had been often performed by former three-term Gov. Jay Inslee and former governors.
Ferguson has to date proven little interest in subjecting himself to such open-ended quizzing.
David Ammons, who coated seven Washington governors as an Related Press correspondent in Olympia, mentioned Ferguson’s early stance is a marked departure for the state.
“That’s our tradition of open and accountable government,” Ammons mentioned.
“I think it’s disappointing and counterproductive to be that buttoned down,” Ammons mentioned.
Ferguson declined to be interviewed for this text.
She added that Ferguson has performed interviews with particular person media shops, together with The Seattle Instances, and cited two public occasions in January (one earlier than he took workplace) the place he fielded some reporters’ questions.
Outdoors of the legislative session, Gregoire mentioned she talked to the press on an as-needed foundation and that her workplace all the time tried its greatest to honor deadlines.
“I think the media is critical now, more than ever in the history of the country, quite frankly, to ensure that the public is educated and aware and engaged,” Gregoire mentioned. “So my respect for that concept hasn’t changed from the time I was in office.”
Former Gov. Gary Locke mentioned he additionally held common media availabilities, particularly when the Legislature was in session.
“The press and the public wants to know the view of the governor’s office on various legislation that is being considered,” he mentioned. “I found it very helpful.”
Home Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, didn’t remark immediately on Ferguson’s strategy, however mentioned she views taking questions as priceless — even when she’s taken warmth from the media on points comparable to lawmakers asserting a brand new “legislative privilege” to withhold public data.
“So I find the engagements useful, if not sometimes irritating,” she mentioned.
Ferguson additionally has laid down strict expectations for state businesses’ dealings with the media.
Additional, the memo mentioned businesses “must provide advance notice” to the governor’s workplace if company workers plan to do interviews with main media shops.
“This includes The Seattle Times, KOMO TV, KIRO TV, Fox 13 and KING TV, as well as national outlets,” the memo states. The governor’s workplace additionally needs notification of any company social media posts that appeal to “significant interaction, reach or media attention,” however famous that they won’t usually require any advance overview of social media content material.
The memo was first publicized on social media by Dale Whitaker, a Republican who ran for secretary of state final 12 months and now hosts a YouTube politics present, who mentioned he obtained it by way of a public data request.
Ferguson’s workplace has additionally been gradual in its early days with regards to notifying the press about his upcoming public appearances.
Capitol press corps members reached out to Ferguson’s communications workers Monday asking for a schedule of public appearances through the week by the governor.
The occasions included a Tuesday assembly with Gregoire and Microsoft President Brad Smith “to discuss the potential of a public-private partnership using artificial intelligence for government efficiency.”
Aho mentioned in an interview that the governor’s workplace intends to offer a forward-looking schedule of his important upcoming occasions beginning subsequent week.