OLYMPIA, Washington — Gov. Jay Inslee used his "state of the state" address Tuesday, his last before the 2024 election that will determine his replacement, to urge lawmakers to press on with his priorities.
Inslee is not running again this year. But his remarks, he said, were not a swan song.
"This is not a farewell speech," Inslee said. "These are not famous last words. I'm not riding into the sunset. Winston Churchill said, 'This is not time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.'"
Inslee touted his administration and lawmakers' action on climate change, education, housing and gun safety.
He pledged to "hold our ground" on climate policy, and said the state's Climate Commitment Act, which faces a Republican-backed repeal effort, is paying for electric school buses, free transit rides for youth and public chargers for electric vehicles.
He also called on lawmakers to advance his budget and priorities, like a $200 rebate to compensate Washington families for high energy costs, and an increase in wages for classroom aides. Altogether, Inslee has proposed $2.5 billion more in state spending in the current budget.
Inslee also warned of "two grave threats" in the U.S. and Washington: to the "tenets and blessings of democracy" and to abortion rights, and advocated for an amendment to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
"The next two months, we're going to make this state better at mental health, safer against opioids, more supportive for educators and students, and more committed to our climate," Inslee said. "We've made hope for the future possible because Washingtonians are never restricted by the past or the bog of the status quo."
Inslee mentioned several Washingtonians in his speech who he said benefited from state policies, including Starr Draper, who is now in "safe, private" housing after a state initiative relocated her from an encampment at First Avenue and Michigan Street in Seattle. Inslee has pushed for more funds in the updated budget to clear people living in encampments and get them into housing.
Inslee said Washington "moved heaven and earth" to fund education. He pointed to a pre-apprenticeship program graduate, Bryan Orihuela of Auburn, and pushed for higher pay for classroom aides.
The governor also mentioned Elisa Garcia, a farmworker in Toppenish who lives with her two daughters and one of her parents. She found out about a program to get free solar panels through the local radio and applied. The governor said her energy bills "are zero."
"I never imaged I'd be (in the Capitol)," Garcia said in Spanish. "I feel very happy for the program and for being one of the first people chosen to benefit and receive the solar panels. It's going to help me a lot in my life and the cost of living for me and my children. I'm very grateful."
Inslee also pointed to the state's action to create a paid family and medical leave program and lower health care costs.
He praised the Legislature for its work on guns, such as banning assault-style weapons, and says his proposed budget would fund more police officers. He called on lawmakers to improve behavioral health services, including treatment for substance use disorder, and to fix the state's aging ferry system.
Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, delivered the Republican rebuttal to Inslee's address. Republicans hold minorities in both chambers. She said that while Washington was "strong thanks to the hard work, heart and spirit of the people of Washington," she urged action on public safety, education and affordability.
"But on a number of important issues, our government has let our great people down," Torres said. "Under one-party rule in Olympia, our state has become less safe, less affordable, and in far too many ways, we are failing our children."
