In inaugural address, Washington's new Gov. Bob Ferguson says he's 'here to reform' government

Washington has a new governor for the first time in a dozen years. And Gov. Bob Ferguson made clear in his inaugural address on Wednesday that he’s ready to bolster bipartisanship and buck the status quo.

His speech came during a joint legislative session in the House chamber just after noon Wednesday, Jan. 15, the day after predecessor Jay Inslee delivered his final State of the State address.

The new governor acknowledged the state is facing challenges — affordability chief among them. There is a crisis when it comes to behavioral health, and the homelessness rate has ballooned.

Shortages plague the housing market and the police workforce, Ferguson said, and he described the ferry system as “broken.” Reproductive rights are at risk, too.

“Despite these and other challenges, I’m optimistic,” Ferguson said in prepared remarks. “I know that together we can make real progress and increase opportunities for Washingtonians.”

Then, of course, there’s the budget. Ferguson noted that Washington is staring down a multibillion-dollar budget hole.

Bureaucracy at times creates hurdles when residents and businesses deserve prompt results, Ferguson said. But he entered politics because he believes that government has the power to make lives better.

“At the same time, we must recognize government does not always meet that promise,” Ferguson said. “So let me be clear: I’m not here to defend government. I’m here to reform it.”

Republican lawmakers stood and clapped in some spots, such as when Ferguson touched on bipartisanship and the budget.

Bipartisan work ahead

Ferguson emphasized that he will prioritize efficiency and bipartisanship as governor.

“Let us listen to one another, without consideration for party, so that the strongest argument prevails,” he said. “That is how we do our best work.”

The Democrat cited opportunities to work with Republican lawmakers this session.

Ferguson said he hopes to sign a bill by state Rep. April Connors of Kennewick that would create a “Homes for Heroes” program to help public servants such as firefighters access low-interest home loans. He said he’d work with Senate Republican Leader John Braun of Centralia to pursue sensible limits on gubernatorial emergency powers.

Ferguson vowed to only sign a budget that includes funding to hire more police. State Sen. Jeff Holy, a Spokane Republican, sponsored a bill that would create a $100 million grant program for such aims — fulfilling a key Ferguson campaign promise.

The governor noted that a Democrat-introduced bill, by state Rep. Sharlett Mena of Tacoma, would stop other states’ National Guard troops from entering Washington without permission to “advance any president’s agenda.”

Ferguson on Trump

During his time as Washington’s attorney general, Ferguson made a national name for himself by challenging the first administration of President-elect Donald Trump nearly 100 times.

Shortly after winning in November, Ferguson created a transition-team subcommittee in anticipation of Project 2025, the wide-ranging federal policy agenda for the next Republican president. (Trump, who is returning to the White House, has attempted to distance himself from the controversial blueprint.)

But Ferguson said Wednesday that his administration “will work with President Trump where we can.”

“We will stand up to him when we must,” he continued. “That most certainly includes protecting Washingtonians’ reproductive freedom.”

Executive orders

As governor, Ferguson said he’ll reach for goals that are at once ambitious and measurable.

“I will have a bias for action,” he said.

Case in point: Ferguson said that after the speech, he would sign certain executive orders.

One order directs the health department to launch a roundtable to suggest strategies for safeguarding reproductive rights. Another executive order tells state agencies to “review all regulations that impact housing, permitting and construction and identify any provision that can be streamlined, deferred or eliminated,” he said.

A third executive order is geared toward slashing processing times for permits and licenses, Ferguson said. Additional improvements and reforms are expected in the following weeks.

Budget shortfall

Ferguson highlighted his work as attorney general in preventing a grocery merger that would have led to higher food prices for families.

“Trust me on this — I am taking that same laser focus on affordability to the Governor’s Office,” he said.

Now Ferguson intends to work on legislation that would guarantee free lunches and breakfasts for K-12 students.

Money is likely on the minds of every other state lawmaker as well. Washington is looking at a $10 billion to $12 billion shortfall through the next four years.

Ferguson said lawmakers need to be honest and open with each other about how the state got here, plus what lessons can be learned. He’ll refuse to approve a budget that “requires unrealistic revenue growth to balance” the budget.

It isn’t wise or sustainable for the government to stick with the way things have always run while adding more responsibilities and programs each year, he said.

Last week Ferguson suggested cutting spending by at least $4 billion. That, he said, is on top of the savings already floated by Inslee.

Ferguson’s budget proposal features a $35 million cut to his former agency, the Attorney General’s Office.

Throughout the speech, Ferguson quoted former Republican Gov. Dan Evans’ 1965 inaugural address: “To meet these challenges we cannot be leisurely when the times call for action.” Evans, he noted, also underscored the importance of fiscal responsibility.

“That’s common sense. That’s practical,” Ferguson said. “May those qualities guide us in our work, together, this session. And, above all else, let us not be leisurely when the times call for action.”

Republican response

In a press conference with Republican House and Senate leadership following the inauguration Wednesday afternoon, lawmakers largely greeted Ferguson’s address with hope and optimism.

House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary of Auburn initially appeared somewhat stunned. He said that during Ferguson’s address, Republicans were smiling at one another and stood up to clap roughly eight to 10 times. Many Democrats, meanwhile, sat with “stoic scowls,” standing up on just two or three occasions.

Stokesbary said the new governor’s speech resembled his own opening remarks more than it did Inslee’s final State of the State. Inslee painted a picture of “puppies and rainbows,” he said.

“But Governor Ferguson was honest, and I appreciate that. He opened his speech by talking about all the ways Washington is failing,” Stokesbary said. “And many of the areas he identified were the same ones Republicans have been talking about for years.”

Senate Minority Leader John Braun of Centralia told reporters that the governor is on the right track, thanks to his focus on areas such as affordability, public safety, housing and education. Yet Republicans intend to hold Ferguson to account on these promises.

“I really like one of his comments during his speech. He said, ‘I’m not here to defend government, I’m here to reform it,’” Braun said. “Well let me tell you, Governor Ferguson: Here’s your team. We’re ready to work with you on that effort.”

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