OLYMPIA, Wash. – Bob Ferguson, a fourth-generation Washingtonian and former state attorney general, was sworn in as Washington’s 24th governor Wednesday.
Ferguson, a Democrat, began his legal career in Spokane and is now taking on the state’s leadership.
In his inaugural address, Ferguson focused on the state’s budget shortfall and signed three executive orders immediately after.
The first order aims to recommend strategies to protect reproductive freedom.
The second order reviews housing regulations to facilitate development.
The third order directs state agencies to reduce permit delivery times.
Ferguson addressed the $10 billion budget shortfall, stating his plan to cut $4 billion.
“Like any family budget, we must be vigilant in assessing existing investments to determine whether they still make sense,” he said.
He mentioned a $35 million sweep of the attorney general’s office in his proposal.
Republicans, including Rep. Drew Stokesbary, appreciated Ferguson’s honesty.
“Gov. Ferguson was honest, and I appreciate that. He opened his speech by talking about all of the ways that Washington is failing and many of the areas he identified were the same ones that Republicans have been talking about for years,” Stokesbary said.
Ferguson also discussed his approach to working with the Trump administration.
“My administration will work with President Trump where we can. We will stand up to him when we must,” he said.
Stokesbary echoed this sentiment, saying, “Just like Gov. Ferguson said about President Trump, I think is exactly how Republicans are going to feel about Gov. Ferguson.”
Additionally, Ferguson talked about increasing funding for more police officers and providing free breakfast and lunch for K-12 students.
