Following an inaugural address centered on calls for decisive action, Governor Bob Ferguson signed three executive orders less than an hour after taking the oath of office and minutes after concluding his inaugural address.
The orders direct agencies to take action on key issues:
- Housing: The executive order directs state agencies to review all regulations that impact housing, permitting and construction and identify any provision that can be streamlined, deferred or eliminated.
- Reproductive freedom: The executive order directs the Department of Health to convene a roundtable of medical providers, reproductive health experts and policy makers to recommend strategies for protecting reproductive freedom.
- Permitting reform: The executive order directs all state agencies to cut down their permit and license processing times. If an agency does not meet its deadline, it will refund the application fee.
Ferguson’s inaugural address calls for government reform, bipartisanship
In his address, Ferguson recognized the challenges facing the state, but declared his optimism based on Washington’s history and the proven resilience of our people.
He invoked Gov. Dan Evans’ 1965 inaugural address: ‘We are at this moment experiencing great challenges—challenges which test an administration, a legislature and a people. To meet these challenges, we cannot be leisurely when the times call for action.’”
Ferguson called on legislators to embrace the spirit of bipartisanship, and focus on centering the people. He cited multiple bipartisan proposals before the Legislature that have his support.
Click here to read the full text of the speech.
Source: Washington Governor's Office