Gov. Bob Ferguson's inaugural speech showed how he may be distancing himself from former Gov. Jay Inslee and that he may not be as aligned with Democratic lawmakers as his predecessor.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson now faces many of the same challenges Jay Inslee faced when he took office 12 years ago. Similar issues in 2024 and 2013 include a state budget deficit and looming education challenges.

Incoming Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson outlined his plans Wednesday to help individuals while also making government more responsive and efficient, during his inaugural address as the state Legislature convened for its first week of session.

Gov. Jay Inslee delivered his final State of the State address on Tuesday morning to a joint session of the Washington Legislature. Inslee, first elected governor in 2012, will leave the office as the longest current-serving governor in the United States and the first to lead Washington for three terms since the late Dan Evans.

Also touching on the incoming Trump Administration, Inslee said, "We will not bend the knee to a would-be authoritarian's worst impulses."

Outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee addressed the Legislature on Tuesday, his last full day in office, bidding Washingtonians “fair winds and following seas” in the final speech of his 12-year run leading the Evergreen State. He spent several minutes on one of the most pressing issues facing the state this year: the budget.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee is working to strengthen the state's abortion laws before he's replaced by Governor-elect Bob Ferguson.

OLYMPIA — Washington’s newest governor Bob Ferguson did not mince words Wednesday about the litany of issues facing Washingtonians, standing in stark contrast to former Gov. Jay Inslee’s ...

Here are seven takeaways from Ferguson’s inaugural speech. The 30-minute address contained no mentions of climate, early learning, child care, transportation or taxes. Ferguson offered no specific approaches to boost funding on education or stabilize the ferry system, two promises he made on the campaign trail.

“There’s part of me that wants to be a cynic and wants to be skeptical,” House Republican Leader Rep. Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, told reporters after Ferguson’s speech. “But on the other hand, we’re never going to get anywhere if nobody trusts anybody to be telling the truth when they’re talking.”

​Gov. Bob Ferguson signed executive orders 25-01, 25-02 and 25-03 in his first day of office. OLYMPIA, Wash. — Following his inauguration speech on Jan. 15, Washington's 24th governor signed three executive orders specifically targeting some of the biggest issues in the state.