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 2024 was Jay Inslee’s 12th and final year as governor. He promised in his State of the State address to “run through the tape,” and that’s exactly what he’s doing.
From exploring state government’s adoption of AI to improving reentry from correctional facilities and saving salmon, here’s a look back on an action-packed 2024:
Read the full story on Gov. Jay Inslee's Medium
 The Washington State Patrol and WSDOT Incident Response Team have been busy, confronted by a year of record traffic death and a surge in intoxicated, distracted, or negligent drivers. A new law enacts stricter penalties on negligent drivers who strike ‘vulnerable road users.’
When the clock struck midnight on Tuesday night, the fireworks popped, the calendars turned, and a slate of new laws took effect in Washington state.
Among them:
- The Legislature responded to record traffic death by passing several new road safety measures, including stiffer penalties for negligent drivers who hit pedestrians, cyclists, or other ‘vulnerable road users.’
- Identification is vital – not having a valid ID can present barriers to housing, employment, and so much more. That’s why the state Department of Licensing launched a mobile DOL2Go program to bring licensing services to neighborhoods and even individual doorsteps. And it’s the reason behind a new law that requires the state to provide identification to people upon release from state-run prisons, psychiatric hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
- The state has adopted many responsive public health measures of late, including lifesaving campaigns to more widely distribute overdose-reversing naloxone. New this year is a law requiring hospitals to readily provide medication that prevents HIV infection after exposure. Sexual assault survivors and first responders, among other groups, risk HIV exposure - the new policy may help them avoid lifelong complications.
- Another new law clears a wider berth for endangered orcas in Puget Sound. All boaters must distance themselves at least 1,000 yards from the whales. The measure should reduce strikes and perhaps more importantly reduce underwater noise, which disturbs their fishing habits and communication.
SBA declaration helping WA communities hit by bomb cyclone
In response to the governor’s request, the U.S. Small Business Administration declared a disaster following the November bomb cyclone weather event that knocked out power and caused widespread damage in Western Washington. The declaration allows affected businesses and residents to file for low-interest loans to help with recovery. For more information, visit SBA.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955.
Scholarships and financial aid can reduce the cost of college or career training
Washington offers the nation’s most generous need-based financial aid program in the Washington College Grant. Households making up to $120,500 are eligible for at least some money towards college or career training. And a huge variety of available scholarships could further discount the cost of your coursework. Far too many families miss out on money by failing to file their FAFSA. The Washington Student Achievement Council says that 70% of jobs in Washington require some form of training after high school, so filing your FAFSA and scholarship applications might help you get the education you need to reach the career you dream of.
Comings and goings in Congress and the Legislature
Two long-serving members of Washington’s congressional delegation are stepping away this year: Derek Kilmer is retiring after 12 years of service in the House and Cathy McMorris Rodgers is leaving after 20. There will be some new math in the Washington State Legislature after a number of recent departures; a total of 31 new faces will take their seats in the state House and Senate when the new session starts on Jan. 13.
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