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Ferguson File: Making Things Happen for Washingtonians

A monthly newsletter from Governor Bob Ferguson

January 2025

Dear Friends,

On Jan. 15, I started my new role as your governor. Even though we only had two weeks in office, January was a busy month for me and my team making things happen for Washingtonians.

In my previous office, I fought alongside a team of dedicated public servants to secure wins for all Washingtonians. As governor, I will maintain this bias for action.

I’m in government because I believe government can – and should – improve people’s lives. But I know that government has not always delivered on that promise – I plan to.

Since Day One, my administration has been focused on making real progress and increasing opportunities for Washingtonians. Here’s what you should know about my top priorities:

Washingtonians need more housing — lots more housing. My administration is setting us on a path to building 1.1 million housing units in Washington over the next 20 years. We are acting now to make it easier, faster and less expensive to build housing of all kinds in all 39 counties. I signed an executive order on my first day in office to direct state agencies to review current housing and permitting processes for efficiency. We are also prioritizing the housing report recommendations from Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and the Housing Transition Subcommittee.
The cornerstone of my public safety plan is to increase the number of well-trained law enforcement personnel in Washington. Law enforcement is a noble, essential profession. It is not acceptable that we rank 50^th — last — in the country in law enforcement officers per capita. I’m supporting a bipartisan bill from Senator Holy to fund a $100 million grant program to help local governments hire more law enforcement personnel. Any budget I sign must have this funding. In addition, thanks to the work of my former colleagues at the Attorney General’s Office, Washington has significant, dedicated resources to combat the fentanyl epidemic. We are also investing in solutions to combat gun violence and support vulnerable people.
I am committed to improving the reliability of the Washington ferry system. I am supporting investing nearly $20 million in the Washington State Ferries to increase retention and recruitment of crew members, renew year-round interisland services and increase winter service on the Anacortes-San Juan route.
I am committed to driving affordability and wellness for Washingtonians of every age. I’m fighting for universal free school lunches for every Washington student. Right now, if you’re a single parent working 40 hours per week making $19 an hour, your child does not qualify for free school meals. That must change. Investing in free breakfast and lunch for all students will save families nearly $1,200 every year. My budget priorities, which I released before taking office, also include a proposal of $100 million to expand childcare affordability for employees of small businesses.
Washington must invest a higher percentage of our total budget in K-12 education to ensure a strong start for our state’s youngest residents.

⇒ You can watch my oath of office and inaugural address here. Read about these priorities and more in my inaugural address here: governor.wa.gov/news/speeches/inaugural-address-january-15-2025

Washington is facing urgent challenges. We are taking bold action.

First-day executive orders.

Minutes after my inaugural address, I signed three executive orders: on housing, on reproductive freedom and on permitting reform.

I directed state agencies to review all regulations that impact housing, permitting and construction to identify how to streamline those regulations — or eliminate them altogether.
I directed the Department of Health to convene a roundtable of medical providers, reproductive health experts and policy makers to recommend strategies for protecting reproductive freedom.
I directed all state agencies to cut down their permit and license processing times.

Executive order to support immigrant families.

I also signed an executive order on Jan. 27 to support immigrant families facing separation. President Trump’s plan for mass deportations means ripping families apart. I directed the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to create a Family Separation Rapid Response Team to recommend policies and actions for addressing family separation and the lasting effects on children.

Hiring leaders.

On Jan. 22, I appointed former journalist Jesse Jones as director of Results Washington, the agency responsible for making government work better for Washingtonians. Few things frustrate me more than bureaucracy that creates delays, confusion or extra hurdles when people need questions answered and results delivered. Jesse is the ideal candidate to help make state government more efficient.

On Jan. 29, I also appointed Brian Rybarik to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. The UTC protects Washingtonians by ensuring investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe, reliable and affordable. Rybarik brings more than two decades of regulatory experience and leadership in utility law and policy in utility ratemaking, energy development and regional energy markets.

Making things happen for affordable housing.

On Jan. 30, my office and the Washington State Department of Commerce announced $14.6 million in grants to support shovel-ready housing projects that will create more than 1,800 affordable units in 10 counties. The grants will support projects ranging from affordable housing for seniors to permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness.

Washington State Ferries.

Before my inauguration, I spent Jan. 9 in Mukilteo and Clinton listening to ferry workers, commuters and small business owners. I directed my Transition Team to develop proposed reforms for the first 100 days of my term to improve the reliability and service of Washington State Ferries.

History Highlight: January – World's Largest Inaugural Cake

This January 1933 photo features the cake for Washington’s 11th Governor Clarence Martin's inauguration. A Chehalis resident designed and donated the cake.

Governor Martin was known as the "people's governor" for his strict frugality in government spending. He oversaw large economic projects, like the Grand Coulee Dam, to put people to work during the Great Depression, which hit Washingtonians hard. But in his inaugural address, Governor Martin also found reason for hope. He said: "We are confronted by a great responsibility. But it is reassuring and inspiring to realize that the responsibility is not greater than the opportunity."

Governor Martin’s granddaughter, Janet Martin, and his great-granddaughter, Jennifer Hutchings, both of Spokane, attended my inaugural address last month.

Courtesy of the Washington State Archives (Frank Oesterheld) and the Susan Parish Photograph Collection, 1889-1990.

We will continue to center the people in all we do. Thank you for reading.

Sincerely,

Bob Ferguson

Washington State Governor

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