Washington Governor Jay Inslee, who is mulling a White House bid, highlighted his clean-energy agenda and many traditional Democratic positions in his State of the State address on 15 January 2019. Photo: Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times
Washington Governor Jay Inslee, who is mulling a White House bid, highlighted his clean-energy agenda and many traditional Democratic positions in his State of the State address on 15 January 2019. Photo: Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times

By Joseph O’Sullivan
15 January 2019

OLYMPIA (The Seattle Times) – Standing before a Washington Legislature that for years has balked at his carbon-reduction agenda, Gov. Jay Inslee implored lawmakers Tuesday to make bold moves to combat climate change.

The governor’s State of the State address before a joint session of the House and Senate comes as Democrats return to the Capitol with expanded majorities — and hopes of taking on bigger pieces of legislation.

But Inslee faces a hotter spotlight. The second-term Democratic governor is considering a presidential bid that would emphasize a national call to reverse climate change. This legislative session will show if he can finally bring his biggest ideas to fruition in his own state.

The governor cited the warming oceans and the wildfires that have either ravaged Washington lands or dirtied the skies in recent years as the new normal — unless swift action is taken.

“I don’t know of any other issue that touches the heart of so many of the things we all care about: our jobs, our health, our safety and our children’s future,” Inslee told those gathered. “This is the eleventh hour, but it is Washington state’s hour to shine. It’s a time of great peril, but it is also a time of great promise.” [more]

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