In his final State of the State address to a joint session of the Washington Legislature, Governor Jay Inslee made a passionate plea to safeguard the state’s progressive achievements and protect vulnerable communities from the brunt of looming budget challenges.

More wind and solar projects need to be built to meet Washington’s carbon-free energy goals. A new state bill could give local residents and tribes more say.

Washington’s outgoing Democratic governor on Tuesday afternoon revealed the painting by Seattle artist Grace Athena Flott. Inslee viewed the portrait for the first time during a ceremony in the State Reception Room, shortly after delivering his final State of the State address.

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

In his final State of the State address to the Legislature, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee touted the enormous increase in state spending on various programs and services since he took office, while imploring lawmakers not to reduce spending as they write the upcoming biennial budget.

Gov. Jay Inslee, who’s led Washington state for the past dozen years, delivered his final State of the State address Tuesday morning. Its theme? Progress.

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.

Angela Wilhelms, the CEO of Oregon Business & Industry, the state’s largest business group, promptly wrote to Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, asking her to follow Ferguson’s lead.

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.

Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee looks on during a news conference unveiling the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 brand and logo on the Observation Deck at The Space Needle on May 18, 2023, in Seattle. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images/TNS) OLYMPIA — On a recent ...

Immediate action is vital to safeguard emergency abortion care amid expected federal policy shifts, the governor said.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee delivered his final State of the State address this morning, reflecting on his 12-year tenure and discussing future challenges.