Ferguson vows to reform government

Gov. Bob Ferguson was sworn in and legislative members, state employees and the public celebrated the event with an inaugural ball.

Dressed in black tie attire, inaugural ball attendees swarmed on the steps of the Legislative Building Jan. 15 and filled the rotunda inside, where Squaxin Island tribal members performed ceremonial songs.

The first day in office wasn't all pomp and ceremony, however. Shortly after being sworn in, the new governor signed three executive orders. The first directed the Department of Health to convene with healthcare providers and reproductive health experts to identify strategies to protect reproductive health in Washington.

"My administration will work with President Trump where we can," Ferguson said. "We will stand up to him when we must, and that most certainly includes protecting Washingtonians' reproductive freedom."

Ferguson also signed two other executive orders: one directing state housing agencies to streamline their processes, and another requiring all state agencies to cut down on processing times for permits and licenses. If they fail to deliver on their promised timelines, they must then provide the service for free.

At his swearing in, Ferguson also outlined previously shared goals, such as a $100 million over the next two years to put more police officers on the street. He added that any budget he signs must include this funding. He also emphasized improving affordability for Washingtonians, fixing the ferry system, enhancing K-12 education and creating more housing.

As for the looming budget crisis, he said he would not sign a budget with unrealistic revenue growth projections and would veto bills that defer major spending obligations more than four years after their adoption.

"I'm not here to defend the government," Ferguson said. "I'm here to reform it."

Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, said she's confident in Ferguson's ability and knowledge of state government.

"What he talked about [during the speech], how he talked about it, and really the specifics that he went into -- a lot of times you don't hear that in a traditional inaugural speech," Berg said.

After the inauguration, Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, said he was pleasantly surprised by Ferguson's speech, saying that Ferguson shares a lot of the values that the Republican Party deems important.

"We're going to hold him accountable to his promises to the people in Washington. I expect him to deliver," Braun said.

Rep. Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, compared former Gov. Jay Inslee's inauguration speech to Ferguson's, commending his "honesty" in addressing issues important to the Republican Party and expressing support for Ferguson's efforts in areas of agreement.

"It's the first time we've had a governor, since I've been here, that seems to live on this planet," Stokesbary said.