OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson delivered his first State of the State address Tuesday, striking an optimistic tone while urging lawmakers to take bold action on infrastructure, tax reform, and housing during the 2026 legislative session.
“The state of our state remains strong,” Ferguson told a joint session of the Legislature, crediting Washington’s resilience to what he described as the “heart and spirit” of its people, even as the state faces significant challenges.
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Ferguson opened his address by acknowledging December’s historic flooding, which caused widespread damage and hardship across the state. He thanked first responders and emergency workers who risked their lives to help others, saying the government’s response demonstrated what can be achieved under pressure.
“When the story of this historic flood is written, it will recognize that when history paid us an unexpected visit in December of 2025, the people and this state stepped up, and faced the challenge head on,” Ferguson said.
Looking ahead to the 60-day legislative session, Ferguson called for renewed investment in infrastructure, reforms to make Washington’s tax system more equitable, and continued progress on addressing the state’s housing crisis. He reiterated his support for a millionaires’ tax and said he intends to return a significant portion of the revenue directly to Washingtonians.
The governor also pointed to what he described as external pressures facing the state, including the departure of scientific experts, shifting policies at federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in U.S. cities. Ferguson said he supports several bipartisan bills aimed at responding to those challenges, including legislation that would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing masks and require clear identifying information on uniforms.
Emphasizing bipartisanship, Ferguson noted that roughly half of the bipartisan proposals considered during last year’s session became law. He cited measures that improved public safety, ensured farmers received promised rebates under the Climate Commitment Act, protected Washington from the unauthorized deployment of out-of-state National Guard troops, and strengthened protections for children in crisis.
Ferguson also highlighted the impact of his executive orders aimed at reducing permit and license processing times and helping more students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Throughout the address, Ferguson returned to a theme of history and collective responsibility, urging lawmakers to work together despite political differences.
“To keep our growth going, let’s get back to basics,” he said. “In the next two months, let’s create history — to make the state of our state even stronger.”
Ferguson concluded by calling on legislators to set an example for future generations.
“Washingtonians are not mere bystanders to history,” he said. “We are bold and, with heart and spirit, we forge our destiny and make history.”
