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Opinion
The following is presented as part of The Columbian’s Opinion content, which offers a point of view in order to provoke thought and debate of civic issues. Opinions represent the viewpoint of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of The Columbian’s editorial board, which operates independently of the news department.
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In Our View: Thank you, and farewell, Governor Inslee

The Columbian
Published: December 28, 2024, 6:03am

When Jay Inslee was elected for the first time as Washington’s governor in November 2012, he wasn’t The Columbian Editorial Board’s first choice. In fact, we sided with 10 of Washington’s other 11 daily newspapers in recommending voters elect his opponent, Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna.

Three terms and a dozen years later, it’s time to acknowledge the governor’s many accomplishments and thank him for his service as he cedes his office to Democrat Bob Ferguson.

In a recent interview with Washington State Standard’s longtime statehouse reporter Jerry Cornfield, Inslee talked about his accomplishments, including enacting some of the nation’s leading climate laws, including a tax on carbon emissions upheld by voters last month.

Inslee also talked about his role in enacting new laws surrounding paid family leave, long-term care and preserving access to abortion.

The governor will also be remembered for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inslee was widely criticized for his strict masking and closure orders, which he issued using his emergency powers over a period of months rather than consulting with the Legislature. But Washington ended up with fewer COVID-19 deaths per capita than other states, even though the U.S. outbreak started in Snohomish County.

And although Inslee will be remembered for his strong environmental bent, in Clark County he was a strong supporter of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project and growth at the Waterfront Vancouver. He killed the proposal to build a gigantic oil export terminal at the Port of Vancouver, which was unpopular with a large segment of residents.

The governor didn’t see that a robust economy and a better environment were incompatible. He centered his 2012 campaign on the promise to create a “stronger and growing economy” based on innovation and “new revolutions in health sciences and clean energy technology.”

“We invent, we create and we build,” he said. He was right.

A look at Washington’s rank with other states shows we have consistently had one of the strongest economies during Inslee’s term. Our trade surplus is envious. And Washington’s robust population growth since 2012 reflects the opportunity and appeal of life in the Evergreen State.

In the interview with Cornfield, Inslee also touted abolishing the death penalty, passing a capital gains tax and opposing President Donald Trump’s travel ban on visitors from Muslim countries as accomplishments.

Of course, not everyone was always pleased. Inslee leaves office with unsolved problems. We have more unhoused residents, in large part because housing remains unaffordable to many. Drug abuse and street crime are a scourge in many communities, including Vancouver. And despite an unprecedented increase in state spending, Washington faces a budget shortfall in 2025 and beyond.

Although it’s too soon for history to judge, it seems likely that Inslee will be remembered as liberal but pragmatic, approachable but firm, and a contributor to increasing the quality of life in Washington.

He should also be remembered for running for president in 2020. Running in a field crowded with Democrats, his genial, wonky demeanor didn’t catch the attention of voters in early primaries. That’s unfortunate, as he likely would have been a much better president than either Joe Biden or Donald Trump.

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