Washington Gov. Jay Inslee delivers his 2023 State of the State address at the Capitol in Olympia, on Tuesday. (Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times via AP)

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee delivers his 2023 State of the State address at the Capitol in Olympia, on Tuesday. (Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times via AP)

Inslee makes his case for a $4 billion housing bond in State of the State

Calls for an assault weapons ban and the constitutional protection of abortion rights drew cheers from Democrats, silence from the GOP.

OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee urged lawmakers Tuesday to put a $4 billion bond measure on the ballot this year that, if approved by voters, could accelerate efforts to build thousands of new homes and reduce the number of homeless individuals and families across the state.

“If there was ever a time to go big, it’s now,” Inslee declared in his State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature. “Until we fix our housing crisis, thousands of people will remain homeless. “

Inslee argued, as he has since first introducing the idea last year, that a bond “allows us to act now, not bit by bit over the next 30 years.”

“I believe the people are with us on this. Let’s go big. Let’s get this done,” eliciting applause from lawmakers even though many are approaching the idea cautiously with questions on the sum and the potential impact on state finances.

This marked the first State of the State presented in person in the chambers of the House of Representatives in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Housing wasn’t Inslee’s only focus. He laid out proposals to provide another $120 million for special education services in public schools, better protect salmon habitat, permit clean energy projects faster and ensure the transmission infrastructure can “reliably deliver clean energy throughout the state.”

He also renewed his call for a constitutional amendment to protect access to abortion and passage of gun-related restrictions including requiring a person to complete safety training before purchasing a gun and banning military-style assault weapons.

Those proposals brought applauding Democrats out of their seats while their Republican colleagues looked on in silence.

In the Republican televised response, Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, said policies pushed by Inslee and majority Democrats in the past decade have made “life in Washington more expensive, left our communities more dangerous and failed to provide children with the education they deserve.”

In a separate news conference, Republican leaders said they heard a lot of their ideas coming from the chief executive. Inslee’s desire to direct more dollars to special education, ease permitting rules to spur new housing and increase spending on law enforcement training academies are proposals long pushed by the GOP, they said.

As for the $4 billion bond, they said it’s not a terrible idea but lots of questions need answering.

Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, said that while there is “very little mathematical evidence it will work,” he would keep an open mind to it.

Meanwhile, Rep. Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor, cheered the governor’s reference to the Washington College Grant program. It was a tidbit that is helping a lot of people find their way in the workforce, and could help more, he said.

“I don’t think people understand how important it is,” he said. “It is helping young people and working adults earn credentials and degrees that lead to family wage jobs.”

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dospueblos.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

Stolen car crashes into Everett Mexican restaurant

Contrary to social media rumors, unmarked police units had nothing to do with a raid by ICE agents.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)
Providence Everett issues layoff notices to over 100 nursing assistants

The layoffs are part of a larger restructuring by Providence, affecting 600 positions across seven states, Providence announced Thursday.

Junelle Lewis, right, daughter Tamara Grigsby and son Jayden Hill sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during Monroe’s Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Where to celebrate Juneteenth in Snohomish County this year

Celebrations last from Saturday to Thursday, and span Lynnwood, Edmonds, Monroe and Mountlake Terrace.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Lake Stevens in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Judge rules in favor of sewer district in Lake Stevens dispute

The city cannot assume the district earlier than agreed to in 2005, a Snohomish County Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday.

Herald staff photo by Michael O'Leary 070807
DREAMLINER - The first Boeing 787 is swarmed by the crowd attending the roll out of the plane in on July 8, 2007 at the Boeing assembly facility in Everett.
Boeing plane in Air India crash was built in Everett

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner in the crash that killed more than 200 people was shipped from Everett to Air India in 2014.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.