🌲Washington State History Unit 6 – Political Leaders and State Government

Key Political Figures

• Governor Jay Inslee currently serves as the 23rd governor of Washington state, holding the position since 2013
  • Prior to his governorship, Inslee represented Washington's 1st and 4th congressional districts in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995 and 1999 to 2012
• Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell represent Washington state in the U.S. Senate
  • Murray, a Democrat, has served since 1993 and is currently the sixth-most senior member of the Senate
  • Cantwell, also a Democrat, has held her position since 2001 and focuses on issues such as energy, the economy, and the environment
• Former Governor Gary Locke served as the 21st governor of Washington from 1997 to 2005, becoming the first Chinese American governor in U.S. history
  • Locke later served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2009-2011) and U.S. Ambassador to China (2011-2014)
• Christine Gregoire preceded Jay Inslee as the 22nd governor of Washington, serving from 2005 to 2013
  • During her tenure, Gregoire focused on education reform, environmental protection, and expanding healthcare coverage
• Prominent Washington state legislators include Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D) and Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D), who play crucial roles in shaping state policies and legislation

Structure of State Government

• Washington state government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial
  • The separation of powers ensures a system of checks and balances among the branches
• The executive branch is headed by the governor, who is elected to a four-year term and can serve no more than two consecutive terms
  • The governor is responsible for implementing and enforcing state laws, proposing budgets, and appointing key officials
• The bicameral legislative branch consists of the Washington State Senate and the Washington House of Representatives
  • The Senate has 49 members, each elected to a four-year term, while the House has 98 members, each elected to a two-year term
• The judicial branch is headed by the Washington Supreme Court, which consists of nine justices elected to six-year terms
  • The Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and has the authority to interpret state laws and the state constitution
• Other elected state officials include the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Commissioner of Public Lands

Legislative Process

• The Washington State Legislature is responsible for creating and modifying state laws, as well as establishing the state budget
• Bills can be introduced in either the Senate or the House of Representatives
  • Once a bill is introduced, it is referred to a relevant committee for review and potential amendments
• If a bill passes through its assigned committee, it moves to the floor of the chamber where it originated for debate and a vote
  • A simple majority vote is required for the bill to advance to the other chamber
• The other chamber then follows a similar process of committee review, potential amendments, debate, and voting
• If the bill passes both chambers in identical form, it is sent to the governor for approval or veto
  • The governor has five days (excluding Sundays) to sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature
• If the bill is vetoed by the governor, the legislature can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers
• The state budget, which outlines government spending for a two-year period, must be approved by both chambers of the legislature and signed by the governor

Executive Branch Powers

• The governor of Washington state holds significant executive powers and responsibilities
  • As the state's chief executive, the governor is tasked with ensuring that state laws are faithfully executed
• The governor has the power to appoint key officials, such as agency directors and members of various boards and commissions
  • These appointments are subject to confirmation by the state Senate
• Preparing and proposing the state budget to the legislature is another crucial role of the governor
  • The governor works with state agencies to develop a budget that reflects the administration's priorities and the needs of the state
• The governor has the authority to veto legislation passed by the state legislature
  • This includes the power to issue line-item vetoes, allowing the governor to reject specific provisions within a bill while approving the rest
• In times of emergency, the governor can declare a state of emergency and exercise additional powers to protect public safety and welfare
  • These powers may include activating the National Guard, imposing curfews, and allocating resources to affected areas
• The governor serves as the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces, including the Washington National Guard, when they are not under federal control

Judicial System

• The Washington state judicial system is responsible for interpreting and applying state laws, as well as resolving disputes between parties
• The Washington Supreme Court is the highest court in the state, consisting of nine justices elected to six-year terms
  • The Supreme Court has the authority to interpret state laws and the state constitution, and its decisions are binding on all lower courts
• The Washington Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court, divided into three divisions based on geographic regions
  • The Court of Appeals reviews decisions made by lower courts and can affirm, reverse, or modify those decisions
• Superior Courts are the primary trial courts in Washington, with at least one located in each of the state's 39 counties
  • Superior Courts have jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases involving more than $75,000, and appeals from lower courts
• District Courts and Municipal Courts handle misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and civil cases involving less than $75,000
  • These courts are limited in their jurisdiction and are often the first point of contact for many citizens with the judicial system
• Judges in Washington state are elected by voters, with the exception of some municipal court judges who may be appointed by city officials
  • Elected judges serve fixed terms and must run for re-election to retain their positions

Major Policy Initiatives

• Climate change and environmental protection have been major policy focuses in Washington state
  • Governor Jay Inslee has championed initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, invest in clean energy, and promote sustainable practices
• Education reform has been a priority for state leaders, with efforts to improve funding equity, raise teacher salaries, and expand early childhood education programs
  • The McCleary decision in 2012 mandated increased state funding for K-12 education to ensure all students have access to a quality education
• Healthcare access and affordability have been addressed through policies such as the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, which provides a marketplace for individuals to purchase health insurance
  • The state has also expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act to extend healthcare access to more low-income residents
• Infrastructure investment, including transportation projects and broadband expansion, has been a focus of state policy
  • In 2015, the legislature passed the Connecting Washington package, a 16-year, $16 billion investment in transportation infrastructure
• Social justice and equity initiatives have gained prominence, with efforts to address racial disparities, reform the criminal justice system, and protect the rights of marginalized communities
  • The state has worked to reduce the use of cash bail, increase police accountability, and invest in community-based alternatives to incarceration

Electoral System and Voting

• Washington state uses a vote-by-mail system, with all registered voters receiving ballots by mail at least 18 days before each election
  • Voters can return their completed ballots by mail or at designated drop box locations
• The state has a top-two primary system for most partisan offices, including U.S. Congress, state legislature, and governor
  • In the primary, all candidates appear on the same ballot, and the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election
• For presidential elections, Washington state uses a proportional allocation of delegates in the Democratic primary, while Republicans use a winner-take-all system
• Washington does not require voters to register with a political party, and all voters receive the same primary ballot
• The state has implemented several measures to increase voter access and participation, such as:
  • Automatic voter registration when citizens obtain or renew a driver's license or state ID
  • Online voter registration
  • Same-day voter registration during the early voting period and on Election Day
• To be eligible to vote in Washington, individuals must be U.S. citizens, legal residents of the state, and at least 18 years old by Election Day
  • Those with felony convictions regain their voting rights upon completion of their sentence, including any period of community supervision

Current Political Landscape

• Washington state is currently governed by a Democratic trifecta, with Democrats controlling the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature
  • Governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat, has been in office since 2013
  • Democrats hold a 28-21 majority in the State Senate and a 57-41 majority in the House of Representatives (as of 2021)
• In the 2020 presidential election, Washington state voted for the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, who won the state with 58% of the vote
  • The state has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1988
• Washington's congressional delegation consists of 7 Democrats and 3 Republicans in the House of Representatives, and 2 Democrats in the Senate (as of 2021)
• Despite the state's overall Democratic lean, there is a notable urban-rural divide in political preferences
  • The Seattle metropolitan area and other urban centers tend to vote heavily Democratic, while many rural areas are more conservative and support Republican candidates
• Key issues shaping the current political landscape in Washington include:
  • Climate change and environmental protection
  • Healthcare access and affordability
  • Education funding and reform
  • Housing affordability and homelessness
  • Social justice and racial equity
  • Economic recovery and development in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic