OLYMPIA — Following an inaugural address centered on calls for decisive action, Governor Bob Ferguson signed three executive orders less than an hour after taking the oath of office and minutes after concluding his inaugural address.
The orders direct agencies to take action on key issues:
Housing: The executive order directs state agencies to review all regulations that impact housing, permitting and construction and identify any provision that can be streamlined, deferred or eliminated.
Reproductive freedom: The executive order directs the Department of Health to convene a roundtable of medical providers, reproductive health experts and policy makers to recommend strategies for protecting reproductive freedom.
Permitting reform: The executive order directs all state agencies to cut down their permit and license processing times. If an agency does not meet its deadline, it will refund the application fee.
Ferguson’s inaugural address calls for government reform, bipartisanship
In his address, Ferguson recognized the challenges facing the state, but declared his optimism based on Washington’s history and the proven resilience of our people.
He invoked Gov. Dan Evans’ 1965 inaugural address: ‘We are at this moment experiencing great challenges—challenges which test an administration, a legislature and a people. To meet these challenges, we cannot be leisurely when the times call for action.’”
Ferguson called on legislators to embrace the spirit of bipartisanship, and focus on centering the people. He cited multiple bipartisan proposals before the Legislature that have his support.
Click here to read the full text of the speech.
Key quotes:
“Despite these, and other challenges, I’m optimistic. I know that together we can make real progress and increase opportunities for Washingtonians. Now I admit to being a glass half full kind of guy. But my optimism is warranted for three reasons. First, Washingtonians are among the most resilient, dynamic and innovative people in the world. Second, they are represented by dedicated legislators from diverse backgrounds united by a common commitment to help improve our state. And third, Washington’s history demonstrates, over and over again, that we rise to the challenges placed in our path.”
Let us listen to one another, without consideration for party, so that the strongest argument prevails. That is how we do our best work.”
“As your Governor, I will continue this focus on measurable, and ambitious, goals. I will have a bias for action.”
“I’m in politics because I believe in the power of government to improve people’s lives. At the same time, we must recognize government does not always meet that promise. So let me be clear: I’m not here to defend government. I’m here to reform it.”
“And speaking of Presidents, let me be very clear — my administration will work with President Trump where we can. We will stand up to him when we must. That most certainly includes protecting Washingtonians’ reproductive freedom.”
“Our mission must be to speed up government, improve customer service and center the people in every decision we make.”
“We also must make Washington State more affordable in other ways…To that end, I am excited to work with Senator Riccelli and Representative Berg on legislation to ensure that every student attending K-12 public schools receives free breakfast and lunch as part of their basic education. Right now, if you’re a single parent working full time making 19 bucks an hour, your child doesn’t qualify for free meals. That’s unacceptable. That needs to change. This will improve learning for kids, and save time and money for working parents.”
“In his 1965 inaugural address, Governor Evans provided us a roadmap to solving our challenges. He said: ‘This administration is not frightened by the word liberal, nor is it ashamed of the word conservative. It does not believe that the words ‘fiscal responsibility’ are old fashioned nor will it ever fear to spend money if money needs to be spent.’”
Recognizing bipartisan legislative proposals:
“Representative Connors — I am excited to work with you to get your Homes for Heroes legislation to my desk. Let’s recognize the contributions of police officers, firefighters, behavioral health professionals and other critical public servants and ensure they can access low-interest loans to purchase their first homes.”
“Representative Davis — You’ve developed a robust and balanced package to improve public safety. I look forward to assisting you in this important work.”
“Representative Dent — Thank you for joining me for lunch at the Palace Cafe in Ellensburg. I share your commitment to supporting Washington farmers. By the way, that includes ensuring they receive the rebates they were promised under the Climate Commitment Act.”
“Representatives Santos and Callan — Thank you for stepping up to work on addressing the youth mental health crisis.”
“Senator Braun — l hope to work with you to adopt reasonable limits on the Governor’s emergency powers. We can do that together.”
“Representative Reed — Your proposal to ensure that every Washingtonian with a 3.0 GPA receives automatic acceptance into many of our exceptional state institutions of higher education should be adopted by this Legislature. And I look forward to signing it.”
“Senator Holy — Thank you for your legislation proposing a $100 million grant program to help local law enforcement agencies hire more well-trained officers to improve public safety. That idea was a cornerstone of my campaign for Governor. Any budget I sign must include this funding.”
“Representative Mena — I support your legislation prohibiting the National Guard from other states from coming into Washington to advance any president’s agenda without our permission. Texas and Montana have adopted similar policies. Washington must join them.”
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Ninth Circuit affirms for-profit operator of Northwest ICE Processing Center violated labor law.
Lincare to pay Washington state $1.15 million in AG Ferguson’s Medicaid fraud investigation.
Commerce announces funding for over 1,200 affordable housing units statewide.
Requests exceed available funding from state and federal sources to create needed affordable housing, including units serving residents with disabilities, seniors, veterans, families and more.
State penalizes Kent recycling company $33,000 for dangerous waste violations.
KENT –
The Washington Department of Ecology is issuing a $33,000 penalty to Total Reclaim, Inc. (TRI) in Kent for violations of the state’s dangerous waste regulations. /DOE
Share your feedback on Hanford cleanup communications and public involvement./DOE
NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSONIAL DELEGATION
In Senate Floor Speech, Senator Murray Raises Alarm over RFK Jr.’s Dangerous Anti-Vaccine Extremism and Conspiracy Thinking as HHS Nominee Meets with Senators this Week/From press release issued 1/16/25
Analog Devices’ Camas, Beaverton Semiconductor Plants to Expand Thanks to $80M Investment From CHIPS & Science Act
Dept. of Commerce signs agreement to fund expansion of company’s plants in Silicon Forest and Massachusetts, plus job training/From a press release issued 1/16/25
Cantwell Warns Treasury Nom That Trump’s Tariffs Plan Puts Washington Growers and Manufacturers at Risk
Cantwell: “I want to focus on innovation, not tariffs.”/From a press release issued 1/16/25
WORLD, NATION, BUSINESS:
WORLD:
Speakers in Security Council Raise Alarm Over Involvement of Pyongyang’s Troops in War against Ukraine
Each Passing Day of Conflict ‘Brings Further Death, Destruction, Hardship’ for Ukrainians, Says Delegate/UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2025/sc15968.doc.htm
Security Council Updates Sanctions Regime on Libya, Extends Mandate until May 2026, Adopting Resolution 2769 (2025) with 14 Members in Favour, 1 Abstaining
Updating its sanctions regime concerning Libya today, the Security Council exempted certain activities from the arms embargo on that country, allowed for the investment of its frozen assets and created new sanctions designations for those involved in the illicit trade in Libyan petroleum products./ UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2025/sc15967.doc.htm
Praising Peacekeepers’ Efforts in Lebanon, Secretary-General Urges Nurturing Relatively Calm Period to Implement Resolution 1701, at UN Interim Force Headquarters/UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2025/sgsm22525.doc.htm
Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on U.S.-Africa Relations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies./UN PRESS RELEASE
Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to Employees/US STATE DEPT.
NATION:
Biden-Harris Administration Reviews Actions to Combat Human Trafficking--WH
National Guard Fights California Wildfires, Additional Assets Remain on Standby/DOD
U.S. Government Reaches Settlement in Class Action Relating to Discharge Paperwork of Military Veterans Discharged Under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and Predecessor Policies/DOJ
Biden-Harris Administration Awards nearly $3.6 Billion in Homelessness Assistance Funding to Communities Nationwide
Grant awards represent the largest amount of annual federal funding provided through HUD’s Continuum of Care program in history./HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/hud_no_25_023
HHS Announces 15 Additional Drugs Selected for Medicare Drug Price Negotiations in Continued Effort to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Seniors
Medicare has selected 15 more drugs to negotiate directly with participating drug companies. Building on the success of the first round of negotiations, the aim is to lower prices for some more of the costliest prescription drugs./HHS
BUSINESS:
U.S. Department of the Treasury Releases Report on Personal Auto Insurance Markets and Technological Change/US TRESURY DEPT.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2797
USDA Finalizes Third New Regulation Under the Biden-Harris Administration to Create Fairness and Transparency for Contract Farmers/USDA
State of American Business 2025
WATCH NOW as Chamber President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark calls for a pro-growth federal policy agenda that will enable communities across the country to achieve greater growth and more opportunity for people everywhere./US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
https://www.uschamber.com/live/soab-2025
US Department of Labor approves up to $10M in initial funding to support disaster recovery, response to California’s continuing wildfires--US DEPT. of LABOR
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20250116-0
IRS issues guidance for the District of Columbia and States that have paid family and medical leave programs/IRS
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS
IN FOCUS: Cantwell Urges Energy Sec. Nominee to “Uphold the Commitment” to Clean Up Hanford
“I am firmly committed to continuing our obligations and our moral obligation to clean up the mess that was left in your state,” nominee Chris Wright says under Cantwell questioning
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a longtime member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, urged Chris Wright – President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Energy – to uphold the Department of Energy’s commitment to clean up Hanford.
The exchange came today during Wright’s confirmation hearing before the committee.
“Will you commit to upholding the Tri-Party agreement between DOE and the State of Washington and others in supporting Hanford cleanup and advocating for a budget that represents that commitment?” Sen. Cantwell asked.
“Senator, I can't overstate how critical I think it is to finish the job, finish the cleanup at Hanford,” Wright responded. “The majority of our country's plutonium was produced there, not just for World War II, but the post war period and our arsenal today. So, Hanford gave a lot to this country, and we behind, left a mess, and that needs to be cleaned up.”
Wright added: “It's being cleaned up, thanks in part to your efforts and many in your state to push for that. But I am firmly committed to continuing our obligations and our moral obligation to clean up the mess that was left in your state.”
Sen. Cantwell pressed the nominee to provide a definitive answer on his commitment to upholding the agreement that was recently finalized by the Department of Energy, Washington State Department of Ecology, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Sen. Cantwell has long championed Hanford clean-up and played a leading role in overseeing the Department of Energy’s cleanup efforts and fighting numerous Administration proposals to cut Hanford budgets.
Throughout the first Trump administration, Sen. Cantwell repeatedly led the charge in opposing drastic cuts to the Hanford budget, and in 2020 she led a successful effort to defeat a provision in the annual National Defense Authorization Act that could have diverted billions in funding from ongoing clean-up projects.
In January 2021, at the nomination hearing for former Secretary of Energy Granholm, Sen. Cantwell secured a pledge to fully fund Hanford cleanup from the nominee. Secretary Granholm visited the DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland and the Hanford site with Sen. Cantwell in August 2022 and they discussed the need for increased and sustained funding.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS
Clallam County Commission meeting for 1/21/25
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01212025-1402
Clallam County Board of Health meeting for 1/21/25
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01212025-1404
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 1/21/25
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/16345/01212025-CC-Agenda-Packet
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 1/21/25
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/b481ee4a-2c6f-444a-8e2d-bb7e5a3b7238
City of Port Townsend meeting for 1/21/25
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=4686
Port of Port Townsend Commission meeting for 1/22/25
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025-01-22-CommMtg-Agenda-Corrected-Meeting-Time.pdf
Weekly devotional
1 Corinthians 10:13 (New King James Version)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Weekly Bible Lesson:
Why Worship on the First Day of the Week?
The church of the Lord Jesus Christ meets on the first day of the week (Sunday) for regular worship. At that time, the members of the church eat the Lord’s supper. This is done in memory of the death of Jesus Christ for our sins. Teaching and exhorting from the Word of God is done. Prayers and songs of praise are offered up to God. A contribution it taken for the poor and for the preaching of the gospel. The Lord’s church meets on Sunday because some very important events happened on that day.--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/why-worship-on-the-first-day-of-the-week
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Come and See
https://www.comeandseefoundation.org/
THIS WEEKS VIDEOS:
California Fires and New Jersey Drones: Government Secrets EXPOSED
The secrets, lies, and utter absence of transparency from all levels of government are tearing our country apart. In just a few days, the Trump administration has the opportunity to change all of that and start a new era of accountability. Over the past decade, we’ve been lied to about Epstein, Ukraine, the Biden crime family … the list goes on! In this episode of Glenn TV, Glenn peels back the layers on two of the biggest stories right now that Americans are DEMANDING answers on: the fires in Los Angeles and the mysterious drone sightings that started in New Jersey but have since occurred all over the world. Then, journalist Michael Shellenberger joins to discuss how California failed to prepare for the Los Angeles wildfires, why there never should have been a dry reservoir, and where he believes the drones are coming from: Are they Chinese, UFOs, or the property of the U.S. government?---Glenn Beck Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrz-mI_aIqI
On Friday’s Mark Levin Show, President Biden can’t leave the office quick enough. He now claims to have amended the Constitution. Biden announced that the Equal Rights Amendment is the “law of the land,” despite the Justice Department and the U.S. archivist saying the President could not ratify the Constitutional amendment. Biden is lawless then he lectures us about the rule of law. According to Democrats, you can do anything if it’s in pursuit of the radical left agenda. Also, Ambassador Danny Danon calls in to discuss the Israel/Hamas ceasefire.
This is not a peace agreement; Israel keeps the right to go into Gaza and finish off Hamas if necessary. Danon says they are determined to finish the job but will pause to get the hostages back. Later, Democrats keep telling us we have to fix our immigration laws, but they’re not broken. We have very detailed immigration laws which work if they are enforced. The problem is Democrats lack of virtue and lack of execution - its intentional. It will be important to have a Governor in the DHS position – Kristi Noem will be fantastic. Afterward, a unanimous Supreme Court upheld the TikTok ban. It can still survive; it just needs new American ownership. We can’t allow China to control Americans' data.--Mark Levin Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMwOk9_ddAA
Sunday morning worship at the Concord Street Church of Christ on January 12, 2025. David Pharr preached a sermon titled “Did Not Drive Out”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhKJc85cj0c
Other News Sources:
Rasmussen Poll: 55 Percent Worried Trump Unsafe at Inauguration--NEWS MAX
https://www.newsmax.com/us/inauguration-poll-safety/2025/01/17/id/1195524/
The Gaza cease-fires is the first win for Trump’s ‘big stick’ dimplomacy--NY POST
Democrats incredibly stupid line of questioning during Hegseth’s confirmation hearing--Washington Times
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/jan/17/democrats-incredibly-stupid-line-questioning-hegse/
Trump Cabinet nominees dominate Senate Democrats--Washington Examiner
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is published weekly by, Peter Ripley
