Inslee rescinds COVID-19 vaccination requirements for state employees
OLYMPIA, Wash., May 12, 2023—Governor Jay Inslee announced on Wednesday that he rescinded Directive 22-13.1 effective Thursday, May 11, 2023, ending the condition of employment related to COVID-19 vaccination for executive cabinet and small cabinet agencies. The timing aligns with the end of the federal public health emergency and lifting of vaccination requirements for federal employees and […]
Inslee announces Special Session, County leadership split on illegal drug policy
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 3, 2023—Hours after Snohomish County led the state in proposing an ordinance to recriminalize illegal drugs after the failure of legislature’s passage of the “Blake fix,” Governor Jay Inslee announced that he will call a special session to begin on May 16 that will focus on passing a new drug possession […]
Inslee not seeking reelection, ‘I’m ready to pass the torch’
OLYMPIA, Wash., May 1, 2023—Govenor Jay Inslee announced today he does not plan to seek a fourth term. Inslee was most recently re-elected in 2020, making him only the second Washington state governor to serve three consecutive terms. “Serving the people as governor of Washington state has been my greatest honor. During a decade of […]
Inslee and Ferguson respond to Supreme Court abortion pill decision
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 21, 2023—Today, the U.S. Supreme Court granted an emergency request by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on behalf of the FDA and other defendants, to halt a lower-court’s ruling that suspended the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the abortion pill, mifepristone. “The April 7, 2023, order of the United States District […]
Inslee joins other governors in meeting with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy on war effort
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 4, 2023—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, via video conference, shared with governors from across the United States that with military and financial support, his war-torn county can “defeat Russia” and prevent “the expansion of the war.” Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Governors welcomed Ukrainian refugees, partnering with charitable organizations to send humanitarian […]
Inslee accuses Republican candidates of fueling political violence
SEATTLE, Wash., October 28, 2022—In his condemnation of the today’s brutal attack of Paul Pelosi, husband to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Governor Jay Inslee attributed what he called “election denial” Republican candidates Tiffany Smiley, Matt Larkin, and Joe Kent with fueling political violence. “What smoking is to cancer, election denial is to political […]
Inslee directs DOH to prevent the spread of Monkeypox (MPV)
OLYMPIA, Wash., August 23, 2022 – Gov. Jay Inslee issued Directive 22-18, on Friday August 12, to expand the Department of Health’s (DOH) effort to prevent and control the spread of monkeypox (MPV) and exercise available statutory authority to take appropriate disease control measures. The directive also orders DOH to take a broad range of […]
Inslee rescinds over a dozen COVID proclamations as CDC updates guidelines for schools
OLYMPIA, Wash., August 14, 2022 – Governor Jay Inslee rescinds 13 COVID-19 proclamations under his emergency authority according to proclamations released on August 5 and signed on July 29. All the recensions take effect at 12:01 a.m. on October 27, 2022. The recensions relate to Long-Term Care facility guidelines, and the reinstatement of various policies […]
Law enforcement use-of-force and pursuit bills pass, awaits Inslee’s signature
OLYMPIA, Wash., March 11, 2022 – Governor Jay Inslee is expected to sign int law two bills aimed to clarify police enforcement and accountability laws passed last year. SB 5919 – Concerning the standard for law enforcement authority to detain or pursue persons. Police can pursue and stop vehicles if they have a “reasonable suspicion” […]
Inslee announces end to outdoor mask mandate Feb. 18.
OLYMPIA, Wash., February 10, 2022 – Washington remains the only state on the West Coast to not announce discontinuing its indoor mask mandates after Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday, February 9, that the state will lift its outdoor mask mandate beginning February 18. Washington is now one of four states nationwide with indoor mask restrictions. […]
