Gov. Inslee speaks on ‘new tipping point’ in State of the State address

Washington Governor Jay Inslee gives his State of the State address Tuesday, where he’s expected to focus on his two-year budget for the state.

RELATED: Gov. Inslee outlines plan for statewide free college program

“We look ahead to 2019, and offer a rallying cry to build this new and enduring chapter that is the profound story of Washington state,” Inslee said.

Inslee certainly has a lot of ground to cover in the coming years. His proposed budget includes a state broadband office, an “unprecedented investment” of $1.1 billion to save the local orca population, a statewide free college plan, a capital gains tax, and many other measures.

“We have accomplished much already, but everything we’ve done brings us to a new tipping point,” he said.

With the federal government still shut down in a heated battle over immigration policy, Inslee spoke of Washington’s status as a sanctuary state.

“While other places close their borders, and fear the unfamiliar, we are the state that opens our communities to immigrants and refugees seeking safety, shelter, and sanctuary,” he said.

Meanwhile, many signs seem to point toward Gov. Inslee putting together a run at the White House in 2020, indicated by a recent interview with The Atlantic. In that interview, Inslee noted that he would “want to play poker with Donald Trump.”

Policy-wise, some have speculated he’s looking to paint himself as the environmentally conscious candidate, evidenced by his recent attempt to get a state carbon fee passed, and his green energy plan that would nix coal power by 2025.

“Just the past few years, our state experienced record temperatures, and record low snowpack. Historic wildfires blackened our air so much, that we had the worst air quality in the world,” he said in Tuesday’s address. “Scientists say if we don’t act now, this will become the norm — a permanent degradation of what we love: Our magnificent state.”

“I am more optimistic than ever about the clean energy future we’re going to build together. We will pass legislation to transition to 100 percent clean electricity in the state of Washington,” he added.

Inslee also briefly touched briefly on Washington being the first state to pass net neutrality legislation, a push for employee safety in the workplace, guarantees for women’s reproductive services, and common sense gun safety reform among a variety of topics he covered.

RELATED: Inslee proposes $1.1 billion budget to aid orcas

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