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Category: Gov. Jay Inslee

Former Gov. Spellman visits WA Capitol

Former Gov. Spellman visits WA Capitol

More than three decades after serving as Washington’s governor, John Spellman returned to Olympia to tour the Governor’s Mansion and Capitol and meet with current Gov. Jay Inslee. Before seeing the governor, 90-year-old Spellman, along with two of his sons, a grandson and a granddaughter, stopped by our office to meet with staff, including two alumni from Spellman’s gubernatorial staff – State Archivist Steve Excell, who served as Spellman’s chief of staff, and Patrick McDonald, who was an intern and…

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From the WA State Digital Archives: 1939 bill-signing photo

From the WA State Digital Archives: 1939 bill-signing photo

Gov. Clarence Martin signs a bill into law in 1939 as Secretary of State Belle Reeves (seated on left) and female legislators watch. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Digital Archives) We’ve reached that point of the legislative session when Gov. Jay Inslee starts signing bills into law. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re sharing a Washington State Digital Archives photograph from 1939 that depicts a bill-signing ceremony. This shot shows Gov. Clarence Martin signing into law House Bill 300,…

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Wyman begins second term as Washington Secretary of State

Wyman begins second term as Washington Secretary of State

Secretary Wyman with former Secretaries of State Sam Reed (left) and Ralph Munro at her ceremonial swearing-in. (Photo courtesy of Laura Mott) Kim Wyman began her second term as Washington’s 15th Secretary of State after being sworn into office before a joint legislative session Wednesday. Wyman took the oath of office from Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu shortly after noon on Wednesday, receiving cheers at a joint session of the House and Senate when she was called up to the…

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WA Electoral College: 8 votes for Clinton, 4 `faithless’ voters for others

WA Electoral College: 8 votes for Clinton, 4 `faithless’ voters for others

Members of Washington’s Electoral College cast their votes for President Monday at the Capitol. (Photo courtesy Brian Zylstra) Washington’s Electoral College made national news Monday when four “faithless” electors declined to vote for Hillary Clinton, who carried the state 54-38 over Donald Trump. Eight electors cast ballots for Secretary Clinton, three votes went to former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell and one elector voted for Faith Spotted Eagle, an activist opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline. It was the first…

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WA Electors gathering at Capitol

WA Electors gathering at Capitol

The 32nd Washington Electoral College convenes at the state Capitol at high noon on Dec. 19, taking part in a time-honored ritual of awarding the state’s electoral votes for president and vice president. Amid speculation that several of the 12 delegates will choose to be “faithless” electors, the College will assemble in the ornate State Reception Room, hosted by Secretary of State Kim Wyman and Gov. Jay Inslee. The state went for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump and dozens of…

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Gov. Inslee & Secretary Wyman certify 2016 election

Gov. Inslee & Secretary Wyman certify 2016 election

Secretary Wyman and Gov. Inslee certify the 2016 General Election returns. (Photos courtesy of Patrick McDonald) Secretary of State Kim Wyman and Gov. Jay Inslee have certified the returns for the 2016 General Election, including a record number of ballot measures and hotly contested races from the White House to local offices. The election drew record voter registrations of nearly 4.3 million and the most ballots ever counted in the state, over 3.36 million.  The turnout was nearly 79 percent,…

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AWB Holiday Kids Tree is in the Capitol, lighting event Dec. 2

AWB Holiday Kids Tree is in the Capitol, lighting event Dec. 2

DES employees carry the Holiday Kids’ Tree up the Capitol Building steps. (Photo courtesy Patrick McDonald) The Holiday Kids’ Tree is in the building. A large crew of Department of Enterprise workers Tuesday morning carried the 25-foot Noble fir up the north steps of the Capitol, squeezed it through the doors and hauled it up the marble steps to the Rotunda, where it was erected. Tree decorating continued Wednesday morning. After hauling the tree up the steps, workers navigate between…

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Governors’ executive orders over the years

Governors’ executive orders over the years

  Gov. Dixy Lee Ray issued several executive orders in 1980 that related to the Mount St. Helens eruption. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives) They might lack the authority and consensus of legislatively approved state laws, but executive orders are a powerful way that Washington’s governors have made things happen in state government over the years. Executive orders are formal orders issued by the governor, generally to cabinet agencies statewide, requiring that certain actions be taken. They may have…

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12th Man rally draws crowd at Capitol

12th Man rally draws crowd at Capitol

Secretary Wyman and former Seahawk Lawyer Milloy at the 12th Man rally (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Helle) Not much can stop the Capitol from preparing for the 2016 Legislative Session, except a visit from a former Seahawk, the team’s mascot and two Sea Gals. Lawyer Milloy, a strong safety for the Hawks in 2009 and 2010, helped whip up the crowd at a rally outside the Capitol Thursday ahead of Sunday’s (very cold) playoff game in Minnesota. Along with the…

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WA 2015 General Election certified — now on to 2016!

WA 2015 General Election certified — now on to 2016!

Assistant Secretary of State Mark Neary (left) signs an election document as Gov. Inslee looks on. Gov. Jay Inslee and Assistant Secretary of State Mark Neary made it official Wednesday, certifying the 2015 General Election returns. Over 1.5 million ballots, including thousands from military and overseas voters, were submitted during the voting period. The odd-year election included two state initiatives, two state House races, over 3,000 local government races and 166 measures. “This election put the limelight on local government…

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