Radio Report: Legislative Republican leaders refute Gov. Inslee saying the state of the state is stronger than ever

January 9, 2024

Legislative Republicans offered a stark contrast to the governor’s state-of-the-state address during a press briefing at the state Capitol on Tuesday. John Sattgast reports.

SATTGAST: House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary said facts paint a sobering picture of increases in the cost-of-living, housing and violent crime, students failing math and reading standards, and families burdened by a lack of childcare.

STOKESBARY: “By any metric you want to pick, there is a growing catalog of crises facing the state. Our job as House and Senate Republicans is going to be proposing ideas that will actually fix those problems.”

SATTGAST: House Republican Deputy Leader Mike Steele of Chelan described the inequities across the state.

STEELE: “When you look at the issues that we’re talking about, they disproportionately affect the folks who live in rural Washington more. I mean, we have to travel farther, have smaller police forces – have to think about the cost of just doing basic business every day.”

SATTGAST: Acknowledging bipartisan proposals to improve public safety, Representative Stokesbary suggested a longer-term conversation on incentives to help train and retain law enforcement officers.

John Sattgast, the state Capitol.