Inslee is Out-lee: The governor on 'passing the torch' and his future plans

In the last few days, Governor Inslee called for a special session to address Washington’s drug possession laws — or lack thereof. He signed seven new climate and energy bills into law. And, oh yeah, he announced he’s not running for re-election next year.

Governor Inslee sat down with Soundside host Libby Denkmann to discuss his plans for his final year and a half in office, and what comes next.

"To everything there's a season, and this was the right season to pass the torch," Inslee said. He said Washington state is in a good space — and that it's time for a first-term governor, not a fourth-term one.

"I've been honored to have three terms," Inslee said. "Which has, you know, only happened once in our state's history to date. So I feel good about this."

Inslee also noted that he won't run for president in 2024.

"We got a good president," he said. "He's had some tremendous success and climate."

In the meantime, there's plenty to do in office. On Tuesday, the governor called for a special session to address Washington’s drug possession laws — or lack thereof.

Starting May 16, the legislature will return to work out a new drug possession law. Last month, the Democrat-led House failed to pass a bill that would have replaced Washington's current drug possession laws, which is set to expire in July.

Inslee said he's hopeful the legislature can come to a bipartisan agreement during the special session.

"I do want the legislature to move now because we don't want cities to have to be going off in a hundred different directions on this very important policy," he said. "I think there's good reason to believe they will get this done."

In terms of unfinished business. The state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals are ambitious: Washington has committed to cutting carbon emissions statewide to 45% of 1990 levels by the year 2030. And we’re supposed to reach carbon neutral by 2050.

Now, data on this is delayed – the most recent numbers are from 2019. But that year, Washington emissions were 9.3 percent higher than 1990 levels. It does not appear we are on track to meet the benchmarks on the way to carbon neutral.

Inslee acknowledged the 2030 goal is ambitious. But he points to the growing industries supporting the shift - like the rise of solar power, and electric vehicles. "I am confident will meet these goals," he said. "Although 2030 could be problematic for us."