Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 1

The Axe Files - Ep. 171: Gov. Jay Inslee Released September 11, 2017 [00:00:06]AndnowfromtheUniversityofChicagoInstituteofPoliticsandCNNTheAxeFileswithyourhostDavidAxelrod.Axelrod:[00:00:16]Amongthemanynamesthatsurfacewhenpeoplestartplayingthatconjecturegameabout2020isGovernorJayInsleeofWashingtonaformermemberofCongressasuccessfulgovernornowheadincomingoftheDemocraticGovernorsAssociationandoneoftheleadingvoicesinthecountryontheissueofclimatechange.IwasinSeattlerecentlyandsatdownwiththegovernortotalkaboutthatandmanyotherthings.Axelrod:[00:00:46]GovernorJayInsleeit'ssogoodtobewithyouhereinthegreatstateofWashingtoninSeattle.Inslee:[00:00:54]WelovehavingDavidAxelrodinthehouse.GoodnewsinthestateofWashington.Axelrod:[00:00:58]Nowthere'sbeenalotofInsleesinthestateofWashingtonforaverylongtime.Rightyoudidn'tmigratehere.Inslee:[00:01:04]Nowelovemigrantsandthat'swhyI'msoinfuriatedaboutthedoctordecisionbythepresidenttoday.Axelrod:[00:01:10]We'llgettothat.Inslee:[00:01:10]Ican'tclaimtobeone.Axelrod:[00:01:12]Goodpivotbutwe'llgettoit.Inslee:[00:01:13]We'reeagerandorweallhavehighfeelingsaboutthis.NoI'mfifthgenerationstay.Sowe'vebeenherequiteawhileandIlovethisstateandwe'vedoneitforalongtime.Axelrod:[00:01:25]TellmeaboutyougrewuphereintheSeattlearea.Inslee:[00:01:28]YeaholdSeattleboyIwenttohighschoolmarriedmyhighschoolsweetheart.Mymomanddad.MymomwasahomemakerandworkedatSearsandwasanartistmydadwasateacherandcoachandaverybelovedcoach.Axelrod:[00:01:42]Andyouwereanathlete.

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Inslee:[00:01:43]Yes.Inoticedyouemphasizeweresomehow.Axelrod:[00:01:46]Yeahthatisprobablynotthemostdelicatewayofputtingit.Inslee:[00:01:50]Iplayed.Iplayedhighschoolballwehadsomegoodteamswonastatechampionshipwhichwasyouknowthehighlightofmylife.Axelrod:[00:01:59]Andwhatwasyourrole.Inslee:[00:02:02]Myroleistonotfoulupandstealinboundpasswithonesecondtogosoanythingintheohit'sreallyathletic.Yes.IsomehowInsleestealstheballisnotasfamousasHavalcheckstealstheball.InyourminditprobablyinmymindintheInsleehouseholdiscertainlyiswestarteverydinnerwiththatsortofstatement.Axelrod:[00:02:21]Andwhatwasitwaspublicservicewaspoliticslikeonyourmindfromthebeginning.Inslee:[00:02:30]No.No.Maybepublicserviceinabroadsense.Mymomanddadwerepublicservantsmydadwasagreatteacherandcoach.TheyboththeyworkedontheslopesofMt.RainierteachingkidshowtorestoreAlpineMeadows.Youknowwewerealwaysveryoutdoororientedwe'reveryorientedtoprotectingourstatesoapublicservicewritlargebutnotpolitics.Ireallydidn'tthinkinthesetermsatalltillIwasinmylate30sandTrudyandIgotupsetbecausewefinallypassedaschoolboardontheseventhtrybecauseweweregoingtohavetodoubleshiftourschoolsourhighschool.Andthenassoonaswepasseditthroughkindofamiraclethechowderheadsinthelegislaturecutthefundingformulainhalf.SoIgetangryaboutthatandsometimesthat'sagoodmotivatorsoIdecidedinsteadofthrowrocksfromtheoutside.IranforthelegislatureandwonaRepublicanreddistrictandtherestishistoryastheysayoverinCentralWashington.Axelrod:[00:03:29]WewerejusttalkingtheotherdaytoyourseniorsenatorPattyMurraywhosestoryofcourseisdifferentbutsimilarinthesensethatshewasincensedbysomethingthelegislaturewasdoingandthatledheronapaththatshedidn'texpecttogotopublicservice.Butyouwerealawyeryoupracticedlaw.Inslee:[00:03:55]Ipracticelawandbytheway.Axelrod:[00:03:57]Whatkindoflaw.Inslee:[00:03:58]IwasatriallawyersoIdidalotoflitigationsomepersonalinjurysomeproductsliabilitysomebusinesslitigationofdimension.ButbeforeweleaveourseniorsenatorIgottotellyouI'monthenumberonefanofSenatorPattyMurraythat'swhoyou'rereferringto.ShecameinshewasaPTAmomifyouwillanddecidedtodosome

Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 3

aboutschoolsandweactuallyranthesameyearin88andsheisdoingsuchgreatworkforusrightnow.Ilovewhatshe'sdoingintheCongress.Axelrod:[00:04:32]Sheisveryauthenticvoice.Inslee:[00:04:34]SheiswhatyouwanttodesignasaU.S.senator.She'sbeentherefortwodecadesandstillhasthecommontouch.She'sstilladaughterofBothell,Washington.Shecombinesthefiberandstrengthofawarriorwiththegraceofapersonwhoisnowdoingbipartisanworktotrytogetsomebipartisanimprovementstothehealthcarebill.Iknowthatshedidgreatworkontheeducationbill.Youreallycannotdesignacenterbetterthanher.Axelrod:[00:04:58]Yeah.YouknowyouwonderwhenyouhearherstorywhetherwhetheritwouldbeaspossibletodayjustgiventheenormousamountofmoneyinourpoliticsandImeanshereallybuiltagrassrootsorganizationbutshecametoitwithnopersonalresources.Inslee:[00:05:18]AndIstillbelievethat'spossible.Weseeithappening.Outsidersarewinningtosomedegreethelustforoutsidershasperhapsopenedadoorforspirit.TrumphasadifferentkindofoutsidedifferentkindofoutsiderthatIwonandyouknowIbeataRepublicanmayorandoneofthemostheavilyreddistrictsinthewesternUnitedStatescomingoutofnowherebecauseIhadamessagethatresonatedwithwithmyneighborssoyoucanstilldothat.IwantanupsetinCongress19and92IbeataRepublicanin1998andnowoneoftheonlytwoRepublicansbeatthatyearasincumbentsbecauseIwasoptimistic.Soasyoubringalloptimismandahecklotofshoeleatherandenergyyoucanstillgetinthesepositions.Axelrod:[00:06:01]Youyoumentioned92andyougotelectedin92anddefeatedin94.Talkaboutthatandsortofwhatwhatledtoyourdefeat.Inslee:[00:06:24]Doingagoodjob.That'swhyIwasdefeated.ItsoundsalittlebitironicbutIbelieveit'sthecase.IrepresentedaveryredRepublicanareaasmalltownincentralWashingtonYakimaValleyIlivedinSeattleWashingtonwhichIloved.Igrewhayinthreeferalboysinthesagebrushandhadagreatlife.Butin94wedidsomethingsittooklittlegumptionlittlespineandwe'reabitcontroversialandtheonethatmostpeoplewouldpointtoisbeingpivotalinmydefeatasIprovidedoneofthefinalvotesfortheassaultweaponban.Axelrod:[00:06:59]Somethingyouropponentundoubtedlyremindedvotersof.Inslee:[00:07:03]HedidincludingtheentireNRAandtheentirecombinedestablishmentoftheRepublicanParty.ButIreallybelieveditwastherightdecisionthenIbelieveitwastherightdecisionnow.Ihavenotregrettedthatvoteforcommonsensegunsafety

Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 4

legislationforaheartbeatbecauseIdobelieveit'stherightpolicythenandnowsoitisitispainfultoloseIhavetotellyouI'vehadyouknowcoupleinjuriesI'vebeenprettyluckythatwaybutyeahbutthatwaspainful.Axelrod:[00:07:34]Youstoletheballandwonthechampionship.Youwonanimprobableracein92.Howdoyouprocessdefeat.Inslee:[00:07:47]WellyouknowIIdidn'tlookatitasfailure.Ilookedatitastheotherguygotmorevotes.Ineverfoundpersonalrejectionno.Ineverfeltpersonallyinjuredorpersonallyrejectedinthatsense.IfeltthatthebestwayIcouldcategorizeitisthatyouknowIwasreallygood.Rockyroadbutvoterswerelookingforvanillathatyear.AndsoIneverfeltdiminishedbyit.Axelrod:[00:08:14]That'sprettyunusualSomepeopleareprettydevastated.Youknowalotofpoliticians.Inslee:[00:08:18]NoIdidn'tandmaybebecauseIlostafewgamesinmyyouth.Yougetback.Suitupyouknowlaysomeofyoubackonthecourt.Sothat'showIfeltnow.Itwasverypainfulbeingsortofunengagedproductivityfromaproductivitystandpointforsomeperiodoftimebecauseitdoesyouknowslowyoudownastowhatyou'redoingandthephonedidn'tringforalongtime.Sothat'spainful.ButagainbecauseithappenedbecauseIwaspassionateaboutanissueandbecauseIhadconvictionaboutitanddidwhatIbelievewasright.IneverfeltthatthatwasabaddecisiononeiotaandIguessyouknowtosomedegreeasisthebeststatethewholecountryandtosomedegreeit'sworkedout.Axelrod:[00:08:57]YouyoucamebackasyoupointoutandyouwentbacktoCongressbutyouwentbackfromadifferenthistory.Explainwhathappened.Inslee:[00:09:07]WellwewewewentbacktoWesternWashingtonTreatyIgrewupinwesternWashington.Wehadtwodecadesgrowingorraisingourkids.Youknowtheappleorchardsandthehayfieldswedecidedtotrysomethingdifferent.SowewenttoalittleIslandwestofSeattleBainbridgeIsland.Axelrod:[00:09:22]Iwastheretheotherday.Inslee:[00:09:24]It'sabeautifulplace.Axelrod:[00:09:25]Yeah.Inslee:[00:09:25]Beautifulplace.Wishtheashwasn'tfallingonitrightnowbutit'sabeautifultimethat.

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Axelrod:[00:09:29]Thetouristsfallonittoo.Ithoughtwow.I'mnotsurehowI'dfeelaboutthatifIlivedthereit'sabeautifulislandjust35minutesbyferryfromSeattleandit'sasuburbanreallyasuburbancommunitypeoplecommuteeverydaytoSeattletowork.ButIwasthereoverLaborDayweekend.Itwasoverrun.Inslee:[00:09:50]Wellyoushouldcomeby.Youknowwegotalittlecoldbeerinthefridge.Iwishyou'dknownyou'vebeentherewewould.Inslee:[00:09:55][crosstalk]IwaswalkingallovertheplacetryingtofindaplacethatIcouldgetintoeatso.Inslee:[00:10:00]YourecognizedthebeautifulplaceasdidTrudyandIInslee:[00:10:04]Itisbeautifulandwewentthereasthetriptogetthere.Yeahitisalittle.It'sa35minuteferryrideand.Axelrod:[00:10:09]Youstillhaveahomethere.Inslee:[00:10:11]Westillgetthereyouknowacoupleofweekendsamonth.ThecapitolsinOlympiaandoursouthbutit'sbeenalongtimeanditisparadise.Imeanyougetofftheferryboatandyou'vedroppedintoalittledifferentdimensionit'snottheTwilightZoneit'sakindofaparadise.Axelrod:[00:10:27]Itis.Whatinterestsmeisyou.Youprobablyfoundamorehospitableenvironmentforyourviewsonissueslikegunsforexampleinyournewdistrict.Inslee:[00:10:40]Wellverymuchso.ItwasaswingdistrictwhenIstartedtherein98.IranagainstaRepublicanwhowasasixyearwellestablishedperson.ButIbelievedweneededachange.AndsoIjumpedintothefrayandwonagainunexpectedlytherewereonlytwoincumbentRepublicansbeatthatyear.ButwemadeithappenbecauseagainIbroughtsomeconvictiontothetableanditwasitwasabalanceorswingdistrictthattimeit'strendingDemocraticnowsinceI'vebeenthere.Axelrod:[00:11:11]Wasthereanyquestioninyourmindwhenyoulostthatcongressionalracein94andweshouldpointoutalotofpeopledid94wasaverywastheyearthatNewtGingrichandtheRepublicanstookoverthehouseafter40yearssoitwasyouwerenotalone.Inslee:[00:11:30]IwasingoodcompanySpeakerTomFoleywasmyseatmate.[crosstalk]whoisnowaU.S.senator.Soyesitdidhappenbutwe.Axelrod:[00:11:39]SodidyousayyourselfthenyouknowsomedayI'mgoingtorunagainfor.

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Inslee:[00:11:43]Itwasinthebackofmymindbutmostlysurvivingandfeedingmypreciousthreechildrenwasthemostimportantthingatthetime.Butlookthere'sthingsthatIfeelpassionatelyaboutandbyservinginpublicofficethat'sthebestexpressionofthatpassion.Ifeelpassionatelyabouttheenvironmentinmystatewhichisnowundersiege.IfeelpassionatelyabouttheeducationofourkidswhichtrulygotusintothisbusinessinthefirstplacethatIknewisunderfundedandunderserviced.IfeelpassionatelyaboutthejusticethatwenowallfeelandImentionedthisdocketdecisionaboutwhenpeoplewhoarevulnerablewhoareabusedbythoseinpower.SoyouknowthisisaplacetoexpressthatandalsodosomethingformycommunitysoIhave.Winloseordraw.Ihavebeenthrilledtobeinthepublicdebate.Axelrod:[00:12:35]Weshouldpointoutthatin-betweenthosetworacescongressionalracesyouhadaraceforgovernorinthere.Inslee:[00:12:44]Idid.It'snosecretthatIranforgovernorin1996itjustseemedlikeoneatthetime.Iwasvastlyovermatched.Iranagainstanincumbentwhennooneelsewould.Thentwosortof80poundgorillasgotintherace.Andweweretoast.ButsomegoodpeoplewhohelpedmelateronmychiefofstaffImetwhobecamemychiefofstaffanddidagreatjobinCongresssogoodthingscancomeoutofofdefeats.Axelrod:[00:13:12]YoutalktomeaboutthedifferencebetweenbeingamemberofCongressandbeingthegovernorofastate.Imeanit'savastlydifferentresponsibility.Inslee:[00:13:27]It'sthedifferencebetweenyouknowsittingonthecouchwatchingafairlyinterestingsitcomandmakinghistory.Youcan'tyoucan'treallyoverstatethedifferenceagovernorcandomoreinanhourthanamemberofCongresscanandtwoorthreeyearsit'sjustthenatureoftheposition.Iwasveryactive.I'mproudofsomeofthethingsIdidinCongressI'mproudofthevotesItook.I'mproudofmyworkonthehealthcarebillandwhatthataccomplish.I'mproudofmyworkonclimatechange.ButI'vebeenabletodoinanhourmorethanIcouldinCongress.We'vereallymovedtheneedleonclimatechangewe'vedonesomegreatthingsonhealthcareinmystatewithspectacularsuccessandthat'sbeenbecauseofthepowersthatthegovernorhasandthat'sjustthenatureoftheofficesoitisawildlymuchmoreproductiveposition.That'snottodiminishCongressisjustinnaturewhenthere's500thanyouimagine.YesprobablymorethanIimaginedaboutthedifferenceoftheabilitytoactuallymovetheneedle.Soitwilltakeclimatechangeforinstance.SoIworkeddayandnighttopassclimatechangelegislation.WegotitthroughtheHousetheSenatestalledandthatwasdisappointing.ButnowIhavebeenabletothroughexecutiveactionwiththestrokeofmypencreatealimitationontheamountofcarbonpollutioninthestateofWashingtonistheonlyonetheUnitedStatesthathasbeencreatedbyexecutiveactionispursuanttoourstatecleanairlaw.AndIhavebeenabletotellmycitizensthatwe'reputtingacapontheamountofcarbonpollutionthatcomesoutofoursmokestacksandtailpipes.Andthat'sasignalachievementandonly

Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 7

happenedbecauseIhadthatexecutiveauthoritytodothat.We'vebeenabletopasslegislationin.Axelrod:[00:15:11]Amatteroflitigation.Inslee:[00:15:12]Yesit'slitigationandofcoursethefossilfuelindustryisalwaysgoingtotrytooverturnanythingthatwouldreducecarbonpollutionbutwefeelconfidentthatwewillprevailonthis.Butwe'vealsohadlegislativesuccesseswe'vecreatedacleanenergyfundthathelpsbusinessesgetgoingacrossyouknowsortofrenewableenergyrenewableenergysowehavebusinessesalloverthestateofWashingtonthatareputtingpeopletoworkbecauseI'vebeenabletostartthiscleanenergyfundandenergycompanyit'stheleadingmanufacturerofgiantbatteriesthatyoucanintegratesolarandwindenergyintothegridbecauseofit.SAGALThelargestwhichishere.Axelrod:[00:15:54]Thisisahugethingbecausetheabilitytostoreenergyisoneofthegreatsortofmissionsofsciencerightnowifyoucouldstoresolarenergyforexampleforlongerperiodsoftime.Inslee:[00:16:11]It'sreallythekeytomaximizingallrenewableenergysourcesbecausealmostallrenewableenergysourcesareintermittent.Soyou'vegotalotofenergywhenyoucan'tuseit.SostoragereallyisthealphaandomegaofresearchrightnowWashingtonisleadingthewaybothinenergycompaniesinresearch.We'vealsoestablishedacleanenergyresearchinstituteatourcollegeswhichareturnoutsomegangbusternewdevelopmentsbothinstorageandintegration.Ourcompaniesarealsospecializingindevelopmentofsoftwaretobeabletointegraterenewableenergyintothegrid.SoweseethisasahugeeconomicgrowthopportunityformystateandweareonlybeenabletodothatbecauseI'vebeeninthegovernor'sofficetobeabletomovethatforward.Axelrod:[00:16:58]IwanttotalkmoreaboutclimatechangeinabitherebutIwanttogetyourperspectiveonsomethingelsebecauseyouhavetheuniqueyou'vehadanyuniqueopportunityofwatchingtheCongressthroughareallyeventfulperiodoftime.Inslee:[00:17:16]Oruneventful.Axelrod:[00:17:17]Wellwellwellexactly.Imeanthat'smyquestionbutyouknowthatmomentin94whentheGingrichrevolutionhappenedwasahingemomentincertainwaysandI'mwonderingwhatwhatyou'veseenovertheyearsinthewayCongressworksanddoesn'tworkinthesortofpartisanizationoftheprocessandthesortofacrimonythatwe'veseengrowupovertime.Inslee:[00:17:54]YeahIthinkweinourstatehavebeenatleastpartlysuccessfulavoidingsomeofthatacrimony.WehadabipartisansuccessinexpandingMedicaid.

Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 8

Axelrod:[00:18:06]ButtalktomeaboutCongressIwanttogetout.TrustmeI'mgoingtogettowhatyou'redoinginthestate.Iknowyou'reeagertotalkaboutblameyouforbeingeagertotalkaboutbutIIreallyamaskingyouasjustsomeonewho'sobservedthisprocessandinacertainwayshasbeenbuffetedbyit.Inslee:[00:18:21]WellIwouldsaytheGingrich.Axelrod:[00:18:23]InWashington.Inslee:[00:18:24]TheGingrichrevolutionwasdamagingtothedemocraticinstitutionoftheUSConstitutionCongressandthereasonisisthathesawaweapontodrivedisrespectfortheUnitedStatesCongress.HebelievedthatthehigherthedisrespectnumberwasfortheU.S.CongressthemorelikelyitwasthatthethatthepartyinpowerwhichwastheDemocraticPartythattimewouldbethrownout.SosincethentherehasbeensortofanindustrybuiltonbelittlingCongressandbelittlingtheoppositionandtheirmotivationsandtheirpersonalattributeswhichhasmadeitamoreacidicenvironmentfromafromapartisanstandpoint.Axelrod:[00:19:04]Whenyoufirstgottheredidyoufeelthattherewasanoptionfromthetimeyougottheretothetimeyouleft.Didyouhaveabetteropportunityearlyoninthatfirstbriefgoaroundtoworkwithpeopleacrosstheaislewastheremoreofasenseofcooperationorwasthatalreadychanged.Inslee:[00:19:23]NoImeanBobMichaelsandTomFoleyhadagreatworkingrelationship.Theyrespectedoneanother.Theyworkedtogethertheytriedthere.Theywokeupinthemorningtryingtofindaplaceforconsensusratherthanwakingupinthemorningtryingtodemeanthemotivationsoftheopponent.Soyestherewasaverydifferentculturethatshiftedin1994.IhavetotellyouthatwaspainfuleventhinkingaboutthesetermsthoughbecauseI'msofocusedonthingsinmystaterightnowit'sevenpainful.Axelrod:[00:19:50]ButIcan'thaveyousithereandtakeadvantageofyourhistoricalhistoricalperspectiveononononthisissuebecauseitseemssoimportant.Inslee:[00:20:02]Itis.Axelrod:[00:20:03]Whataboutthewhatwhathowmuchofarolehassortofmoneyandthesocialmediaandthesortoforganizedkindofonpermanentcampaignthatwe'veseen.Howmuchhasthatdonetosortofasyousayacidifytheprocess.Inslee:[00:20:22]Theenormousmoundsofcasharenowinvolvedisclearlyaninsidiousaspectofthiswholeprocessthecitizensunitedcaseismadethatperhaps40percentworseinpartbymakingthismoney.DarkMoney.Soatleastweusedtokindofknowwho'sdoingwhatandwho'sgivingyouthemessage.Nowyouhaveamessagethatyouknowclaims

Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 9

thatcandidateXisyouknowkickshisdogroutinelyissponsoredbythemothersformilkanditturnsoutit'stheagentorangeindustry.SothecitizensunitedIthinkhasbeenasignificanteventtoactuallymakeitaworsesituationthat'swhyI'mhopefulwecanfindsomesolutiontothat.Axelrod:[00:21:01]Andpresumablyit'sassociatedwiththatisthefearthataswebecomealittlemorepolarized.Let'stakeyourhomedistrictforexamplehasbecomemuchmoredemocraticovertimeasyouasyoupointout.We'veseenthesortofpolarizationwhereurbandistrictshavebecomemoresolidlyDemocratandruraldistrictshavebecomemoresolidlyRepublican.AndasyouknowasaformermemberofCongressmemberssortoffearprimariesmorethantheyfearthegeneralelection.Inslee:[00:21:40]Sothere'stwodynamicsatwork.Onewecan'tdoanythingaboutwhichisthegeographicsegregation,sortingthathasgoneoutforinterestingreasonsthatIdon'tfullyunderstandbutthesecondreasonwecandosomethingaboutandthat'sthegerrymanderingwhichisacancerofdemocracyrightnowandthat'swhyI'msodedicatedI'mgoingtobechairoftheDemocraticGovernorsAssociationnextyearandwhyI'msocommittedtoelectingDemocraticgovernorssothatwecanhaveonevoicetopreventthegerrymanderingthathasmadethismuchmuchworseaproblem.AndI'mcommittedtothatandthankgoodnesswe'vegotgreatracestoelectDemocraticgovernors.Axelrod:[00:22:17]LetmetakeaquickbreakbecauseIwanttoaskyouaskyouaboutthatwe'llberightbackwithGovernorJayInslee.Axelrod:[00:22:30]WhattellmewhatyouthinktheprospectsarebecauseoneofthethingsthathashappenedoverthelastdecadeandIsaythisassomeonewhowasaveteranoftheObamaWhiteHouseandDemocraticpoliticsduringthatperiod.Butthere'stherewasagreatshiftinthenumberofgovernorshipsandwhatis17nowisthatyouhave17.Inslee:[00:22:56]Yes.Axelrod:[00:22:57]AndsohowoptimisticIguessareyouaboutthenextyearandtheopportunitytoturnstatehousesandwheredoyouseethekeyraces.Inslee:[00:23:11]WellI'mveryoptimisticforavarietyofreasonsonewe'vegotspectacularcandidates.We'vegot60greatcandidates.Axelrod:[00:23:18]GettingmorenowpostTrump.Inslee:[00:23:20]Yes,UncleSamhadwewantyou.AndthatwasverysuccessfulinWWIIbelieve.WehaveDonaldTrumpthatpointafingertoanybodywithaconscience.Wewantyoutorunforofficeandthey'redoingitandthey'rerunningbigtimePhilMurphy.NewJerseyisgoingtowin.RalphNorthramtremendouskidsarerosinessthesearegovernor

Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 10

racesthisyearwhichIthinkwehaveeveryprospectofwinning.WehavegreatcandidatesinNevadaandNewMexico.We'regoingtohavegreatcandidatesinFloridaandOhioandMichigan.Sotheseareallplacesthatareverywinnableforus.AndyoucannotoverstatetheimpactofhavinganarcissisticunstablepersonintheWhiteHousethatitisacryinthedarkforpeopletocometotheaidoftheircountryandIthinkpeoplenowfeelthatsenseofcrisiswhereyou'vegottogotothefirelineandfightthefire.YougrababucketandyoustartyoustartthrowingwateronthefireandyouhavethatsenseacrossAmericaanditisalegitimateone.Giventheriskofthispresidenttothecountryitisonethatisfeltinredandblueandinswingdistrictsacrossthecountry.AndIcantellyouwe'veneverseensuchagreatcropofpeoplewithsuchcredibilityandexpertiseandpassionthanrightnow.Andwehadyouknowwehad140000peopleinpinkhatsmarchinghereinacolddayinJanuaryandthat'sthat'sbeenIbelieveweldedintoareallyunstoppableforce.Ibelievethatthat'souttherenowwhoknowswhatwillhappenbetweennowandthen.ButasofrightnowwehaveaveryhighlymotivatedgroupofpeoplewithqualityfolkstoleadthemandI'mexcitedaboutit.Axelrod:[00:24:56]Twoquestionsaboutit.Oneisareyouconcernedisitpossibletohavesomanythatyouhavekindofvituperativeprimarieswithuncertainresultssoyoudon'tnecessarilyendupwiththebestgeneralelectioncandidatesbutyougetthecandidateswhohavethemostcommittedactivistbasewithintheparty.Inslee:[00:25:20]WellDemocratswecan'tevenspellvituperativesowedon'tworryaboutit.Axelrod:[00:25:25]Ithoughtyou'regoingtosaywecan'thaveanorderlyprocess.Inslee:[00:25:29]NoIdon'tfearthat.I'vewonI'vebeeninprimariesthathavebeenhighlycontestedinandfound.Axelrod:[00:25:35]Wonsomeandlostsome.Inslee:[00:25:36]SoIreallyIreallydon'tfearthat.YouknowwhatIfearisfranklythispresidentdoingsomethingsounguardedandunscriptedbecauseyouknowstartingthewarthroughatweetthatcouldchangethepoliticalsituation.Idoworryaboutthatgiventheinstabilityofthepresident.I'mhopefulthatthosearoundhimcanrheniuminalthoughasthat.Axelrod:[00:25:59]Youraisedaninterestingpoint.ImeanareyousuggestingthatthathewoulddothatthathewouldthatheseessomepoliticalprofitininflatingthesaythesituationwithNorthKorea.Inslee:[00:26:16]WhatIcansayisthatthelevelofinstabilitythelevelofunpredictabilitythelevelofdeceitandjustoutrightliesonadailybasis.Iknowyoumeanthisinthenicest

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way.Yes.I'msayingwithallduerespectexposesustohavingthoseconcerns.Idon'thaveanyevidencethatthat'sthecaserightnowbutitexposesustohavingthoseconcernswhenyouunderstandthatthewrongwordorlanguagefromthemostpowerfulpositionintheworldcancauseotherstomisperceiveourintentions.AndsothatisalegitimateconcernthatIthinkmanyofushave.That'senoughtoinspireallofustogototheballotboxtorunforofficeandtogofindyourbestcandidatetogosupporthimthisyear.Andweareallgoingtobemotivatedbecausewegottodowhatwecandotorighttheship.AndI'mhopefulthateveryonewilldothat.Axelrod:[00:27:09]SecondthesecondquestionIwanttoaskyouaboutthisandthiswillfallheavilyonyouasheadoftheGovernorsAssociationisthequestionofmoneyandresourcesandyouknowoneofthethingsthattheRepublicanPartyhasdonesosuccessfullyoverthelastdecadeinparticularismobilizethismoneydarkmoneyaswellasnotdarkmoneyonbehalfoftheircandidatesandwe'veseeninthefirstpartofthisyearwithallofthisenthusiasmstilladeficitbetweenthepartieswhereRepublicansareraisingmoremoneythanDemocratsareyouconcernedthatyourcandidatesmayfallpreytothat.Inslee:[00:27:55]WelltheRepublicansaregoingtospendmoremoneythanwedo.That'sjustafactoflife.ItwaswrittenintheevolutionaryscriptIsupposeandyoujustgottolivewiththat.ButI'mconfidentourcandidateswillbeadequatelyfundedinpartbecausewe'resodedicatedtothistask.Lookwe'veunderstoodthatelectingDemocraticgovernorsisnotjustimportantforourstatesbutisnowimportanttounlocktheU.S.HouseofRepresentativesbystoppingthegerrymanderingthatissopoisonedthatthatbodypolitic.Andsowenowareeducatingourdonors.AndbecauseofthisIthinkwe'vedoubledourindividualcontributionlevelfromindividualdonorssinceI'vebeenvicechairoftheDGA.We'regoingtocontinuetobuildthatpeopleareresponding.I'vebeenflyingaroundthecountrywhenIcanspareamomentfrommydutiesasgovernortalkingtothesedonorswhohavebeenveryactiveinSenateU.S.SenateracesorU.S.Houseraces.Butheretoforehavenotbeeninthegovernorsraces.TheyarenowgettingengagedbecausetheyunderstandthefundamentalpivotwehavetomaketowinthestateHouseraces.Lookwewereasleepattheswitchfor10yearsmyselfincludedtosomedegree.WeareplayinginHouseracesSenateracesbutwehavenotbeenadequatelyfundingstatelegislativeraces,mayor'sraces,governor'sracesandtheKochbrothershavebeenfrankly10yearsaheadofusandwearecatchingupveryrapidlyintheorganizationIleadisgoingtobefundamentaltothateffort.Axelrod:[00:29:19]Youmaybeyouneedsomeoligarchs.Thatseemstobethatseemstobeanimportantingredientinthiswholeprocess.YoumentionedreadingthatyouneedtowingovernorshipstostopthisgerrymanderingbutpresumablyDemocraticgovernorswouldwantwouldwantmapsthatarehospitabletoDemocratsaswell.Ionlysaidthatbecauseanybodywho'slisteningisgoingtosaywellareRepublicanstheonlyoneswhogerrymander.

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Inslee:[00:29:49]Iknow.NoI'msurethattheDemocratshavebeeninvolvedinthatprocessaswell.ButifyoulookatthemapsrightnowwhereifyoudistributedthevotesequallytheDemocratswouldhave20to26moreseats.It'sclearthatthegerrymanderinghasmuchbeenmuchmorequotesuccessfulontheRepublicanside.Sowe'dhavetogoalongways.Axelrod:[00:30:11]YouknowaswespokeearlierDemocratstendtobemoreaggregatedaroundurbanareas.Andsothere'smuchmoredensityofDemocratsruralareaslessdensity.Inslee:[00:30:26]AnotherreasonwhywehavetobesodedicatedtostopthisgerrymanderingwhichisapathologyrightnowisstoppingdemocracyintheU.S.HouseofRepresentatives.ButI'mconvincedthatwecandothat.Nowwealsohavesomethejudicialsystemisinvolvedheretoo.There'sbeenappellatecasesofacceptreviewatleastbythecourtthatcouldbeagamechangerinthissituation.ButwhateversituationeverywhateverBand-Aidwecanputonthisweneedtodoitandelectinggovernorsisoneofthem.Axelrod:[00:30:59]Youmentionedearlierthatyouweresortofraisedinanenvironmentthatprizedconservationthatprizednaturalresources.Imeanthisisnotanissuethatyou'vecometoolateinlife.It'sabirthrightofyoursandyou'vemade.Youstartedtalkingaboutitearlier.Icouldn'tstopyou.You'vemadeclimatechangeacentralissueofyourofyourgovernorship.Talkalittlebitaboutbroadlywhereyouthinkweareandyourobservationsonwhattheadministrationisdoing.Inslee:[00:31:41]WellmaybeIcanjuststopwithasummaryandI'llgettowhyIbelievethis.Ithinkweneedtomakedefeatingclimatechangedefeatingoceanacidificationwhichisthetwineviltwinofclimatechangebecausecarbonisacidifyingourwateris30percentmoreacidicthanitwasinpre-industrialtimessodoingthosetwothingsIbelievehastobeacentralfundamentalpriorityfortheUnitedStatesofAmericaandeverystateinthecountry.Andthereasonisitexposesustoanexistentialthreatofhavingaplacetolivewhichismarkedlydiminishedforthefutureofourkids.Andhere'swhy.Axelrod:[00:32:16]Letmejuststopyouforasecond,wejustwentthroughthishorrificstorminTexasandthere'sanotheroneaswespeakpotentiallyheadingtowardFlorida.Doyoudoyoubelievethattheextremityofthatstormisaconsequenceofclimatechange.Inslee:[00:32:36]Ithinkitislikelythatthesehurricanesaremoreintensefromdualdynamicofincreasedevaporationfromawarmerwater.Thewaterismuchwarmerthanithashistoricallybeensoweputmorewaterintotheatmospherebecauseofthewarmerwaterbutthentheatmosphereisalsocapableofessentiallyaddingfreightcarstothetrainfullofwateriscapableofholdingmorewaterwhenit'swarmer.Soyougetthesedelusionsandwearenotjustexploringthisinthesouthwe'vehadanewrecorddelugetheserainstormsofunprecedentedmentionedWashingtonStateMountRainierNationalPark

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wasclosedaboutfiveyearsagobecausetherangeisessentiallydestroyed.ManyoftheglacierstumbleddownandcarvedoutnewcanyonsifyouwillinontheshouldersofMarienhere.Thisisaworldwidephenomenon.SoIthinkit'sfairtosaythatinthatrainstormsarebecomingmoreintensebecauseofbothincreasedtemperaturesinthewaterandadditionalcarryingcapacityoftheatmosphere.Andfranklyitisnotnecessaryforustodecidewhetherthatisincrease.Ispoint2percentor15percent.Whatisnecessarytoknowthatit'sbadenoughtonecessitateboldaggressivecreativeeconomygrowingactiontodefeatthesetwinevils.Andthat'swhatI'mengagedininmystate.NowthisisverypersonaltomebecauseIyoumentionedthis.Abirthright.ThethingsItreasureaboutmystateandtheAlpineMeadowsthatmyparentsgrewuprestoring.Axelrod:[00:34:11]Right.Theyobviouslytaughtyousomevaluesarerelativetothis.Inslee:[00:34:15]ThesnowI'vegrownupskiingonthewaterthatwe'vewe'vegrownthebestyearsintheworldonlookthey'vehadtomovetheoystergrowingoperationsinWashingtonstatebecauseofacidicoceanconditionscausedbycarbondioxide.SoIhavethreekidsthreegrandchildrenIlovetakingthemdowntothebeachandIhatethethoughtofthemturningoverrockssomedayandnothingbeingthere.NosalmonnowastersnoforusrightnowthewindowrightbehindyouandIlookouthereIcanseeashontheonthecarroofsbecauseoftheforestfiresarenowdevastatingmystate.Andthereasonthey'redevastatingmystateisthatthecombinedforcesofdroughtandheatandwindandbeetlekillwhichisinpartprecipitatedbybythefactthatourwintersarenotcoldenoughtokillthelarvaduringthewintercycle.They'redevastatingmyforces.SoI'm66yearsofage.I'velivedhereprettymuchmywholelife.[00:35:13][crosstalk]Inslee:[00:35:21]I'veneverseenthis.SothishasneverhappenedinmylifetimeinSeattleWashingtontobehaveashowerofash.Youwenttoaweddingyesterdaysaiditwasabrilliantsunsetasapopapocalypticbecauseitwassoorangethroughtheyesthroughthesmoke.SoweareseeninrealtimeaslowmotiondisastermoviethatwearenowlivingthroughthatisnothypotheticalandwehaveaclimatedenierintheWhiteHouse.SoIamverypassionateaboutthissubjectandIthinkrightfullyso.AndthebeautyofthisandIthinkthereisanunderlyingbeautytothisisthatwehaveIbelieveoneofthegreatesteconomicpossibilitiestheUnitedStateshaseverhadandcertainlymystate.Wearegrowingjobslikecrazy.Inmystatebecausewe'veembracedthecleanenergyeconomy.CNBCjustlistedmineasthebeststatetodobusinessinthewholeUnitedStateswe'vecreated340000jobswe'vehaddoubletheGDPthenationalaverageinpartbecausewefocusedoncleanenergyjobcreation.Wemakecarbonforelectriccarswemakesolarpanelswemaketheheartofsolarpanelswemakesoftwaretointegraterenewableenergy.We'rebeatingaproblemintoplowsharesifyouwillbycreatingjobsaroundthischallenge.SoitisbothamoralresponsibilityitisapersonalpassionthatIhaveyou'renotgoingtocomeintomystateanddamagemystatewheremygrandkidslivewithoutafight.That's

Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 14

howIfeelaboutthis.Andthirdit'sjustatremendouseconomicopportunityformystate.AndIwroteaboutthissevenyearsagoreadabookaboutthatonlyandIreadbutitwasjustit'sbeenproventobeaccuratebecausewe'recreatingsomanyjobsaroundthissubjectdoyou.Axelrod:[00:37:11]YoumentionclimatedenierintheWhiteHousewhatabouttheEPAandScottPruittandsomeofthestepsthathe'stakentherehavetheyimpactedonyourstate.Inslee:[00:37:25]WellIwouldn'tsayyetbuthecertainlyhassaidwarningsignswherehe'sessentiallyatonetimeoranotherreducetheabilitytohaveaccesstoscientificinformationthattaxpayerspaidforbytheway.Seemstomeiftaxpayerspayforitweshouldhaveaccesstoclimatescienceavailabletous.HehasclearlyyouknowrolledbacktheObamaadministrationrulesthecleanenergyruletoreducecarbonfromcoal.HehasI'msurepartoftheCOBOLthatrefusetojoininthewholerestofthenationofthenationsoftheworldinParistocommittoaction.Hecertainlyhasnothelpedinanyway.SoIcan'tthinkofapositivethingtosaythatthattheEPAhasdonetohelpinthisregardandpullingoutofthisParisagreementyoucouldn'tthinkofanythingmoresortofbackwardleaningandIcan'tthinkofsortofamoreun-Americanthing.We'vealwaysledtheworld.Weleadtheworldagainstfascismandcommunism.Thewholeworldhaslookedtousforleadershipasthelastbastionofliberty.We'veledtheworldinscientificachievement.We'reoneofthemosteconomicallyrichcountriesintheworldandyettobeattheverybackthecaboosenotevenonthecabooseoftheInternationalTrainisaninternationalembarrassmentandanenvironmentaldisasterinthemakingifwedon'treversethiscourse.SoIbelieveallofushastobededicatedtothisasI'veindicatedmysteedisandwe'vehadsomegreatsuccessesandIintendtocontinuethat.AndeverytimeastatehassuccessotherstatesbecomealittlemoreemboldenedtodogoodthingsAxelrod:[00:39:06]DoyouthinkthatthemovementthattheParisAgreementreflectedcanbereversed.Ordoyouthinkthatthere'senoughmomentumgloballyforthisandalsodoyouthinkitseemsasifChinaandothercountriesaregoingtostepinthebreachhereifAmericasurrenders.Inslee:[00:39:24]WellthegoodnewsisandIthinkthisisverytelling.Therewasn'tasinglecountrythatranupthewhiteflagofsurrenderwithDonaldTrumptoclimatechange.Theyallreaffirmedtheircommitmentwithinprobablyeighthoursofthepresidentgoingsouthonthis.Sothat'sthegoodnews.Butwe'relosinganeconomicopportunity.LookChinaissteppinginthegapthereBill.Youknowsolartechnologieslikecrazythey'reestablishingrelationshipswithbusinessesaroundtheworlddoingthis.Sowedon'twanttotakeabackseatinwhatwillbethelargesteconomictransitionsincethetransitionfromthesteamenginetotheinternalcombustionengine.AndwhentherearetransitionslikethatAmericashouldleadnotfollowandweshouldseizetheseeconomicopportunities.Thiswasbuiltforus.ThischallengewasmadeforAmericabecauseAmericansblossomand

Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 15

thrivewhenweexhibitoptimismandinnovationinentrepreneurialtalent.Sothisisakindofproblemthatisinourwheelhouse.ItwasdesignedforAmericanstosolveifwehavetherightmessageandleadershipandhopewegetitsoon.Axelrod:[00:40:33]We'regoingtotakeanothershortbreakandwe'llbebackwithGovernorJayInsleeanotherissuethat'scometotheforeandyoumentioneditearlierisDACAandwhatwedoabouttheseyoungpeoplewhoarethechildrenofundocumentedimmigrantsandthroughnofaultoftheirownnowfindthemselvesinthisnoman'slandandunderthreatofbeingreturnedtocountriestheyneverknewbecauseofthedecisionoftheadministrationandtheObamaorder.WhatisthewhataretheimplicationsofthatdecisionandhowlikelydoyouthinkitisthatCongresswillinfactstepinanddealwiththisproblem.Inslee:[00:41:28]WellIthinktheinjusticetheinnateinhumanitythelackofempathyshownbythepresidentinthiscasespeaksforitself.It'sdifficulttothinkofhowitis.Thepresidenthasbeenwhereessentiallyweofferedthesedreamersanopportunitythatifyoustepforwardandshareyournameandyouraddressandsayyou'regoingtogotoschoolandkeepyournosecleanandwe'llmakesureyoucontinuebuildingtheAmericandreamhereandthentopulltherugoutfromunderthem.AfterUncleSamhastoldhimthey'regoingtodothattheinjusticeofthatispalpable.AndinthehumaneyeI'vehadthisexperiencebecauseweworkedforyearstopassourversionoftheDreamActinWashingtonstate.AndthiswasabillthatwouldgivethesedreamersfinancialaidlikepeoplewhoareborninWashingtonstateandweworkedforyearsontheUSandtheRepublicanswerenothelpfulforsomeperiodoftime.ButthenwehadseveralhundredofthesedreamerscomedownOlympiaandreallytalktolegislatorsandIwouldn'tsomeofthosemeetingswhentheseyoungpeoplelookatyouintheeyeandyouseethesparkofambition.Yes.AndtheirfutureissomethingsomethingshinesinyourheartifyouhaveonesayI'vegottohelpthispersonandIsawthat.Sowepassedonabipartisanbasis.Ourdreamactsotheycanmakesurethattheygetfinancialaidthatisnowthreatenedbecausethepresidentwantstotakethatrightawayfromthem.NASCARwithnowsothereisabasicinjustice.ButIwanttoansweryourquestiontoo.It'salsoincrediblydumbeconomically.HadbreakfastjustforacamehereandIfelttheHowardBiharcameuphisformerCEOofStarbucks.HesaysWhatcanIdotostopthis.Thisiscrazy.Ihavefivekidsworkingforkidsover3020yearoldswhoaredoinggreatworkformycompanyandnowtheycan'tcontinuework.Thisisreallystupid.Axelrod:[00:43:21]Andthat'sbeenaverywidespreadreactionfromthebusinesscommunity.Inslee:[00:43:25]Right.Soeconomicallyit'samistakeitreducesGDP.It'sinjest.NowthequestioniswillCongressactuallyact.Idon'tknow.Ijustdon'tknowtheanswertothat.

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Axelrod:[00:43:36]YouknowSpeakerRyanputoutastatementtodaythatseemedthatthaturgedaction.Thepresidenthimselfyouknowhe'snotshyaboutappearinginfrontofcamerasbuthesenttheattorneygeneralouttoannouncethisdecisionandthenfollowupwithastatementurgingCongresstodosomethingforthesekids.Thequestioniscanthathappen.Andtheotherquestionisistherelegalrecourse.Nowyourattorneygeneralinthestatehassaidthathe'sgoingtosue.You'reyou'realawyer.Doyoufeelliketherearegroundshere.Inslee:[00:44:16]IthinktheremaybegroundsonthelackofproceduralcompliancewithchangingtheexecutiveorderbutIdon'thavethefullbriefingonthatyet.Iurgeourattorneygeneraltobringalegalactionifwehavegroundstodoso.He'sindicatedhewantstogointhatdirectionandwhetherornotthat'ssuccessfulweneedCongresstoact.ButbythewayIcan'thelpbutcommentonthatontheCowardlyLionwhowouldn'tstandupthereatamicrophonewhosaidhewantedtohaveagreatheart.Thatwashislanguagethathehadgreatheartforthesedreamersandwhenstanduptoatleaststandupforwhathe'sdonetothesepoorkids.That'sdisgracefulfromthetweeterinchieftonotbewillingtostandupthereandtellAmericanswhathe'sdoingtothemisjustismorallyoffensivetomeandhiscynicismonthisbecausehewantstotellhisbaselookIgotridofthedreamersuntilthedreamersthatI'mtakingcareofyoubecauseIhelpyouknowI'llletCongresstakecareofyoucan'tthinkyouwinaNobelPrizeforcynicismonthisthing.Sowe'llsee.Axelrod:[00:45:16]Youdon'tseeitjustfelthewasoverexposedandwantedtogiveotherpeopleachance.Inslee:[00:45:20]Wellthereiscouldbearagingattackofhumilitythatit'sliketheZikavirusorsomethingbutprobablynot.Axelrod:[00:45:28]Andwhatdoyouthinkthere'llbeanorganizedeffortonthepartofgovernorstotrytoimpactonthat.Inslee:[00:45:36]Yesitalreadyhas.I'veworkedwithsomeothergovernorswe'vewrittenlettersinthisregard.Iwasonapresscallnationalpresscorpsherelastweekwithabunchofourcolleagueswe'regoingtodoallwecanandwe'llhopethatyouknowCongresswillactbutyoucanbeassuredthatCongresswill.TheRepublicanswilltrytoblackmaildreamersbyholdingthemhostagetothetaxratesorthewallorsomeotherthing.Youcanbeconfidenttheywillmakethateffort.That'snotacceptablethesepeople'sdreamsshouldnotbeIhaveananchortiedaroundtheirneckswiththattypeofpoliticking.SoIhopethatthat'snotthecase.Axelrod:[00:46:11]YouvotedfortheAffordableCareAct.Doyou.Andnowwearewhereweare.Congresshasrejectedtherepealandreplacemovefornow.Andyouhaveasituationwherethesehealthcareexchangeshavebeenjeopardizedbyadministration

Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 17

policy.HowseriousaproblemhasthatbeenhereinWashingtonandwhatapanelPattyMurrayisworkingonthis.WhatdoyouneedtoseehappentosustainyourExchange.Inslee:[00:46:48]BeforeIanswerthatIdowanttosaysomething.Iwanttothankthetwogreatleadersthathelpthismassivestepforwardforhealthcareofthepeopleinmystatethat'sBarackObamaandDavidAxelrod.Iwanttothankyouwhichyoudidonthisbill.YouallrememberthisbutwhenourcaucuswaswaveringonthiswhenScottBrownwontheSenateraceyoucameandhelpedusrighttheshiptomakesurepeoplewouldhavethecouragetogetthisdone.Iwanttothankyouforyourefforts.Axelrod:[00:47:13]MyrecollectionwasIcameandgotmybuttkicked.Peoplewhowereveryanxious.Inslee:[00:47:17]Itwasveryuseful.Axelrod:[00:47:19]IplayedaverysmallrolebutIdidn'thavetocastcourageousvotessoInslee:[00:47:23]ButIsaythatbecausepeopledoforgetallofthepeoplewhoarenotinelectedofficewhoarepivotaltothesuccessandyouplayedthatyoudidplayanimportantroleinthis.Iwanttothankyouforthat.Axelrod:[00:47:33]SoyouIrememberthepeoplewhoaren'tinelectiveofficetodaybecauseourBecausetheycutbecauseoftheirvotes.Inslee:[00:47:38]Andtherearemanyofthemunfortunately.Soinanswertowhatisitwhatdoesitmeaninmystate.Thishasbeensupremelysuccessfulinmystate.750000peoplewithinsurancecutyouruninsuredratecutherinsuranceratesbyalmosttwothirdsactually.Anditiscutthethisisthestorythat'snottoldit'scutthemedicalinflationrateprobablyinhalfbecauseofthecostofthisiswhat'sbeenmakingthisinaccessibletomanypeoplewe'veactuallycutthemedicalinflationratebyacombinationofusingpreventativecareandintegratingmentalandphysicalhealthandbyinvalueratherthanvolumewe'redoingallthosethings.We'vereallyhadthereformsthatwereembeddedinthisallthingsthatwereenhancedbyObamacaresowe'vehadgreatgreatsuccessonthis.We'vehadlessproblemswithfragilityandinstabilityinthemarketthansomeotherstatesinpartbecausewe'vedonethesefranklysmartthingswhichhavereducedtherateofmedicalinflationsothat'smadeourinstability.Axelrod:[00:48:36]IstruethatitisworkedbetterinthestateswherethestateswereinvestedInslee:[00:48:41]Soit'snotsurprisingthatyouactuallylikeyourcarandyouwanttokeepairinthetiresthatitwill.Itwilldrivebetter.Andthat'sbeenthecase.

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Inslee:[00:48:49]Thestatesthathaveembraced[crosstalk]Wellthathelpsyourmileagebytheway.Axelrod:[00:48:57]OK.Inslee:[00:48:58]Soit'snotasurprisethatstateshavebeenreallypositiveaboutthishavehadsuccessandwehavenowwestillhavebecausethepresidentinDecembertheCongresshasthreatenedthesubsidizationofthemarketthathascreatedinstability.I'mhopefulthatwithPattyMurray'sleadershipinAlexander'swecangetsomemorestabilityinthatmarket.Ithinkthatwillhelp.WedidthatatonetimewhenCountywasjeopardized.OurgreatworkbyMikeKreidlerstabilizedthatourcountiesnowhavesomecoverage.ButIthinkbasicallytohaveabipartisanefforttogivemorestabilitytothatsubsidizationprogramthatwillhelpsomeofthestatesthathavehadbadlessbeneficialcomesthanwehave.Butlookthismeansthatwecancontinuethisballrolling.We'renotdonewithhealthcareyet.There'sstillthingstolookatpublicoptionsabilitytobuyintoyouknowMedicaresomelikethere'sstillthingswecandoonhealthcarewe'renotdone.Butyoucan'toverstatethere'sbeen.Thinkaboutit.Sixtythousandpeopleinmystatewhohavehadtreatmentfortheircancerbecauseofthisbill.Andithasbeenaearthshakingdevelopmentintheprivatelivesofhundredsofthousandsofpeopleinmystate.Axelrod:[00:50:15]Ican'tIcan'tletyougowithoutmentioningthefactthatinadditiontothesmellofashasIwalkedthestreetsofSeattletherewasthetherewastheunmistakablesmellofweed,marijuana.NowpartlytherewasamusicfestivalintownthisweekendandsoII'msuretherewassomeassociationwiththat.ButyouknowWashingtonhastakenastandonthisonlegalization.Howisthatworkingout.Inslee:[00:50:50]Thegoodnewsisthereisnoevidencethatasmolderingroachstartedanyoftheseforestfiressothat'sgoodnewswehaven'thadthatproblem.Ithinktheevidencehasbeenthatisthathasnotexperiencedsomeofthedownsidesthatpeoplewereconcernedabout.Themostrecent.Axelrod:[00:51:07]Wereyouasupporterofthis.Inslee:[00:51:08]NoIdidnotsupportit.Ihadsomeconcernsaboutyouthfuluse.Wasthatgoingtoincreaseyouthfuluseofmarijuana.Areportcameoutjusttwodaysagothatsaidtherehasbeennoevidencethattherehasbeenanincreaseyouthforuseofmarijuanainaprettysophisticatedinstrumenttryingtofigurethatout.Sothat'sgoodnews.We'vehadnonomarketcriminalityassociatedwiththemarket.We'vehadaverywellregulatedmarketforfromaconsumerstandpointtomakesurepeoplegetasafeyouknowaqualityproductifyouwillthat'sbeenverysuccessfulevenintheabsenceofFDAhelpgeneraterevenuesinthehundredsofmillionsofdollarstohelpthestatebudgetincludingourschoolsinthestateofColoradoIthinkIthinkthatthat'strue.Sofromallsortofobjectivemeasuresthattheconcernsofthoseincludingmyselfhavenotcometopassanditisbeing

Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 19

usedonalegalbasis.SoIwouldsharethatexperience.We'veofferedtosharethatwiththeattorneygeneralsessionsonmultipleoccasionsandaskedtomeetwithhimtotalkwithhimaboutthis.Tojusttellhimwhat'shappened.Hehasnotagreedwiththathesentusaletterthathadthisinformationfromthefromyouknowthe1930sinitjustdisclosedthathereallyhadnotlookedatthemostrecentinformationaboutthisandifhewillandtheadministrationwillstoplookingatthisfromanideologicallensandjustobjectivelyassesswhathasgoneonIthinktheywouldconcludethatthishasreducedtheloadonlawenforcement.Ithasnotincreasedyouthfulusageandtosomedegreethisistosomedegreelookatthisasafreedomissueofpeoplenowareenjoyingwhattheyexperiencenow.Sowehopethattheadministrationwillnottakethisonasanotherwarandthey'lllookattheobjectiveevidenceonthis.Axelrod:[00:53:01]Imeanhaveyouseenevidencethattheyaregoingtodothat.There'sbeensomesaberrattlingaboutitbut.Inslee:[00:53:08]There'sbeenalotofsaberrattlingfromthispresidentthathasnotcometopass.Wehopethiswilljustbeonemoreevidenceofthat.Ithinkthere'ssomereasontobeoptimisticthatthiswillnotbeturnedintoapoliticalwar.Imayalsonotethatlookthisisthewaythetidesofhistoryaremoving.Andoneofthereallyinterestingthingstomeishowfasttheculturecanchangesoovernight.Marriageequalitywentfromsomethingthatyouknowfiveyearsagoislookedatveryaskanceittosomedegreeinmystatetosomethingthat'stotallyacceptedthatistodayanon-issueinmystatewhatwasacrimemarijuanausageyouknowfiveyearsagoandwehadenormouslawenforcementresourcesdedicatedtoitisnowprettymuchanon.There'ssomejokesaboutitbutthere'sreallynomeaningfulefforttoallthis.Axelrod:[00:54:02]Andislawenforcement.Doyouhearfromlawenforcementonthis.Inslee:[00:54:06]NoIreallydon't.Ireallydonot.Ijusthavenotheardthisasanissueinpartbecauseit'sapriorityissue.Lookwe'vegotwegotproblemswithhomicidesandresidentialburglariesand.Andnot.Axelrod:[00:54:19]WhatImeant.Dotheyfeel.Haveyouheardanythingpositiveaboutbeingrelievedofthatburden.Inslee:[00:54:25]Marginally.ImeanwhatIwoulddescribeitasmostlyasanonevent.AndIthinkwhatIwouldIwouldsayisthattheadministrationhaslookedattidesofhistoryaremovingtowardsmoreequalitymoreopenness.Youarenowonthewrongsideofthetidesofhistorybybanningtransgenderedpeoplefromthemilitary.Thatisabackwardsapproachandyouareonthewrongsideofhistoryifyouwanttogobackandtrytoputmarijuanabackinthisverbotenbottleandmakeitacrimeagain.You'rejustonthewrongsideofhistory.Thecultureinthecommunityismovinginthesedirectionsandinmystatetheyhavebeensuccessfulonbothofthoseregards.AndIwehaven'ttalked

Ep. # 171 – Gov. Inslee 20

aboutthisandyouknowweareaverywelcomingstatewe'rewelcomingpeopleofwhatevergenderwhateverorientationwewelcomerefugees.That'swhyIrandowntheairportwhenIheardthatthepresidentwasgoingtobarrefugeesandwenttoSea-Tacrightaway.I'mproudthatourstatewasoneofthefirstifnotthefirsttowininLAinalawsuitagainstthisadministration.ANdIthinkit'sjustanotherindicationthatthey'regoingthewrongwayregarding.Axelrod:[00:55:35]Hastheopioidissueimpactedonyou.Inslee:[00:55:37]Yesitisatragedy.Itisomnipresent.Itisthroughoutalleconomicandgeographicareasinmystate.Iknowpeoplepersonallyayoungmanfrommyneighborhood.Ijustheardafewdaysagolosthislifetoopioidexposure.Soitissomethingthattouchesallofourfamiliesandwehaveafairlyvigorousanissueofourstate.Istartedabouteightmonthsagowhichcombinesareallygoodeducationalprogramforphysicianstotrytopreventfolkswhoenduptakingthesethingsthatreallymatters.Allright.Wellthere'sbeenalargeoverprescriptionproblem.We'redoingmuchbetteronthatbutwe'realsodoingabetterjobhelpingourmedicalcommunitybemoresuccessfulintreatingopiateaddictionwhenitdoessinkitsteethintopeopleandwehaveahotlinewe'veestablished.We'redoingsomegoodthings.Wehaveadrugtakebackprogramwherewe'retryingtogetthesethesepainkillersoutofGrandmaandGrandpa'sshelveswherekidsgetaccesstothemandtheyenduponthestreet.We'retryingtogetthoseturnedbacktolawenforcementsothere'snottoomanyopioidsoutonthestreet.Butobviouslywe'renotwinningthisbattleatthemoment.Axelrod:[00:56:50]Yeah.Inslee:[00:56:51]Itisahugehuge[crosstalk]we'renotaloneunfortunately.Axelrod:[00:56:57]IwouldberemissifIletyougowithoutaskingyouthequestionIguesseveryDemocrathastoanswerwhichisabout2020Ioftensaythatit'seasiertoputalisttogetherofDemocratswhoaren'tthinkingofrunningforpresidentthantoputtogetheralistofDemocratswhoarebecauseit'ssolengthybutyournamehassurfacedandit'ssurfaceforavarietyofreasonsoneistherecordthatyou'veamassedhereinWashingtonyourleadershiponthisclimatechangeissueandthefactthatgovernorstraditionallyhavebeenawellspringofcandidaciesforpresidentbecauseit'sanexecutiveofficeandit'sapreparationforanexecutiveofficesohavingwithallofthatwhatsayyou.Inslee:[00:57:48]It'sjusttooearlytothinkaboutthis.AndwhatIthoughtaboutitiswedoneedacandidatewhowillmakeclimatechangefrontandcenterafoundationalpriorityfortheUnitedStates.IdobelievethatIdoknowthat.Butit'sjusttooearlytothinkabout.Axelrod:[00:58:04]Andiftherewerenosuchifyoudidn'tseethatkindofcandidacywhatthatprovokeyoutothinkmoreseriouslyaboutit.

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Inslee:[00:58:11]Iamawell-disciplinedpersonwhodoesnotanswerthosekindofquestionsfrominsightfulChicagoans.Axelrod:[00:58:18]That'sthefirstlessonIguessofpresidentialpolitics.Istheissophisticatedevasiontactics.Inslee:[00:58:26]Thereyougo.Axelrod:[00:58:27]Soyou'reonyourwayGovernorJayInslee.It'sbeengreattobewithyou.Thankyouso.[00:58:37]ThankyouforlisteningtoTheAxeFilespartoftheCNNPodcastNetworkformoreepisodesofTheAxeFilesvisitCNN.comslashpodcastandsubscribeoniTunesstitcheroryourfavoriteapp.AndformoreprogrammingfromtheUniversityofChicagoInstituteofPoliticsvisitpolitics.uchicago.rdu.