Inslee: 'Federal gov't needs to stand aside and let us move forward'
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SEATTLE -- Jay Inslee has been the governor-elect for only five days, but he's ready for a showdown with the feds on the state's new marijuana law.
Wednesday, he announced some members of his transition team, and he intends to hit the ground running when he takes office.
On the subject of marijuana, he says almost defiantly, "the voters of Washington have spoken."
"This is not a decision that will jeopardize national security, it is not a decision that will jeopardize national interstate commerce," Inslee said. "It is a local neighborhood decision made in our neighborhoods. We've made it, so now we need the federal government to stand aside and let us move forward."
And if they don't?
"Well, hopefully that's not going to happen. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," he said.
I asked him about our Problem Solvers investigation that pointed out structural issues with the pontoons on the new 520 bridge. Inslee says he's paying attention.
"What I know largely, frankly, is what you've reported on, and I've been following that in the press reports," Inslee said. "In January, when I take the reins, I'll make sure we have a very systemic review to make sure they have long-term structural integrity."
In the next four years, there will be tough decisions, and certainly times of doubt. But right now, Inslee thinks Washington needs a dose of positivity, and he's already delivering that.
"I want to hew to the Washington spirit, which is unrelenting optimism, unrelenting innovation, and a thirst to entrepreneurship. That's who we are in this state," he said. "These are the kind of times sometimes where you can actually rock 'n roll and cause change. And I want to be a change agent."
Inslee says he's already called up 2/3 of the state legislature -- both Democrats and Republicans -- and asked them for input, ideas, and recommendations for his staff.
And his message to the 49 percent of Washington voters who didn't vote for him? He says he'll be looking for their ideas and, sometimes, even their criticisms.
Wednesday, he announced some members of his transition team, and he intends to hit the ground running when he takes office.
On the subject of marijuana, he says almost defiantly, "the voters of Washington have spoken."
"This is not a decision that will jeopardize national security, it is not a decision that will jeopardize national interstate commerce," Inslee said. "It is a local neighborhood decision made in our neighborhoods. We've made it, so now we need the federal government to stand aside and let us move forward."
And if they don't?
"Well, hopefully that's not going to happen. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," he said.
I asked him about our Problem Solvers investigation that pointed out structural issues with the pontoons on the new 520 bridge. Inslee says he's paying attention.
"What I know largely, frankly, is what you've reported on, and I've been following that in the press reports," Inslee said. "In January, when I take the reins, I'll make sure we have a very systemic review to make sure they have long-term structural integrity."
In the next four years, there will be tough decisions, and certainly times of doubt. But right now, Inslee thinks Washington needs a dose of positivity, and he's already delivering that.
"I want to hew to the Washington spirit, which is unrelenting optimism, unrelenting innovation, and a thirst to entrepreneurship. That's who we are in this state," he said. "These are the kind of times sometimes where you can actually rock 'n roll and cause change. And I want to be a change agent."
Inslee says he's already called up 2/3 of the state legislature -- both Democrats and Republicans -- and asked them for input, ideas, and recommendations for his staff.
And his message to the 49 percent of Washington voters who didn't vote for him? He says he'll be looking for their ideas and, sometimes, even their criticisms.
Jay? were you not back in DC? Did you not learn that you have to change the law from the top down? What were you doing back there if you didn't understand the basics of civics? That's why I didn't vote for you Bud.
 @Phareis Actually, it's been tried, several times in fact. The DEA refused to even listen, even after recommendations from their own administrative judge. You cant work with someone that wont even hear you speaking......My hope is that now maybe someone will start listening.
@Susabelle @Phareis The DEA....what a joke. Like they are ever under any circumstances going to take a position that goes against their own professional career interests. The wave of legalization has begun, and will continue in every election cycle. What are the Feds going to do in 5-10 years when a dozen or so states have voted to legalize? Declare war on the states?
 @Superman_1967  @Susabelle  @Phareis I'm hoping it wont take that long to come to their senses.........but hey......it's been 4 decades since it was labeled a Class 1 drug.......maybe I'm over optimistic.......
I think pot needs to be reclassified into the same category as booze. This would make it easier to legalize it at the federal level. I'd rather see the DEA funds spent in a more beneficial way. Concentrate on drugs coming into the country and heroin and meth. Let's keep pot Made in the USA.
No, I don't smoke it but the majority voted for it so let's try to do it right.Â
 @Darn it! Dream on. Too much money is being made by special interest groups that lobby to keep prohibition in place. We need a federal initiative that the voters woll have the right to determine if its time to end prohibition, because congress will never deal with it
 @Blindman Never say never! I think they are going to have to start dealing with it. Even if that means ignoring what we are doing here and in Colorado.
Thanks god the RINO McKenna didn't win. He was asked in Yakima about 502 and he said that if it passed he would work with the legislature to try and "table it" permanently. Nice to have a Governor who respects the will of the people all the time, instead of when it suits him. Remember, always say NO to RINOs. Â
@NorthwestEconomist respects the will of the people...... we just had 8 years of Gregliar ignoring the will of the people....do you honestly think Inslee is going to be different??  ..YOU ARE AN IDIOT
 @NorthwestEconomist Boy that RINO spiel is getting really old.
@Gino @NorthwestEconomist - "Boy that RINO spiel is getting really old."Â Â So's all the over the top hate comments about Obama, but I don't see that going away anytime soon either.
 @FormerMarineSgt    If I spew over the top hate comments about Obama I fully expect to be called out on it but that's not going to happen. Unless, of course you call disagreeing with his policies as over the top hate comments.
 @Gino  @NorthwestEconomist Imagine how we feel about them.
 @Gino Gino! Been looking for you. Did you have enough tissues for last week?Â
 @NorthwestEconomist For?
I'm a republican at heart, but I'm impressed with this. It's called prioritizing. Use the feds where we need them, and have them back off where we don't. Like he said, this is not a national security issue. Washington state is a successful state compared to many and we continue to be leaders of innovation. Yet, judging by the votes to legalize, a vast population of Washingtonians smoke marijuana and manage to continue to be a part of the proven success of this state. Not saying we don't have problems. All states, countries, neighborhoods, households, etc have problems and financial issues. We are just more ahead of the game then many other states. Whether successful, wealthy, poor, homeless, or any other social and economical status, people smoke it. Believe it or not, there is no "profilable" population when it comes to smoking pot. And for the record...I'm NOT a pot smoker and never have been.
It's going to be a long 4 years. I truly can't believe the citizens of this state elected this idiot.
 @Willie69 Last night I heard Bill O'Riley say " The america we know is gone, the Cleaver family and the Beaver vanished with this election" May not be the exact words but you get the gist.
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This is what we would have had if Romney won and McKenna, 2 guys living in the 50s. That is fine,  we still have people like you to remind us why we voted Obama/ Enslee and want to move forward, not get stuck on " The Donna Reed Show".
@snoopy84 he is so right, the america we knew is gone, it is now a spanish speaking, illegal immigrant haven, thanks OBAMA
 @Willie69  @snoopy84 Not sure who is the bigger idiot, you or the moron right above me. It's a very close contest.
@Susabelle At least the Italian and Irish came here LEGALLY.
 @Willie69 You know I hear Lapland is really nice this time of year, and the only other race you have to deal with are reindeer, there's the door.......
@Susabelle @Willie69 @snoopy84 - it is indeed the age old arguement reborn. I too am getting tired of it. These days it's merely 'white male is no longer the supreme control of society, so we're going to throw hate-fits against anyone or anything that won't allow us to still be in control'....
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 @Willie69  @snoopy84 The only difference between these arguments and the ones against the Italian and Irish immigrants is we are now spewing forth the hate on a computer.......... Pick a new argument, this one really is old.
 @Willie69 You know instead of being the typical conservative, why not, take him up on his offer, give your input! The last I checked the Government is for the people by the people. Get involved and start helping to make Washington a great state again. We are willing to work with you are are willing to do so in return. If not there's the door...........(Move to Idaho, if you no longer like it here.)
@yentaleh, have you listened to him talk. He more than McKenna or Romney have set us back 50 years, it is time to down size government. We do not need a nanny state. He will be no different then the wicked witch was, he will force his BOOK on all of us until we can't stand it anymore.
 @yentaleh  @Willie69 Good response. I gave you a "like" but it did not show.
Tax the hell out of it. We (the state) need the money! Â Glad to hear it's legalized. The federal government should do the same. It's crazy to put people behind bars for possession of this. It's quite benign as far as drugs go. It either makes you hungry or horny. Alcohol does much more damage to lives than marijuana will ever do.Â
I don't agree with him on a lot of issues. On this one even though I am not a pot smoker and never will be. I agree with him this falls under the 9th and 10th Amendments to the constitution. this is states rights..
Hasn't even started yet and still messing things up. Give me a break.
 @bille57182 People complain about elected officials not doing the will of the people, and then when they finally get an elected official who does the will of the people, they complain about that, too.   Â
@bille57182 yeah how so what he said falls in to pure constitutional law and he is spot on.
 @bille57182 How is that, do tell please.
@usecommonsense Well for one thing he seems to be more worried about pot than getting to the real problems that are affecting this state.
 Seems to me that he is trying to downplay the issue of pot so that we can move on to bigger. Having feds involved in anything escalates an issue.Â
 @Surveyor1 Actually, he simply discussed something that was brought to his attention. It doesn't appear that he's worried about it at all. Try to keep things realistic, okay?Â
 @Surveyor1  @usecommonsense It's all about the taxes pot would bring into the state. Wouldn't that help some of our problems?
Let the games begin..............
HAHAHAHAHA!
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Inslee cracks me up.. a whole career stuff the feds down our throats.. NOW he wants the feds out of the way..... over POT!
HAHAHAHAHA!
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I'm so glad Inslee is prioritizing matters.
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OH so now you want the Feds to get out of the way so the States can move on. You have been part of the FED (DC) problem standing in the way for years, and now you want them to move. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Obumbler and the rest of the house on every EPA reg designed to slow the economy down. Ain't goina happen with this administration, they will continue to block at every opportunity.
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 @deadcandance At least it wasn't a close race that depended on bags o' ballots magically appearing like with Gargoyle.  The state of WA will surely get what it voted for.  I have a job making a good wage, I don't care but when the poorest of the state start feeling the pinch of higher taxes and less services due to tax and spend mentality, they'll not get any sympathy.
I know, doesn't democracy p i s s you off?
This guy really needs to see a hair stylist.Â
 @Chitownhawksfan He has...one to the rich and famous, you know Bill Gates and Donald Trump.
Hey and if you get extremely wealthy from MJ business, Dept of Revenue will waive your taxes! Go Go Go.Â
State can't even regulate themselves. Its stll the little guys supporting this State.
OK Jay. Tell the feds to get out of the way about dope and while you're at it tell them to get out of Arizona's way and let them deal with their immigration problem.
 @Gino Gino = retarded little girl
Their "immigration problem" solution was to violate certain group's civil rights. Of course the Feds should not stand by and allow that. In our 502 issue we GAVE rights to people, we did not attempt to restrict or strip them. Two different issues and two different appropriate ways of responding.
 @EMDF9A The only rights their solution violated were those that came across the border illegally.
 @Gino  @Susabelle  @EMDF9A How'd you get so far off topic? What exactly does Jay Inslee have to do with Arizona? I want him fighting for THIS state and OUR issues.
 @Susabelle  @EMDF9A If I am violating the law and I get pulled over, I expect to be asked for identification. If I cannot produce it, the police have every right to assume I am in this country illegally until I can prove otherwise. That's what Arizona is doing.
 @Gino  @EMDF9A So, do you think the police here should have the right to pull you over, anytime........let's say you are on your way to work running late to a meeting, and demand you show proof that you are a US Citizen because you look like you could be a Canadian National?