We should be proud of the progress we’ve made here in Washington. But we’re sure as heck not stopping now.

We know we can do big things, because we’ve done them before. Look, pundits said we’d never be able to pass a transportation package. But now, we have the greenest transportation package in state history. Insiders doubted we would be able to make huge investments in funding our schools. But we did — and now our children and grandchildren have all-day kindergarten, smaller class sizes, and more opportunity to start achieving early. They said we’d hurt business by raising the minimum wage, providing paid sick leave, and implementing the nation’s best paid family leave policy. Yet we were named the best state for business in the nation.

That’s why during my State of the State Address earlier this week, we committed to even bigger fights ahead — for our economy, for our schools, for our health, and for our climate.

During my speech, I reiterated a commitment that you and I know all too well: We must recognize that there is an existential threat to the health of our state, our children, and our jobs. It’s time to act, before the threat becomes our new reality. That threat is climate change.

If anyone can lead the country in the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it’s Washington state. We are creators, inventors, builders. Together, we can build the carbon-free future our grandchildren deserve. Washington is exactly the right state to lead the clean-energy economy. And that’s why it is time to join our West Coast neighbors and institute a price on carbon.

The global economy is moving towards a decarbonized, clean-energy future. Countries like China and India are acting. We must not fall behind in this race for clean energy. And by doing our part to take action right here in Washington state, we can confront a clear and present danger.

Change can be daunting, but America’s innovative spirit has overcome challenges before. The space race not only took man to the moon, but it spawned advances in science, medicine, and technology that catapulted our economy into the information age.

We are at the cusp of a similar opportunity. We will either stand up to save our planet and build the vibrant, innovative, and sustainable economy of the future; or we will shrink from the challenge, allow others to take the lead, and lose our ability to protect our communities and define our own fates.

Now is the time to come together, Democrats and Republicans, business and labor leaders, rural Washington and urban Washington, young and old, because we all have a stake in this fight. Let’s do this.

Thanks for sharing this post about an important speech.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee