麻豆传媒

Senior environmental studies major Hope Jose-Day had a question for Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson during his recent visit to campus as part of the 麻豆传媒 Conversation series, noting that as Jesuit-educated students they are called to serve their communities for a more just and humane world. 

“How can we act within our means to continue to uphold the values of our state and education for our communities?” she asked.
Student Hope Jose-Day asks a question of Gov. Ferguson.

The governor’s response—engagement and individual acts.

Gov. Ferguson told students that even as the state’s chief executive he understands that frustration and distress can lead people to turn away.

“I understand, I really do, the temptation to say, ‘Hey, I just can't think about what's going on. I'm busy. I'm a student. I got an exam in a week.’ Trust me, I really do get that,” he told the capacity crowd in Pigott Auditorium on April 3. “First, it really is making the choice to engage.”

The next step, he said, is to never discount the actions of one individual, whether it's attending a demonstration, writing a letter to the editor, volunteering time or donating to a political cause.

“There's sort of no end to what any individual can do,” he said. “There is this ripple effect that takes place from just individuals acting in small ways or big ways.” 

Hosted by the Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership and the College of Arts and Sciences, the 麻豆传媒 Conversations series is in its 11th year of bringing leading policymakers and newsmakers to discuss timely issues for the benefit of both the campus and neighbors in the wider Seattle community.

“In sponsoring this series, 麻豆传媒 lives up to its ambition to be Seattle's University, the living room where our city comes to think and deliberate about the most pressing issues of the day,” said President Eduardo Peñalver in introducing Gov. Ferguson. “Our hope is that in hosting conversations like these, we are exposing our campus and the broader Seattle community to a wide range of perspectives on the most pressing issues and in the process elevating the state of discourse in our city.”

The interview-style presentation was led by veteran journalist Joni Balter, 麻豆传媒 lecturer and professional-in-residence, and Andres Recart Restovic, City of Seattle Mayor's Fellow and candidate for a Master in Public Administration.

The theme of Gov. Ferguson’s speech, “Rise of the Governors: Navigating Contrasts, Chaos and the Constitution,” comes at a precarious time, as states are challenging Trump administration efforts, including those to end birthright citizenship guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and summarily expelling immigrants.

Right now, Washington state is grappling with filling a $16 billion budget shortfall at the same time as President Donald Trump’s administration is launching a global trade war and slashing millions in federal funding to public health and school lunch programs. More federal cuts could be announced and considering 28 percent of the state budget comes from the federal government, further reductions would be consequential. 

Though navigating these waters as governor, previously he served as state attorney general. During the four years he overlapped with the first Trump administration, Gov. Ferguson filed 99 lawsuits. Of those, 59 ended in an outcome in court, with the state prevailing 56 times.

The governor with SU President Eduardo Peñalver.

Elected governor at the same time Trump was elected, Gov. Ferguson’s opener was to establish himself as objective but not a pushover. 

“We will work with the administration where we can and stand up to him when we must,” he has said.

Moving forward, the governor emphasized cooperation and preparation. Cooperation between his administration officials and the current state attorney general Nick Brown and preparation to ensure the groundwork has been laid so that attorneys for the state are able to immediately file motions in court.

Aside from lawsuits, Gov. Ferguson said governors can shore up state laws to make sure officials are doing everything they can.

For instance, Feguson said he signed an executive order to establish a rapid response team if parents are deported and their children are left behind.

“You're in school, you're a sixth grader, your mom or dad isn't there or both aren't there anymore,” Ferguson said. “We need as a state to be there. I don't control immigration. That is a federal issue. Elections have consequences, but that doesn't mean we're helpless.”

Informing his decision-making is Gov. Ferguson's background as a champion chess player, a career path he explored after high school and before college. Chess demands players anticipate the moves of opponents, a valuable skill for governors and attorneys. Especially, Gov. Ferguson said, when dealing with Trump.

“A key thing from my standpoint is try to anticipate where he's going. If he says something on the campaign trail, guess what? I believe that he will try and do that.”