In his final State of the State address to a joint session of the Washington Legislature, Governor Jay Inslee made a passionate plea to safeguard the state’s progressive achievements and protect vulnerable communities from the brunt of looming budget challenges.

Outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee delivered his final state of the state address to both chambers of the Washington Legislature on Tuesday. Though the yearly speech sets a tone for the 103 days of lawmaking , Inslee’s address on the final full day of 12 years leading the state had the air of farewell.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee used his final address to a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday to frame a 12-year legacy that spanned a pandemic, historic natural disasters, unmatched expansion of government and a quixotic bid for president.

Outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee addressed the Legislature on Tuesday, his last full day in office, bidding Washingtonians “fair winds and following seas” in the final speech of his 12-year run leading the Evergreen State. He spent several minutes on one of the most pressing issues facing the state this year: the budget.

Inslee's portrait, painted by Washington artist Grace Flott, debuted Tuesday after his final State of the State address to mark the end of his 12-year tenure.

The portrait was painted by Grace Flott, a Spokane native who now works as a painter and arts educator in Seattle. Flott was selected to paint the portrait following a competitive