Washington’s 2025 Legislature convenes
Legislators, staff and visitors gather in the Capitol rotunda as the session begins. — Photo by Colette Weeks
Jan. 13, 2025 — It was a cold, gray but dry Monday for the opening of Washington's 2025 legislative session. Inside the Statehouse, the buzz grew over the morning as lawmakers, officials, staff, journalists, activists, families and others walked the halls, climbed the marble steps and began to fill seats in the House and Senate chambers.
News crews gather in the Capitol. — Photo by Colette Weeks
The atmosphere was a combination of a welcome and a celebration that will culminate in the inaugural ball Wednesday evening. Laughter was heard as well as the sounds of serious conversation. The work doesn't wait for the party. Bills were already being filed. Media interviews were taking place in the hallowed halls. Plans were being made.
Jay Inslee, who has been governor for 12 years, is scheduled to give his State of the State address Tuesday, then pass the baton to former Attorney General Bob Ferguson at noon Wednesday. Then comes the ball.
Until those ceremonies are complete, parking on the Capitol campus is restricted, so it may not be the best time for a tour. It's ultimately a sight worth seeing. In the meantime, here are some photos that captured just a handful of scenes Monday morning. One of them is the beautiful light fixture hanging from the top of the dome into the rotunda. At the Washington Coalition for Open Government, we have a thing about light. We like it a lot, particularly the metaphorical kind that helps ensure the people of Washington have a clear view of how they are being governed.
Chandelier in the rotunda. — Photo by Colette Weeks
The lights burned warm and gentle inside the Capitol on Monday, save for a couple bright strobes needed for the television media. It was lovely and amazingly cozy despite what seemed like miles of polished marble floor.
We are happy to see so many Washington residents walking through the Statehouse, admiring its beauty and absorbing its history and role in our lives. It happens every year — this massive return of people and rush to create a huge amount of change in 105 days. Those days will have lasting impacts.
We extend our best wishes to the many fine folks doing the people's work through elected and appointed positions and to the almost 8 million Washington residents they serve.
— Colette Weeks, Deputy Director
