Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver and longtime civic leader Doug Baldwin is raising concerns about Gov. Bob Ferguson's handling of clemency cases, saying th
Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver and longtime civic leader Doug Baldwin is raising concerns about Gov. Bob Ferguson's handling of clemency cases, saying the governor has repeatedly rejected recommendations from the state's Clemency and Pardons Board without adequately explaining why.
Baldwin, who was appointed to the board by former Gov. Jay Inslee in 2022, said serving on the panel has reinforced his belief that redemption is possible and that the state's justice system should recognize rehabilitation when it occurs. Baldwin said he believes Ferguson has been too quick to reject the board's recommendations.
"I would be lying to you if I said that wasn't frustrating. It's very frustrating.
" Baldwin said some of those recommendations were unanimous decisions by the five-member board after members reviewed case files, heard testimony, and evaluated evidence of rehabilitation. "You've got five people who have dedicated their lives to serving our community in this way," Baldwin said. "To trust them as a team to evaluate these cases and then have those recommendations denied without much explanation is difficult.
" Baldwin stopped short of criticizing Ferguson personally, repeatedly saying he wanted to approach the issue with humility. Still, he said the board deserves more communication from the governor's office.
"If there is a desire for him to build a better relationship with us and help us understand why he's denying our recommendations, that would be very helpful. " While Baldwin was sharply critical of Ferguson's approach to clemency, he offered a more nuanced view of the governor's tax policies.
Contrary to many business leaders who have opposed the state's proposed "millionaires tax," Baldwin said he generally supports the concept but argues that lawmakers, including Ferguson, have failed to adequately explain how the money will be used.
"I don't hear enough conversation about how we're spending our dollars," Baldwin said. "We need to have an open dialogue and a transparent and honest conversation about what we're spending our dollars on and how that is leading to outcomes that benefit the community. ", a tax originally created to target large technology companies. The surcharge applies to select advanced computing businesses with more than $25 billion in worldwide revenue.
Baldwin said unintended consequences from state tax policies can eventually ripple through the broader economy and affect affordability for everyday Washingtonians. Drawing on his experience as an investor and business owner, Baldwin argued that policymakers need more collaboration with the private sector before implementing major economic policies.
"I don't think there's enough communication and collaboration across sectors to understand what's available to us and how this impacts the community as a whole," he said. Baldwin repeatedly returned to what he sees as a breakdown in communication among government, businesses and community organizations.
"From team sports since I was 6 years old, that's not how you win championships," Baldwin said. "You've got to collaborate. " Baldwin also offered his early assessment of Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, the latter of whom he worked with while co-chairing the county executive's transition team. "My hope for both of them is that they have good people around them," he said.
"People who are speaking life into them and challenging them in ways that are productive for the community. " Regarding homelessness and people struggling on Seattle's streets, Baldwin said he believes there are opportunities for more aggressive and coordinated responses but cautioned that no single policy will completely solve the issue. "I don't think poverty will ever be solved," Baldwin said. "I think you'll always have people who are hungry.
I think you'll always have people who are houseless.
" Instead, Baldwin said, the focus should be on serving vulnerable people with dignity while building stronger coordination among governments, nonprofits and businesses. Despite spending more than an hour discussing public policy, Baldwin said he has no immediate plans to seek elected office.
"I don't have any intentions right now," he said. "When you have a platform to be influential, when you are a voice for community in various ways, you have a responsibility," Baldwin said. For now, Baldwin said his focus remains on business, community work, his family and continuing to advocate for policies that improve opportunity and affordability in Washington.
"We need better dialogue among each other," he said. "Let's be the leaders this state can be and show what a connected, vibrant, thriving, empathetic community can be. " Baldwin played for the Seahawks for eight seasons, including the team's back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.
He won a Super Bowl title following the 2013 season and scored a touchdown in both championship games.15 cars, 2 buildings destroyed in 2-alarm fire at landscaping business near SammamishDriver followed GPS onto tracks, prompting 1 Line suspension near Mount Baker, police say Sound Transit suspended a portion of 1 Line light rail service Tuesday evening after a vehicle drove onto the tracks and became stuck on the elevated guideway nSeattle City Council Public Safety Committee Chair Bob Kettle is escalating his criticism of Mayor Katie Wilson over CCTV cameras ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Two suspects arrested in connection with the robbery and deadly shooting of Braylon Diaz are expected to make their first court appearances Tuesday.
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