Inslee gets climate change and presidential advice from former California Gov. Jerry Brown

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee got high-profile moral support today for his campaign to pass new laws fighting climate change.

Former California Gov. Jerry Brown visited the state Capitol with advice on persuading reluctant lawmakers to reduce greenhouse gases.

Brown has done what Inslee is trying to do: pass sweeping laws to fight climate change.

“Right now, humanity is on a collision course with nature,” Brown said when he and Inslee met with reporters after their meeting.

Like Brown, Inslee wants to phase out the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity. The Senate Environment Committee held its first hearing on his legislation today.

Asked if he had heard from Brown an approach that he hadn’t thought of, Inslee responded, “Yes, he talked about the power of humility, which I think was intriguing."

Brown continued: “My thought is you've got to listen to other people, I've met with the oil companies for hours and hours. I've met with some of the other opponents.”

Inslee is closing in on a decision whether to run for president. Brown ran three times. So, did he have any advice? “Don’t listen to me because I didn’t succeed,” Brown said to laughter. He continued: “You’ve got to get everybody to know who you are. You’ve got to get your friends to get the resources needed. You have to find the vulnerabilities of your opponent, exploit them deftly and otherwise keep smiling.”

More news from KIRO 7

• SR 509 shootings task force created after boy in car shot in head, blinded
• Hormel recalls more than 220,000 pounds of Spam
• Reports: Seahawks to sign former first-round pick Paxton Lynch
• Yes, Congress and the president are being paid during the shutdown. Here's how much and why
• Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

Cox Media Group