Less than an hour after taking his oath of office and giving his inaugural address, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed three executive orders Wednesday afternoon.

In his inaugural address, Ferguson said the orders are meant to streamline the state’s administrative process, ease red tape around home construction and strengthen reproductive rights for women. All three executive orders took effect immediately and offer the first sign of how Ferguson will govern in the coming years.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson promised to tackle the state's housing affordability problems and protect abortion rights in his first speech to the Legislature on Wednesday, delivering his address minutes after being sworn into office.