Editor’s Note: We’re in the thick of will-he-or-won’t-he watch for vetoes from Gov. Bob Ferguson. In observance of the season, we take a look back at the history of nixing all or part of things passed by the Legislature.

The pen is indeed mightier than the sword if you’re the governor of Washington, whose true power in the legislative process rests in their veto over dicey proposals and the threat thereof. How often our governors hit the glorified “no” button over the generations may surprise you.