WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Friday, August 12

Speaker Nancy Pelosi

House poised to send Inflation Reduction Act to Biden for his signature
Today, the House returns to Washington for the expected passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, a sweeping package that aims to lower health-care costs, combat climate change, raise taxes on some large companies and reduce the deficit. The legislation would then go to President Biden for his signature, handing the president the latest in a summer string of legislative victories. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)


King County Executive Dow Constantine speaks to the media with Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall behind him

King County, Seattle form coalition to boost mental health facilities and workforce
King County has lost nearly a third of its residential mental health beds since 2018, and residents wait an average of 44 days for such treatment, county and city officials announced Thursday. The data points to the severely under-resourced state of the county’s behavioral health system. It was announced as part of the formation of a new coalition of King County and Seattle government leaders, state representatives and health care workers who plan to rebuild and add more resources to the region’s depleted mental health workforce. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Greg Gilbert / The Seattle Times)


graphic of SPD badge in evidence bag

A New Agency Seeks to Hold Washington’s Killer Cops Accountable
Charleena Lyles. John T. Williams. Manny Ellis. More than two years after thousands flooded streets across Washington to #SayTheirNames, police accountability advocates are finally seeing the state’s response to their demands for impartial investigations of cops who kill on the job. Last week, the skeleton crew of employees staffing Washington’s new Office of Independent Investigations (OII) finally moved into their offices. The agency, while off to a slower start than initially projected, represents a first-in-the-nation victory for survivors of police violence. Once the department hires its remaining key staff members and finalizes its operating protocols, it will stand as the only statewide agency in America that investigates cops when they use deadly force, rather than allowing local departments to investigate their own. Continue reading at The Stranger. (Tyler Gross)


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Bellingham Herald
Here’s how Bellingham is getting millions more to fight climate change

Capital Press
La Nina getting stronger, expected to stay for fall

The Daily News
Seattle hospital to refuse some patients due to capacity

Everett Herald
Monroe to start building walking, biking path along U.S. 2
Commentary: Face check: No, IRS isn’t sending 87,00o agents to audit you

News Tribune
Tacoma faces revenue shortfall as council heads into budget season. How big is the hit?

Olympian
CDC lowers Thurston County’s COVID-19 risk level. Here’s what that means for you

Puget Sound Business Journal
Coalition launched to tackle King County’s behavioral health crisis
SDOT sets reopening date for West Seattle Bridge

Seattle Medium
Under New Leadership, Commission Is Looking To Bring About Significant Changes In Police Training

Seattle Times
Sound Transit 3: Progress in West Seattle, paralysis in Chinatown International District
Health insurer ordered to stop selling in WA
Some WA families will have to pay again for school meals. Here’s how much
WA schools, child care centers must continue to follow COVID protocols
Harborview Medical Center will temporarily stop accepting some patients due to capacity issues
King County, Seattle form coalition to boost mental health facilities and workforce (Macri)
West Seattle Bridge reopening date announced

Skagit Valley Herald
Volunteers collect data on the shore of Fidalgo Bay
Skagit County transfer station closes again

Washington Post
FBI searched Trump’s home to look for nuclear documents and other items, sources say
World ignored monkeypox threats, including signs of sexual transmission
Under fire, Homeland Security watchdog delays probe — with GOP help
House poised to send Inflation Reduction Act to Biden for his signature
The corporate minimum tax could hit these ultra-profitable companies
CDC loosens coronavirus guidance, signaling strategic shift

Yakima Herald-Republic
More seek shelter as homeless rate sees slight uptick in Yakima County, survey shows
State help activated for Canyon Road fire threatening Grandview homes, sewer plant
Yakama Nation leaders approve plans to build four more roundabouts on reservation
Yakima police see fewer domestic violence incidents a year into tracking data as new coalition’s efforts take hold

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
King County, Seattle, state leaders launch coalition to plan behavioral healthcare network
Harborview will divert patients with non-urgent needs as overcrowding strains the system
If you’re exposed to COVID, FDA now recommends 3 at-home tests
Democrats hope to pass the Inflation Reduction Act Friday
Ruling clouds future of southeast Alaska king salmon fishery

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Harborview Medical Center over 130% capacity; no longer admitting non-emergency patients
Days Inn facility in Everett to be converted to limited-time housing for homeless

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Woman, 80, banned from Port Townsend YMCA pool after clash over trans woman in locker room
Harborview Medical Center at capacity, stops taking non-urgent patients
West Seattle Bridge finally gets reopening date for this September after 2 1/2 years
Man left mental health facility before hitting woman with 35 lb. rock, court docs allege
Man accused of trafficking 44,000 catalytic converters as Beaverton Police bust theft ring

KXLY (ABC)
Washington state employees no longer required to get COVID booster

Q13 TV (FOX)
‘Unprecedented:’ Harborview Medical Center says hospital is 30% over capacity with patients

Web

The Stranger
A New Agency Seeks to Hold Washington’s Killer Cops Accountable
Transphobic Bullying Incident Prompts Port Townsend YMCA to Ban Member
Local Leaders Announce New Coalition to Address Behavioral Health Crisis