State’s new Clean Fuel Standard takes aim at climate-changing pollution
A mammoth accounting ledger. A carrot-and-stick rule with a focus on incentives. However you describe it, Washington’s proposed Clean Fuel Standard has a simple goal: reducing vehicle-related carbon pollution, which accounts for almost 45% of statewide greenhouse gas emissions. It is a flagship policy in Washington’s fight against climate change, said Joel Creswell, climate policy section manager for the Department of Ecology’s Air Quality Program. The standard will apply only to fuel producers. Still, residents may want to take advantage of the chance this month to comment on the standard, which will be finalized this fall and goes into effect on Jan. 1. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (WA Dept. of Ecology)
Half of WA residents eligible for free or discounted hospital care
Millions of Washingtonians recently became eligible for free or discounted hospital care after an update to a state law went into effect last month, a significant step toward eliminating residents’ costly medical debts. Up until this year, however, the eligibility requirements were much more narrow, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in an interview. As of July 1, all Washingtonians within 300% of the federal poverty level now qualify for charity care for their full out-of-pocket hospital bill, as long as care is considered “medically necessary.” Those within 400% of the federal poverty level are eligible for discounted care, which is up to about $54,360 for a one-person home or $111,000 for a family of four. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Elaine Thompson)
Work in progress: In tight employment market, unions are gaining popularity and forcing companies to rethink labor relations
Two of Seattle’s most iconic companies are locked in standoffs between management and employees, as organized labor across the country receives a jolt of enthusiasm spurred largely by the Covid-19 pandemic. Employees for Starbucks and Amazon — two vast blue-collar workforces — have begun grassroots campaigns to form or join unions, though the success of those efforts has widely varied. Despite the velocity of the movement from Starbucks baristas, they face a stacked deck when it comes to ratifying a contract, labor advocates say — a hill that’s less steep for warehouse workers. Continue reading at Puget Sound Business Journal. (Jason Redmond)
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