WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Thursday, October 3

A sign notifies those passing by of a home for sale in Salmon Creek on Tuesday morning, Oct. 15, 2019. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian files)

First-time homebuyers in Clark County can find financial assistance from nonprofits, state programs
As mortgage rates drop and first-time homebuyers plunge into the market, a variety of nonprofits and new state programs stand ready to help. Staff of first-time homebuyer programs say the most important first steps are education, understanding your financial situation and identifying possible sources of assistance. The state also provides down-payment assistance for veterans, people with disabilities and people whose families faced housing discrimination in Washington. Continue reading at The Columbian. (Amanda Cowan)


Graph showing number of registered electric vehicles in WA.

Washington officials say 100% of state agency fleets will be electric by 2040. Here’s how it’s going so far:
Transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions represent about 35% of overall emissions from Washington state government agencies. With the state’s push for residents to buy electric vehicles, some Washingtonians wonder why they should drop tens of thousands of dollars on an electric vehicle to help the planet when many of the police enforcing the laws of the road still drive gas-powered SUVs, pickups and sedans. The state plans to swap out 100% of Washington’s gas-powered government vehicle fleets for electric vehicles by 2040 with the help of a new state group called the Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (WA DOL)


A “no trespassing” sign outside of Northwest ICE Processing Center, also known as Northwest Detention Center. (Grace Deng/Washington State Standard)

State workplace inspectors will have access to immigration detention center in Tacoma
Washington state will be able to inspect workplace conditions at a federal immigration detention center in Tacoma, under a recently issued court order. U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle approved a permanent injunction last week barring the facility’s operator, The GEO Group, from denying Washington Department of Labor and Industries inspectors access to the site. Both sides in the case agreed to the injunction along with other terms to resolve the case. While last week’s order ends the dispute between Labor and Industries and GEO – at least for now – the company and Washington state are still sparring with other lawsuits over how much authority the state has to regulate the controversial Northwest ICE Processing Center. Continue reading at The WA State Standard. (Grace Deng)


Print

Associated Press
Tribes celebrate the end of the largest dam removal project in US history

Axios
Seattle’s new gateway to the waterfront opens

Capital Press
EPA to scale back vulnerable species pilot project
Editorial: Washington Supreme Court misses the point, again
Editorial: DOL offers H-2A workers collective bargaining by another name

Columbian
WA tribes receive $800K for wildland fire training
Vancouver is planning for the birds: Codes will help reduce bird collisions with buildings
First-time homebuyers in Clark County can find financial assistance from nonprofits, state programs

Everett Herald
10 years later, a safer crosswalk near a Bothell-area school
Nearly 3 weeks into strike, resolve remains for Boeing workers
Edmonds could lose 46 jobs, other cuts looming amid budget woes

News Tribune
Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore has returned to duty. City offers an explanation
‘Scrapping for solutions.’ Merchants work to stay afloat amid Point Ruston’s troubles
Homeless projects could be at-risk after veto of Pierce County Council funding proposal
New $16 million bridge extends popular Pierce County trail to 22 miles, into King County

Puget Sound Business Journal
SBA eases debt refinancing with big loan program changes
Amtrak selects contractor for $300 million Seattle rail yard project

Seattle Times
Hood Canal salmon run sees booming recovery as fish face extinction
Seattle superintendent gets raise, new contract amid budget challenges

Spokesman Review
Nuclear waste confirmed to pass through Spokane next year
Washington officials say 100% of state agency fleets will be electric by 2040. Here’s how it’s going so far:
Port of Whitman County plans to restore Oakesdale mill, but clock is ticking before historic building deteriorates

WA State Standard
State workplace inspectors will have access to immigration detention center in Tacoma

Yakima Herald-Republic
Cowiche Creek Confluence Project gets nearly $11 million in federal funds to reduce flooding, improve wildlife habitat

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington state’s minimum wage to increase in 2025
‘Devastating effects’ | Manufacturer’s association warns of national cost of Boeing machinists’ strike

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Bridge tolls proposed on I-5
Long-awaited Seattle Overlook Walk opens Friday
LGBTQ+ artwork vandalized repeatedly in Bellevue
Marysville School Board poised to replace superintendent
How Washington schools are dealing with insufficient funding
Renton police chief criticizes low bail for suspect in fatal stabbing
Poulsbo to break ground on Nordic Cottage Project for low-income seniors
City of Tacoma & Police Chief issue statements about his administrative leave

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington business leaders push for partnerships against organized retail theft
Tacoma police chief to resume full duties after being placed on administrative leave
King County sheriff’s new $6 million ‘Guardian One’ helicopter gets high-tech upgrade

KUOW Public Radio
Sister seas on opposite shores face same foe: polluted runoff

KXLY (ABC)
Experts say Spokane’s summer air quality was the best in years
Despite calls to stop it, nuclear waste will move through Spokane next year
City of Spokane clears way for 400 new homes in Latah Valley – with conditions

Web

Crosscut
Jumpstart: The fight over how to spend Seattle’s big-business tax 

The Urbanist
Transportation Chair Saka Questions School Zone Camera Expansion Plan