WA Democrats propose $16B for transportation, hoping to boost highways, transit and ferries
Democrats in the Washington Legislature want to spend $16.8 billion over the next 16 years on the state’s transportation system, releasing a proposal Tuesday that would shore up the state’s largest highway projects and promote transit ridership through grants for improved service and free ridership for anyone 18 and under. The proposal also envisions adding four new hybrid-electric boats to the state’s aging ferry fleet, matching available federal dollars to move forward on a high-speed rail project between British Columbia and Oregon and spending nearly $2.5 billion removing barriers to fish passage. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)
As omicron subsides in WA, health officials are hopeful and vigilant
As COVID-19 case counts come down from the recent omicron peak, many in Washington, including health officials and experts, are starting to wonder if the latest surge could signal the end of the pandemic. But while local public health experts confirm we have new reasons to be hopeful, the way out remains murky. “We are absolutely in a better place today than we were a year ago…. We are making meaningful progress,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer at Public Health — Seattle & King County, in a recent media briefing. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Matt M. McKnight)
Gap continues to widen for housing affordability, inventory
New data this week illustrates how difficult it is for households earning less than $100,000 to become homeowners in the current market. The National Association of Realtors in a report this week found there are more than 400,000 fewer affordable homes available for sale for households that earn $75,000 to $100,000, compared to the start of the pandemic. Nationally, there’s one affordable home listing at that income level available for every 65 households. That’s compared to one listing for every 24 households in 2019. Continue reading at The Puget Sound Business Journal.
Associated Press
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