WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Thursday, September 22

File photo of WA state capitol building in Olympia

Projections lowered in latest Washington revenue forecast
Revenue projections for Washington state’s current two-year budget period increased by about $43 million more than projected at the state’s last quarterly update, but a series of factors — including slowing home sales due to high interest rates — led officials to lower the forecast for the next budget cycle. Updated numbers released Wednesday by the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council show that projected revenue collections for the 2021-2023 budget slightly exceed what had been forecast in June. But the council lowered the forecast for the next two-year budget cycle that ends in mid-2025 by $495 million. Continue reading at The Olympian. (The Olympian)


The future site of Rod's House emergency youth shelter on East Chestnut Avenue

Yakima City Council accepts funds shy of $1 million for new affordable housing projects
Several new affordable housing projects planned in Yakima will get funds for water and utility improvements through the state Department of Commerce’s Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program. The Yakima City Council on Tuesday accepted a total of $922,283 in CHIP funds, which can be used to pay for waived connection fees and utility improvements at affordable housing developments. Also at the meeting, the council moved to accept a Justice Assistance Grant of $66,982 to support recruitment efforts and software for the Yakima Police Department and radio upgrades for the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office. Continue reading at Yakima Herald-Republic. (Evan Abell)


Air quality in Western Washington on 9-21-2022

Bolt Creek Fire is 95% contained. Smoke continues to drift into Western Washington
The Bolt Creek Fire in Snohomish County is now 95% contained after charring more than 10,000 acres this month. But it’s still burning and pumping out lots of smoke. Part of Highway 2 closed to through traffic between Index and Skykomish. Meanwhile, the smaller Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn southwest of Ellensburg in Central Washington. It flared up again this month after lightning sparked it in August. Smoke from both fires have been wafting into Western Washington recently, but forecast models show things should start clearing up by sometime Thursday. Continue reading at KUOW. (Puget Sound Clean Air Agency)


Print

Associated Press
Projections lowered in latest Washington revenue forecast (Rolfes)
Putin orders partial military call-up, sparking protests

Capital Press
More consumers buying organic, but farmers still wary

Columbian
C-Tran CEO Donaghy airs I-5 Bridge replacement plan worries

Everett Herald
Everett mayor pivots from plan to seek higher taxes
Snohomish Council rejects tax break on housing for low-income families
A year later, Afghan refugees in Lynnwood see brighter future ahead
Comment: In just a few months, 988 line is saving more lives

The Inlander
With a roaming community clinic, WSU brings the family doctor directly to rural communities

Kent Reporter
Kent to work with Seattle group to develop middle income housing

News Tribune
Is the next major Puget Sound airport in Pierce County? It’s not out of the question

Olympian
Estakio Beltran is named Washington state Digital Equity Manager
Thousands of state workers would get pay raises, COVID-19 booster bonuses in new contract
‘It’s not our fault’ teens cry out as book bans accelerate in every state, including WA

Peninsula Daily News
Counties ask that DOT not close Hood Canal Bridge on tourist weekends

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon inks deal for low carbon ‘electrofuel’ for trucking fleet
Here’s how Meta and Google are quietly shrinking their workforces
Boeing to outsource finance jobs as it shifts hiring focus

Seattle Times
Smoke pours into Seattle area, air quality plummets
Small WA credit unions get $75 million under federal program
Seattle median household income hits $110,000, census data shows
Why air quality may look fine on your phone, despite smoke in Seattle

Skagit Valley Herald
High-speed internet service set to go live in east Skagit County

Spokesman Review
Spokane police officer under investigation for attempted sexual assault of sheriff’s deputy
Spokane settles with family of man shot by police for $4 million on day trial set to begin
Inslee visits Nordic countries to talk energy, innovation, climate change
Police investigating after racist flyers posted in Airway Heights on Tuesday
Leader of Spokane’s housing, homelessness initiatives to depart city at end of month

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Boosters arrive, as new COVID death is reported

Washington Post
Appeals court: Justice Dept. can use Mar-a-Lago documents in criminal probe
More workers are back in offices. It’s still nothing like before.
Trump says presidents can declassify docs ‘even by thinking about it’

Yakima Herald-Republic
Thousands of WA state workers would get pay raises, COVID-19 booster bonuses
Yakima City Council accepts funds shy of $1 million for new affordable housing projects
Yakima County commissioners set October public hearing on solar farm moratorium
Critical step ahead for planned Yakima County solar projects

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Seattle’s air quality expected to improve Thursday after hitting ‘unhealthy’ levels

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle Housing Market is ‘cooling’ Fast
The Northwest is very thirsty
Bolt Creek Fire is 95% contained. Smoke continues to drift into Western Washington
Is Canada about to ease requirements for crossing the border?

KXLY (ABC)
Amid Camp Hope crisis, Spokane’s head of Neighborhood, Housing and Human Services resigns
Jewels Helping Hands to be fined unless they remove its ‘Camp Hope Access Tent’

Q13 TV (FOX)
WSDOT aims to reopen US 2 by Monday while crews evaluate Bolt Creek Fire
L&I fines 2 roofing companies millions for ‘egregious and willful’ safety violations

Web

The Stranger
There’s an App for That: How One Seattle Doctor Used Grindr to Help Patients Get Vaccinated for Monkeypox