WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Wednesday, August 21

John Wilson leads the King County Department of Assessments, which last week unveiled a housing information dashboard.

New tool shows King County’s housing affordability crisis in real time
King County has a deficit of over 100,000 apartment units affordable to lower-income households. The shortage is greater — over 340,500 — for middle-income households. This is one takeaway from the new Housing Availability Dashboard launched Aug. 15 by the King County Department of Assessments. The dashboard provides information segmented by income levels and housing costs, and contrasts demand with supply to reveal surpluses or shortages by income and affordability levels. Data can be broken down by ZIP code. Continue reading at Puget Sound Business Journal. (King County Assessor’s Office)


A sign advertising units for rent is displayed outside of a Manhattan building on April 11, 2024. The Biden administration and the Harris campaign are making their housing policy case to the American people as Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump compete for voters’ trust on economic issues. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A look at how federal plans could make the costs of housing more affordable
As renters and would-be homeowners struggle with the high cost of housing, the Biden administration has announced policies to address this strain on household budgets. That includes $100 million in funding for a program to incentivize affordable housing production and streamlining loan application processes to expedite building more housing. Some of those proposals – such as a cap on rent increases from corporate landlords – call for Congressional action, while others are rules and grants that can be done without legislative approval. Continue reading at The WA State Standard. (Spencer Platt)


(Photo: James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio)

Homeless face arrest as Lakewood camping ban goes into effect
A new camping ban went into effect last Friday in Lakewood. It allows for the arrest of people camping in public spaces who refuse to leave. The ordinance empowers police to give campers 24 hours’ notice to leave or face arrest. But, the Lakewood Police Department (LPD) said making arrests is not the goal, instead, they want to educate, inform and offer services. Those who refuse to leave can be cited or arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing. However, if they are arrested and have no criminal history, they can be released without bail. Continue reading at KIRO 7. (James Lynch)


Print

Capital Press
High energy costs, delayed tax credit pose hurdles for PNW hydrogen hub

Columbian
News is good and bad for Southwest Washington fish populations
Nonprofit Fourth Plain Forward will use $95,000 grant to aid Vancouver residents affected by extreme weather

Islands’ Weekly
Comment: The importance of all ferry workers

News Tribune
Latest decision on Tacoma shared youth housing project is unlikely to please anyone
Opinion: Threats against election security are increasing. Here’s how we’re stopping them

New York Times
U.S. Added 818,000 Fewer Jobs Than Reported Earlier
Congress Asks Regulators About ‘Troubling’ Health Insurance Tactics

Peninsula Daily News
Port Angeles mill workers to get benefits

Port Townsend Leader
COVID cases decline, but danger remains
Crews work to contain Jupiter fire near Brinnon

Puget Sound Business Journal
Court blocks game-changing federal rule for employers
Soaring child-care costs squeeze small-business owners
Why the nation’s child-care crisis largely comes down to real estate
New tool shows King County’s housing affordability crisis in real time

Seattle Times
Invasive mussels found in Renton pet store could cost WA millions
WA confined hundreds for sexual violence. Then it quietly began releasing them.

Skagit Valley Herald
Mount Vernon paraeducators consider strike vote

The Skanner
Lawsuit accuses Oregon police department of illegally monitoring progressive activists

Spokesman Review
Two city of Spokane spokespeople let go as municipal budget woes loom
No longer a death sentence, HIV care is changing as patients become elderly
Idaho transgender youth gender care travel fund, assistance program launches
FDA approves over-the-counter syphilis test amid national and Spokane County surge
508 West turns piece of Spokane medical history, defunct parking garage into upscale housing
Cheney teachers vote to strike if district, union don’t reach contract agreement before the first day of school

Washington Post
How to turn any bike into an electric vehicle
Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines merger clears antitrust hurdle, airline says
Federal judge strikes down FTC rule banning noncompete agreements
Looming Canadian railroad work stoppage threatens U.S. supply chains
Labor market was weaker than previously reported in big fix to jobs data
Ford retreats from some plans for all-electric vehicles, instead prioritizing hybrids

WA State Standard
WA state workers plan walkout to spotlight intensifying contract talks
A look at how federal plans could make the costs of housing more affordable
North Cascades Highway still under thick debris in spots as slide cleanup continues

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
3 injured in overnight shooting in Everett; suspect still at large
Boeing grounds 777-9 aircraft after issue found in development
All North Thurston Public Schools students will need to keep cell phones ‘off and away’
Puyallup Tribe celebrates court decision to uphold ruling ordering partial removal of dam

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Invasive crab spreading along Washington coast
700 Seattle hotel workers to hold strike authorization vote
Lawsuits charging WA hotels for facilitating sex trafficking
U.S. 2 in Sultan is getting $16.5 million in improvement funds
Homeless face arrest as Lakewood camping ban goes into effect
Toxic algae advisory for Lake Lawrence in Yelm, possible carcinogen
A new setback hits a Boeing jet: US will require inspection of pilot seats on 787s
Coalition asks DOJ to investigate ‘use of force abuse’ at Tacoma Police Department

KNKX Public Radio
Northwest tribes receive millions in funding for new housing

KUOW Public Radio
Firefighters battle wildfire threatening small Western Washington town

KXLY (ABC)
Inland Power denies responsibility for Gray Fire
City of Spokane lays off employees as budget cuts continue
Cheney educators plan to strike on first day of school if no bargaining agreement reached

Web

Cascadia Daily News
WWU will request $21.4M from Legislature to increase per-student funding 
BP’s Cherry Point Refinery secures nearly $27M for ‘green’ aviation fuel production

MyNorthwest
What happens to a Washington ferry after it’s retired?
Homeless face arrest as Lakewood camping ban goes into effect

The Stranger
Seattle Renters Commission “powerless” to advocate for tenants due to “ongoing neglect” from Mayor Harrell, Council