Austin-based arts patrons Sarah & Dr. Ernest Butler fund Texas Young Masters program, empowering the next generation of artists across the state AUSTIN, Texas, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Texas Cultural Trust (TXCT), a nonprofit increasing awareness, access, and support for...
The annual International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS) will be held April 8 – 11, 2024 in Albuquerque, NM, brought to you by the U.S. Coast Guard and National Safe Boating Council, sponsored by At the Helm Training. CLEARWATER, Fla., March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The...
Austin-based arts patrons Sarah & Dr. Ernest Butler fund Texas Young Masters program, empowering the next generation of artists across the state AUSTIN, Texas, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Texas Cultural Trust (TXCT), a nonprofit increasing awareness, access, and support for...
The annual International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS) will be held April 8 – 11, 2024 in Albuquerque, NM, brought to you by the U.S. Coast Guard and National Safe Boating Council, sponsored by At the Helm Training. CLEARWATER, Fla., March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The...
This partnership will help close the youth civic engagement gap and connect students – particularly those whose access has been limited, non-existent or have felt excluded from the democratic process – to take an active role in the civic process, learning to advance their ideas through...
This partnership will help close the youth civic engagement gap and connect students – particularly those whose access has been limited, non-existent or have felt excluded from the democratic process – to take an active role in the civic process, learning to advance their ideas through...
report it® announces a partnership with RapidSOS to enhance employee security and safety and is now recognized as RapidSOS Ready Through this partnership, the report it® Personal Safety App sends potentially life-saving emergency data directly to 911 through the RapidSOS Platform. NEW...
report it® announces a partnership with RapidSOS to enhance employee security and safety and is now recognized as RapidSOS Ready Through this partnership, the report it® Personal Safety App sends potentially life-saving emergency data directly to 911 through the RapidSOS Platform. NEW...
Realizing a Vision: Foundation Unveiling Marks Culmination of Sunbridge's Eco-Vision ST.CLOUD, Fla., March 18, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The establishment of Florida Headwaters Foundation Inc. marks a significant step towards preserving the natural beauty and resources of Central...
Realizing a Vision: Foundation Unveiling Marks Culmination of Sunbridge's Eco-Vision ST.CLOUD, Fla., March 18, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The establishment of Florida Headwaters Foundation Inc. marks a significant step towards preserving the natural beauty and resources of Central...
CooperRiis Healing Community, a leading mental health non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate and holistic care, is thrilled to announce the launch of Direct Admissions into their Transitional Living Program. This new offering expands their integrated system of care,...
CooperRiis Healing Community, a leading mental health non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate and holistic care, is thrilled to announce the launch of Direct Admissions into their Transitional Living Program. This new offering expands their integrated system of care,...
A Southern California bluegrass band is leading an effort to compensate the former child actor for his iconic "Dueling Banjos" scene in the movie Deliverance. A GoFundMe campaign is underway. LOS ANGELES, March 16, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A Southern California-based bluegrass band is...
A Southern California bluegrass band is leading an effort to compensate the former child actor for his iconic "Dueling Banjos" scene in the movie Deliverance. A GoFundMe campaign is underway. LOS ANGELES, March 16, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A Southern California-based bluegrass band is...
Move4Her, the Foundation for Women's Cancer's signature annual fundraising campaign, kicks off its fifth year of fundraising to help power research, education and awareness of the five gynecologic cancers CHICAGO, March 16, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Foundation for Women's Cancer...
Move4Her, the Foundation for Women's Cancer's signature annual fundraising campaign, kicks off its fifth year of fundraising to help power research, education and awareness of the five gynecologic cancers CHICAGO, March 16, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Foundation for Women's Cancer...
1,000 Fortune 500 Female CEOs and Notable Influencers Convened in NYC to Amplify Their Voices at The Inaugural Empowered Voices - United Hearts Gala NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In the face of a troubling surge in global antisemitism, BATSHEVA, an organization dedicated...
1,000 Fortune 500 Female CEOs and Notable Influencers Convened in NYC to Amplify Their Voices at The Inaugural Empowered Voices - United Hearts Gala NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In the face of a troubling surge in global antisemitism, BATSHEVA, an organization dedicated...
The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP®) announced today that Camilo Escalante, Executive Director of Diverse Segments, Guaranteed Rate will chair the organization's 2024 Corporate Board of Governors (CBOG). SAN DIEGO, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --...
The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP®) announced today that Camilo Escalante, Executive Director of Diverse Segments, Guaranteed Rate will chair the organization's 2024 Corporate Board of Governors (CBOG). SAN DIEGO, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --...
Coldwell Banker Elite to launch CBE Cares Closet on March 18th at North Stafford High School in collaboration with Realtor® Heather Ferris, providing essential resources to students in need. STAFFORD, Va., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Officially launching on March 18th, Coldwell...
Coldwell Banker Elite to launch CBE Cares Closet on March 18th at North Stafford High School in collaboration with Realtor® Heather Ferris, providing essential resources to students in need. STAFFORD, Va., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Officially launching on March 18th, Coldwell...
John Chiaramonte, MCP's consulting president, leads virtual meeting of public-safety experts to strategize how to combat dangerous and wasteful practice of placing fake 911 calls to elicit an emergency response. STATE COLLEGE, Pa., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mission Critical...
John Chiaramonte, MCP's consulting president, leads virtual meeting of public-safety experts to strategize how to combat dangerous and wasteful practice of placing fake 911 calls to elicit an emergency response. STATE COLLEGE, Pa., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mission Critical...
Forty-five states offer religious and/or philosophical exemptions to vaccine mandates. West Virginia's HB 5105 does not provide a religious exemption but will more closely align WV with the majority of states. CHARLESTON, W.Va., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A bill seeking to...
Forty-five states offer religious and/or philosophical exemptions to vaccine mandates. West Virginia's HB 5105 does not provide a religious exemption but will more closely align WV with the majority of states. CHARLESTON, W.Va., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A bill seeking to...
A grant from the Edie Fraser Women's Entrepreneur Fund directly assists current and aspiring women business owners through local SCORE programming geared to elevate, educate and empower them WASHINGTON, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The SCORE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of...
A grant from the Edie Fraser Women's Entrepreneur Fund directly assists current and aspiring women business owners through local SCORE programming geared to elevate, educate and empower them WASHINGTON, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The SCORE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of...
Volunteers from Wish Farms, Publix, and the Food Bank were on hand to distribute fresh produce and present a $10,000 check from the Wish Farms Family Foundation. This pop-up market in rural Zebulon, NC directly helped 760 people, including 278 children and 130 seniors. Overall, the...
Volunteers from Wish Farms, Publix, and the Food Bank were on hand to distribute fresh produce and present a $10,000 check from the Wish Farms Family Foundation. This pop-up market in rural Zebulon, NC directly helped 760 people, including 278 children and 130 seniors. Overall, the...
Ziegler, a specialty investment bank based in Chicago, is pleased to announce its exclusive financial advisory role in the sale of a 100+ bed skilled nursing facility in a northern neighborhood of Chicago. CHICAGO, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Acting as the advisor to a non-profit...
Ziegler, a specialty investment bank based in Chicago, is pleased to announce its exclusive financial advisory role in the sale of a 100+ bed skilled nursing facility in a northern neighborhood of Chicago. CHICAGO, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Acting as the advisor to a non-profit...
On Saturday, March 16th, founder Russ Makofsky of The Gift of Chess will celebrate his birthday by embarking on a 10-mile walk across New York City to raise funds and awareness for the organization's mission. NEW YORK, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On Saturday, March 16th, founder...
On Saturday, March 16th, founder Russ Makofsky of The Gift of Chess will celebrate his birthday by embarking on a 10-mile walk across New York City to raise funds and awareness for the organization's mission. NEW YORK, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On Saturday, March 16th, founder...
Prosper Africa and ADN collaboration will debut at the upcoming African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS24) SILICON VALLEY, Calif., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- African Diaspora Network (ADN) announces a pivotal partnership with Prosper Africa, dedicated to bolstering strategic...
Prosper Africa and ADN collaboration will debut at the upcoming African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS24) SILICON VALLEY, Calif., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- African Diaspora Network (ADN) announces a pivotal partnership with Prosper Africa, dedicated to bolstering strategic...
Comprehensive Guidance on Tire Maintenance and Safety from Neufeld Law Firm MIAMI, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Neufeld Law Firm is deeply committed to enhancing road safety within the community. With a keen understanding of the pivotal role that tire maintenance plays in auto...
The RARE Drug Development Symposium, hosted by Global Genes and the Orphan Disease Center of the University of Pennsylvania, equips advocates with the knowledge, skills and connections they need to advance therapy development for their communities. ALISO VIEJO, Calif., March 14, 2024...
Comprehensive Guidance on Tire Maintenance and Safety from Neufeld Law Firm MIAMI, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Neufeld Law Firm is deeply committed to enhancing road safety within the community. With a keen understanding of the pivotal role that tire maintenance plays in auto...
The RARE Drug Development Symposium, hosted by Global Genes and the Orphan Disease Center of the University of Pennsylvania, equips advocates with the knowledge, skills and connections they need to advance therapy development for their communities. ALISO VIEJO, Calif., March 14, 2024...
OLYMPIA – Washington’s strong protections for workers against employer-imposed noncompetition agreements will grow even stronger under legislation signed into law today.
SB 5935, sponsored by Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), increases protections for workers and consumers in response to real-life situations that have arisen since the passage of landmark 2019 legislation restricting the use of noncompete clauses in Washington.
“This bill is about freedom in the marketplace for labor,” said Stanford. “It safeguards the freedom of workers to seek new jobs without undue interference from their current employer, and the freedom of consumers to follow their favorite car mechanic, doctor, or other service provider who moves to a new location.”
The 2019 legislation, also sponsored by Stanford, prohibited most noncompete agreements for workers earning less than $100,000 a year, capped the maximum length of a noncompete at 18 months, and required that employees subject to noncompetes after a layoff be compensated for any period during which noncompete prohibitions are enforced. The earnings threshold is indexed to inflation and has risen to $120,559.99.
AG Ferguson: $500K will fund genetic genealogy testing for all unidentified remains in Washington
New resources will help address crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and people
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson provided the following statement today after the Legislature approved his budget request for $500,000 to fund genetic genealogy and DNA testing for the entire backlog of unidentified remains in Washington.
Federal judge dismisses challenge to AG Ferguson-requested law to hold gun industry accountable
New law ensures firearms industry faces consequences for irresponsible practices
SPOKANE — A federal judge today agreed with Attorney General Bob Ferguson and dismissed a challenge to Washington’s new law that ensures gun manufacturers and dealers — like other purveyors of dangerous goods — must take reasonable steps to prevent their products from getting into the wrong hands.
OLYMPIA — The Legislature on Thursday passed the supplemental transportation budget (HB 2134), a $14.6 billion plan which prioritizes public safety, preservation and maintenance of existing infrastructure and investments in the ferry system.
“After a thorough negotiation process, I am happy that both chambers came to an agreement about this year’s supplemental transportation budget,” said Rep. Jake Fey (D-Tacoma), chair of the House Transportation Committee.
“The health of our transportation system is vital to the health of our overall economy,” said Senate Transportation Chair Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds). “I’m proud of the work we did this year to reach this agreement. The benefits will be felt in communities across Washington.
The 2024 supplemental budget puts $100 million additional dollars into the preservation of roads, bridges and more statewide. An additional $30.8 million is invested in traffic safety measures, including $9.8 million to help curtail speeding, $7.2 million for the Washington State Patrol (WSP), and $2.5 million to combat impaired driving. An additional $150 million is included toward fish barrier removal to help expand the salmon population and restore river ecosystems.
“The budget funds the state trooper longevity bonus bill that I introduced to improve safety on our roads,” said Fey. “Additionally, the House was the vehicle to allow local jurisdictions to expand authorization for the use of traffic safety cameras.”
One key focus of the supplemental budget is investment in the ferry system. An additional $196 million – all money from the Climate Commitment Act – goes directly toward efforts to build new hybrid electric ferries and projects related to strengthening Washington’s existing fleet. The bulk of that money goes toward conversions for all five new hybrid electric vessels and charging infrastructure, with completion of half of those ready in approximately 2027 or 2028.
This budget prioritizes the workforce needs of the ferry system, building on $36.6 million put toward staffing the last two years. There’s an additional $16.5 million in this supplemental to hire additional crew, as well as funding for additional dispatch and service planning staff. The budget also provides for expanded passenger service in King and Kitsap counties, and increased training opportunities to address workforce shortages.
The budget continues funding on I-405 and SR 520 and maintains the state’s commitment to the I-5 Columbia River Bridge project, investing $875 million, including a new $600 million federal grant.
This budget also contends with a $52 million cost increase on the SR 520 Seattle Corridor Improvements West End project. The total increase including in future years is $770 million. To address this, a $140 million sales tax deferral along with additional funds from future tolling of a stretch of SR 520 will help cover the cost increase. There is also a $253 million increase in costs for I-405/Brickyard to SR 527. This budget delays three remaining I-405/SR 167 corridor projects by two to 10 years and utilizes the recently approved toll rate increases on I-405/SR 167 to balance funding within the corridor. Other projects, such as the North/South Freeway in Spokane and the SR 509/167 Gateway Project in Tacoma remain a priority.
“This budget shows our commitment to maintaining promises to major transportation projects in the Connecting Washington and Move Ahead Washington transportation packages that cover the entire state of Washington,” Fey said. “It allows for mega projects across the state to move forward and enhances spending for road preservation and maintenance in every corner of our state.”
“We make important investments and ensure that we don’t go backwards in any area, but during our work to complete this budget it became increasingly clear that while we were able to make ends meet this time, the challenge of doing so again is only going to increase,” Liias said. “It was certainly a challenge to deal with increased costs brought on by a combination of inflation and the pandemic.
“If the initiative passes, and the Climate Commitment Act is repealed, we will deal with even more funding challenges in addition to potentially devastating cuts at the moment our state can least afford it.”
OLYMPIA – Budget leaders in both chambers unveiled an agreed-to budget that puts Washington’s families and students first. The supplemental budget, which builds on last year’s biennial budget, also makes the state’s biggest commitment ever in combating substance use disorder in our communities – a priority for Democrats in both chambers.
Supplemental budgets traditionally roll out to lower fanfare and often address minor tweaks and adjustments where necessary. But Democrats identified needs in communities across the state and directed funding to ensure no one is left behind as the state continues to support families and individuals recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This spending plan underscores our dedication to responsible governance and meeting the pressing needs of communities statewide. It reflects our shared values and priorities by strategically investing in essential areas, such as our public schools and behavioral health system, while also supporting affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and clean energy,” said Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee. “We must ensure our neighbors have the resources needed to thrive here – that’s exactly what this budget does.”
“Washington state has one of the best economies in the country, but not all families are feeling that economic security. This budget reflects the needs of those who are struggling the most, including our overburdened and underrepresented communities, and continues to fund necessary supports in a sustainable way. Our smart, targeted investments combined with our responsible approach to budgeting and diverse tax base is one of the reasons why we have excellent credit ratings and are seen as a leader across the nation,” said Rep. Timm Ormsby (D-Spokane), House Appropriations Chair.
Substance use disorder and the rise of fentanyl in our communities received bipartisan focus this year, with a package of bills introduced and passed by both chambers. In addition, the supplemental budget invests heavily in access to treatment, education, awareness, outreach, and prevention with $215 million in new funding. That is on top of the additional $245 million in behavioral health capacity, rate increases, and outpatient and personal care programs.
Public schools receive $335 million in additional funding to help address the rise in insurance costs, pay for paraeducator staffing, and increasing the special education funding cap to 16%. Childcare and early learning receive additional funding to the tune of $115 million to increase provider rates and reimbursements.
Ensuring families stay in their homes continues to be a priority in this budget, with $230 million in investments to support local homelessness services, supporting tenants’ rights and homeownership programs, and a new low- and moderate-income clean energy assistance program that will provide a credit to qualifying utility customers in September. Food assistance for seniors, summer EBT for kids, and support for food banks also receive $64 million in additional funding this year.
Local governments will no longer have to cover a quarter of the cost of training new cadets at law enforcement academies as the budget allocates $4 million for the state to cover 100%of that cost. This approach lowers the burden to local jurisdictions and, in combination to the state’s expansion of training locations, allows more cadets to be trained and enter the law enforcement field.
Climate, clean energy, and natural resource funding is increased by $335 million, with a large portion of that funding coming from the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). That funding includes payments to agricultural fuel users exempt from the CCA and existing clean energy and climate programs to help communities prepare for droughts, flooding, and other potential risks stemming from the climate crisis.
Higher education institutions and workforce development receive an additional $135 million to expand programs and support students, while long-term care and developmental disabilities funding increases by $77 million. That helps support a 2.5% rate increase for assisted-living and supported-living providers and new beds for youth with complex developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs.
Newly arriving immigrants, asylees, and refugees are supported with $36 million in basic needs, employment and training, health care, and housing supports. Small business and economic development programs also see a boost with $13 million, and broadband access, digital equity and literacy are funded with $8 million. These line items reflect just some of the targeted equity investments that are part of the Democratic approach to ensuring all communities are given access to achieving economic stability.
The supplemental operating budget adds about $3 billion in total funding to address maintenance level increases, including Medicaid, food assistance, and K-12 enrollment caseloads, as well as the mandatory Trueblood case investments. Approximately $4.1 billion in total reserves remain in the two-year budget, or about 11.8%.
Both chambers will vote on the proposal Thursday, the last day of the 60-day 2024 legislative session.
OLYMPIA—Leaders in the House and Senate today announced their final agreement on the state’s supplemental capital budget for 2024. The $1.3 billion budget funds construction projects and infrastructure across Washington and makes major investments in school construction, behavioral health facilities, and affordable housing construction.
Details of the budget are available on fiscal.wa.gov.
“I’m very proud of how we were able to come together and propose a budget that makes significant progress on so many of the important challenges facing Washington right now – schools, behavioral health, and housing,” said Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah), vice chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee for the capital budget. “For me, the highlight is the school construction. While the state won the lawsuit with the Wahkiakum School District, that doesn’t diminish our responsibility to do more to help every kid in every school district have a safe, modern building where they can learn and succeed. This is a critical issue to me and I’m proud of what our budget does for students, teachers, and schools.”
House Capital Budget Chair Steve Tharinger (D-Port Townsend) said, “This budget works with local partners to build projects and create jobs in every corner of the state. It also puts serious funding toward solving two of our biggest challenges: affordable housing and the need for behavioral health facilities.”
School Construction
The budget makes historic investments in school construction, increasing state support in the School Construction Assistance Program from $271 to $375 per square foot – a total increase of $79 million in support for school construction. The budget also includes $68 million for skills centers and other career and technical education facilities, and $114 million for the Small District & Tribal Compact School Modernization program, which helps districts unable to pass their own school bonds for construction.
Behavioral Health
The budget provides a total of $82.7 million in behavioral health community capacity grants, to build behavioral health care facilities in communities across Washington. It expands investment in tribal behavioral health centers, innovative new projects being developed in partnership with tribes and the federal government to provide behavioral health and substance abuse treatment. The budget also funds a 54-bed Madrona Recovery Center to provide care to vulnerable children in Vancouver.
Affordable Housing
The budget includes $127.5 million for the Housing Trust Fund, building upon the record-breaking investments in affordable housing made in 2023. It also provides a total of $7.4 million for Plymouth Housing in the city of Redmond, an important project providing housing and services that was previously cancelled by the city of Kenmore.
The final budget agreement is expected to be passed by both chambers before the end of the 2024 session on Thursday, March 7.
OLYMPIA — Sen. Karen Keiser announced today on the Senate floor that she will retire later this year.
“It has been my privilege to serve the people of the 33rd Legislative District and the people of the State of Washington for the last 29 years,” said Keiser (D-Des Moines), the most senior member of the Senate. “I am in awe at the amazing progress we have made together in this institution over the last few decades.”
Appointed to fill an open seat in the Washington State House of Representatives in 1995, Keiser ran and won her first election in 1996. She served there until 2001, when she was appointed to a seat in the Washington State Senate, where she has been re-elected six times. Since 2018, Keiser has served as President Pro Tempore, presiding over the Senate when the lieutenant governor has been unavailable.
“The Senate won’t be the same without Karen Keiser,” said Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane). “She has been a leader in so many areas. Because of her unceasing persistence over many years, working families in Washington are so much better off today than when she joined the Legislature. And her generous mentorship of new members ensures that her expertise will live on in this institution.”
In the Legislature, Keiser earned a reputation as a champion of health care access, worker protections, and women’s rights.
Keiser played a pivotal role in implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Washington state — helping make Washington a national leader. Among other key bills, she sponsored the legislation establishing the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, which has since provided more than 1,900,000 Washingtonians with health care coverage. While implementation of the far-reaching act was slowed and hindered by numerous glitches in other states, Washington experienced far fewer problems and was looked to as a national model. The effective implementation of the ACA helped drive the state’s uninsured rate down from 14.2 percent in 2010 to 4.7 percent as of 2022.
In 2017, Keiser capped a 10-year effort when Washington became only the fifth state in the country to offer comprehensive paid family and medical leave insurance for all working people. Since the Paid Family and Medical Leave program began paying out benefits in 2020, almost 470,000 Washington workers have tapped its benefits to bond with newborn babies, care for ailing relatives, or take time off for their own medical conditions.
In her most recent role as chair of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee, Keiser steered the state’s unemployment insurance system through the Covid pandemic, ending with one of the strongest unemployment insurance trust funds in the nation. She repeatedly led landmark efforts on behalf of working people in Washington, including:
Expanding and modernizing Washington’s nation-leading apprenticeship
Requiring businesses to provide accommodations for pregnant employees.
Prohibiting the use of non-disclosure agreements to cover up sexual harassment and other workplace abuse.
Passing the Employee Free Choice Act, which prevents employers from requiring workers to attend meetings where employers impose religious and political opinions.
Making Washington the first state in the nation to implement full overtime protections for agricultural workers. For this work, she received a personal letter of commendation from President Joe Biden.
A former chair and longtime member of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee, Keiser continued to spearhead work on health issues in recent years, including:
Preparing for future pandemics by passing the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act, which provides presumptive workers’ compensation coverage for essential workers during public health emergencies.
Capping out-of-pocket costs for life-saving medications such as insulin and epinephrine.
Establishing a prescription drug affordability board.
Keiser has worked hardest for her constituents in the 33rd Legislative District, which encompasses the cities of SeaTac, Kent, Des Moines and Burien, as well as Sea-Tac International Airport. One of the first bills she sponsored in 1996 would have funded a study of airport noise. This year, one of the final bills she passed establishes a grant program in partnership with the Port of Seattle to assist homeowners in airport communities to repair failed soundproofing.
Keiser’s guidebook for effective legislating, Getting Elected Is the Easy Part, was published by Washington State University Press in 2023. She wrote it to help newly elected lawmakers navigate the often-daunting culture of legislative bodies and does not benefit personally from the proceeds of its sale.
Keiser was born and raised in Iowa and moved to California for her senior year in high school. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, receiving a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in journalism. She worked as a broadcast journalist in Portland, Denver and Seattle before becoming the communications director for the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. She has three children — two sons and a daughter.
Keiser concluded her farewell remarks on the Senate floor by quoting the labor leader Elise Bryant: “‘We did not come this far to give up now,’” adding, “And you can damn well bet that I’m not giving up either.”
Legislature adopts AG Ferguson’s proposal to launch Artificial Intelligence Task Force
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s bipartisan proposal to create an Artificial Intelligence Task Force in the Attorney General’s Office passed the Legislature today in a bipartisan 30-19 vote. The task force will convene technology experts, industry representatives, labor organizations, civil liberty groups and other stakeholders to discuss AI benefits and risks and make recommendations to the Legislature.
OLYMPIA – Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) announced today that he will not seek re-election in 2024.
Billig, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2010, will finish his current term and continue to serve as majority leader until a new leader is selected in November. He was elected majority leader in late 2018 and has served in that role since the 2019 legislative session.
“Part of being a good leader is knowing when it is time to step aside and let others lead,” said Billig. “I have been incredibly lucky to have served Spokane in the Legislature and fortunate to have the strong support of my family and so many friends and neighbors throughout our community.”
During his 14 years in the Legislature, Billig earned a reputation as a serious policy maker and consensus builder. He quickly became a leading voice on education funding and fought hard to expand access to high quality early learning.
When Democrats regained control of the Senate in 2018, he led the charge on a package of bills to expand access to the ballot and strengthen campaign finance laws. That year Washington adopted same-day voter registration, automatic voter registration, and youth pre-registration. Billig’s DISCLOSE Act increased transparency laws to shine light on the source of money in elections.
Under his leadership, the Senate passed nation-leading legislation addressing climate change, gun safety, voting rights, affordable housing, reproductive rights and tax reform. He served as one of the “McCleary 8,” the group of legislators who spent 18 months negotiating a new K-12 funding plan in the wake of the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision.
Billig championed legislation on sustainable aviation fuels, serving as the chair of the Washington State Alternative Aviation Fuels Workgroup. He sponsored and passed Senate Bill 5447 in 2023 to position Washington as a leader in this fast-developing sector of the green economy.
He led early efforts to make remote video testimony available to people across Washington, and helped guide the Legislature through successful virtual sessions during the COVID pandemic. As the Democratic majority expanded under Billig’s leadership, so did the diversity of its members with a record number of lawmakers of color and in the Senate’s leadership team.
The state’s economy prospered under Billig’s leadership and Washington was twice named the top state in the nation in U.S. News’ Best States ranking. A member of the Senate’s budget writing team, he helped craft balanced state budgets with strong reserves that helped Washington earn historically high credit ratings.
Throughout all of his legislative work, Billig was most focused on Spokane. During his first session in 2011, he sponsored and passed landmark legislation to protect the Spokane River by removing unnecessary phosphorous from lawn fertilizers that caused toxic algae blooms in waterways across the state.
He also secured many Spokane capital and transportation projects, most notably the University District Gateway bike and pedestrian bridge, the Division Street Bus Rapid Transit Line, and the expansion of the Carl Maxey Center. Billig was also instrumental in passing legislation and securing funding to open the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.
He took steps to modernize the Legislature, adding new transparency measures and a code of conduct for lawmakers, legislative staff and lobbyists.
Billig prioritized working across the aisle during his tenure as majority leader. In each of his six years at the helm, more than 90 percent of all bills that passed the Legislature did so with bipartisan support.
Outside the Legislature, Billig is an award-winning business executive. He is the CEO of Brett Sports, a company that owns and operates four minor league sports teams. He has spent 32 years with Brett Sports, rising through the ranks as general manager, president and now as part-owner and CEO.
“I’m so fortunate to have had two rewarding careers so far that help to support the Spokane community,” Billig said. “I will continue with Brett Sports and look forward to new opportunities as they arise.”
Billig’s six-year term as majority leader is the third longest in the last 50 years, surpassed by only Jeanette Hayner (7 years; 1981-1982, 1988-1992) and his former seatmate and current Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown (8 years; 2005-2012).
Senate Democrats will elect a new majority leader for the 2025 legislative session following the 2024 general election in November.
The 60-day 2024 legislative session will conclude this week with floor action focused primarily on concurring (and sometimes not concurring) with changes made to Senate bills in the House. Also this week, the final versions of the supplemental operating, capital and transportation budgets will be revealed. And today, the Senate and House will hold floor votes on the three initiatives that had public hearings last week.
FLOOR ACTION
Monday, March 4-Thursday, March 7
The Senate will spend a lot of time on the floor this week, considering bills amended by the House during the concurrence process, and taking action on supplemental budgets, and holding votes on three initiatives.
OLYMPIA — Residents living near Sea-Tac International Airport, who face disproportionate health risks due to aircraft noise and pollution, could receive assistance to repair failing soundproofing for their houses under legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by the House today.
SB 5955, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), establishes a grant program managed by the Washington State Department of Commerce, which would assist the port of Seattle in undertaking a program to repair home noise mitigation equipment that is not working properly.
“We ask people in airport communities to tolerate high levels of noise from air traffic that benefits our whole state,” said Keiser. “The least we can do is ensure that whatever noise mitigation assistance homeowners receive actually works the way it’s intended to rather than infesting their homes with mold.”
In the House, a companion bill was sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines). The joint effort by the two lawmakers in the district they represent has built a landmark partnership between the Port of Seattle, the State of Washington, King County, cities in the area, and airport communities.
“While SeaTac connects us globally, it is one of the fastest-growing airports in the nation and, with over 1,000 flights per day, it has an enormous impact on residents in our area,” said Orwall. “We are proud to have brought state and city partners, community members and port leaders together for this critical first step to assist struggling homeowners.”
Over the past 30 years, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Port of Seattle have attempted to provide relief to many homeowners near Sea-Tac Airport in the form of “port packages”— home improvements including double-pane and triple-pane windows and sound-dampening insulation to shield them from the noise of airplanes taking off and landing nearby.
However, many earlier port packages failed within a few years, leaking and allowing mold to grow between the panes of the windows. The Commerce Department would help rectify those problems through a grant program financed by a new port district equity fund that can accept contributions from the state, local governments, the port, and private individuals or groups.
“The collaboration among all parties involved has culminated in finally addressing the needs of homeowners who have been waiting for years for assistance,” said Keiser. “I am thrilled everyone was able to come together to establish this grant program.”
The bill provides for five years of funding as well as a report on the number of homes repaired and the number that still need repair.
A window installed many years ago for 33rd Legislative District constituent Mr. Lee of SeaTac is infested with mold between the panes, impossible to clean. He has been on a waiting list for a replacement for eight years.
The bill now goes to the governor for his signature.
AG Ferguson request bill to help more than 35,000 Washington veterans access state benefits passes legislature unanimously
Current law excludes many veterans from vulnerable communities, including those forced out by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
OLYMPIA — Today, the Washington state Legislature unanimously passed Attorney General request legislation sponsored by Rep. Mike Volz, R-Spokane, that will expand state benefits to more than 35,000 Washington veterans. It now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
AG Ferguson, Legislature get tough on price-fixing, other antitrust violations
Washington antitrust penalties now among nation’s strongest
OLYMPIA — Washington state’s maximum penalties for antitrust violations like price-fixing and collusion will be among the strongest in the nation after the Legislature approved a bill last night sponsored by Rep. Darya Farivar, D-Lake City, and requested by Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
Today Gov. Jay Inslee announced the appointment of Monica Kaup Cary to the King County Superior Court. She will replace Judge Matthew Segal, who retired from the bench effective Jan. 17, 2024.
Since 2022, Cary has served as a family court commissioner at the King County Superior Court. In this role, she has presided over numerous family law matters, including family law motions, civil protection orders, truancy, and at-risk youth in need of services. From 2013 to 2018, she also served as a King County family law commissioner pro tem. Prior to her current role as a judicial officer, Cary worked for over 18 years at the DuBois Cary Law Group, becoming an owner and partner in 2010. At DuBois Cary Law Group, she represented clients in all aspects of family law proceedings, with a practice emphasis on complex custody and financial matters. She also assisted in managing the firm’s operations and employees.
Her previous work experience includes serving as a Pierce County prosecuting attorney in the criminal law division, and as a clerk to the presiding family court judge in the Oregon Circuit Court, 4th Judicial District. She currently volunteers on the King County Unified Family Court Committee, Courts and Communities Committee, and the DEI Committee.
Cary is also active in her community. She has volunteered at the City of Seattle Immigration and Refugee Family Clinic, served on the First Responder Will Clinic as both a member of the board of directors and as a volunteer attorney and served on the board of the South Asian Bar Association.
“Commissioner Monica Cary is highly regarded as a thoughtful and thorough judicial officer who consistently demonstrates her ability to issue clear, impartial, well-considered decisions,” said Inslee. “I’m pleased that she will bring her integrity, work ethic, expertise and compassion to the King County Superior Court bench.”
Cary earned her bachelor’s degree from Franklin and Marshall College. She earned her law degree from the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College.
OLYMPIA – Legislation to block unscrupulous lenders who are partnering with out-of-state banks to evade Washington’s limits on interest rates has now passed both the Senate and the House unanimously.
SB 6025, sponsored by Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), makes any attempt to evade the provisions of Washington’s Consumer Loan Act a violation of the act.
“Our state’s Consumer Loan Act does a good job of protecting consumers and making sure there is clarity for lenders and borrowers,” said Stanford. “But some companies are partnering with out-of-state banks and using structures that allow them to get around the act. This bill makes sure our regulators can stop that and protect consumers in Washington from these predatory lenders.”
Some companies have been partnering with banks in Utah, which has no limits on interest rates, to offer high-interest loans to some of the most vulnerable populations in Washington state. Interest rates on these unregulated products reach well over 100 percent. Under SB 6025, that would no longer be allowed in Washington.
An amendment added in the House clarifies that the changes to the Consumer Loan Act under the bill apply prospectively only and not to loans made before the bill’s effective date, unless the loan is renegotiated or modified afterward.
Having been amended in the House, the bill now returns to the Senate for concurrence.
OLYMPIA — People who commit crimes on tribal lands would not be able to escape justice by fleeing into Washington state lands, under legislation passed unanimously by the House Wednesday.
SB 6146 would authorize Washington state law enforcement officers to enforce warrants issued by Washington’s 29 federally recognized tribes and empower them to transport people to tribal lands for prosecution.
“This law will help keep communities in Washington and on tribal lands safe, while respecting the constitutional rights of defendants,” said Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), sponsor of the bill. “Our laws need to reflect the realities of our world today. We have been operating under laws written when travel between jurisdictions wasn’t easy and the technology to confirm identity didn’t exist, so this legislation modernizes our laws to address the problems that arise today, when it is easy to flee from one jurisdiction into another.”
“The safety of all Washingtonians is a responsibility across governmental families, and SB 6146 responds to those victims of crimes, from drug dealers to domestic violence,” said Rep. Debra Lekanoff (D-Anacortes), sponsor of House companion legislation. “We look forward to Gov. Inslee signing this bill into law, as this act reflects one of many injustices that Native Americans have faced in a place that was once their own.”
“Washington tribes and the state Legislature are weaving tribal and state justice and public safety systems and providing the time for the transition between a new system, new administration and sovereign nations,” Lekanoff said.
Lekanoff emphasized the importance of implementing the law carefully. “This law is a foundation for future state and tribal jurisdiction policy, regulation and fiscal recognition of sovereignty of governing bodies. I believe the old statement of this law in bipartisanship — it reflects the intent of the Legislature to work with the tribes and the executive branch to make future decisions that strengthen our commitments for a safe place for all.”
The bill was the result of collaboration between tribal and state law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys.
“This bill closes a jurisdictional gap allowing crimes to be committed on Indian reservations and then flight off-reservation where no legal process exists for state arrest and return of fugitives to the tribes,” said Judge Ron Whitener, retired chief judge of the Tulalip Tribal Court and a Squaxin Island Tribal member. “It also provides due process protections for fugitives by only allowing arrest and return to tribal custody if the tribe meets Constitutional requirements of the federal Tribal Law and Order Act.”
For tribes not yet meeting the federal requirements, the bill creates an extradition process requiring state court review of extradition prior to returning a fugitive to a tribe.
“The fact is that the tribes have been arresting and returning state fugitives under our treaty duties for 170 years, with no concerning incidents,” Whitener said. “We have complete confidence that our state law enforcement counterparts will do as fine a job under this bill, increasing safety and peace in our all of our communities.”
Chairman Steve Edwards of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community thanked Dhingra and Lekanoff for “convening a process that brought together all 29 tribes with Washington state law enforcement and prosecutors to work collaboratively on solutions through which the state can recognize tribal warrants. This legislation will help to keep all Washingtonians safe around the state and on tribal lands.”
Having been amended in the House, SB 6146 returns to the Senate for concurrence.
AG Ferguson: Attorney General’s Office will implement state Hate Crimes Hotline
AG Ferguson offers the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 5427
OLYMPIA — Today, the Legislature adopted legislation sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, creating a statewide hate crimes hotline in the Attorney General’s Office.
The bill, Senate Bill 5427, passed the House in a 56-39 vote. The Senate passed the bill in early February with a bipartisan 30-18 vote. It will now head to Gov. Inslee for his signature.
On Wednesday, Gov. Inslee traveled to King County, where he highlighted the need for additional funding for the state’s Encampment Resolution Program. Inslee toured the of a former homeless encampment near I-5 in north Seattle, where he met with crewmembers contracted by WSDOT to clear the site of debris and outreach workers who worked with individual encampment residents to transition to safer shelter options and services. The crew has already cleared the site of more than 200 tons of debris and is now working to mitigate the site with fencing, in order to prevent the establishment of another encampment.
The governor urged legislators to appropriate necessary funding to keep the encampment resolution program going. He emphasized the necessity of securing additional emergency housing across the state in order to confront the state’s homelessness crisis. “We look for all potential options,” said Inslee. “Buy a hotel that's empty, put in a tiny home village, look at multiple sites that can be consolidated. I think we should be open to all of these different versions because people have different needs as well.”
Inslee’s encampment resolution program has made substantial progress in its first 18 months, connecting more than 1,000 people to safer housing and services, and resolving more than 30 encampments along the I-5 corridor.
During the tour, the governor also met Itsy, a puppy that had been living at the encampment. Itsy has since been adopted by a staff member from CoLead, one of the nonprofit outreach groups contracted with the state to help homeless people connect with safe shelter options and substance use disorder treatment.
While he was in the King County, the governor also made remarks at the ribbon cutting for a new clean energy manufacturing facility in the SoDo neighborhood of Seattle. The factory, owned by First Mode, will manufacture components for the company’s hydrogen and hybrid-electric drivetrains for use in giant mining trucks and locomotives. Their innovative technology has the potential to help entire industries move from fossil fuels to clean energy.
First Mode is one of many clean energy companies that have chosen to make Washington their base of manufacturing and operations in recent years, making the state a world leader in this burgeoning industry. As the governor highlighted in his remarks at the ribbon cutting, part of the reason businesses like First Mode are coming to Washington is the Climate Commitment Act. The state’s cap on pollution is making additional resources and services available to both businesses and consumers, creating green jobs and accelerating the state’s transition to clean energy.
Gov. Jay Inslee recently traveled to Walla Walla County, addressing two crucial issues: transitioning to clean energy and tackling the ongoing fentanyl crisis. During his visit, he met with various stakeholders, gaining valuable insights while highlighting state and local collaborative efforts.
Driving clean transportation with WOW CarShare
The governor's day began with a roundtable discussion alongside Women of Wisdom Tri-Cities (WOW) and Valley Transit Authority. The focus was on their innovative WOW CarShare program, which expands electric vehicle (EV) accessibility for low- and moderate-income communities. This program, funded by the Zero-emissions Access Program (ZAP) grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation, prioritizes equity by ensuring affordable access to shared EVs through membership options and strategically placed charging stations in underserved areas.
Supporting programs like WOW's CarShare aligns with Washington's commitment to clean transportation. Funded partly from the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), the Department of Commerce has allocated over $85 million to fund nearly 5,000 new EV charging stations across the state, including 19 in Walla Walla County. Additionally, the CCA ensures that at least 35% of its funds are directed towards areas disproportionately impacted by pollution, further supporting projects like WOW CarShare.
Combating the fentanyl crisis
Inslee then visited the Walla Walla Fire Department (WWFD) to understand their experiences with the alarming rise in fentanyl overdoses and to honor Fire Engineer Ryan Pleasants, who passed away while on duty in January. The governor began with a moment of silence led by Pleasant's wife, Racquel Pleasants, to remember Pleasant's service to the community. Following the moment of silence, Inslee learned about the rise in fentanyl overdoses. Fentanyl has become a daily reality for WWFD crews. They now respond to more overdoses in a single month than they once did in an entire year. The recent seizures in November and December 2023 intercepted approximately 2,800 fentanyl pills and two pounds of fentanyl powder by the Walla Walla Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, underscores the severity of the issue.
Recognizing this critical challenge, Governor Inslee proposed adding over $50 million in new funding for opioid combat in the 2023–25 biennium. This would build upon the existing $200 million allocated for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities, rental subsidies for people with SUD, treatment subsidies, criminal diversion programs, peer support services, Tribal SUD grants, and more.
Investing in Rural Development
Inslee's final stop was at the Port of Walla Walla, where he received an update on the progress at Wallula Gap Business Park. This park, one of six rural industrial sites receiving part of a $2.5 million grant in 2023, is poised to become a hub for clean energy development. Proposed projects include sustainable aviation fuel production and EV battery manufacturing, aligning with the governor's proposed $136 million Green Jobs and Infrastructure Catalytic Fund.