Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts

AG Ferguson announces Assistant Attorney General Morgan Damerow as new Open Government Ombuds

Saturday, September 3, 2022

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today he has selected Assistant Attorney General Morgan Damerow as the Attorney General’s Office Open Government Ombuds.

State open government laws exist to promote democracy and ensure that the government is transparent to the individuals it serves. To hold government accountable, the public must be able to stay informed of their government’s activities and how it is exercising the powers they have given to it.

“Open government is vital to a free and informed democracy,” Ferguson said. “The Attorney General’s Office created the Ombuds position to help the public and elected officials navigate complex systems for public records. Morgan has played a critical role in this open government work for years. He will continue to help Washingtonians better understand how their governments operate.”

For the previous two years, a team of Assistant Attorneys General performed the Ombuds’ duties. That team included Morgan Damerow and one of the Deputy Attorneys General who serves on the office’s Core Leadership Team.

During this period, the Attorney General’s Office:
  • Led more than a dozen Open Public Meetings Act trainings across the state with more than 1,000 individuals attending — primarily elected officials;
  • Conducted 263 public records trainings — for example, “Public Records Act University” and “Public Records Act Boot Camp” — across the state and to more than 15,600 attendees;
  • Answered more than 200 queries from the public regarding open meetings and public records;
  • Assisted with more than 800 requests from local governments for public records and meetings assistance; and
  • Public Records and Open Public Meetings, the Open Government Resource Manual and other training materials.

The Ombuds can provide guidance to the public and elected officials regarding open meetings and public records. You can contact the Ombuds by email at AGOOmbuds@atg.wa.gov or by phone at 360-570-3418.

More information here



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Still time to join the free online CityWise class - applications due by Friday February 18

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

There is still room! CityWise 2022 Applications Are Due by Friday, February 18, 2022

Have you ever wondered who maintains our roads? Or how the City creates a budget or plans for the future of our parks? 

The City is offering its popular CityWise Project online in 2022. This series of 9 informational sessions will provide participants an overview of City government and operations. 

CityWise is free of charge, and open to residents, employees, business owners, and students age 16 and older in Shoreline.

Detailed information and the application are available online and must be received by 6pm on Friday, February 18 to be considered. 

If you have any questions, please contact Constance Perenyi, Neighborhoods Coordinator, at cperenyi@shorelinewa.gov.



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Applications due February 18 for Shoreline CityWise 2022

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Have you ever wondered who maintains our roads? Or how the City creates a budget or plans for the future of our parks?

The City of Shoreline is offering its popular CityWise Project online in 2022. 

This series of nine informational sessions will provide participants an overview of City government and operations. CityWise is free of charge, and open to residents, employees, business owners, and students aged 16 and older in Shoreline. 

We limit class size to 30 participants. Our goal is to have participants who are representative of the different parts of the City and its diverse populations. Applicants who are Shoreline residents will receive priority.

We will hold classes Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30pm, March 1 through May 3. Classes will be held on Zoom. Participants must be willing to commit to attending all sessions. The application is available online and is due Friday, February 18 by 6:00pm. We will only accept online applications.

We will send notices of acceptance Tuesday, February 22. If you have any questions, please contact Neighborhoods Coordinator Constance Perenyi at cperenyi@shorelinewa.gov.

CityWise Schedule for 2022



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Remand Hearing for Naval Hospital Chapel Boundary - September 23, 2021

Monday, September 20, 2021

Naval Chapel at Fircrest photo by Janet Way

It will be a “Redo!” According to King County Preservation Board, the “Motion for Reconsideration” on the Landmark “boundary decision” will recommence at a Remand Hearing next Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 4pm. But the property and Chapel that was preserved by the Shoreline Landmarks Commission will stand.

The dispute arose when DSHS (Management at Fircrest) challenged the original decision borders and requested a Motion for Reconsideration on the property boundaries. They were requesting a section of the forest, which was landmarked around the Historic Chapel, for use as a parking lot.

But interestingly, according to the Historic Property Inventory Form and determinations made prior to 2001, the entire Fircrest Campus is actually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places! So, it is even more significant than previously known.

The Shoreline City Council Remanded the case back to the Landmarks Commission because of an error in the original Legal Notice.

So, if you are someone who cares about this historic World War II site, where thousands of injured sailors were cared for and healed, and that this Chapel was built as a place for spiritual support and healing within a beautiful forest, then please send a comment to The King County Landmarks Commission c/o Sarah Steen, ssteen@kingcounty.gov. And/or, please tune in to the hearing and comment if you wish on Zoom.

Zoom Conference Access Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83502932396?pwd=NzViU1dzSThUZHkvVjBLWEVpbk4zZz09

If you have any questions, contact Shoreline Preservation Society via Janet Way at 206-734-5545 or janetway@yahoo.com



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Families to receive enhanced Child Tax Credit

Sunday, July 18, 2021


From the office of Congressional District 7 Rep Pramila Jayapal

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan that we passed in Congress, the enhanced Child Tax Credit will put at least $250/month per child directly into families’ pockets. This money is projected to cut child poverty in HALF across the country.

So how does it work?

The American Rescue Plan provides the largest child tax credit ever and historic relief to the most working families ever.

If you’ve filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020, or if you signed up to receive a stimulus check from the IRS, you will get this relief automatically through either direct deposit or the mail. You do not need to sign up or take any action.

If you didn’t make enough to be required to file taxes in 2020 or 2019, you can still get benefits. Sign up at: ChildTaxCredit.Gov

In the meantime, as we continue to fight this virus, my team and I are here to help. If you need assistance with Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal agency, please reach out to my office at 206-674-0040 or email us at Jayapal.Casework@mail.house.gov

Pramila Jayapal represents Washington's 7th District which includes most of Seattle, Shoreline, Woodway, and parts of Edmonds.

Lake Forest Park and Kenmore are in the 1st Congressional District, represented by Suzan DelBene.
Representative for Washington's 1st congressional district
Since Nov 13, 2012 (next election in 2022)
Democrat



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CityWise applications now open

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Have you ever wondered who maintains our roads? Or how the City creates a budget or plans for the future of our parks?

The City is offering its popular CityWise Project online in 2021. This series of eight informational sessions will provide participants an overview of City government and operations. 

CityWise is free of charge, and open to residents, employees, business owners, and students age 16 and older in Shoreline.

Class size is limited to 30 participants. They will be selected for a class makeup that is representative of the entire city and its diverse populations. Applicants who are Shoreline residents will receive priority.

This year, classes will be offered via Zoom. They are scheduled for Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8: 30pm, February 23 – April 13, 2021. Participants must be willing to commit to attending all sessions.

The application is available online and must be received by 6:00pm on Friday, February 5 to be considered. 

Applications are accepted online only. Notice of acceptance will be sent Wednesday, February 10. If you have any questions, contact Constance Perenyi, Neighborhoods Coordinator, at cperenyi@shorelinewa.gov




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Regarding Nationwide Safety and Security for Inauguration Day

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Jeffrey A. Rosen
Acting Atty General, USA

Statement of Acting Attorney General of the U.S.A. Jeffrey A. Rosen

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Wednesday, the Nation and the world will witness an orderly and peaceful transfer of power in the United States, as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court swears in President-Elect Biden.  

Throughout our Nation’s proud history, this ceremony has served as a beacon of democracy and a testament to the enduring strength of our Constitution.

By contrast, the violence we witnessed at the Capitol two weeks ago was an intolerable travesty, which is why the Justice Department has now brought charges against more than one-hundred individuals and has investigations of many others underway.

The Department of Justice is committed, together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, to ensuring a safe and peaceful Inauguration – one that reflects our Nation’s enduring highest values.
  
As I have repeatedly said over the last two weeks, the Justice Department will have no tolerance for anyone who attempts to mar the day with violence or other criminal conduct. Anyone who does that will be caught, and they will be prosecuted.
Indeed, over the past two weeks, we have seen friends, family members, co-workers, and others reporting information to us about those who were involved in the breach of the Capitol on January 6th. The FBI has received nearly 200,000 digital tips from the public. 

The American people have demonstrated that they will not allow mob violence to go unanswered.  Violence and senseless criminal conduct are not the right way to resolve differences or promote change in our country.

So, rest assured that every level of law enforcement and the National Guard are working around the clock here in Washington, D.C., to provide safety and security for Inauguration Day, and that federal, state, and local law enforcement all around the country are doing the same in our state capitols and government buildings across all fifty states.

As Americans, we all should seek to have a safe and peaceful Inauguration Day, and if we hold fast to our country’s Constitution and traditions, we will.



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Governor discusses legislative budget priorities

Sunday, January 10, 2021

Gov. Jay Inslee
Gov. Jay Inslee took questions and addressed his priorities for the 2021 legislative session at the Associated Press' annual Legislative Preview Day Thursday, January 7, 2021.

"Our priorities are right, fair and just, unequivocally rising to the challenges we face. Because my agenda is focused on three things: Relief, recovery and resilience," Inslee said. 

"Relief for the here-and-now; a recovery plan to turn the corner; and resilience for our long-term economic health."

Inslee’s 2021-23 budget proposals would:
  • Continue an aggressive response to the ongoing pandemic and build more capacity for tackling future public health crises.
  • Rebuild the state’s economy and continue efforts to support households, students, workers and businesses impacted by the pandemic.
  • Protect previous investments in areas such as education, childcare and early learning, climate action, behavioral health reform, combating homelessness and access to health care.

Inslee also discussed his historic package of equity legislation, which focuses on reforming independent investigations of police use of force, supporting immigrant workers impacted by the pandemic, further advancing equity-focused policies for state agency operations and $365 million total for equity-related agenda items.

More on the governor's proposals to address climate change, fix the state's regressive tax system and more can be found here.



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Inslee extends eviction moratorium

Friday, January 1, 2021

Gov. Jay Inslee extends eviction moratorium
Gov. Jay Inslee formally issued an extension of the eviction moratorium, extending all existing provisions and making adjustments to provide additional support for landlords and property owners. 

Proclamation 20-19.5 extends state rental assistance programs to incorporate the newly approved federal funding for rental assistance. 

Furthermore, the stated goal of these rental assistance programs is modified to provide a path for landlords, property owners, and property managers to initiate an application for rental assistance. 

The proclamation also clarifies that landlords and property owners may communicate with tenants in support of their applications for rental assistance.

The eviction moratorium is extended through March 31, 2021.

Read the full proclamation here.



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Case updates October 26, 2020; Western states form workgroup to review COVID vaccines

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee announced that Washington is joining other western states to review the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines when approved by the FDA.

This is an added layer of independent expert review that will help build confidence in the vaccine.

This panel of experts, begun by California Gov. Newsom last week, will expand with representatives from Washington, Oregon and Nevada.

The group will include experts appointed by all member states, and nationally-recognized scientists with expertise in immunization and public health.


Case updates October 26, 2020

United States
  • cases 8,680,611 - 63,589 cases since yesterday
  • deaths 225,084 - 483 deaths since yesterday

Washington state - *DOH does not report deaths on the weekend
  • cases 104,027 - 527 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 8,358 - 36 since yesterday
  • deaths* 2,337 - 16 since last report

King county
  • cases 26,621 - 100 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 2,559 - 14 since yesterday
  • deaths 800 - 9 since yesterday

Shoreline - population 56,752 (2018)
  • cases 667 - -2 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 109 - 0 new
  • deaths 65 - 2 new

Lake Forest Park - 13,569 (2018)
  • cases 76 - -1 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 3 - -1 since yesterday
  • deaths 1 - 0 new


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Association of Washington Cities reports: Cities are facing increased responsibilities with fewer resources

Friday, February 21, 2020

Cities are facing increased responsibilities with fewer resources. That's one key finding of a report recently released by the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).
"...the state has consistently limited local options for cities to adequately fund their most basic services, meet the needs that accompany population growth, and keep up with the effects of inflation. Further exacerbating the situation, the Legislature has repeatedly swept city assistance programs to help fill state budget gaps."

The report was unveiled in January and distributed to city leaders and legislators during the association's City Action Days that took place January 28 and 29 in Olympia. Using data, research, and trends, the 2020 State of the Cities report examines the conditions in Washington's 281 cities.

The report found that cities bring significant value to the state and its residents. People who live and work in cities drive the state's economy and send revenue to the state's coffers. As owners of much of the state's critical infrastructure, cities are essential to getting goods to market. And cities are the governments closest to the people, representing 65% of the state's population.

"This report makes clear that when the state invests in cities, every Washingtonian and all levels of government benefit," said AWC CEO Peter King. "Cities drive our state's economic health and are where the majority of our citizens call home and go to work every day. When the state invests in cities, everyone wins."

But cities face increased responsibilities and are struggling to meet their most basic needs, like aging infrastructure and public safety. New and emerging challenges are cropping up in cities across the state, such as affordable housing shortages, increased homelessness, the behavioral health crisis, and others.

The report explores the benefits that cities bring to the state, introduces the challenges facing many cities, and proposes a handful of ideas that the state can use to best support cities. This includes increased revenue options, increased investment in transportation and other basic infrastructure, and a stronger partnership with the state on affordable housing and behavioral health response.

142 cities contributed to the report by responding to a survey on major issues and challenges facing cities. The report's chapters cover city budgets, public safety, human resources, infrastructure, transportation, affordable housing and homelessness, and economic development.


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