Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts

Sen. Cantwell: Key fentanyl legislation passes the U.S. Senate

Monday, July 31, 2023

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell on the floor of the Senate

FEND Off Fentanyl Act declares international fentanyl trafficking a national emergency, aims to reduce fentanyl supply by targeting criminal organizations

“This legislation provides the President with new tools to stop the illicit fentanyl flooding our borders,” says Senator Maria Cantwell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Late Thursday night, July 27, 2023 after the FEND Off Fentanyl Act passed the U.S. Senate as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) spoke on the floor of the Senate about the fentanyl crisis.

The FEND Off Fentanyl Act would enhance current law so U.S. government agencies can more effectively disrupt illicit opioid supply chains and penalize those facilitating the trafficking of fentanyl. 

It also declares international trafficking of fentanyl, and the precursors used to make it, a national emergency. The bill was included in the Senate version of the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA, which passed with an 86-11 vote. Sen. Cantwell voted in favor of the NDAA and cosponsored the FEND Off Fentanyl Act.

“The fentanyl crisis is having a direct and dire impact on families in the state of Washington and all throughout the United States. In the past 12 months, more than 65,000 Americans have died by overdosing on synthetic opioids like fentanyl,” said Sen. Cantwell. 
“A crisis of this magnitude demands a robust federal response. And that's why this legislation provides the President with new tools to stop the illicit fentanyl flooding our borders and those that are trying to transport it into our country.”
 
“The bill specifically calls out eight known cartels in Mexico, which means that [the Department of the] Treasury can investigate suspicious activities involved here and declare sanctions. It recognizes that these traffickers once identified can have sanctions imposed and can have forfeiture of their property,” said Sen. Cantwell. 

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, my state, Washington, experienced the single highest increase among US states in reported drug overdoses last year, an increase of more than 21%.
"Hundreds of traumatized families that will never be the same. Thousands of first responders struggling to cope with this daily tragedy that they respond to. The statistics are stunning. But they're also just very tragic.”

Sen. Cantwell has been conducting a listening tour across Washington state to hear from people on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis. In May, Sen. Cantwell hosted a fentanyl crisis roundtable discussion in Pierce County followed by a second roundtable discussion in Snohomish County in June; earlier this month, she convened a roundtable in the Tri-Cities and a roundtable in downtown Seattle.

Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in Washington state, outnumbering deaths from vehicle collisions and firearms. 

Data released earlier this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the State of Washington experienced the single highest increase among U.S. states in reported drug overdose deaths between February 2022 and February 2023, an increase of 21.42%.

Now that the Senate has passed the NDAA, lawmakers must reconcile the differences between the House and Senate version of the bill before ultimately heading to the President’s desk.


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Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts (WASWD) honors Rep. Cindy Ryu

Sunday, July 30, 2023

State Rep. Cindy Ryu, left, receiving an award from Judi Gladstone, executive director of the Washington Association of Water and Sewer Districts. Photo courtesy WASWD.

An award ceremony was held on June 29, 2023 at North City Water District in Shoreline to present Rep. Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline with an Outstanding Legislator Award from the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts (WASWD).

At a separate ceremony, they also honored Senator Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah).
 
Both Senator Mullet and Representative Ryu were responsible for significant efforts to ensure the success of special purpose water and sewer districts in the state of Washington, which in turn provides positive outcomes for utility customers.

From her initial involvement as a Shoreline City Council Member and Mayor, to her election to the Washington House of Representatives in 2010, Representative Ryu has focused on community development and consumer protection—core tenets shared by special purpose utility districts.

Her efforts this past session included sponsoring and shepherding legislation to provide equal treatment for all local governments undertaking public works procurement processes. 

Despite not serving on the House Local Government Committee, she negotiated with her colleagues on that committee to secure strong bipartisan support for the bill. 

Thanks to Representative Ryu’s support, the bill was signed by the Governor on May 4, 2023, allowing special purpose districts the same conditions for performing work in-house, which will ultimately save on ratepayer bills.


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CORRECTION: Zack Stallings suspends campaign for school board and endorses Hazim Ghanim

Friday, July 28, 2023

Zack Stallings suspends campaign
for Shoreline School Board
Correction: All votes are counted and the top two advance to the General election, even if the candidate has withdrawn.

Announcement from Zachary Stallings

I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for School Board Director Position 4, and to endorse my wonderful and learned opponent Hazim Ghanim.

My only goal in running was to make Shoreline Schools the best district in the nation. An agonizing soul search and many sleepless nights has led me to the conclusion that I am not the best candidate to do this. My part is staying on the ground, in school, where I belong. 

Hazim Ghanim
Hazim has the vision, the knowledge, and the chutzpah to get things done on this board. I am so glad that Hazim has joined our community and cares enough to throw his hat in the ring for the board. I know that he will bring the fresh perspective this board so desperately needs.

To my supporters and voters, thank you so much for your confidence in me, it means the world. It is unfortunate that Washington State has a backwards electoral system where some votes are wasted. Let’s fight for a fairer voting system where all votes matter!

I am so glad to have talked with so many people with so many different opinions across this great community. I am delighted to know so many people here are in-tune with local politics. Thank you so much for the time that you gave to speak to me.

With Gratitude
Zachary Stallings


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Medical experts ask Congress to help deal with a rise in "superbugs"

Monday, July 17, 2023

Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash  
Medical experts want Congress to pass legislation that could help deal with a rise in so-called "superbugs" -- bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics. 

Abundant use of antibiotics in both medical care and in agriculture for livestock are blamed for driving the trend. 

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, of Kansas, the top Republican on a subcommittee that discussed the issue this week, and also a doctor, noted that more than 3 million Americans will be diagnosed this year with an antimicrobial-resistant infection.

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Politics: Former U.S. Attorney Nick Brown to run for office of State Attorney General

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Nick Brown announces run for State Attorney General

Nick Brown, a former U.S. attorney and past general counsel to Gov. Jay Inslee, will run as a Democrat in the 2024 election to be Washington's next attorney general. 

He announced his candidacy this week. Bob Ferguson, the current AG, is stepping aside to run for governor. 

"Keeping Washington families safe,” advancing gun policy, preserving a healthy environment, and preventing discrimination in housing are some of the areas Brown says he'd prioritize if elected. 

Democratic state Sen. Manka Dhingra is also running. 



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Primary for Shoreline School Board Position #4

Monday, July 10, 2023

School board meeting where budget cuts were announced.
Photo by Tanner Phillips

By Diane Hettrick

There are three candidates for the open seat on the Shoreline School Board, which means this race will be in the August 2023 election.

The two candidates with the most number of votes will advance to the November election.

Voter pamphlets will be mailed out on Tuesday, ballots on Wednesday. Ballots must be returned by Election Day, August 1, 2023, either mailed in with the postmark of August 1 or before, or deposited in a drop box by 8pm (not one minute later!)

They have submitted statements which include responses to questions we submitted to them. Their statements can be viewed by clicking the embedded link in each name.

They are listed in the order they appear on the ballot.

Shoreline School District No. 412, Director District No. 4


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Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Sylvia Gil

Sylvia Gil, School Board Candidate
Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Sylvia Gil

My name is Sylvia Gil and I am running for Shoreline School Board Director (District #4) to ensure all children in our District have access to high-quality education.

I am concerned that our current budget challenges, due to declining enrollment and state funding, will reduce critical support for students. 

While declining enrollment does not have a short-term solution, I think we can support efforts to ensure state funding covers the broad range of student needs. 

This is critical as the lack of funding can impact school budgets, reducing staff and programs that positively impact student experiences. 

Programs that support students should be retained, including family advocate staff that work with students and families to address critical needs.

As a Board member, I would value community engagement and support efforts to gather feedback and share information through school board meetings, forums, and direct conversations. 

I think it is important for the district to have a variety of opportunities for feedback to connect community considerations with policy and communications. Further, to align our priorities and increase transparency I would focus on developing a district strategic plan. A comprehensive plan would serve to guide and focus engagement on district-wide goals and needs.

In terms of my background, I have previous experience as a teacher, and have worked in health care administration and advocacy. Personally, I have lived in Shoreline for over 10 years, and I have a child in the district. I would bring a high level of commitment to serving on the Board to ensure that all children have high-quality education.



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Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Zack Stallings

Zack Stallings,
School Board Candidate
Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Zack Stallings

My name is Zack Stallings. I am a Shoreline native and a graduate of the Shoreline School District. I am running for the Shoreline School Board.

Shoreline School’s current budget crisis was brought on by a myriad of problems, but the solution is not to cut positions and programs like Family Advocates and Credit Recovery. 

These and other programs bring in students from out-of-district and keep students from leaving the district. With the implosion of Seattle Schools we can not afford to miss this opportunity to bring more students in. 

The most important position to maintain is Family Advocates, not only because this provides the most baseline support for families in crisis, but also because Shoreline and Lake Forest Park taxpayers willingly gave up their hard-earned money on the promise this program would be expanded and fully funded. 

Shoreline and LFP residents understand that children experiencing hardships cannot learn, and children who cannot learn here will learn somewhere else. I will never vote for a budget which so drastically reduces programs that help disadvantaged students.

As an employee of the Shoreline School District I am intimately aware of how this budget will affect our most vulnerable students. What I am not acutely aware of is: how exactly did we end up here? I know the community at-large feels blindsided by this deficit, and I know parents feel like they were left out of the loop on the Reduced Educational Plan. 

Far too often decisions are decreed from the top without community involvement; the anger and desperation of parents at the meeting where the Reduced Educational Plan was approved was palpable. 

Many felt like this was their only chance to say something. I will find ways to proactively include the community’s feedback before we get to that point.

A vote for me means a vote against educational plans that target our most disadvantaged students. I will not endlessly pontificate about achieving equitable outcomes for students, I will achieve them.

Thank you for your time, and for your vote.


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Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Hazim Ghanim

Hazim Ghanim,
School Board Candidate
Candidate for Shoreline School Board Position #4: Hazim Ghanim

  • Question: Funding is based on the student population. Considering that current conditions have resulted in reduced student numbers, do you think it’s possible to increase the student population in the short-term? What would be your suggestions to increase enrollment? 

While increasing the student population in the short-term may be challenging, it is achievable. To boost enrollment, I suggest implementing targeted outreach campaigns to highlight the unique strengths and opportunities our schools offer. 

We will need to collaborate with local community organizations, host open houses to attract potential students, and explore partnerships with nearby school districts. 

Offering specialized programs such as vocational training, arts programs, or STEM initiatives can attract students seeking unique educational opportunities. 

Adapting to changing educational needs, promoting a safe and inclusive environment, and enhancing extracurricular offerings are essential to attract new students and ensure their long-term success.

  • Question: What is your understanding of and experience with school budgets? 

With my experience as the treasurer of our school’s PTSA, I have developed a strong understanding of school budgets. In my role, I have been intimately involved in reviewing and creating the annual budget. I have also taken responsibility for closely monitoring and comprehending the cash flow. 

In my professional experience as a manager, I have gained experience in maintaining and proposing budgets for my team, navigating the fluctuations and changes that come with it. This firsthand involvement has provided me with practical knowledge of budgeting processes and the significance of financial management in both educational and professional contexts.

  • Question: If programs need to be reduced or cut, what are your priorities for programs to retain? Be as specific as possible. 

When faced with program reductions or cuts, my priorities for retention would be core academic programs, special education and support services, advanced placement and honors courses, career and technical education programs, extracurricular activities promoting student engagement, and social-emotional learning initiatives, including mental health support. These programs ensure a well-rounded education, address diverse student needs, and foster academic, social, and emotional growth.

  • Question: How would you as a member of the Board best share information with the community? 

As a board member I would leverage utilizing an array of communication channels. This includes regular updates and newsletters, community meetings, social media platforms, and the district website. 

Additionally, I would establish open lines of communication with PTA leadership across our community, collaborating closely with them to disseminate important information to parents and engage in two-way communication. By creating a network of communication, we can ensure transparent and timely sharing of information with the community, fostering trust and active involvement.

  • Question: How important is gathering information and feedback from the community? Why? And how would you go about that? 

Gathering information and feedback from the community is one of the most critical aspects of serving as a school board member. It is essential because the board's purpose is to represent and address the needs and desires of the community. By actively seeking input, we can ensure that decisions align with community expectations, enhancing transparency and accountability.

To gather community information and feedback, there are several approaches. This includes hosting regular town hall meetings where community members can voice their concerns and ideas. 

Establishing open lines of communication through surveys, online platforms, and dedicated email addresses to facilitate ongoing feedback. Collaborating closely with PTAs and other community organizations would also be valuable, as they can serve as conduits for collecting input and disseminating information. 

By actively engaging with the community through these channels, I would ensure that their voices are heard, fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to decision-making.


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U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in Mukilteo and Port Orchard to highlight funding of infrastructure projects

Friday, July 7, 2023

Buttigieg (center) with Sen. Maria Cantwell

Politicians gathered at the Mukilteo ferry dock on Thursday, July 6, 2023 with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to celebrate the Biden-Harris administration's #investinginAmerica plan, which has granted almost $133 million to support several infrastructure projects around our state. #Bidenomics @GovInsleeGovernor Jay Inslee

Inslee said "I'm grateful for the partnership and want to thank Secretary Buttigieg and members of our delegation for securing this funding and also for securing RAISE grants for Seattle, Shoreline, Blaine, Port Angeles, and the Jamestown S'Kalallam Tribe, and Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe."

One of the projects funds purchase of electric ferries for the Puget Sound fleet. 

In Port Orchard in Kitsap County the Governor, along with Senators Cantwell and Murray spoke of the grant to the Port of Bremerton to replace a failing breakwater. 

The Port Orchard Marina Breakwater project will replace 1,500 linear feet of a 12-foot wide public breakwater that protects the community of Port Orchard, the marina facilities, the exclusive moorage for the Suquamish Tribes fishing vessels, and the Kitsap Transit passenger ferries. The failing breakwater also protects the only marine fuel facility within 16 nautical miles.

The marina supports essential government emergency response services, tribal and non-tribal commercial fishing, moorage of 341 permanent saltwater slips, 100 guest saltwater slips for recreational use, and moorage exclusively for the Suquamish Tribe. The marina additionally provides moorage for the Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry fleet, which helps transport more than 23,000 passengers per month. In the last year, Kitsap Transit also provided over 200,000 passenger trips to Port Orchard.

Upland Village Relocation Road Project, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Reservation — $24.98 million

“The Shoalwater Bay Tribe is on the frontlines of some of the most serious effects of climate change,” said Senator Murray of the grant for the Shoalwater Bay Tribe. 
“This community is one that’s experiencing firsthand the impact of rising sea levels, and they need help to keep Tribal members and their property safe from harm. This grant is going to make a major difference for the Shoalwater Bay Tribe as they work to move to higher ground and protect their community from coastal hazards.

West Side Transformation: Multimodal Connections to the Shoreline South Regional Transit Hub

The City of Shoreline $20million RAISE grant will fund a series of multimodal improvements including a bicycle and pedestrian bridge across Interstate 5, ADA sidewalks and curb ramps on 145th Street, roadway geometry modifications on 145th Street, and a series of bicycle boulevards on low-stress streets.



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Court keeps protective order in place for 32nd District lawmaker Rep. Lauren Davis

Thursday, June 29, 2023

By Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard

A domestic violence restraining order obtained by a 32nd District state lawmaker against her lobbyist ex-boyfriend will remain in effect under an appellate court ruling issued Monday.

Rep. Lauren Davis, a Democrat from Shoreline, obtained a five-year protection order in King County against lobbyist Cody Arledge in May 2022, citing what she said was an escalating pattern of obsessive and threatening behavior after she ended their relationship the prior year.

As a 32nd District lawmaker, Davis represents portions of Edmonds and Lynnwood, as well as Woodway and Mountlake Terrace.

Under terms of the no-contact order, Arledge cannot go within 1,000 feet of Davis’ home or her workplace, defined as the state Capitol and adjacent John L. O’Brien Building that houses state representatives’ offices, unless she is not at the Capitol.

In addition, he was required for one year to wear an ankle bracelet with GPS monitoring alerting authorities and Davis via a phone app if he violated those conditions. Last month, the requirement was renewed for a second year because he had violated the order.

Arledge sued, arguing a trial court abused its discretion in issuing the protective order and violated his constitutional rights in requiring around-the-clock electronic GPS monitoring. A three-member Division I Court of Appeals panel disagreed on both points.

“I have a deep sense of relief after an arduous, nearly two-year legal battle,” Davis said. 
“More than anything, I am incredibly heartened by what this decision means for other survivors. The act of seeking a protection order is so frequently a precursor to domestic homicide that it has a name – ‘retaliation violence’.”

David Donnan, Arledge’s attorney, said, “Obviously we are disappointed in the result.”

A decision on whether to appeal Monday’s decision hasn’t been made, he said, noting he is still reviewing the ruling’s detailed analysis.

A two-year legal fight

Davis represents the 32nd Legislative District which includes Shoreline, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace. Arledge, a lobbyist, owns The Arledge Group.

Davis and Arledge met through work in 2018 and began a romantic relationship in 2019. She said she tried ending the relationship in 2020 and 2021, but due to a “pattern of control and manipulation,” she “return[ed] to the relationship,” according to court documents.

On Nov. 10, 2021, Davis petitioned for a protection order, alleging that she feared Arledge because his “stalking behavior has escalated substantially,” and he has “made threats of suicide in the past, has a severe substance use disorder, and has a number of firearms,” the ruling said.

In response, Arledge denied his conduct amounted to domestic violence. Arledge also contended the electronic monitoring violated his right to privacy as spelled out in the state and federal constitutions.

Justice Bill Bowman, who wrote Monday’s opinion, concluded that the monitoring imposed by the lower court did not tread on Arledge’s constitutional “right to privacy and the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.”

“The electronic monitoring device passively records his location,” he wrote. “So, any intrusion into Arledge’s privacy is not permanent, and the degree of the intrusion is limited.”

A new law, authored by Davis, aims to strengthen Washington’s safety net for victims in domestic violence cases.

It contains provisions for crafting a model policy for the use of electronic monitoring, with victim notification technology, and establishing a research center at the University of Washington to identify the most effective strategies for preventing violence among intimate partners.

Davis said she hoped Monday’s decision “paves the way for the broader use of electronic monitoring in civil protection order cases.”

“This common-sense technology is life-saving for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking,” she said. “It has given me my life back and I am eternally grateful.”

Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com. Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and Twitter.


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Cantwell, Murray announce $1.2 billion federal investment in WA broadband infrastructure

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the State of Washington will receive $1,227,742,066 from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to help expand broadband access to areas that remain without high-speed broadband.

Congress established and funded the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). 

The new program, which is administered by the Department of Commerce, is providing a block grant to the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO), which will determine how to invest the allocation within the state.

“The COVID pandemic laid bare just how crucial fast and affordable internet access is for all Washingtonians. But for more than a quarter of a million households in the State of Washington, broadband remains inaccessible,” Sen. Cantwell said. 
“This major new broadband investment will help ensure that more Washingtonians – from patients booking a telehealth appointment, to students filing an assignment, to small business owners connecting with customers – are able to fully participate in our 21st Century economy.”

Sen. Murray said “This is the biggest investment ever in high-speed internet access and digital inclusion in Washington and it’s going to create meaningful opportunities for families and small businesses in every part of our state, all while creating good-paying jobs and connecting communities. 

"It’s great to see funding we passed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law getting out the door to bring Washington state one big step closer to guaranteeing reliable access to high-speed internet for everyone.”

The State of Washington received the tenth highest allocation in BEAD funding. Although Washington state is among the highest-ranked states for overall broadband subscription rates, the WSBO reports that 9% of households in the state lack a broadband internet subscription, which translates to roughly 264,000 Washington state households.

Across the United States, nearly 8.5 million locations lack access to high-speed internet service, and millions more struggle with limited or unreliable internet options. 

Last year, the Biden Administration launched the Internet for All initiative with $65 billion from the BIL and $25 billion from the American Rescue Plan, and several other high-speed internet programs.

Both senators are longtime champions of expanding broadband access to communities nationwide. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included Sen. Murray’s Digital Equity Act to help close the digital divide by funding activities that provide individuals and communities with the skills and technologies necessary to take full advantage of internet connection. 

Additionally, as a lead author of the American Rescue Plan, Sen. Murray worked to include $7 billion in emergency E-Rate funding in the legislation for schools and libraries to cover the costs of equipment and broadband connections for students, staff, and patrons — and she repeatedly pushed the FCC to take action to help close the homework gap during the pandemic.


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State receives over $132 million for infrastructure investments - with $20 million for Shoreline projects

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Concept design for the 148th pedestrian bridge
Courtesy City of Shoreline

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced $132,611,221 in grant funding for nine major infrastructure projects across the State of Washington. 

The funding for these grants comes from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, which was originally created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as TIGER grants.

This is the most Washington state has ever been awarded. 

Washington state was awarded the most grants of any state and received the most in total funding. The state received 5.89% of the total RAISE funding available this year, compared to 4.35% received last year.

As Commerce chair, Sen. Cantwell authorized the RAISE grant program for the first time ever in the Surface Transportation Investment Act, which was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The BIL provided $7.5 billion to the program over five years, a 50% increase in funding.

The following RAISE grant was awarded to Shoreline.

West Side Transformation: Multimodal Connections to the Shoreline South Regional Transit Hub, City of Shoreline — $20 million

“The City of Shoreline is rapidly expanding – just the neighborhood surrounding the 148th Street Station is expected to add as many as 20,000 new housing units in the coming years. These new residents need safe, accessible transportation options,” said Sen. Cantwell. 
“This transformative, multimodal transportation project will support resident safety while providing transit access to the community and traffic efficiency on the 145th Corridor.”

Sen. Cantwell sent a letter of support to Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for the City of Shoreline to receive this grant in March 2023.

This project is a combination of several elements that will complete multimodal connections from the west side of I-5 to a new Sound Transit light rail station on the east side, set to open in 2024. 

Project elements include:
  • 145th Corridor improvements, including ADA accessibility sidewalk enhancements and creating left turn lanes and medians to reduce collisions and improve flow.
  • An off-corridor bike network parallel to 145th Street complete with pavement markings, intersection improvements, flashing beacons, speed cushions, signage, and connections to the 145th Corridor/148th Street bridge.
  • A foot bridge at 148th Street to connect pedestrians and cyclists to the regional transit hub and light rail station.
This project is the remaining part of a larger $80 million project funded by Connection Washington, State Legislative Funding, South Transit System Access Funds, King County funds, and City of Shoreline General Funds. The City of Shoreline will provide the local match for this portion of the project.

The project will substantially improve overall traffic flow and safety on the 145th Corridor, and improve access to the future light rail station. Currently, 80% of Shoreline residents commute outside of the city limits for work, with the majority traveling into Seattle.

This subarea, now known as the 148th Street Station Area growth center, will have nearly 4,000 housing units ready for occupancy in the next few years. This center has the capacity to build 20,000 housing units (due to mandatory inclusionary zoning requirements enacted by the City, nearly 20% of these units are anticipated to be affordable) and 9,000 new employees.

"The $20 million RAISE grant is a game changer for us," said Shoreline Mayor Keith Scully. 
"It will allow us to complete our vision for the 145th Corridor, creating safe, reliable multimodal connections to the Shoreline South/148th light rail station. 
"We are extremely grateful for the tireless efforts of Senator Cantwell, Senator Murray, and Representative Jayapal in helping us to secure this vital funding and for their leadership in securing significant funding for transportation projects across the state."


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46th District Town Hall Wednesday June 28, 2023

Friday, June 23, 2023


Sen. Javier Valdez, Rep. Darya Farivar and Rep. Gerry Pollet will hold a 46th Legislative District town hall on Wednesday, June 28 from 6:00 to 7:30pm at Nathan Hale High School - Performing Arts Center 10750 30th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98125

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE: www.surveymonkey.com

Information and RSVP available on Facebook

The 46th Legislative District covers NE Seattle, directly south of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.


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Local Students to participate in ACLU Summer Institute in Washington D.C.

Thursday, June 22, 2023


WASHINGTON, D.C. — This month the American Civil Liberties Union is hosting its annual Summer Advocacy Institute in Washington, D.C. for rising junior and senior high school students that will give students the tools they need to engage in their communities on issues around civil liberties and civil rights.

Maylat Esayas and Naomi Takie of Shorewood High School are joining nearly 200 high school students from across the country for the opportunity to receive first-hand experience from lawyers, lobbyists, community activists, and other experts dedicated to defending these constitutional rights.

From June 30 - July 6, 2023 participating students will engage with lawyers and political activists to build expertise and knowledge in advocacy – including issues such as criminal justice reform, voting rights, and religious freedom; participate in debates; and develop successful media and social networking strategies, all while observing policy development on Capitol Hill. 

The students will also take part in a day of action during the institute. They will be taking to the steps of the Capitol on July 5th to fight for trans justice and gender affirming care.

This year’s Summer Institute speakers include:

Students will also attend a young influencer panel entitled "Social Media Change-Makers: The Power of Online Activism.” The panel will be moderated by Schuyler Bailar, the first transgender athlete to compete on an NCAA Division I men’s team at Harvard, and feature:
  • Jameelah Jones, Interim Audience Editor at Scalawag Magazine with a focus on social media, DE, and inclusive content creation
  • Annie Wu Henry, Creative Director at AAPI Victory Fund and Digital Consultant for the Working Families Party

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City Council and mayoral candidates in the August primary and November general election

Thursday, June 1, 2023

For candidates, the purpose of a primary election is to winnow the field to two people who will appear on the November general election ballot.

If there are only two candidates for a given position, that race will not be in the August primary election.

In Lake Forest Park, Jon Friesch has withdrawn from the contest for council position 4, leaving the race between Nigel Keiffer and Ellyn Saunders to be decided in the November election. Also in the November election, Tom French and Jeff R. Johnson for Mayor, and Lorri Bodi, unopposed for council position 2.

The only LFP council race on the primary will be the candidates vying for position 6, Paula Goode, Dustin Shaffer, and Stephanie Angelis. The top two in the primary will advance to the general election in November.

None of the Shoreline city council positions will be on the primary ballot. Keith Scully in position 2 is running unopposed. Rowan Hurt has withdrawn from position  6, leaving Betsy Robertson unopposed. Of the incumbents, only Doris McConnell has an opponent, Annette Ademasu. They will appear on the November ballot.

Shoreline and Lake Forest Park have different forms of government. The mayor of LFP is elected by the voters. The LFP mayor has the administrative authority to prepare and administer the budget, appoint a City Administrator, and appoint and dismiss department heads.

The mayor of Shoreline presides at Council meetings and represents the City at ceremonial functions and intergovernmental meetings. The Shoreline mayor is elected by the other council members following the general election.

--Diane Hettrick


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Rep. Gerry Pollet: Disability is not a choice - We have a constitutional obligation to fund every child’s education in Washington state

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Rep. Gerry Pollet. Photo from LSS>

We have a constitutional obligation to fund every child’s education in Washington state. Disability is not a choice.
 
However, the Legislature has capped how many children with disabilities it will fund education and disability services for and requires school districts to spend over $400 million a year from local levy money to pay for this portion of our “paramount duty.” 

That’s why I developed House Bill 1436 with special education advocates, school districts and educators. Governor Inslee signed HB 1436 on May 11, to add $417 million in new support for special education during this biennium.
 
While the Senate did not agree with the House to eliminate the cap on how many students with disabilities the state will pay for in each district, we did significantly increase the cap to 15%. HB 1436 and the subsequent funding increase in the state operating budget is a MAJOR and historic step forward to fully supporting all students in our state with a high-quality public education. 

But this bill only fills half of the gap and more work remains. I am hopeful that the legislature will support future proposals to completely remove the unconscionable cap because of the disproportional impact on students in our state.
 
Governor Inslee made it more difficult to have data on how many students have disabilities in each district by vetoing an equity study on the prevalence of disabilities amongst minorities and vulnerable populations. I’ll be working to restore funding for the equity study.

Rep. Gerry Pollet represents the 46th Legislative District, northeast Seattle


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Rep. Davina Duerr celebrates signing of HB 1181

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Signing HB 1181 sponsored by Rep Davina Duerr

Legislative District 1 Rep Davina Duerr celebrated the signing of HB 1181 which she sponsored in the House in the recent session.

It is designed to improve the state's response to climate change by updating the state's planning framework.

Rep. Duerr says "HB 1181 was signed into law! This bill is about planning. It’s about our planet. But most of all, it’s about our kids. 
"Suburban sprawl has done nothing but give us longer, more expensive commutes; more pollution; and neighborhoods in areas most at risk of flooding and wildfires. HB 1181 puts us on a path to lower costs, less pollution, and a better future for all our children.

"Thank you to all of you who have shown your support every step of the way!"
The 1st Legislative District includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, Woodinville, Briar, Alderwood Manor, Cottage Lake.


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House and Senate bills signed by Gov. Jay Inslee to help enhance election security and remove barriers to civic participation

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs
OLYMPIA — New laws and funding requested and supported by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs during the 2023 Legislative session will help ensure the integrity of Washington’s elections and improve access to the ballot for eligible voters.

The bipartisan elections measures signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee help advance Secretary Hobbs’ top priorities of election security, voter education, and fighting election disinformation.

“These new laws and critical funding will go a long way toward reducing barriers to voter registration and enhancing election security,” Secretary Hobbs said. 
“I thank the Legislature and Governor Inslee for the bipartisan support of these efforts to help ensure more secure and accessible elections and greater voter engagement and participation.”

These bills include:

Senate Bill (SB) 5208, Secretary of State-requested legislation sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau of Tacoma, enables online voter registration with the last four digits of a Social Security number instead of a driver license or state ID number. This benefits residents who do not need a driver license, including older voters and people with mobility issues.

SB 5112, Secretary of State-requested legislation sponsored by Sen. Sam Hunt of Olympia, streamlines voter registration at the Washington Department of Licensing while improving security and accuracy of voter rolls. Voter registration becomes automatic for people who have proven their citizenship while applying for an enhanced driver license or enhanced state ID card.

SB 5082, sponsored by Sen. Patty Kuderer of Bellevue, abolishes advisory votes, which voters have often found confusing. This bill clarifies that voters are being asked to decide issues, not provide opinions, and will save taxpayer money. Printing the advisory votes and their descriptions on ballots and in Voters’ Pamphlets cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in multiple election cycles.

“Advisory votes wasted public money, ballot space, and voters’ time, all to ask people to make decisions that had no consequences,” Sec. Hobbs said. “Getting rid of them was long overdue.”

SB 5152, Secretary of State-requested legislation sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez of Seattle, prohibits political campaigns from using realistic but false images, videos, or audio with undisclosed manipulation, known as “deepfakes,” to deliberately spread election disinformation. Campaigns targeted by deepfakes can now go to court to seek an injunction and sue for damages.

“As technology evolves, we have to be vigilant about malicious disinformation in new ways,” Sec. Hobbs said. “This law provides a new tool to keep people from being misled.”

SB 5182, sponsored by Sen. Joe Nguyen of Seattle, moves the filing period to run for office to begin on the first Monday in May, instead of later in the month. This change provides more time for county elections officials to produce informational materials in multiple languages.

SB 5459, sponsored by Sen. Hunt, redirects public records requests for information from the statewide voter registration database to the Secretary of State rather than county elections offices. The bill also exempts voted ballots and voted ballot images from public disclosure to protect voters’ identities.

“Due to deliberate disinformation during and after the 2020 election season, county elections offices have been inundated with public records requests,” Secretary Hobbs added. “Many of these requests tend to be overly complicated, involve sensitive information, and are targeted attempts to distract and overwhelm county auditors.”

The biennial state operating budget signed by Gov. Inslee May 16, 2023 invests in election protection by renewing the Office of the Secretary of State’s Information Security Grant Program. 

Launched in November 2022, these grants provide qualified Washington counties up to $80,000 each to cover investments in cyber and physical security improvements. Counties have used this funding to purchase or upgrade security software, hardware, and subscriptions; hire IT security personnel; make structural enhancements; and more.

Visit the Office of the Secretary of State’s Elections page to learn more about election system security.


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Inslee signs budget into law

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

 
Gov. Inslee with legislators on May 16, signing the 2023–25
operating, capital and transportation budgets into law

Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday signed the new 2023–25 operating, capital and transportation budgets.

The final 2023–25 operating and capital budgets followed many of the priorities Inslee put forward last December, including more than $1 billion for housing and homelessness and urgently-needed funding for behavioral health services.

Inslee also signed the new 2023–25 transportation budget on Tuesday. While Inslee acknowledged important investments for projects such as the I-5 bridge over the Columbia, new climate-related investments to electrify the transportation sector, and full funding for legally-required removal of fish passage barriers, he was unequivocal about his frustration with the final budget.



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