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

Sen. Cantwell secures funding for UW Biosafety lab facilities and equipment

Sunday, March 24, 2024

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell
D-Washington
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that five health care facilities and one pathogen research lab in the State of Washington will receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve services for patients, make care easier to access, or boost the research capability of staff.

Among the five: $3.5 million for the University of Washington in King County to upgrade the facilities and equipment at its aging Biosafety Level-3 facility, which studies viral diseases and pandemic response. 

The facility received especially heavy use during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these investments will preserve and enhance UW’s research capacity for pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, monkeypox virus, valley fever, tuberculosis, and other new pathogens as they emerge as threats. 

This funding will upgrade infrastructure like HVAC and replace critical equipment.


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32nd District Town Hall with Sen. Salomon and Rep. Davis

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Town Hall April 10, 2024 with Sen. Salomon and Rep. Davis

32nd District legislators Sen. Jesse Salomon and Rep. Lauren Davis will host an in-person Town Hall in Mountlake Terrace at 7pm on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Mountlake Terrace City Hall 23204 58th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

This is your chance to hear a post session update, have your questions answered, and discuss what issues you’d like to see the legislature address next year.

The 32nd district includes Shoreline, Woodway, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, and Northwest Seattle.

Constituents are encouraged to submit questions in advance here


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Sine die: Washington state legislative wrap-up

Monday, March 11, 2024

Lawmakers adjourn sine die at the close of the 2024 legislative session, March 7, 2024.
Photo by Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard

Quote of the week: "I would consider it a banner year for a short session."
That's Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday night, March 7, 2024 after lawmakers completed the 2024 legislative session. Some of the wins he pointed to: budget increases for special education and school construction, funding for a psychiatric hospital in Tukwila that the state acquired last year, plans to move ahead purchasing five new hybrid electric ferry boats, and changes to the state's long-term care benefit program that will let workers keep access to it if they move out of Washington.

Throughout his three terms, Inslee has championed climate and environmental policy. He highlighted two bills legislators approved this year on that front. One would help set the stage for Washington to link its program auctioning emissions allowances to industrial polluters with similar markets in California and Quebec. The other, one of the more controversial bills of the session, is meant to help ease Puget Sound Energy's transition away from natural gas.

While the governor isn't running for reelection, he will have campaigning to do this year. Inslee and others will be trying to fend off a trio of ballot initiatives that target major policies he and fellow Democrats ushered into law, including the carbon market, the state's capital gains tax and the long-term care program. 

"I'm glad to have more work to do," Inslee said when asked about the initiatives. "I don't want to be put out to pasture months early."

-- Bill Lucia, editor, Washington State Standard

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Sen. Cantwell secures $6.5 million for housing for homeless children and veterans

Sunday, March 10, 2024

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Senate’s leading champion for affordable housing, announced that six housing projects she supported in the State of Washington will receive federal funding.

“These projects will create new housing for the people in the State of Washington who need it the most, including families with children, low-income veterans, and people experiencing homelessness. 

"Affordable housing projects boost our economy, revitalize communities, and drive down inflation -- I will continue to advocate for investments and legislation that help us build more,” Sen. Cantwell said.

A total of $6,566,279 is going toward the six projects:

Edmonds - Scriber Place Affordable Housing for Homeless Students: $1,500,000 to construct 52 units of permanently affordable housing for families with children in the Edmonds School District who are experiencing homelessness.

Kittitas County - HopeSource Veterans Housing: $1,616,279 to construct 12 units of affordable rental units dedicated to low-income senior veterans in Kittitas County.

Seattle - Mary’s Place Emergency Family Shelter: $1,000,000 to rebuild an aging emergency shelter to provide safe shelter and services for up to 70 families with children experiencing homelessness.

Tacoma - Micro-Shelter Expansion: $850,000 to purchase 75 micro-shelter units to support individuals transitioning to permanent supportive housing, as well as the demolition and preparation of a long-term location for the micro-shelters.

Makah Reservation Workforce Housing: $800,000 to construct six duplexes on the Makah Reservation for essential workers.

Sequim – Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County Workforce Housing: $800,000 to construct infrastructure for 42 affordable workforce homes in Sequim.


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From the Archives: 1919 A woman presides over the State House of Representatives

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

105 years ago on March 4, 1919: For the first time in WA history, a woman presided over the State House of Representatives.

Rep. Frances M. Haskell was called to the chair by Speaker Fred Adams and guided lawmakers through debate on reclassification of counties



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Farivar's bill to eliminate statute of limitations for those who sexually abuse children passes House, Senate

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Rep. Darya Farivar D-46 Northeast Seattle
On February 29, 2024, the State Senate voted unanimously to pass House Bill 1618 addressing the impact of childhood sexual abuse and empowering survivors to seek justice.

The legislation eliminates the statute of limitations for recovery of damages because of childhood sexual abuse. 

It aims to unmask hidden predators, shift financial burdens from victims to perpetrators, and raise public awareness.

Representative Darya Farivar (D-Seattle), the sponsor of the legislation, shared that it “reflects a societal shift towards transparency and protecting children from sexual crimes.”

Farivar emphasizes the non-linear path to recovery, stressing the importance of empowering survivors to hold predators accountable. 

“This will fundamentally change the way Washington state handles childhood sexual abuse and force entities to come to terms with reality. The clock can no longer be run out and those who perpetrate the abuse, as well as those who allow it to happen, will be identified and held accountable.” added Farivar.

House Bill 1618’s vote from the Senate marks a pivotal moment in prioritizing justice and recovery for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

Rep. Darya Farivar, D-Seattle (46th Legislative District), represents northeast Seattle. She is the Vice Chair of the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee, and a member of the Community Safety, Justice, and Reentry and Capital Budget committees.


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Salomon bill to protect salmon from toxic chemical passes House, Senate

Sen. Jesse Salomon - 32nd LD
OLYMPIA – Legislation to protect salmon populations from a toxic chemical passed the House Thursday.

Senate Bill 5931 would designate all 6PPD containing motor vehicle tires a priority consumer product under the Safer Products for Washington Act, empowering the state Department of Ecology to do a review of tires containing the chemical and develop regulatory action.

6PPD is found in most, if not all, car tires. It has been used for over six decades to make the tires more flexible and slow their degradation. 

In 2020, research funded by the Environmental Protection Agency showed 6PPD-quinone — created when 6PPD reacts with ozone in the air — is the most common killer chemical for coho salmon. 

Studies have shown it can kill the salmon after only a few hours of exposure. The chemical makes its way into waterways through roadway runoff and has been found in many Washington rivers, streams, and the Puget Sound.

“6PPD is killing salmon and other aquatic wildlife at a concerning rate,” said Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline), who sponsored the bill. “We’re spending billions of dollars to remove culverts, restore habitats, and protect our salmon populations; we need to ensure we aren’t sabotaging our restoration efforts by ignoring this clear threat.”

6PPD is the second most deadly toxin to aquatic creatures ever studied. The Institute for Fisheries Resources and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman’s Associations filed a lawsuit against tiremakers in 2023, alleging manufacturers violated the Endangered Species Act by using a known toxin.

The EPA also responded to a petition submitted by several Native American tribes calling for regulation, writing it is “necessary to initiate” risk management rulemaking under the Toxic Substances Control Act to “address the risk to the environment from 6PPD-

“Salmon have immense cultural, commercial, and economic importance to our tribal communities,” said Sen. Claudia Kauffman (D-Kent), a member of the Land Use & Tribal Affairs Committee and the Senate’s first Indigenous woman. “Tribes have already called on the EPA to address the deadly risk posed by 6PPD. We need to do our part in Washington to protect our salmon populations from this toxin.”

“In partnership with tribes and the USEPA, Washington state is doing groundbreaking research on 6PPD’s impact on salmon, installing stormwater retrofits to reduce its impact and developing safer alternatives to the chemical so we can ultimately end its use,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “I’m thankful to Sens. Salomon and Kauffman for their leadership on this important issue.”

“The progress we’ve made on salmon restoration has taken a lot of effort and a lot of funding. Now, the ubiquity of 6PPD threatens to undermine that work,” Salomon said. “Tiremakers have agreed to work with us to find a non-toxic alternative. With passage of this bill, we will be able to act quickly when a safe alternative becomes available.”

Having been slightly amended in the House, the bill now returns to the Senate for concurrence.

Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, represents the 32nd Legislative District, which includes Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Seattle, Shoreline, Woodway, and unincorporated Snohomish County.


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Five bills written by Rep. Davina Duerr pass the House and head to the Senate

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Rep. Davina Duerr, 1st LD
From Rep. Davina Duerr - 1st LD

Five of the bills I wrote passed the House and are now being considered in the Senate.

All five have hearings scheduled, which is a great sign. Any bill that doesn’t get a hearing definitely won’t pass the committee.

Affordable housing (House Bill 2071)—This legislation makes it easier and cheaper to build multi-family homes, up to six-plexes. We desperately need to build more affordable housing, and this is one change that could make a real difference for families.

Buy Clean, Buy Fair (House Bill 1282)—Buildings are actually the second-leading cause of greenhouse gases after transportation. This bill collects data on embodied carbon with building materials used in our state, which is the first step toward a solution.

Energy labeling (House Bill 1433)—When you buy a new car, there’s a sticker on the window with the price, features, and miles per gallon. Why not have the same kind of label for on homes for sale? It’s probably the biggest purchase of your life, and the yearly utility costs are good to know. This legislation allows cities to require that information be available at sale.

King County exemption (House Bill 2044)—Local governments around the state have had the power to use levy revenue to support essential services. Yet for years, local governments in King County were excluded by state law. This legislation removes that exclusion and restores flexibility with voter-approved levies.

Refrigerant gases (House Bill 2401)— Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas. But there are common chemicals far, far worse than carbon dioxide. The fluorinated refrigerant gases used in your air conditioners, heat pumps, and supermarkets have 2,000 to 4,000 times more global warming potential than carbon dioxide. This legislation will help recover, reclaim, and re-use these gases instead of venting them into our atmosphere.

Contact Me
Davina serves as Chair of the Local Government Committee and as a member of the Environment & Energy and Transportation committees.

Rep. Duerr represents the the 1st Legislative District, which includes Bothell, Brier, Kirkland, Mountlake Terrace, Alderwood Manor, Cathcart, Clearview, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Maltby.


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Legislation to allow Co-Living Housing passes House and Senate

Friday, February 23, 2024

State Sen. Jesse Salomon
OLYMPIA – Legislation to remove barriers to building co-living housing in Washington state passed the Senate Thursday.

House Bill 1998, sponsored by Rep. Mia Gregerson (D-Bellevue), would require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act to allow co-living housing in any residential zone within an urban growth area that allows multifamily housing.

“This is a big step forward for affordable housing,” said Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline), who sponsored the Senate companion. 
“We have seen a worrisome rise in senior homelessness, and many of our young adults are unable to afford housing near work or school. Co-living can offer clean, safe housing and a sense of community for people.”

Under the bill, co-living housing is any residential development with individual, rented, lockable units where residents share kitchen facilities with other units. If enacted, cities and counties would be directed to allow co-living development no later than December 31, 2025. 

The bill also prevents them from instituting co-living housing standards that are more restrictive than those required for other types of multifamily residential housing in the same zone.

“Rep. Gregerson and I worked so hard on this bill because we know it will help people,” Salomon said. “This is a way to get affordable housing on the market quickly and without subsidies. That’s really hard to do in our current housing environment.”
Having been amended, the bill now heads to the House for concurrence.

Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, represents the 32nd Legislative District, which includes Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Seattle, Shoreline, Woodway, and unincorporated Snohomish County.

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Sen. Cantwell: New “Whale Desk” helps ships steer clear of Puget Sound orcas and other whales

The Coast Guard "Whale Desk" will keep ships from hitting whales
Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined a launch celebration for the Coast Guard’s new “Whale Desk” traffic alert system at Coast Guard Base Seattle.

"I was proud to author legislation to establish a program that ... allows the Coast Guard, if you will, to act almost like air traffic controllers -- trying to have large vessel traffic get out of the ways of our orca population," said Sen. Cantwell. 
"The whale desk will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will serve as a vital tool for protecting whale populations in Puget Sound."

"Today, we have vessel operators, scientists, and Coast Guard coming together," Sen. Cantwell added. 

"These professionals manage the entire maritime transportation system ... now they will be ready to share and disseminate information that will help our whale population including our beloved orcas. [With] this approach we can keep our economy moving and we can keep whales moving too.”

The “Whale Desk” will give Puget Sound vessel operators and mariners near real-time data about the location of whales. The desk will also field reports on whale locations from the public using a dedicated hotline. 

Residents and waterways users can report whale sightings to the Whale Desk by calling 206-217-ORCA.

The data collected will be valuable for researchers who track whale migration patterns. The program aims to reduce encounters that disturb whales, including noise pollution and ship strikes.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Sen. Cantwell leads Senate oversight of the Coast Guard. 

Sen. Cantwell authored provisions in the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 to authorize the “Whale Desk” pilot program. In December 2022, the program was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. The pilot program will run for four years.


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Town Halls - virtual and in person for 1st LD electeds

Tuesday, February 20, 2024


You’re invited to two town halls for the 1st Legislative District - one virtual and one in person.

The first town hall is 6:30pm to 7:30pm on Thursday February 22, 2024 and it’s virtual so you can participate from your phone or computer.

  • WHERE: Online here
  • If you’d like to submit a question ahead of time, you can do that here.

The second town hall is in person, from 6pm to 7:30pm on April 30 at Mobius Hall, Cascadia College, Bothell.

The 1st Legislative District includes Bothell, Brier, Kirkland, Mountlake Terrace, Alderwood Manor, Cathcart, Clearview, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Maltby.

Added link to live meeting and to submit questions ahead of time.

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Sen. Stanford re-elected as chair of Caseload Forecast Council

State Sen. Derek Stanford represents Legislative District 1

OLYMPIA – The members of the Washington State Caseload Forecast Council have re-elected Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell) as chair.

“Planning for every new biennial budget begins with the work of the Caseload Forecast Council,” said Stanford, who has served as chair since 2015. “It’s crucial we do that work with the utmost thoroughness and attention to detail.”

The Caseload Forecast Council is charged with calculating the expected number of people receiving services or benefits from the State of Washington in the upcoming year. The Council meets several times a year to adopt official forecasts that are the basis of biennial budgets developed by the governor’s office and the Legislature.

“The people of Washington — whether they are students in classrooms, recipients of the Working Families’ Tax Credit, foster children, or college students on financial aid — depend on the smooth delivery of state services that accurate forecasts enable,” Stanford said.

Types of state entitlements analyzed by the Caseload Forecast Council include public school enrollments, state financial aid for college students, Working Connections Child Care, and the Working Families’ Tax Credit, among others.

The membership of the council consists of one legislator of each party in each chamber of the Legislature, the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services, and the director of the Office of Financial Management. The council employs eleven professional forecasters with extensive experience in statistical modeling and mathematical forecasting.

Sen. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, represents the 1st Legislative District, which includes Bothell, Brier, Kirkland, Mountlake Terrace, Alderwood Manor, Cathcart, Clearview, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Maltby.


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Congresswoman Jayapal announces a new student debt reduction initiative

Monday, February 19, 2024

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-7th congressional district
From Rep. Pramila Jayapal

My Congressional Progressive Caucus colleagues and I have made student debt cancellation a priority. 

I cheered when President Biden announced his plan to cancel up to $20k in student loan debt for 43 million people and, after the Supreme Court struck it down, was quick to call for the President to use all other powers he has to get Washington's 7th district the relief our neighbors desperately need.

The President has continually taken those actions — including just canceling $5 billion in loans for teachers, nurses, and firefighters — and recently announced a major new initiative.

Starting this month, if you took out less than $12,000 in loans and have been in repayment for 10 years, ALL of your debt will be canceled.

That’s right — your loan balance could go down to zero. For many others, monthly payments will be drastically reduced.

To get that relief and other ways to bring down your monthly loan payments, you need to be enrolled in the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. 

This is the same plan that ensures no borrower who makes less than $15 an hour will have to make any student loan payments. It will also make sure that interest doesn't pile up and increase your debt amount, and that your spouse's income can't be used to drive up your payment amount.

Sign up for the SAVE Plan today so you get this relief before your next payment is due.

Rep. Jayapal represents the 7th Congressional District in the House of Representatives. Contact her offices here. The district encompasses most of Seattle and surrounding areas including Shoreline, Vashon Island, Lake Forest Park, and parts of Burien and Normandy Park.


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32nd Town Hall RESCHEDULED to Tuesday, February 20th at 6:30pm

Saturday, February 17, 2024


The 32nd Legislative District Town Hall with Sen. Jesse Salomon and Rep. Lauren Davis has been RESCHEDULED from Monday, February 19th at 7:30pm to Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 6:30pm

We hope you will still be able to join us for this chance to hear what bills we’re working on, ask us questions, and share the issues that matter to you!

The 32nd district includes Shoreline, Woodway, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, and Northwest Seattle.

WHO: Sen. Jesse Salomon and Rep. Lauren Davis

WHAT: 32nd District Virtual Town Hall

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 20th @ 6:30 PM

WHERE: Watch on Facebook and YouTube

Constituents are encouraged to submit questions in advance here


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Washington's Presidential Primary

Friday, February 16, 2024

Voters' pamphlets for the Washington Presidential Primary are arriving in mailboxes around the state. 

Ballots will be mailed out by February 23, 2024 and should be delivered by February 26. The election deadline is March 12 - all ballots must be received by that date.

The purpose of the primary is for the two political parties - Republicans and Democrats - to pick their candidates. For that reason, voters must declare their party status in order to have their vote counted.

For this election only, you will need to check a political party declaration box and sign and date the declaration. Then your vote must be for a candidate in that party.

Because of the lead time needed to print and pamphlets and ballots, our information is already out of date.

On the Democrat side, Marianne Williamson dropped out at the beginning of February. A candidate named Dean Phillips is still in the race, along with President Biden.

On the Republican side, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy have dropped out, leaving Nikki Haley and Donald J. Trump.

The voters' pamphlet is online at the Secretary of State's website.

--Diane Hettrick


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Senator Murray hosts Nutrition Roundtable at North Helpline Food Bank

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Sen. Patty Murray tours the North Helpline Food bank with Executive Director Kelly Brown

On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, hosted a roundtable with nutrition advocates, mothers, and local officials to hear more about WIC implementation in Seattle and the importance of fully funding WIC.

Murray is leading the charge in Congress to protect WIC funding, and as Senate Appropriations Chair, is also leading the negotiations to complete our Fiscal Year 2024 spending bills.

Late last year, USDA revised its initial estimates of funding needed for the WIC program upward; USDA now projects needing an additional $1 billion above the Fiscal Year 2023 spending level due to rising food prices and increased WIC participation.

Historically, no one who qualifies for WIC is turned away—but that could change if WIC programs are not funded to meet projected needs. During the roundtable, Murray reiterated her strong commitment to fully funding WIC even under the extremely difficult funding constraints imposed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act and supporting mothers and children across Washington state and the entire country.

Sen. Murray hosted the Nutrition Roundtable at North Helpline

Murray hosted the roundtable at North Helpline food bank and was joined by 
  • Monique Anair, a mom who’s relied on WIC before; 
  • Paul Throne, Director of the Office of Nutrition Services at Washington State Department of Health;
  • Lannesse Baker, Director of Research and Evaluation at the Urban Indian Health Institute; 
  •  Kelly Brown, Executive Director at North Helpline; and 
  • Chad Davis-Montgomery, Regional Director of the Supplemental Nutrition Division within the Western Region of the Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children—better known as the WIC program—serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care. 

Nearly 40 percent of U.S. infants participate in WIC, including 131,139 mothers, children, and infants in Washington state.

“WIC keeps millions of moms and babies fed in America—when I became Senate Appropriations Chair I made a commitment to make sure the federal government puts kids and families first, so even under really tough fiscal constraints, that’s exactly what I’m fighting to do,” said Senator Murray. 


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Senator Patty Murray tours the 148th Light Rail Station site and announces federal funding for 148th St Pedestrian Bridge

Sen. Patty Murray at podium. L-R Deputy Mayor Laura Mork, Shoreline Public Works Director Tricia Juhnke, Mayor Chris Roberts, King County Executive Dow Constantine, in the parking garage for the 148th Light Rail station. View to the west. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

By Oliver Moffat

On Valentine’s Day afternoon, Senator Patty Murray took some time to tour the construction site of the 148th Street light-rail station with King County Executive Dow Constantine, Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts and Deputy Mayor Laura Mork.

Standing at a podium in the new 500-car parking garage with the roar of midday I-5 traffic behind her, Murray said, “a light rail station does no good if you’re stuck on the other side of a busy highway.”

A view from the city’s website of the light rail tracks, and future bridge, and east landing looking west across I-5.

Nearby, construction workers were busy drilling shafts into the ground that will hold the footings of the east-side landing of the 148th St bike and pedestrian bridge. Crews are working to complete construction of the 148th St bridge before WSDOT begins a project to daylight Thornton creek on the west side of I-5.

Deputy Mayor Mork, Mayor Roberts, Sen. Murray
The 148th St bridge will provide a safe path to the light rail station for the future residents of the 1,605 new homes coming soon in the south Parkwood neighborhood including 151 “missing middle” townhomes and 296 affordable apartments.

With an estimated price tag of $43.6M, the bridge will be funded with grants from the Washington Department of Transportation, Sound Transit, King County, Transportation Impact Fees, and (the reason why Murray came by to visit) a $20M federal RAISE grant.

Sen. Patty Murray with Sound Transit, city of Shoreline and King county electeds and staff in the under construction 148th Street parking garage for the Lynnwood Link light rail station. The pedestrian bridge will cross I-5 next to the cell phone tower in the background.
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Senator Murray, who has served in the Senate for over 30 years and is now president pro tem, established the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program in 2009. As every Shoreliner knows, Murray won her first election to the Shoreline school board in the 1980s and now chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The ripe smell of fresh mulch wafted in the air from crews who were busy planting some of the 864 new trees that will replace the 317 existing trees that have been removed to make way for the 145th street projects.

Mayor Chris Roberts presented Senator Murray with a
Valentine’s Day cookie reading “Shoreline ♥️ Patty”
Photo by Oliver Moffat
In remarks, Mayor Chris Roberts pointed out that (unlike some cities in North King County) Shoreline has embraced the task of building affordable housing to address the region’s housing crisis. 

He said he is proud that the new developments near Shoreline’s light-rail stations have mandatory affordability requirements.

In addition to the bicycle and pedestrian bridge across I-5, the money from the RAISE grant will be used to pay for new sidewalks and roundabouts on 145th and a network of bike lanes in the Parkwood neighborhood - safety improvements that are urgently needed for the dangerously outdated 145th street corridor.


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Sen. Salomon to introduce resolution supporting Ukrainians on the two-year anniversary the Russia invasion

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline
Photo courtesy LSS
OLYMPIA –Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline) will introduce a resolution on Tuesday supporting Ukrainians on the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, began a campaign of terror and destruction which upended the lives of Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans.

“Civilians are being murdered in their homes, at the grocery store, on the street, while simply trying to live peacefully,” Salomon said. 
“Our state has one of the largest populations of Ukrainian immigrants in the country. Washington state has shown immense compassion, welcoming refugees and providing fundamental human needs such as food, housing, and mental health care to help them cope with the horrors they’ve endured.”

Washington state is home to more than 60,000 Ukrainian Americans and has welcomed over 16,000 Ukrainian refugees since the war began.

“Thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war have arrived in Washington seeking safety for their children and hoping to build a better life for themselves,” said Galina Volchkova, Executive Director of Housing Services at the Volunteers of America Western Washington. 

“Since May 2021, over eight hundred households in our Refugee Resettlement and Stabilization program are employed and self-sufficient. They are succeeding because of their resilience and because we offered timely access to resources, rental assistance, and job opportunities.”

“Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans in Washington have enriched our communities through their resilience, leadership, and culture,” Salomon said. 

“The United States’ support for Ukraine has helped the country to withstand Russia’s assault abroad, and our support for Ukrainian refugees has helped them bear the immense physical and psychological toll of this war. 

"I urge all of us here today to show our solidarity with the people of Ukraine who are fighting to preserve their peace, freedom, and democracy just as our great nation has done before.”

Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, represents the 32nd Legislative District, which includes Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Seattle, Shoreline, Woodway, and unincorporated Snohomish County.


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Stanford bill to protect solar power consumers heads to House

Monday, February 12, 2024

Sen. Stanford in the Washington Senate
Photo courtesy LSS

OLYMPIA – People planning on installing solar panels at their homes or businesses would receive added consumer protections under legislation passed unanimously yesterday by the Senate.

SB 6256 would prevent deceptive sales tactics, ensure that contracts are clear and contain all necessary provisions, require work be done by licensed electricians, and provide for enforcement under the state Consumer Protection Act.

“The solar industry is one of the cornerstones of a greener future in Washington state,” said Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), the bill’s prime sponsor. 
“As solar installations continue to grow, we need to ensure that consumers can be confident that the information they’re receiving is accurate and that the work they’re paying for is high quality.”

The Department of Commerce has heard complaints from customers who were promised unrealistic savings, said Stanford, and there is little that the department can do under current law. SB 6256 would give consumers protections against deceptive practices and ensure dependable installation.

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

Sen. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, represents the 1st Legislative District, which includes Bothell, Brier, Kirkland, Mountlake Terrace, Alderwood Manor, Cathcart, Clearview, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Maltby.


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RESCHEDULED Salomon & Davis to hold February 20, 2024 Virtual Town Hall

Sunday, February 11, 2024


Please join your lawmakers from the 32nd Legislative District for a town hall meeting from 7:30-8:30pm on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 streamed simultaneously to Facebook and YouTube. 

This is their chance to hear from you as well as update you on their work in Olympia on your behalf.

The 32nd district includes Shoreline, Woodway, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, and Northwest Seattle.

WHO: Sen. Jesse Salomon and Representative Lauren Davis

WHAT: 32nd District Virtual Town Hall

WHEN: 7:30-8:30pm on Tuesday, February 20

WHERE: Watch on Facebook and YouTube

Constituents are encouraged to submit questions in advance here

Town Hall originally scheduled for Monday Feb 19 is now Tuesday Feb 20

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