PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 7. 20. 17
Source: https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=D54F1407-9A24-49AA-9CCD-E9F622038256
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, announced she has secured $195.7 million in additional federal funding critical to nuclear waste cleanup at Hanford, despite the Trump Administration’s attempt to cut investments in the proposed budget released in May. The Fiscal Year 2018 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, which cleared a Senate committee today, includes $826.2 million for Richland Operations, which has more work to do on several high-risk cleanup projects along the Columbia River and on the Central Plateau of Hanford, and $1.59 billion for the Office of River Protection, which has a clear and demonstrated need for additional investments to support removing and treating tank waste. After passing the Senate Committee on Appropriations today, the legislation now moves to the full Senate.
“I’m very encouraged to see my Senate colleagues join me today in rejecting President Trump’s proposed budget, which was short-sighted and in no way reflected the true needs of the Hanford cleanup mission,” Sen. Murray said. “I will continue to fight for investments in Hanford cleanup as long as it takes, because it is critically important the federal government makes good on its moral and legal obligation to workers and families in the Tri-Cities and across Washington state.”
Last month in a Senate hearing, Sen. Murray questioned Energy Secretary Rick Perry on how the Administration could propose cuts and still be able to meet the Federal government’s legally binding cleanup commitments to the State of Washington and the Tri-Cities community. (Watch the video/read more here.)
In addition to Hanford funding, Sen. Murray also fought to ensure the bill:
Increased investments in the scientific and energy research and development important to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), significantly restoring Trump Administration funding cuts which could negatively affect more than 1,000 science and engineering jobs at PNNL;
Prevented the President’s proposal to privatize portions of the Bonneville Power Administration; and
Increased investments for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support our navigation systems, which are essential to the economic security and health of communities across Washington state.
Highlights of the FY 2018 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill:
$2.416 billion for nuclear waste cleanup at Hanford
$826.192 million for Richland Operations, $110 million more than the President’s budget proposal
$1.59 billion for Office of River Protection, $85.689 more than President’s budget proposal
$5.55 billion for Department of Energy’s Office of Science (supports 10 national laboratories, including PNNL)
$633 million for Biological and Environmental Research, supports the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory and Atmospheric Radiation Measurement User Facility at PNNL. These scientific user facilities provide access to unique, state of the art equipment for more than 1,650 users annually.
$213 million for Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, supports research and development at PNNL, Washington State University, utilities, and industry in the Northwest.
$1.936 billion for Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, ($1.3 billion above President’s budget proposal); supports research and development efforts at PNNL, WSU, University of Washington, and more.
$6.17 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ($1.16 billion above President’s budget proposal)
$51 million to support small ports, including the Ports of Bellingham, Ilwaco, Chinook, Skagit, and more
$50 million to support donor and energy transfer ports, including the Northwest Seaport Alliance
Cantwell Announces Nearly $1.2 Million for Outdoor Recreation Improvements for Underserved Communities in King, Pierce Counties
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 7. 20. 17
Source: https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-announces-nearly-12-million-for-outdoor-recreation-improvements-for-underserved-communities-in-king-pierce-counties
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today announced that the National Park Service has awarded a grant of $750,000 to Metro Parks Tacoma to improve Swan Creek Park and a grant of $370,000 to King County to revitalize Skyway Park.
“Both of these grants will help ensure underserved communities have access to local outdoor recreation opportunities. Not only will these park improvements help people get outside, but they will provide an economic boost for these communities by supporting jobs and attracting new business,” said Senator Maria Cantwell.
The grant to Metro Parks Tacoma will help transform Swan Creek Park into a regional outdoor attraction and connect the park and the surrounding community with trails, access points, signage, and amenities.
The grant to King County will improve recreation and repair sports facilities at Skyway Park including an expanded play area, a new soccer facility, and improvements to the parking lot.
Both projects were funded through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program, which helps plan, build, and enhance parks and other outdoor recreation facilities in underserved communities. The ORLP is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF is the nation’s most successful conservation program, providing opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other recreational uses.
Senator Cantwell has led the fight to defend the LWCF in the Senate. She has repeatedly fought for its permanent reauthorization, most recently including it in the comprehensive energy legislation she passed through the Senate in 2016. In July 2016, she led a bipartisan effort to rally Washington state’s environmentalists and the outdoor industry behind the program.
Washington a model for seniors’ long-term care
From the Governor's blog page
Source: https://medium.com/wagovernor/washington-a-model-for-seniors-long-term-health-care-fbcaa0311431
As the nation prepares for a growing older population, states that want to improve their long-term care systems often look to Washington state.
That’s because, for the past few decades, Washington has been reforming its long-term care services for seniors. In Washington, older adults can choose from a wide variety of options for long-term care — whether it’s in a nursing home, in a licensed adult-family home or in their own home, with the help of a professional or family caregiver.
“Our program is truly unique in America. … We continue to successfully establish laws and policies that support choice, self-direction, and quality services and oversight for our state,” said Bea Rector, the acting assistant secretary for the Department of Social and Health Services’ Aging and Long Term Support Administration. “We spend a lot of time in technical assistance with other states calling us and saying, ‘How do you do that?’
Washington’s long-term care system consistently earns high marks in a ranking commissioned by the AARP Foundation, The Commonwealth Fund and The SCAN Foundation.
That ranking, the 2017 Long-Term Services and Supports Scorecard, shows Washington leading among all 50 states. In rankings conducted in 2011 and 2014, Washington came in second.
“Washington’s #1 rating on the scorecard is a proud moment for our state,” said Cathy MacCaul, advocacy director for AARP in Washington. “We have worked hard to serve our older residents, those with disabilities and family caregivers.”
In Washington, about 77,000 residents a year receive assistance through ALTSA for long-term care. About 10,000 of them reside in nursing homes, while others live in adult family homes or assisted living facilities. The vast majority remain in their home with the help of a caregiver.
Even though most of these adults don’t require nursing-home care, nursing-home coverage is the only federally required long-term care service for Medicaid recipients, Rector said. So Washington state has passed laws to fill the void, creating its own entitlement program and Medicaid waivers to offer more options.
These changes have saved taxpayer money by keeping aging adults from paying for care they don’t need. Rector’s administration estimates that since 1999, the state has saved $4.4 billion through reforms to its long-term health care system. Those savings have been reinvested in programs that help adults who are elderly or disabled.
Supporting family caregivers
Sally Brewer of La Conner wanted to receive care in her home following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in her mid-70s.
“After raising three sons and taking care of me for 60 years, she began to slow down, and gradually it turned into a couple of trips to the emergency ward,” said her husband, 85-year-old Bob Brewer. “That’s when I knew she was going to need care.” (continued on page 2)
Inslee raises concerns to legislators about potential legal and safety implications of not passing a capital budget
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 7/ 18/ 17
Source: http://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-raises-concerns-legislators-about-potential-legal-and-safety-implications-not
With the special session slated to end in less than 72 hours, Gov. Jay Inslee today sent a letter to legislators outlining potential risks of not passing a capital budget and the bond bill to pay for it.
“Failure to pass the capital budget would have serious ramifications beyond the loss of jobs,” Inslee wrote in the letter sent to every legislator. “Without your action by midnight Thursday, the State of Washington could face court sanctions, school districts would be put at financial risk, the health and safety of our citizens would be jeopardized and, frankly, you would signal a lack of commitment to equitable education of our state’s children.”
Inslee notes in the letter that the 2017 session will likely be remembered as “one of the most productive in recent times” due to passage of historic K-12 funding, paid family leave, and more. But he said if legislators don’t approve a new two-year capital budget, they would likely be the first in state history to fail to do so. (see full letter to state legislator on page 2)
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