Press release issued 11/ 25/ 19
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=71004E8B-73FF-49B2-AD4F-4787F86ADEAC
(Washington, D.C.) – On Thursday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) helped introduce the bicameral Refugee Protection Act of 2019. Building upon previous versions of the Refugee Protection Act, the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 is a comprehensive blueprint for restoring and reinvigorating U.S. refugee and asylum systems in response to the Trump administration’s attempts to shut the nation’s doors to refugees and asylum seekers. The legislation comes on the heels of reports that the Trump administration did not allow a single refugee into the country in October, the first time this has occurred since the United States began tracking the number of refugees resettling in the country.
“As the world faces an unprecedented refugee crisis, President Trump’s cruel and inhumane immigration policies have been an unmitigated disaster, both for those already in our country and those seeking safety and security,” Senator Murray said. “The United States has long welcomed refugees, and this bill gets us back on the path to installing comprehensive and fair immigration reform and once again making our country a beacon of hope for children and families across the globe fleeing violence and persecution.”
Senator Murray has been a strong champion for comprehensive immigration reform and other efforts to support the fair treatment of refugees and those seeking asylum, including fighting back against the Trump Administration’s efforts to limit refugee resettlement in the U.S., and demanding President Trump put an end to his Remain in Mexico policy, which unnecessarily places asylum seekers in danger. Additionally, Senator Murray has fought for resources and representation for immigrant and refugee communities in Washington state and across the country.
The Refugee Protection Act of 2019 is endorsed by a wide range of refugee, asylum, immigration, and faith-based organizations. A short outline of the bill can be found here, and a sectional analysis can be found here. Text of the legislation can be found here.
https://www.leahy.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Refugee%20Protection%20Act%20of%202019%20text.pdf
Inslee statement on I-976 injunction
Press release issued 11/ 27/ 19
https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-i-976-injunction
We are taking action today in response to the court order and in consideration of the vote on the initiative. The state will take a fiscally prudent approach by effectively continuing to act as if the initiative is still in place from a state spending perspective.
“Accordingly, state funds from car tabs will be held separately and set aside to function as an escrow account. We will effectively go forward as if the initiative is still in place and these funds will be available for refunds as determined by any further court order. The Department of Licensing will continue to collect car tab fees unless further instructed by the court.
“In addition, today’s court injunction does not change our plans to pause a number of projects across the state as detailed by the Department of Transportation yesterday. We are doing so in order to maintain these funds to be available for further determination by the Legislature. This plan is intended to allow us to preserve essential services.
"I know that Washingtonians want funding preserved for a safe, reliable transportation system which includes provisions for people with disabilities, state troopers on the road, and bus and ferry services.
“I will work collaboratively with the Legislature on a plan to move forward during this period of uncertainty.”
How Washington’s ocean acidification research and action is drawing global interest
Similar coasts, similar stories: How Washington’s ocean acidification research and action is drawing global interest
From the Governor's Medium page
https://medium.com/wagovernor/similar-coasts-similar-stories-how-washingtons-ocean-acidification-research-and-action-is-5d8f78c9c8fd
Washington is unique because we were the first area to create a comprehensive action plan after experiencing ocean acidification. Ocean acidification happens when our oceans absorb carbon dioxide. This means our ocean life ends up living in more acidic environments. It isn’t a good thing because it messes with the ideal living conditions that the organisms need to thrive in. And as climate change worsens, our oceans are only getting more acidic.
Ocean acidification makes it harder for shellfish to build and maintain their shells. But that’s just the start. Today’s scientific research is uncovering a host of other ocean health issues because of acidification. For example, ocean acidification makes it hard for salmon to detect predators. And ocean acidification may also cause plants in the ocean (algal blooms) to produce more toxins.
While this is a global problem, the Pacific Northwest is particularly vulnerable to impacts. Like Washington, Chile’s long coastline rests along the Eastern Pacific Ocean — a place where ocean currents bring nutrient-rich water to the surface. This rich water fosters a highly productive marine environment and creates a greater risk of ocean acidification impacts, since these rich waters also carry the fingerprint of our previous carbon emissions from 50 years ago (this process is called upwelling). And, just like us, Chile has strong cultural and economic ties to fisheries and aquaculture. That means the country is highly vulnerable to how climate change impacts ocean conditions and coastal communities.
Our ocean absorbs nearly one-third of carbon dioxide emissions. The open ocean already has 30 percent more acidity than before the Industrial Revolution took off in Washington.
When ocean acidification first affected the shellfish industry in the Pacific Northwest, we had no idea where our state’s efforts to address this problem would take us. The shellfish growers had dying oysters. They engaged the scientists from the start because they knew they had to act fast. From there, they informed government leaders and other community groups about the issue. Gov. Christine Gregoire created a Blue Ribbon Panel on ocean acidification to look into this. The panel created a plan of action that Washington still uses and updates today — leadership at the highest level really helped solve the issue and Gov. Jay Inslee said the support won’tstop anytime soon.
“Ocean acidification is already negatively affecting the West Coast,” Inslee said. “We know that healthy oceans sustain jobs, support coastal economies and feed billions of people. Now all of this is at risk and will cause great damage to our shellfish industry and coastal communities.”
As Gov. Inslee’s policy expert on ocean acidification, I was part of the group that traveled to Chile. I joined Washington State shellfish growers, a scientist from Washington’s Ocean Acidification Center, and the ocean acidification program staff at The Ocean Conservancy.
We visited a lab in Quintay, on Chile’s coast where Chilean researchers study how ocean acidification and rising water temperatures affect native species.
We talked to small-scale fishing communities in Quintay and Valparaiso where changing ocean conditions affect the species they catch. Our shellfish growers particularly enjoyed meeting mussel farmers in Puerto Montt where they discussed how ocean acidification weakens mussels.
We also met with university scientists who monitor and research ocean acidification and with government officials who want to know how they can better address the impacts of ocean acidification.
We shared Washington’s experience with how we approached ocean acidification — how it impacted shellfish growers and led to collaboration among scientists, government, growers and other local groups to improve our understanding and put our knowledge into action. Through this information exchange, both of our regions learned we need a diverse set of people engaged in this work. We also learned we need a way to coordinate the flow of scientific information and knowledge to decision makers.
Thanks to the governor and the Legislature, we are weaving ocean impacts and solutions into the fabric of our environmental and climate policy work. As a result, we have a more robust, integrated and sustainable approach for addressing ocean acidification and other climate impacts on our ocean.
We’ve also successfully partnered with Oregon, California and the Province of British Columbia to understand how acidification affects our entire west coast region.
With these partners, Washington launched the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification in 2016. This is how states, nations, tribes and cities can take collective action against ocean acidification. We’re elevating the importance of ocean issues in climate forums, and sharing lessons-learned. We’re leveraging our assets. We’re investing together. And we’re growing our region’s climate policy leadership.
(Continued on pg 2)
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
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Is the world ready to end the coal era and embrace clean
Access to electricity has transformed the world, helping countries to develop their economies, and lifting millions out of poverty. However, this success has come at a great cost: the energy sector, heavily reliant on fossil fuels, is responsible for some 40 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions – one of the so-called greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the Earth – and almost two-thirds of these emissions come from coal.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1052271
Violence in DR Congo Ebola hotspot leaves people ‘caught in crossfire’
Attacks on communities in an Ebola outbreak hotspot in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have sparked a humanitarian crisis and threatened aid distribution, the UN said on Friday, amid reports of serious civil unrest.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1052441
Iraq: UN ‘deeply concerned’ at continued protester deaths
UN chief António Guterres has expressed deep concern over reports of the continued use of live ammunition against demonstrators in Iraq.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1052461
COP25: UN climate change conference, 5 things you need to know
Climate change is happening—the world is already 1.1°C warmer than it was at the onset of the industrial revolution, and it is already having a significant impact on the world, and on people’s lives. And if current trends persist, then global temperatures can be expected to rise by 3.4 to 3.9°C this century, which would bring wide-ranging and destructive climate impacts.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1052251
270 million people are migrants, who send home a staggering $689 billion
The number of international migrants in 2019 is now estimated at 270 million and the top destination remains the United States, at nearly 51 million, the UN migration agency said on Wednesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1052331
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Kilmer Honored for Work to Reform Congress and Reduce the Role of Money in Politics.
Washington, DC – Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) has been awarded the inaugural “Teddy Roosevelt Courage Award” by Issue One, a leading cross-partisan political reform organization, for his efforts to fight to fix the broken political system and secure American elections. The Teddy Roosevelt Courage Award is given in the spirit of the 26th president of the United States who was a staunch defender of good, ethical government and the U.S. political system.
In receiving the award, Kilmer was recognized for his leadership in chairing the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, a committee tasked with identifying reforms to Congress more responsive to the needs of the American people. In addition, Issue One highlighted Kilmer’s leadership on campaign finance reform and working to reduce the role of money in politics.
“For a long time, folks have been justifiably frustrated with the performance of the government. There’s been too much money, too many special interests, and too little accountability. I’m working every day to fix that and ensure Congress takes concrete steps toward creating a government that works better for the American people,” said Rep. Kilmer. “I’m honored to receive this award and I thank Issue One for supporting the ongoing efforts to modernize Congress and get our government back on track.”
“It's hard to find profiles in courage in Congress these days because our political environment doesn't reward it,” said Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee. “But Congressman Kilmer continues to step up and tackle the hard issues like fixing our broken political system and making Congress work better for all Americans. That's why he deserved the Teddy Roosevelt Courage Award.”
“Congressman Kilmer is an example of what real bipartisanship in this town is all about,” said former Representative Zach Wamp (R-TN), Co-Chair of the ReFormers Caucus. “We need more leaders like him.”
“Nothing could be more important to the American people than the work that Chairman Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Vice Chair Tom Graves (R-GA) are doing with the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress,” said former Ambassador Tim Roemer (D-IN), Co-Chair of the ReFormers Caucus.
“Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) have consistently reached across the aisle and championed political reform when Washington is at its most divided. They are working to rebuild public trust in our great experiment of self-government at a time when it is cratering,” said Issue One CEO Nick Penniman. “Every day, Americans yearn for leadership and evidence that their concerns about our broken political system are being heard. These four leaders are listening and working in a bipartisan fashion to protect our elections, fix our politics, and modernize Congress. Issue One is proud to work with them to strengthen our democracy as they carry on the tenacious spirit of the 26th president.”
Kilmer has taken the lead in Congress on campaign finance reform and continues to push for legislation that would improve transparency, create publicly financed elections, and fix the commission charged with enforcing federal election laws.
He co-sponsored and voted to pass H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, a sweeping package of reform bills aimed at strengthening the voice of the American people in their democracy by making it easier to vote, reducing the role of big money in the political process, and ensuring public officials work for the public interest. This comprehensive reform package includes two bipartisan bills led by Representative Kilmer, the Honest Ads Act and the Resorting Integrity to America’s Election Act, which aim to increase transparency in our campaign finance and election laws.
Kilmer also served as an original co-sponsor of the SHIELD Act, legislation to combat foreign interference in American elections by closing loopholes that allow foreign spending in our elections, boosting disclosure and transparency requirements with the inclusion of Kilmer’s Honest Ads Act, and creating a duty to report illicit offers of campaign assistance from foreign nations or governments.
Kilmer was appointed in January to serve as the Chair of the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, which was created by an overwhelming bipartisan vote at the beginning of the 116th Congress to produce recommendations to promote a more modern and efficient Congress. The Select Committee has issued 29 recommendations to increase transparency in Congress by making congressional operations and legislative updates more accessible and understandable for the American people; improve the way Members of Congress can communicate and connect with their constituents; increasing staff retention on Capitol Hill; improve accessibility in the House for Americans with disabilities, and; overhaul the current onboarding and education processes for new and current Members of Congress. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to extend the Select Committee through the end of the next calendar year to continue its work delivering bipartisan reforms to make Congress work better for the American people.
Co-authored with Oregon Governor Kate Brown
The only stoplight on Interstate 5 between Canada and Mexico is on the bridge over the Columbia River. As the governors of Washington and Oregon, we know that for too long the antiquated bridge has held our region back, literally and figuratively.
More than 138,000 vehicles cross the I-5 bridge each weekday. People travel between Vancouver and Portland for work, recreation, shopping, and visiting friends and family. The bridge’s importance to the entire region and our connectivity cannot be overstated.
This crucial link has become a major congestion point, and instead of moving the entire region full speed ahead, the bridge has become a symbol of traffic and frustration. Congestion can be so severe during morning and evening commutes that speeds on this interstate highway can be reduced to 15 miles per hour.
We’ve been stuck behind the traffic accidents – the rate of which quadruple during bridge lifts – and stuck behind one of our country’s worst freight bottlenecks that constrains the economy. We’ve been stuck with insufficient high-capacity transit and active transportation options even as our population centers grow. And we’ve been stuck behind a century-old structure built on river sand that’s susceptible to damage in even moderate earthquakes.
None of that benefits Oregonians, Washingtonians, and the millions of people who drive this stretch of highway every year.
For safety, traffic relief and jobs, we are recommitting to replacing the I-5 bridge.
Govs. Inslee, Brown announce plans to begin joint project to replace I-5 bridge.
Govs. Inslee, Brown announce plans to begin joint project to replace I-5 bridge
Gov. Jay Inslee joined Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in Vancouver Monday to announce a bi-state effort to replace the Interstate 5 bridge that spans the Columbia River and connects the two states.
“This is a new day,” Inslee said. “We need to replace the I-5 bridge over the Columbia River to benefit both Washingtonians and Oregonians. Our states are separated by a magnificent river but our values are consistent on both sides of the river. We are starting this process anew, moving forward with resources for a project office and a transparent, data-driven process that listens to the community’s needs.”
The aging bridge poses significant safety risks to drivers during an earthquake, and locals consider the bridge a source of major congestion. Brown said seismic resilience is the project’s first priority. The governors are also exploring options around high capacity transit that could reduce overall congestion.
“The current interstate bridge is over 100 years old, and it’s showing its age,” Brown said. “Replacing the interstate bridge is critical to the safety and economies of both Oregon and Washington. Our states are more interconnected than ever, and by working together, we can make our communities and roads safer while we improve mobility and support the economic vitality of our communities.”
During the event, the governors signed a Memorandum of Intent, an official agreement that reopens the transportation project and lays out next steps.
The two states have allocated $44 million in funding to open an office for the I-5 bridge project. Brown said the new office will gather community input, explore available federal funding options, incorporate past progress and research, and report back to both state legislatures with a plan.
Roger Millar, secretary of transportation at the Washington State Department of Transportation, also attended Monday’s event. He said he looks forward to working with various groups now that the project is back on the table.
“These are complex and difficult problems to solve but we have the partnership to see this through,” Millar said.
Kris Strickler, director at the Oregon Department of Transportation, said the state-to-state partnership is the most important thing going forward because hundreds of thousands of people cross the bridge each day.
“Those bridges have been out there for more than 100 years — at least one of them has — and we need to build something that lasts that long or at least longer,” Strickler said.
In 2017, Washington re-established a baseline of planning information that kept the focus on I-5 and helped move the project forward. This year, the state secured an important extension from the federal government to keep transportation funding options open.
And, in 2015, Washington secured more than $98 million for key infrastructure projects. The money went toward projects such as the I-5 Mill Plain Boulevard interchange (an integral part of the I-5 bridge project) to ease traffic congestion.
Inslee and Brown met with area transportation leaders, stakeholders and legislators during their time in Vancouver.
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
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Violence in Syria continues to kill and maim civilians with reports that missiles fired into settlements for people fleeing conflict in the country’s northwest on Wednesday night, killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens more, including children, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.
A recap of Wednesday’s stories: UN envoy reiterates position on illegality of Israeli settlements, World Children’s Day marked with calls for rights of children to be upheld, new report highlights major gap between use of fossil fuels and commitments to limit global warming.
The situation in Africa’s Sahel region continues to be “of serious concern and urgent action is needed”, a high-level United Nations official told the Security Council on Wednesday, attributing a rising number of attacks to terrorist armed groups.
Although the world has made historic gains over the past three decades in improving children’s lives, urgent action is required if the poorest children are to feel the impact, a new UN report published on Monday warns.
The longstanding position of the UN regarding Israeli settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory – that they are in breach of international law – is unchanged, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during a press briefing on Tuesday in New York, reacting to the policy reversal announced by the United States.
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Saturday, November 16, 2019
Senator Murray Delivers Speech on Need for Gun Safety Legislation Moments Before News of California School Shooting.
(Washington, D.C.) – This morning, moments before news broke of a school shooting in Santa Clarita, California, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) decried President Trump and Senate Republicans for failing to address the gun violence epidemic that continues to plague families across America, and called for a Senate vote on bipartisan background check legislation, HR 8. Despite HR 8 passing the House more than 250 days ago, Senate Republicans have refused to hold a vote on the bill, abdicating their responsibility to address the gun violence crisis to President Trump, who last week went back on his promise to pursue gun safety legislation following several mass-shootings this summer.
“Earlier today, as my Democratic colleagues and I were on the Senate floor calling out President Trump for breaking his promise to act on gun violence and urging Majority Leader McConnell to stop blocking a vote on House-passed, bipartisan universal background check legislation, devastating news broke of yet another school shooting. My heart is shattered by this news and the knowledge that this far-too-common tragedy has now hurt more children and families,” Senator Murray said in a statement following news of the shooting. “As I made clear this morning, the House passed bipartisan, commonsense gun safety legislation more than 250 days ago. There is now nothing standing in the way of this critical step except President Trump, Majority Leader McConnell, and the NRA—and Democrats are going to keep making our case and working as hard as we can for action that helps protect communities from this senseless epidemic.”
The speech this morning is just the most recent step by Senator Murray in her continued push for common-sense legislation to curb gun violence, and follows another effort by the senator to push for universal background check legislation following mass-shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso and Midland, Texas. Senator Murray has long been a strong supporter of gun safety reforms, and as the top Democrat on the Senate health and education committee, has repeatedly fought to invest federal resources in gun violence prevention research.
“Thank you, M. President.
“M. President, I want to thank Senators Murphy and Blumenthal for their tremendous leadership that we are here on the floor today to speak about.
I come to the floor today not just as a member of the Senate, representing my home state of Washington, but as a former educator, as a mother, and as a grandmother devastated by how the gun violence epidemic is tearing apart our families and ravaging our communities, in every state, and I am furious at Republican leaders who continue to stand by and do nothing while more and more lives are lost.
“Just as I was after Newtown, and Parkland, and Sutherland Springs, and Marysville in my home state of Washington, I could go on.
“M. President, we don’t have to continue this cycle of violence, and heartbreak, and inaction.
“And we are here today to emphasize that there is action we can take right now, because earlier this year, the House passed HR 8—meaningful, bipartisan gun safety legislation to address this terrible crisis through universal background checks and other popular reforms.
“But in the two hundred and sixty days since HR 8 passed the House, it has languished here in the Senate despite repeated calls from myself and my Democratic colleagues for a vote.
“And that’s why fifty eight days ago, following the tragic events at El Paso, Dayton, and Midland, I joined my Senate Democratic colleagues here on the floor to try and break the cycle, and demand we address the scourge of gun violence in this country by taking a vote here in the Senate on HR 8, which would install universal background checks, a policy—that by the way–is supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans.
“And in the face of Republican apathy, people across our country raised their voices even louder, demanding action to end the endless waves of gun tragedies, so much so that after this summer’s string of horrors, President Trump bowed to public pressure and made a commitment to finally act to address the gun violence epidemic.
“After months and years of inaction, and far, far too many lives lost, it was the first sliver of hope in a long while that the President and Senate Republicans would finally put the safety of our families over their allegiance to the NRA, and do something substantive about ending this nation’s gun violence epidemic—working with Democrats towards commonsense reforms to end gun violence, and keep people safe.
“Now, more than two months later, President Trump has betrayed his pledge to address this tragic epidemic, as if the past summer never even happened.
“Once again, he’s chosen to abdicate his responsibility to keep our families and communities safe, and has broken yet another promise he made to the American people, kowtowing to the NRA and its unpopular, hard-right agenda to stymie commonsense gun reform as soon as mass shootings were out of the headlines.
“Well, I can assure you Senate Democrats and I are going to keep fighting for commonsense gun safety reforms like universal background checks, even when gun violence isn’t making a headline that day.
“Because while President Trump continues carrying water for the NRA and Senate Republicans continuing hiding behind President Trump, Democrats here understand that Congress has a duty to act to protect lives, and that the President’s cowardice absolutely should not set Congress’ agenda.
“While President Trump’s backtracking on this serious issue is disgraceful, I ask my Republican colleagues to remember that we are not beholden to the President or the gun lobby—that we do not need President Trump’s permission to vote on bills, or to act to save lives.
“In fact, in states across the country, we have been able to take on the gun lobby and make meaningful progress to address this crisis.
“In my home state of Washington, we have closed background check loopholes, and enacted Extreme Risk Protection Orders.
“We were able to accomplish those things because of the advocacy of groups like Moms Demand Action, across my state, the Washington state Alliance for Gun Responsibility, Everytown for Gun Safety, March for our Lives, so many more.
“As well as the dedicated volunteers and activists behind these organizations—the brave people who have been out making their voices heard and putting pressure on lawmakers to do their jobs to end this senseless epidemic.
“People like Jane Weiss who lives in Mill Creek, Washington.
“After she tragically lost her niece to gun violence, Jane joined the fight to pass lifesaving legislation in Washington state by putting pressure on her state lawmakers—and won.
“There are people like Jane all across the country, who are speaking up, fighting back, even when it means reliving some of the hardest moments of their lives, in order to prevent others from suffering as much as they have.
“M. President, that is hard and brave work to do.
“But there is absolutely nothing hard, or brave, about simply having a vote on a bipartisan, House-passed legislation to ensure universal background checks.
“To the contrary, it is the height of cowardice not to hold that vote while families across the country wonder which movie theater or shopping mall or synagogue or mosque or church, or community space is next, and while students spend their time in school on active shooter drills while they should be learning.
“But unfortunately, cowardice is what we’re seeing from far too many Republicans—here in the Senate and in the White House—when it comes to protecting families from the scourge of gun violence.
“So I want to be very clear. I hope my Republican colleagues allow this legislation to pass today, but if they don’t, for Jane and so many others, Senate Democrats are going to keep shining a spotlight on the inaction on gun violence here in the Senate, and the broken promises coming out of the White House.
“We’re going to keep making our case, building support, and we’re not going to give up until this is done.
“Thank you and I yield the floor.”
Press release issued 11. 13. 19
Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement on the outcome of Referendum 88, which was on the ballot in last week’s general election.
“Washington state has long been a place where we work to promote equality and opportunities for everyone regardless of the color of their skin, gender, country of origin, faith or language. These are Washington values and that will not change.
“We know systemic inequities remain that cause communities of color, veterans, people with disabilities and women to face persistent barriers to work and education opportunities.
“Referendum 88 was an attempt to address some of those inequities. While it was not successful, I am deeply committed to continue efforts that address opportunity for all Washingtonians consistent with current law.
“We currently have work underway to address the disparities that exist in state contracting, which is being led by the Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprises. This past legislative session, an Equity Office Task Force was created and the group is scheduled to present recommendations to me within the next month. Their input will help move our state forward and help ensure equal opportunities for everyone. But that is not enough.
"In partnership with the Legislature, we will continue to explore options that increase access to equitable opportunities and resources that reduce inequality -- including racial and ethnic disparities -- and improve outcomes for everyone statewide.”
Christmas tree inspections allow Washington trees to travel the world.
It was a chilly, foggy morning a week before Halloween when WSDA plant protection inspectors Sue Welch and Haley Palec pulled up to a remote Christmas tree farm near Cinebar, just west of Mount Rainier National Park. While most people were still carving pumpkins and designing costumes, at Bear Canyon Tree Farm, the smell of fir was in the air. The farm’s freshly-cut Christmas trees were waiting for WSDA inspections so they could be shipped around the world.
Bear Canyon Tree Farm’s trees were destined for markets in Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. In past years, they’ve even sent Christmas trees to Dubai.
To export Christmas trees to these and other countries, an inspection is usually required to make sure the trees don’t harbor any pests that might cause problems in the destination country. WSDA inspectors will visually examine both baled trees (trees that have been cut and wound with string to tightly secure the branches to the trunk) and cut, loose trees.
While baled trees get a close inspection, it’s the loose trees that get the action with a forceful, lengthy machine shaking that will knock loose needles and pests from the trees.
To the untrained eye, the shaking just appears to create a pile of dead tree needles. But inspectors know what to look for. They bend down to carefully examine the pile, looking for needles showing signs of disease or insects that have fallen out.
On this inspection, several insects had lost their grip on the tree, but none were pests of concern and inspectors did not find evidence of any diseases. This was great news for the tree farm waiting to export their trees.
As for the baled trees, they also get a good shake prior to being bound and are then visually inspected.
Washington ranks fourth nationally in the production of Christmas trees, with all of those trees grown on about 400 tree farms statewide.
Noble and Douglas fir trees are the most popular Christmas trees sold in Washington, accounting for 90 percent of all sales.
But many of our state’s Christmas trees end up in Hawaii, California, Canada, Mexico, Asia, and U.S. military bases worldwide.
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
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With more than half the world now at risk from mosquito-transmitted dengue fever, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN has taken the lead on a global effort to eradicate the disease – and many others – by measuring the impact of releasing millions of sterilized pests across several continents, it announced on Thursday.
A group of independent UN human rights experts is calling for a “paradigm shift” in Qatar to protect people in the Gulf State from arbitrary detention.
Overly expensive insulin could be a thing of the past – and life-changing news – for millions of diabetics under a plan launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday to diversify production globally, just ahead of World Diabetes Day.
Although Haiti is in the “homestretch” of defeating a cholera outbreak first declared nine years ago, the battle is far from over before the country is free of the deadly disease.
Noting that the people of Iraq were at “a critical juncture”, the top UN Envoy in the country told parliamentarians there on Thursday that over the past six weeks, hundreds of thousands have been peacefully voicing their “genuine, legitimate, demands, loud and clear”.
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NEWS FLASH!
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NEWS FLASH: Port Angeles City Councilman Jim Moran as passed away.
According to a press release from the Port Angeles Business Association press release issued on Sunday by John Brewer.
Qouting from the email sent by the PABA: " PORT ANGELES CITY Councilman Jim Moran is dead. His wife, Marie, said he died in his sleep Friday night or Saturday morning (Nov. 15-16).
Marie found him in bed at about 4:15 p.m. Saturday after returning to their Port Angeles home from a trip to see family members in Kent. She had talked to him by phone Friday evening.
Funeral services are pending. Harper-Ridgeview Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. Jim and Marie have two adult sons who live in southern King County.
Moran, 71, began his four-year City Council term in January 2018. The City Council will be called upon to appoint a successor to fill his remaining term which runs through December 2021. "
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Murray, Cantwell, Larsen Announce $15.5M Grant for Improvements at Everett Waterfront
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Press release issue 11. 6. 19
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=6E8E8D1E-4CC6-4C68-88A6-2BC24D044993
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, announced the Port of Everett will receive $15,500,000 in federal funding to make improvements to 58 acres of land on Everett’s waterfront. The funds will help prepare the area for future freight transportation on the site.
“This grant award is a win-win for the Port of Everett that will clean-up a neglected environmental hazard while also restoring the former Kimberly-Clark mill site to support maritime freight and commerce—stimulating Everett’s waterfront economy, and creating hundreds of new jobs in our state’s fastest growing county,” Senator Murray said. “I will continue fighting to strengthen federal infrastructure investments, and pushing to ensure the federal government remains a ready partner in addressing critical infrastructure needs in Puget Sound and across Washington state.”
“Investing in Everett’s working waterfront creates more maritime jobs and more economic development for the entire community. Cleaning up the former Kimberly-Clark mill site will expand opportunities for the port to continue investing in Everett’s cutting-edge maritime workforce,” Senator Cantwell said.
“This is great news for the businesses and jobs that depend on the Port of Everett to connect local goods and services with global markets,” said Larsen. “I will continue to be a strong supporter of strengthening federal investment in Washington’s infrastructure to help sustain and build on local projects, put people to work and keep our economy moving.”
The grant will allow the port to acquire a 58-acre brownfield site, part of which is currently submerged tideland, and construct utilities, storm water improvements, and paving in support of future container-on-barge service in the area. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) program.
“I am thrilled that the Port of Everett has received this award, and thank our congressional delegation as well as the Department of Transportation for supporting this investment in our community. These dollars will go a long way toward restoring this former mill site back into productive economic use, adding even more jobs to our working waterfront," said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin.
“The Port of Everett is thrilled to receive this BUILD grant to help us purchase the former Kimberly-Clark mill site for maritime development. We will now be able to put this strategic site back into productive use, creating hundreds of jobs for the Everett-area economy. The Port greatly appreciates the strong support given to our grant application by Senators Murray and Cantwell and Congressman Larsen,” said Lisa Lefeber, the CEO and Executive Director of the Port of Everett.
Previously known as Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, the DOT’s BUILD program invests in important road, rail, transit, and port projects, including Washington state’s ferry terminal in Mukilteo and terminal modernization projects at the Port of Everett. Senator Murray helped create the BUILD program in 2009, and advocated for federal investments in the Port of Everett project to the Department of Transportation, including writing a letter of support. Additionally, Senator Cantwell has long supported BUILD and has helped projects throughout Washington state receive funding through the program. In August, Larsen sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Chao urging support for the Port of Everett’s BUILD grant application, citing the project’s importance to the local and regional economy. Further, Larsen supported an increase in funding for BUILD grants in the FY2020 House Appropriations bill.
https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-welcomes-refugee-resettlement-washington
Gov. Jay Inslee notified the U.S. Department of State today that Washington will continue to welcome refugees, pursuant to the president’s executive order (EO 13888) that requires state and local consent.
“As the state that resettled the second highest number of refugees last year, we are honored to remain a place of safety and security for those fleeing persecution and violence,” Inslee wrote. “Refugees contribute to all sectors of our economy – as teachers, service members, doctors and more – while adding to our cultural landscape. They are an integral part of Washington’s past, present and future.”
In the letter, Inslee committed to work with localities across Washington on the written consent that the federal government now requires of them. Later this week, Washington state’s refugee coordinator at the Department of Social and Health Services will send a letter to local jurisdictions with further information on the new executive order and how to ensure refugee resettlement can continue unimpeded.
The letter also documents Inslee’s concerns with the Trump administration’s cuts to refugee resettlement and the imposition of new written consent requirements.
“I remain troubled by this administration’s deep cuts to refugee resettlement and disappointed that my call for a considerably higher number of refugees went unanswered,” Inslee wrote. “Further, I have significant concerns about the imposition of written consent requirements upon states and local jurisdictions as a condition to receiving new refugees for resettlement.”
Despite the call from hundreds of state and local leaders for resettling at least 95,000 refugees in 2020, the president has slashed the refugee cap to 18,000 next year — its lowest level in history.
Inslee statement on I-976
Press release issued 11. 6. 19
https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-i-976
Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement on the results of Initiative 976 from yesterday's general election.
“It is clear that the majority of voters objected to current car tab levels. It is also clear that this vote means there will be adverse impacts on our state transportation system.
“I believe Washingtonians recognize the need to support a safe and reliable transportation system which includes buses, light rail, and ferries and is essential to support our robust economy, ease congestion and fight climate change.
“Accordingly, in response to the will of the people, I am taking immediate action. I have directed the Washington State Department of Transportation to postpone projects not yet underway. I have also asked other state agencies that receive transportation funding, including the Washington State Patrol and Department of Licensing, to defer non-essential spending as we review impacts.
“I will work with legislators, agency leadership and stakeholders on how best to respond to the impacts of this initiative.
“I remain committed to finding solutions to meet Washington’s growing and urgent transportation needs.”
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
---------------------------------------
Terminator’ warlord Bosco Ntaganda sentenced to 30 years in prison for DR Congo atrocities
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday handed down a maximum 30-year prison sentence for mass murder and numerous other atrocities, to Bosco Ntaganda, the heaviest sanction yet imposed by judges at The Hague, in the Netherlands.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1050841
‘Everyone needs to do more’ to help suffering Venezuelans, says UN Emergency Relief Coordinator.
“Ordinary women, men and children face overwhelming challenges” just to survive in Venezuela today, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said on Wednesday in the capital, Caracas.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1050791
‘Violence, atrocities and impunity’ reign throughout Libya, ICC prosecutor tells UN Security Council
Libya remains entangled in a “cycle of violence, atrocities and impunity”, International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda told the UN Security Council on Wednesday, nearly a decade since the Court began its work in the country.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1050771
Palestine refugee agency chief resigns amidst mismanagement probe
The Commissioner-General for the UN relief and works agency serving Palestine refugees, UNRWA, resigned on Wednesday, hours after the UN announced preliminary findings of an investigation into misconduct allegations.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1050801
NEWS FLASH: Bloomberg threatens to shake up 2020 primary--THE HILL
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/469639-bloomberg-threatens-to-shake-up-2020-primary
IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION:
PAGE 2
Murray, Cantwell Announce $11.3M Grant for Spokane Airport Freight Project.
PAGE 3
Cantwell, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Close Cybersecurity Talent Gap in Washington, Across Country
PAGE 4
Cantwell, Washington State Lawmakers Push for Final Approval of Federal Way Link Extension Funding
PAGE 5
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DETERMINES NO U.S. MINING OPERATIONS MET PATTERN OF VIOLATIONS CRITERIA FOR 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
PAGE 6
Statement from Rep. Kilmer on H. Res. 660
Washington, DC – Today, Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement regarding his vote to support H. Res. 660:
PAGE 7
SPOKANE FEDERAL JUDGE AGREES WITH AG FERGUSON, STRIKES DOWN UNLAWFUL TRUMP ‘CONSCIENCE RULE’
NEWS STORY COMMENTARY : MAYOR SISSI BURCH'S HABIT OF BEING POLITICAL CORRECT, AND BITES HER
Press release issue 11. 6. 19
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=6E8E8D1E-4CC6-4C68-88A6-2BC24D044993
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, announced the Port of Everett will receive $15,500,000 in federal funding to make improvements to 58 acres of land on Everett’s waterfront. The funds will help prepare the area for future freight transportation on the site.
“This grant award is a win-win for the Port of Everett that will clean-up a neglected environmental hazard while also restoring the former Kimberly-Clark mill site to support maritime freight and commerce—stimulating Everett’s waterfront economy, and creating hundreds of new jobs in our state’s fastest growing county,” Senator Murray said. “I will continue fighting to strengthen federal infrastructure investments, and pushing to ensure the federal government remains a ready partner in addressing critical infrastructure needs in Puget Sound and across Washington state.”
“Investing in Everett’s working waterfront creates more maritime jobs and more economic development for the entire community. Cleaning up the former Kimberly-Clark mill site will expand opportunities for the port to continue investing in Everett’s cutting-edge maritime workforce,” Senator Cantwell said.
“This is great news for the businesses and jobs that depend on the Port of Everett to connect local goods and services with global markets,” said Larsen. “I will continue to be a strong supporter of strengthening federal investment in Washington’s infrastructure to help sustain and build on local projects, put people to work and keep our economy moving.”
The grant will allow the port to acquire a 58-acre brownfield site, part of which is currently submerged tideland, and construct utilities, storm water improvements, and paving in support of future container-on-barge service in the area. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) program.
“I am thrilled that the Port of Everett has received this award, and thank our congressional delegation as well as the Department of Transportation for supporting this investment in our community. These dollars will go a long way toward restoring this former mill site back into productive economic use, adding even more jobs to our working waterfront," said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin.
“The Port of Everett is thrilled to receive this BUILD grant to help us purchase the former Kimberly-Clark mill site for maritime development. We will now be able to put this strategic site back into productive use, creating hundreds of jobs for the Everett-area economy. The Port greatly appreciates the strong support given to our grant application by Senators Murray and Cantwell and Congressman Larsen,” said Lisa Lefeber, the CEO and Executive Director of the Port of Everett.
Previously known as Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, the DOT’s BUILD program invests in important road, rail, transit, and port projects, including Washington state’s ferry terminal in Mukilteo and terminal modernization projects at the Port of Everett. Senator Murray helped create the BUILD program in 2009, and advocated for federal investments in the Port of Everett project to the Department of Transportation, including writing a letter of support. Additionally, Senator Cantwell has long supported BUILD and has helped projects throughout Washington state receive funding through the program. In August, Larsen sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Chao urging support for the Port of Everett’s BUILD grant application, citing the project’s importance to the local and regional economy. Further, Larsen supported an increase in funding for BUILD grants in the FY2020 House Appropriations bill.
Inslee welcomes refugee resettlement in Washington
Press release issued 11. 5. 19https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-welcomes-refugee-resettlement-washington
Gov. Jay Inslee notified the U.S. Department of State today that Washington will continue to welcome refugees, pursuant to the president’s executive order (EO 13888) that requires state and local consent.
“As the state that resettled the second highest number of refugees last year, we are honored to remain a place of safety and security for those fleeing persecution and violence,” Inslee wrote. “Refugees contribute to all sectors of our economy – as teachers, service members, doctors and more – while adding to our cultural landscape. They are an integral part of Washington’s past, present and future.”
In the letter, Inslee committed to work with localities across Washington on the written consent that the federal government now requires of them. Later this week, Washington state’s refugee coordinator at the Department of Social and Health Services will send a letter to local jurisdictions with further information on the new executive order and how to ensure refugee resettlement can continue unimpeded.
The letter also documents Inslee’s concerns with the Trump administration’s cuts to refugee resettlement and the imposition of new written consent requirements.
“I remain troubled by this administration’s deep cuts to refugee resettlement and disappointed that my call for a considerably higher number of refugees went unanswered,” Inslee wrote. “Further, I have significant concerns about the imposition of written consent requirements upon states and local jurisdictions as a condition to receiving new refugees for resettlement.”
Despite the call from hundreds of state and local leaders for resettling at least 95,000 refugees in 2020, the president has slashed the refugee cap to 18,000 next year — its lowest level in history.
Inslee statement on I-976
Press release issued 11. 6. 19
https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-i-976
Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement on the results of Initiative 976 from yesterday's general election.
“It is clear that the majority of voters objected to current car tab levels. It is also clear that this vote means there will be adverse impacts on our state transportation system.
“I believe Washingtonians recognize the need to support a safe and reliable transportation system which includes buses, light rail, and ferries and is essential to support our robust economy, ease congestion and fight climate change.
“Accordingly, in response to the will of the people, I am taking immediate action. I have directed the Washington State Department of Transportation to postpone projects not yet underway. I have also asked other state agencies that receive transportation funding, including the Washington State Patrol and Department of Licensing, to defer non-essential spending as we review impacts.
“I will work with legislators, agency leadership and stakeholders on how best to respond to the impacts of this initiative.
“I remain committed to finding solutions to meet Washington’s growing and urgent transportation needs.”
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
---------------------------------------
Terminator’ warlord Bosco Ntaganda sentenced to 30 years in prison for DR Congo atrocities
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday handed down a maximum 30-year prison sentence for mass murder and numerous other atrocities, to Bosco Ntaganda, the heaviest sanction yet imposed by judges at The Hague, in the Netherlands.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1050841
‘Everyone needs to do more’ to help suffering Venezuelans, says UN Emergency Relief Coordinator.
“Ordinary women, men and children face overwhelming challenges” just to survive in Venezuela today, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said on Wednesday in the capital, Caracas.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1050791
‘Violence, atrocities and impunity’ reign throughout Libya, ICC prosecutor tells UN Security Council
Libya remains entangled in a “cycle of violence, atrocities and impunity”, International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda told the UN Security Council on Wednesday, nearly a decade since the Court began its work in the country.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1050771
Palestine refugee agency chief resigns amidst mismanagement probe
The Commissioner-General for the UN relief and works agency serving Palestine refugees, UNRWA, resigned on Wednesday, hours after the UN announced preliminary findings of an investigation into misconduct allegations.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1050801
NEWS FLASH: Bloomberg threatens to shake up 2020 primary--THE HILL
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/469639-bloomberg-threatens-to-shake-up-2020-primary
IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION:
PAGE 2
Murray, Cantwell Announce $11.3M Grant for Spokane Airport Freight Project.
PAGE 3
Cantwell, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Close Cybersecurity Talent Gap in Washington, Across Country
PAGE 4
Cantwell, Washington State Lawmakers Push for Final Approval of Federal Way Link Extension Funding
PAGE 5
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DETERMINES NO U.S. MINING OPERATIONS MET PATTERN OF VIOLATIONS CRITERIA FOR 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
PAGE 6
Statement from Rep. Kilmer on H. Res. 660
Washington, DC – Today, Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement regarding his vote to support H. Res. 660:
PAGE 7
SPOKANE FEDERAL JUDGE AGREES WITH AG FERGUSON, STRIKES DOWN UNLAWFUL TRUMP ‘CONSCIENCE RULE’
NEWS STORY COMMENTARY : MAYOR SISSI BURCH'S HABIT OF BEING POLITICAL CORRECT, AND BITES HER
"Mansions of the Lord" performed by the Cadet Glee Club of West Point
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Amid Delay, Senator Murray Urges Trump Administration to Prioritize Children’s Health and Keep Promise to Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes.
Press release issued 10. 30. 19
Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate health committee, sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar denouncing his delay in addressing the growing epidemic of youth tobacco use in Washington state and across the country. In her letter, Senator Murray also urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to finalize its promised compliance policy and clear the market of unauthorized, flavored e-cigarette products, including mint and menthol flavors.
There have been twelve cases of vaping-related illness in Washington state alone, and e-cigarette use has increased by more than 75 percent amongst high school students across the country—largely fueled by the appeal of products with flavors like candy, fruit, mint and menthol. Nearly two-thirds of youth that use e-cigarettes use mint and menthol products. Though the Trump Administration has promised to address the epidemic, the FDA has yet to take meaningful action and is even reportedly considering exempting mint and menthol flavors, despite its promise to include them in the compliance policy. As delays persist and President Trump continues to play politics with public health, e-cigarette use among children continues to increase with no signs of stopping.
“Because of the ever-increasing epidemic of youth e-cigarette use that has been fueled by flavors that include mint and menthol, we implore the Administration to finalize a compliance policy removing all unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market immediately,” wrote Senator Murray. “It must not bow to industry or political pressure at the expense of the public health.”
Full text of the letter is below and the PDF is HERE.
October 29, 2019
The Honorable Alex M. Azar II
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Secretary Azar,
We write with significant concerns about the continued delay by the Trump Administration in issuing a compliance policy to address the terrible epidemic of e-cigarette use among children. After years of delay and inaction, which fueled this epidemic, the Trump Administration announced on September 11, 2019, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) intended to “finalize a compliance policy in the coming weeks that would prioritize the agency’s enforcement of the premarket authorization requirements for non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes, including mint and menthol, clearing the market of unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarette products.”[1] We have long advocated for this action and were encouraged that the Administration had finally decided to act. As of today, however, the FDA has neither finalized nor announced when it will finalize the compliance policy and is reportedly considering significantly weakening this policy by exempting mint and menthol products, which your agency’s own data have demonstrated are incredibly popular among children.[2] While the Administration continues to permit the sale of unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarette products, each day more children are becoming e-cigarette users – driven primarily by flavors.[3] We strongly urge the Administration to fulfill its promise to clear the market of all unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes – including mint and menthol flavors – immediately.
It is imperative that the Administration promptly finalize the compliance policy. E-cigarette use among children continues to rise at an alarming rate. Approximately 20 percent of high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2018, which is more than a 75 percent increase in use from 2017.[4] Furthermore, high school students who used e-cigarettes reported using them more often in 2018 than in 2017. E-cigarette use among middle school students increased nearly 50 percent from 2017 to 2018.[5] This appetite for e-cigarette use by children has been largely fueled by the appeal of non-tobacco flavors such as fruit, candy, and menthol or mint.[6] There are no recent signs that e-cigarette use by children is decreasing: preliminary data from the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows a continued rise in youth e-cigarette use.[7]
Although the full scope of the dangers remains uncertain, it is well-known that e-cigarettes pose a serious health risk to youth. On October 11, 2018, the Washington Post published an op-ed by you and then-FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. In it, you acknowledged that “the steps we have taken thus far are not enough,” noting that e-cigarettes have been the most popular nicotine product among American teenagers since 2014; nicotine is highly addictive and can harm brain development; and children who start on e-cigarettes are more likely than non-smoking peers to end up using traditional tobacco products.[8] You stated you were “actively reconsidering our policy under which certain e-cigarettes — particularly the products with flavors that might appeal to children — can remain on the market ….”[9] In the year since, the epidemic has worsened, and we have learned that e-cigarettes are associated with a nationwide outbreak of lung illnesses, some of which have resulted in death.
On September 11, 2019, you joined President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Acting FDA Commissioner Norman Sharpless in the Oval Office to announce your intent to finalize the compliance policy removing unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market.[10] You stated the Administration’s intent to “clear the market of flavored e-cigarettes to reverse the deeply concerning epidemic of youth e-cigarette use that is impacting children, families, schools and communities,” and Acting Commissioner Sharpless noted that “finalization of the compliance policy will be an important step in ongoing work to ensure e-cigarettes are not marketed to, sold to, or used by kids.”[11]
With each day, more children continue to be lured to e-cigarettes by flavors such as fruit, candy, and mint or menthol. We are therefore deeply troubled that there is no final compliance policy more than six weeks after the Oval Office announcement. Instead, the FDA provides assurances that the agency is working “as quickly as possible” to finalize a compliance policy.[12] It is increasingly unclear what the FDA’s final compliance policy will look like.
The Trump Administration is reportedly considering allowing mint and menthol flavors to remain on the market even if and when the FDA does finalize a compliance policy, despite nearly two-thirds of kids who use e-cigarettes using mint and menthol flavored products.[13] This is unacceptable. The Administration has already delayed action for far too long to address this public health crisis.
Further fueling our concerns, on October 25, 2019, news reports indicated that this reconsideration follows warnings from President Trump’s campaign manager, Brad Parscale, that a policy removing flavored e-cigarettes from the market “could backfire in the 2020 election” and that “Trump supporters who use e-cigarettes could abandon the president if he follows through on a ban.”[14] We are outraged that the President appears to be playing politics with children’s health.
Because of the ever-increasing epidemic of youth e-cigarette use that has been fueled by flavors that include mint and menthol, we implore the Administration to finalize a compliance policy removing all unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market immediately. It must not bow to industry or political pressure at the expense of the public health. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Andi Lipstein Fristedt with the HELP Committee Staff at (202) 224-7675.
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OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced that King County coffee chain Mercurys Coffee will void all of its existing non-compete agreements. Today’s announcement is the result of Ferguson’s investigation into Mercurys Coffee’s unfair use of non-compete agreements – the first of its kind for the Washington Attorney General’s Office.
As a result of Ferguson’s action, the company cannot require hourly baristas to sign non-compete agreements. In addition, the company must pay $50,000 to reimburse the Attorney General’s Office for its attorneys fees and costs associated with the investigation.
For years, Mercurys Coffee required all employees — including low-wage, hourly workers — to sign restrictive non-compete agreements. These agreements prevented employees from working at any coffee shop within 10 miles of a Mercurys Coffee location. The prohibition extended for eighteen months after leaving the company. This policy had the practical effect of preventing Mercurys baristas from working at most coffee shops in King County and parts of Snohomish County. For example, a barista working at Mercurys’ Redmond location would need to drive at least 40 minutes to find another coffee shop where they were allowed to work.
Furthermore, the company enforced the agreements. Mercurys Coffee filed several lawsuits against workers who found employment at other coffee shops. Ferguson asserts that the company’s non-compete practices limited employment options and mobility for workers and unfairly limited competition for labor.
“Non-compete agreements targeting low-wage, hourly employees give companies an unfair advantage at the expense of workers,” Ferguson said. “Any company that makes their employees sign unfair contracts should expect to hear from my office. A coffee shop barista, or any low-wage worker for that matter, should not fear retaliation just for moving to another job that’s better for them.”
According to Ferguson’s complaint, Mercurys’ non-compete agreements violated the Washington Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits companies from engaging in “unfair methods of competition.” Non-compete agreements limit low-wage workers’ options, mobility and ability to advocate for better pay and working conditions. This gives the employer an unfair advantage in competing for their labor — one of many reasons wages have stagnated even as employment rates have gone up.
Mercurys’s non-compete agreements
Mercurys Coffee has about 120 employees in eight locations in King County. The company required all employees, including those making near minimum wage, to sign non-compete agreements as a condition of their employment. Mercurys has employed more than 700 people in the last five years, all or most of whom were required to sign the non-compete agreement.
In general, these non-compete agreements prevented the former employee from working for any other local coffee shop within a 10 mile radius of any Mercurys location for 18 months after termination of employment. For a barista trying to find a job after working at a Mercurys, this agreement prohibited employment at coffee shops in much of King County, including Bellevue, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Sammamish, Redmond and most of Seattle.
For years, the non-compete agreements barred employment at all types of coffee shops. In 2016, Mercurys began including an exception allowing former baristas to work at coffee shops with more than 40 locations.
Under the non-compete agreements, employees were required to provide a copy of the agreement to any potential new employer — regardless of industry or geography — for two years after employment with Mercurys, six months longer than the non-compete restriction itself.
Mercurys has sued or threatened to sue former employees to enforce the non-competes. For example, Mercurys filed suit against one of its former baristas, a store manager who made $17 per hour. The barista left Mercurys to work for a competitor about one and a half miles from a Mercurys location. Mercurys threatened to sue another former employee who left to work at a nearby Starbucks.
The Attorney General’s Office learned about Mercurys’ non-compete agreements after receiving a consumer complaint from one of the attorneys representing a former Mercurys barista.
Assistant Attorneys General Rahul Rao and Eric Newman are leading the case.
Washington’s legislature recently passed a bill explicitly limiting non-compete agreements. Among other protections, the bill makes unenforceable non-compete agreements with employees making less than $100,000 a year. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias, D-Mukilteo, and then-Rep. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020. This enforcement action is not directly related to the new law.
Going forward, even though the new law does allow non-compete agreements for employees making more than $100,000 per year, this resolution requires Mercurys Coffee to get approval from the Attorney General’s Office for managers and other employees making that amount. If the company believes a non-compete agreement is necessary for an employee making more than $100,000 per year, the company must submit the agreement to the Attorney General’s Office for approval within three days of presenting it to the employee.
Worker Protection Initiative
This action is part of Ferguson’s ongoing Worker Protection Initiative, which also includes an effort to eliminate no-poach clauses — a practice that economists believe stagnates wages. As a result of this effort, 155 chains have signed legally binding commitments to end no-poach practices nationwide at an estimated 160,000 locations. The changes benefit millions of workers across the U.S.
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
--------------------------------------------
As urbanization grows, cities unveil sustainable development solutions on World Day.
Over half of the world’s population now live in cities, with numbers expected to double by 2050, but while urbanization poses serious challenges, cities can also be powerhouses for sustainable development; something the UN is spotlighting on World Cities Day, marked 31 October.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1050291
‘Historic’ new Syria talks should focus on relief for war-weary civilians, says UN negotiator
Work on drafting a new foundational text for war-torn Syria officially began at the UN in Geneva on Wednesday with representatives from the Syrian Government and opposition sitting face to face and preparing to discuss the country’s future for the first time in the nearly nine-year conflict.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1050241
UN calls for shipping ‘propulsion revolution’ to avoid ‘environmental disaster’
If emissions from the maritime industry are not cut, we are headed for “an environmental disaster”, Isabelle Durant, the deputy head of the UN trade body, UNCTAD, told the Global Maritime Forum summit on Wednesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1050251
From ‘strength to strength’ UN-African Union security partnership growing, Security Council hears
The Security Council highlighted the growing partnership on matters of peace and security between the United Nations and African Union (AU) on Wednesday amidst calls to bolster overall effectiveness.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1050311
Reparations for sexual violence in conflict – ‘what survivors want most, yet receive least’
Ten years ago, the UN Security Council established a mandate to prevent and address the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence. At a commemorative event on Wednesday, the UN deputy chief described that commitment as essential to “highlight, prevent and seek justice for this crime”.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1050271
IN THIS WEEK"S EDITION
----------------------------------Page 2-----------------------------
Cantwell Questions NTSB Chair on Automation, Risk-Based Safety Management in Aviation Industry
------------------------------------Page 3------------------------------------
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF PANDERING TO THE LGBTQIA AGENDA.
They want special treatment!
----------------------PAGE 4------------------------
Cantwell Presses Boeing CEO on 737 MAX Testing, Disclosures to FAA
Last week, Cantwell introduced safety legislation to help aviation industry address safety challenges posed by automation.
---------------------------------PAGE 5-----------------------------
Treasury and IRS Announce Proposed New Tax Form to Collect Opportunity Zone Fund Data.
-----------------------------Page 6---------------------------
Wolf post-recovery scoping public comment period extended two weeks
-----------------------------PAGE 7-------------------------------
Cleaning up: An affordable housing milestone
News Story Commentary: Reason for voting the November 5th
The Monster Mash---
Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate health committee, sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar denouncing his delay in addressing the growing epidemic of youth tobacco use in Washington state and across the country. In her letter, Senator Murray also urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to finalize its promised compliance policy and clear the market of unauthorized, flavored e-cigarette products, including mint and menthol flavors.
There have been twelve cases of vaping-related illness in Washington state alone, and e-cigarette use has increased by more than 75 percent amongst high school students across the country—largely fueled by the appeal of products with flavors like candy, fruit, mint and menthol. Nearly two-thirds of youth that use e-cigarettes use mint and menthol products. Though the Trump Administration has promised to address the epidemic, the FDA has yet to take meaningful action and is even reportedly considering exempting mint and menthol flavors, despite its promise to include them in the compliance policy. As delays persist and President Trump continues to play politics with public health, e-cigarette use among children continues to increase with no signs of stopping.
“Because of the ever-increasing epidemic of youth e-cigarette use that has been fueled by flavors that include mint and menthol, we implore the Administration to finalize a compliance policy removing all unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market immediately,” wrote Senator Murray. “It must not bow to industry or political pressure at the expense of the public health.”
Full text of the letter is below and the PDF is HERE.
October 29, 2019
The Honorable Alex M. Azar II
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Secretary Azar,
We write with significant concerns about the continued delay by the Trump Administration in issuing a compliance policy to address the terrible epidemic of e-cigarette use among children. After years of delay and inaction, which fueled this epidemic, the Trump Administration announced on September 11, 2019, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) intended to “finalize a compliance policy in the coming weeks that would prioritize the agency’s enforcement of the premarket authorization requirements for non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes, including mint and menthol, clearing the market of unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarette products.”[1] We have long advocated for this action and were encouraged that the Administration had finally decided to act. As of today, however, the FDA has neither finalized nor announced when it will finalize the compliance policy and is reportedly considering significantly weakening this policy by exempting mint and menthol products, which your agency’s own data have demonstrated are incredibly popular among children.[2] While the Administration continues to permit the sale of unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarette products, each day more children are becoming e-cigarette users – driven primarily by flavors.[3] We strongly urge the Administration to fulfill its promise to clear the market of all unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes – including mint and menthol flavors – immediately.
It is imperative that the Administration promptly finalize the compliance policy. E-cigarette use among children continues to rise at an alarming rate. Approximately 20 percent of high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2018, which is more than a 75 percent increase in use from 2017.[4] Furthermore, high school students who used e-cigarettes reported using them more often in 2018 than in 2017. E-cigarette use among middle school students increased nearly 50 percent from 2017 to 2018.[5] This appetite for e-cigarette use by children has been largely fueled by the appeal of non-tobacco flavors such as fruit, candy, and menthol or mint.[6] There are no recent signs that e-cigarette use by children is decreasing: preliminary data from the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows a continued rise in youth e-cigarette use.[7]
Although the full scope of the dangers remains uncertain, it is well-known that e-cigarettes pose a serious health risk to youth. On October 11, 2018, the Washington Post published an op-ed by you and then-FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. In it, you acknowledged that “the steps we have taken thus far are not enough,” noting that e-cigarettes have been the most popular nicotine product among American teenagers since 2014; nicotine is highly addictive and can harm brain development; and children who start on e-cigarettes are more likely than non-smoking peers to end up using traditional tobacco products.[8] You stated you were “actively reconsidering our policy under which certain e-cigarettes — particularly the products with flavors that might appeal to children — can remain on the market ….”[9] In the year since, the epidemic has worsened, and we have learned that e-cigarettes are associated with a nationwide outbreak of lung illnesses, some of which have resulted in death.
On September 11, 2019, you joined President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Acting FDA Commissioner Norman Sharpless in the Oval Office to announce your intent to finalize the compliance policy removing unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market.[10] You stated the Administration’s intent to “clear the market of flavored e-cigarettes to reverse the deeply concerning epidemic of youth e-cigarette use that is impacting children, families, schools and communities,” and Acting Commissioner Sharpless noted that “finalization of the compliance policy will be an important step in ongoing work to ensure e-cigarettes are not marketed to, sold to, or used by kids.”[11]
With each day, more children continue to be lured to e-cigarettes by flavors such as fruit, candy, and mint or menthol. We are therefore deeply troubled that there is no final compliance policy more than six weeks after the Oval Office announcement. Instead, the FDA provides assurances that the agency is working “as quickly as possible” to finalize a compliance policy.[12] It is increasingly unclear what the FDA’s final compliance policy will look like.
The Trump Administration is reportedly considering allowing mint and menthol flavors to remain on the market even if and when the FDA does finalize a compliance policy, despite nearly two-thirds of kids who use e-cigarettes using mint and menthol flavored products.[13] This is unacceptable. The Administration has already delayed action for far too long to address this public health crisis.
Further fueling our concerns, on October 25, 2019, news reports indicated that this reconsideration follows warnings from President Trump’s campaign manager, Brad Parscale, that a policy removing flavored e-cigarettes from the market “could backfire in the 2020 election” and that “Trump supporters who use e-cigarettes could abandon the president if he follows through on a ban.”[14] We are outraged that the President appears to be playing politics with children’s health.
Because of the ever-increasing epidemic of youth e-cigarette use that has been fueled by flavors that include mint and menthol, we implore the Administration to finalize a compliance policy removing all unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market immediately. It must not bow to industry or political pressure at the expense of the public health. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Andi Lipstein Fristedt with the HELP Committee Staff at (202) 224-7675.
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ATTORNEY GENERAL BOB FERGUSON STOPS KING COUNTY COFFEE SHOP’S PRACTICE REQUIRING BARISTAS TO SIGN UNFAIR NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS
Press released issued 10. 29. 19OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced that King County coffee chain Mercurys Coffee will void all of its existing non-compete agreements. Today’s announcement is the result of Ferguson’s investigation into Mercurys Coffee’s unfair use of non-compete agreements – the first of its kind for the Washington Attorney General’s Office.
As a result of Ferguson’s action, the company cannot require hourly baristas to sign non-compete agreements. In addition, the company must pay $50,000 to reimburse the Attorney General’s Office for its attorneys fees and costs associated with the investigation.
For years, Mercurys Coffee required all employees — including low-wage, hourly workers — to sign restrictive non-compete agreements. These agreements prevented employees from working at any coffee shop within 10 miles of a Mercurys Coffee location. The prohibition extended for eighteen months after leaving the company. This policy had the practical effect of preventing Mercurys baristas from working at most coffee shops in King County and parts of Snohomish County. For example, a barista working at Mercurys’ Redmond location would need to drive at least 40 minutes to find another coffee shop where they were allowed to work.
Furthermore, the company enforced the agreements. Mercurys Coffee filed several lawsuits against workers who found employment at other coffee shops. Ferguson asserts that the company’s non-compete practices limited employment options and mobility for workers and unfairly limited competition for labor.
“Non-compete agreements targeting low-wage, hourly employees give companies an unfair advantage at the expense of workers,” Ferguson said. “Any company that makes their employees sign unfair contracts should expect to hear from my office. A coffee shop barista, or any low-wage worker for that matter, should not fear retaliation just for moving to another job that’s better for them.”
According to Ferguson’s complaint, Mercurys’ non-compete agreements violated the Washington Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits companies from engaging in “unfair methods of competition.” Non-compete agreements limit low-wage workers’ options, mobility and ability to advocate for better pay and working conditions. This gives the employer an unfair advantage in competing for their labor — one of many reasons wages have stagnated even as employment rates have gone up.
Mercurys’s non-compete agreements
Mercurys Coffee has about 120 employees in eight locations in King County. The company required all employees, including those making near minimum wage, to sign non-compete agreements as a condition of their employment. Mercurys has employed more than 700 people in the last five years, all or most of whom were required to sign the non-compete agreement.
In general, these non-compete agreements prevented the former employee from working for any other local coffee shop within a 10 mile radius of any Mercurys location for 18 months after termination of employment. For a barista trying to find a job after working at a Mercurys, this agreement prohibited employment at coffee shops in much of King County, including Bellevue, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Sammamish, Redmond and most of Seattle.
For years, the non-compete agreements barred employment at all types of coffee shops. In 2016, Mercurys began including an exception allowing former baristas to work at coffee shops with more than 40 locations.
Under the non-compete agreements, employees were required to provide a copy of the agreement to any potential new employer — regardless of industry or geography — for two years after employment with Mercurys, six months longer than the non-compete restriction itself.
Mercurys has sued or threatened to sue former employees to enforce the non-competes. For example, Mercurys filed suit against one of its former baristas, a store manager who made $17 per hour. The barista left Mercurys to work for a competitor about one and a half miles from a Mercurys location. Mercurys threatened to sue another former employee who left to work at a nearby Starbucks.
The Attorney General’s Office learned about Mercurys’ non-compete agreements after receiving a consumer complaint from one of the attorneys representing a former Mercurys barista.
Assistant Attorneys General Rahul Rao and Eric Newman are leading the case.
Washington’s legislature recently passed a bill explicitly limiting non-compete agreements. Among other protections, the bill makes unenforceable non-compete agreements with employees making less than $100,000 a year. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias, D-Mukilteo, and then-Rep. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020. This enforcement action is not directly related to the new law.
Going forward, even though the new law does allow non-compete agreements for employees making more than $100,000 per year, this resolution requires Mercurys Coffee to get approval from the Attorney General’s Office for managers and other employees making that amount. If the company believes a non-compete agreement is necessary for an employee making more than $100,000 per year, the company must submit the agreement to the Attorney General’s Office for approval within three days of presenting it to the employee.
Worker Protection Initiative
This action is part of Ferguson’s ongoing Worker Protection Initiative, which also includes an effort to eliminate no-poach clauses — a practice that economists believe stagnates wages. As a result of this effort, 155 chains have signed legally binding commitments to end no-poach practices nationwide at an estimated 160,000 locations. The changes benefit millions of workers across the U.S.
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
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As urbanization grows, cities unveil sustainable development solutions on World Day.
Over half of the world’s population now live in cities, with numbers expected to double by 2050, but while urbanization poses serious challenges, cities can also be powerhouses for sustainable development; something the UN is spotlighting on World Cities Day, marked 31 October.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1050291
‘Historic’ new Syria talks should focus on relief for war-weary civilians, says UN negotiator
Work on drafting a new foundational text for war-torn Syria officially began at the UN in Geneva on Wednesday with representatives from the Syrian Government and opposition sitting face to face and preparing to discuss the country’s future for the first time in the nearly nine-year conflict.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1050241
UN calls for shipping ‘propulsion revolution’ to avoid ‘environmental disaster’
If emissions from the maritime industry are not cut, we are headed for “an environmental disaster”, Isabelle Durant, the deputy head of the UN trade body, UNCTAD, told the Global Maritime Forum summit on Wednesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1050251
From ‘strength to strength’ UN-African Union security partnership growing, Security Council hears
The Security Council highlighted the growing partnership on matters of peace and security between the United Nations and African Union (AU) on Wednesday amidst calls to bolster overall effectiveness.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1050311
Reparations for sexual violence in conflict – ‘what survivors want most, yet receive least’
Ten years ago, the UN Security Council established a mandate to prevent and address the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence. At a commemorative event on Wednesday, the UN deputy chief described that commitment as essential to “highlight, prevent and seek justice for this crime”.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1050271
IN THIS WEEK"S EDITION
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ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF PANDERING TO THE LGBTQIA AGENDA.
They want special treatment!
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Cantwell Presses Boeing CEO on 737 MAX Testing, Disclosures to FAA
Last week, Cantwell introduced safety legislation to help aviation industry address safety challenges posed by automation.
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Treasury and IRS Announce Proposed New Tax Form to Collect Opportunity Zone Fund Data.
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Wolf post-recovery scoping public comment period extended two weeks
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Cleaning up: An affordable housing milestone
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HAPPY BELATED HALLOWEEN💀
The Monster Mash---
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