****NEWS ARTICLE COMMENTARY***
They pave the way for sale of JWM by moving issuing an RFI
Related story from the PDN: Port of Port Angeles to issue marina RFI despite Wayne family request.
Quote: " Sequim-area port Commission Colleen McAleer at first argued to delay the issuance of the RFI, saying it “would not harm our position of going forward, nor does it put any respondent in a negative position, but it certainly allows one of the stakeholders to be able to provide input for our review.”
Commission President Connie Beauvais didn’t agree.
“I’m not in favor of waiting until we hear something from them,” Beauvais said, adding that the Heartland study can be made public once it’s available and still add to the information the commissioners will have for making a decision.
Commissioner Steven Burke said there was no guarantee that the Heartland study would be made public.
Burke said it’s also important that the port not appear to show preference for one stakeholder over another.
McAleer said by the end of the discussion that she had not considered arguments offered by Goschen and Burke for moving forward with the RFI and went along with issuing the RFI.
Editorial Note: I think this is an underhanded way to thank what was given years ago toward a marina in Sequim, to turn around and sell it years later. If it weren't for the controversy a couple of weeks ago over a interview that Wayne granted back in 1971 in Playboy. This might have gone unnoticed. Not saying that this is relevant to what the Port plan to sell JWM to an private developer, but it does makes one wonder don't it? Try this scenario: If the do sell to a private investor that would pave the way for a name change of JWM won't it?
Kilmer Campaign Finance & Election Reform Bills Included in Final H.R. 1 Legislation.
Press release issued on 3. 8. 19 (link source)
For the People Act Passes House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.— Today, the House passed 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, ending the dominance 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.
“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. Today, Congress finally took a step forward in hopes of ensuring that government works better for the American people,” said Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA). “Reducing the role of big money in politics, strengthening ethics rules so elected officials are working for the public interest, and protecting voting rights for every American, are things everyone should agree on. I’m also proud this bill includes two bipartisan proposals I wrote – provisions that increase transparency in elections and crack down on politicians that cheat.”
Included in H.R. 1 is The Honest Ads Act, which would shine a light on the murky world of online political advertising by requiring the hosts of online ads to disclose who paid for them. These requirements are the same as what is already required on television and radio. The bill had bipartisan support in both the House and Senate when it was introduced in the 115th Congress. Kilmer wrote about the need for the bill’s passage in an op-ed in The Seattle Times.
H.R. 1 also includes the Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act, bipartisan legislation which reforms the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the government entity responsible for policing the nation’s election laws. The legislation would enable the FEC to more effectively carry out its mission to oversee and enforce campaign finance laws. Among other things, the bill will reduce the number of FEC commissioners from 6 to 5, so there are no longer split decisions among commissioners.
Additional highlights of H.R. 1 include:
Enables same day voter registration – requires states to permit eligible citizens to register to vote and cast ballots on the day of a federal election, including during early voting periods.
Reaffirms commitment to restoring Voting Rights Act – declares that Congress finds the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County vs. Holder ushered in a new era of voter suppression and that, per the ruling, Congress should restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act by updating the formula for determining which jurisdictions are subject to federal preclearance.
Promotes voter access – makes colleges and universities voter registration agencies, requires absentee ballots be posted free of charge, and creates a voter information hotline.
Ends partisan gerrymandering – requires states to adopt independent redistricting commissions for the purposes of drawing Congressional districts instead of allowing politicians to pick their voters.
Unmasks dark money – requires super PACs, 501(c)4 groups and other organizations spending money in elections to disclose donors who contribute more than $10,000 and forbids organizations to transfer money to keep the identity of the contributor secret.
Supports ending Citizens United – affirms that the Constitution should be amended to clarify Congress and the States have the authority to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures, nullifying the Citizens United decision.
Prevents Presidential conflicts of interest – requires the President and Vice President to file a new financial disclosure statement within 30 days of being sworn into office and prohibits both the President and Vice President from contracting with the U.S. government. Also, requires sitting Presidents and Vice Presidents, as well as candidates for President and Vice President, to make their tax returns public.
Limiting congressional conflicts of interest – forbids Members of Congress from serving on for-profit, corporate boards and codifies rules prohibiting Members, their family and staff from using their official position to benefit their own financial interests.
Senator Murray says latest Trump proposal is “an absolute non-starter”
Press release issued on 3. 11. 19 (link source)
Washington, D.C. —Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the statement below following the release of President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request.
“President Trump can keep trying to pretend that he is helping workers and the middle class, but the numbers in this latest budget request don’t lie and they tell a very different story. If you are a student, a worker, a woman, a senior, or anyone who cares about an economy that works for all families, and not just the wealthiest few—this budget request is another direct attack by President Trump on your opportunities, your livelihoods, and your futures.
“This latest budget from President Trump continues his massive tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations, and proposes that middle class families pay the price with massive cuts to education, health care, worker security, environmental protections, and infrastructure. This budget, once again, proposes to jam Trumpcare through Congress, ripping protections away from hundreds of millions of people with pre-existing conditions. I appreciate that this budget pays lip service to child care, but the one-time proposal it includes wouldn’t truly address the long-term child care crisis facing families in America—and policies in this budget would actually make this crisis worse.
“I plan to stand with the Democrats and Republicans who have rejected President Trump’s budgets each time he has sent them to us and let him know that once again his budget is dead on arrival. And I hope that Republicans in Congress are once again willing to work with Democrats on budget and spending bills that invest in students, workers, families, and middle class priorities—and that President Trump has the sense this time to stand aside and not shut down the government when he doesn’t get his way.
“Unfortunately, his latest budget would move us in the wrong direction, matching unrealistic and devastating cuts to domestic priorities with a shameless gimmick that is the absolute wrong way to fund defense, all while repeating the same mistake that led to his recent, disastrous shutdown of the government. Despite hearing clearly from Congress and people across the country that we reject wasteful spending on the border wall, President Trump clearly didn’t learn any lesson from his failure earlier this year and is once again trying to force American taxpayers to foot the bill that he promised Mexico would pay. This is an absolute non-starter and, though today’s dead-on-arrival proposal was not a good sign, I hope President Trump realizes that before he tries to shut our government down again and hurts more families and communities.”
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
(From the UN NEWS CENTER & OTHER SOURCES)Syrians still living on ‘razor edge’ as UN launches $8.8 billion dollar appeal
An $8.8 billion funding appeal has been issued by the UN to help millions of Syrians who live a “razor-edge existence” inside and outside the war-torn country, along with the communities struggling to host them.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1034561
DR Congo: ‘New waves of violence’ likely, UN warns, unless State acts to prevent intercommunal reprisals
"New waves of violence” could erupt "at any time" in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN rights office warned on Tuesday, unless the Government acts to ease “tensions and resentment” between the two communities involved.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1034511
In South Sudan, mothers teaching daughters ‘safer’ ways to survive rape
Sexual attacks in South Sudan are so common that mothers now teach their daughters how to survive the ordeal of being raped, in such a way as to minimize the violence. That’s according to Yasmin Sooka, chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights, who was speaking on Tuesday in front of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, during its latest session.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1034541
UN rights expert calls for end to ‘purgatory’ of ‘international inaction’ facing Myanmar’s remaining Rohingya.
A humanitarian crisis fuelled by the suppression of basic human rights is continuing across Myanmar’s Rakhine state, a UN Human Rights Council-appointed expert said on Monday, in an appeal for alleged atrocities there to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1034461
Despite progress towards peace, Afghanistan facing ‘daunting challenges’ ahead of presidential vote
The UN Special Representative in Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, hailed on-going efforts made towards peace and the engagement of women and youth across the country, but warned the Security Council on Monday that “daunting challenges” remain.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1034421
( more world news headlines on pg 2)
IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION:
PAGE 2
Cantwell’s Bipartisan Public Lands Package Signed into Law
PAGE 3
President Donald J. Trump is Promoting a Fiscally Responsible and Pro-American 2020 Budget.
PAGE 4
Senator Murray’s Statement on U.S. Grounding of Boeing Aircrafts
PAGE 5
FTC Submits Annual Budget Request, Performance Plan and Performance Report to Congress.
PAGE 6
Rep. Kilmer Recognized for Bipartisan Accomplishments by National Think Tank.
PAGE 7
Ecology proposes updates to wastewater treatment plant operator certification program
The NIGHT OWL COMICS are currently being updated with a new story, stay tune!
