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
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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:
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Murray, Cantwell Announce $11.3M Grant for Spokane Airport Freight Project.
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Cantwell, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Close Cybersecurity Talent Gap in Washington, Across Country
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Cantwell, Washington State Lawmakers Push for Final Approval of Federal Way Link Extension Funding
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DETERMINES NO U.S. MINING OPERATIONS MET PATTERN OF VIOLATIONS CRITERIA FOR 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
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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:
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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
