Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the modification of proclamation 20-28 regarding the Open Public Meetings Act to ensure election canvassing boards are able to conduct work related to the 2020 general election.
Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act (20-28.13)
The OPMA/PRA proclamation is amended to ensure that county and other local election canvassing boards are able to continue to conduct their work related to the 2020 general election in an open and transparent manner, without violating any in-person gathering restrictions. All requirements related to facial coverings, social distancing, sanitizing and other protective measures must be followed.
Press release 11.12.20
PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR AMENDING AND EXTENDING
PROCLAMATIONS 20-05 and 20-28, et seq.
Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act Proclamations
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, I issued Proclamation 20-05, proclaiming a State of
Emergency for all counties throughout the state of Washington as a result of the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States and confirmed person-to-person spread
of COVID-19 in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the continued worldwide spread of COVID-19, its significant
progression in Washington State, and the high risk it poses to our most vulnerable populations, I
have subsequently issued several amendatory proclamations, exercising my emergency powers
under RCW 43.06.220 by prohibiting certain activities and waiving and suspending specified
laws and regulations; and
WHEREAS, to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington State by limiting
person-to-person contact through social distancing and limiting in-person interactions. I issued
Proclamation 20-25, et seq., which during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic prohibited
all people in Washington State from leaving their homes except under certain circumstances and
limitations, and then transitioned to a phased reopening of counties in accordance with specific
guidance issued by my office and by the Washington State Department of Health; and
WHEREAS, to enable public meetings to occur while maintaining the social distancing and
limitations on in-person interactions necessary to curtail the spread of COVID-19, on March 24,
2020, I issued Proclamation 20-28, prohibiting in-person meetings and waiving and suspending
laws and rules concerning RCW 42.56, the Public Records Act, and RCW 42.30, the Open Public
Meetings Act that hindered conducting public meetings remotely; and
WHEREAS, under the provisions of RCW 43.06.220(4), the statutory waivers and suspensions
of Proclamation 20-28, et seq., have been periodically extended by the leadership of the
Washington State Senate and House of Representatives, and which I have acknowledged and
similarly extended the prohibitions therein in subsequent sequentially numbered proclamations,
which proclamations also contained modifications and guidance regarding the waivers,
suspensions, and prohibitions; and
WHEREAS, open public meetings are a fundamental part of open government and are essential
to provide the people of Washington with timely and accurate information regarding wildfires and
2
COVID-19, to provide them with answers to their questions, to enable public bodies to conduct
business in response to the ongoing emergencies, and to dispel misinformation that may be spread
through social media or otherwise; and
WHEREAS, to enable necessary public meetings in areas where telecommunications services
were interrupted or degraded due to wildfires, on September 16, 2020, I issued Proclamation
20-28.10 modifying the prohibitions and guidance set forth in Proclamations 20-28 and prior
amendments; but today, those telecommunication interruptions due to wildfires are no longer
present, so those modifications to 20-28 initially outlined in 20-28.10 are not necessary at this
time and are not further extended here; and
WHEREAS, on November 9, 2020, under the provisions of RCW 43.06.220(4), the statutory
waivers and suspensions in Proclamation 20-28, et seq., were again extended by the leadership of
the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives until the termination of the COVID19 State of Emergency or 11:59 p.m. on December 7, 2020, whichever occurs first; and
WHEREAS, to provide greater opportunity for the public to engage its governing bodies, it is
critical that we continue to strive to explore ways to identify and allow for safe in-person
interactions between Washingtonians and their public officials; and
WHEREAS, to fully extend Proclamations 20-28, et seq., it is also necessary for me to extend
the prohibitions provided therein; and
WHEREAS, to assist in the implementation of Proclamation 20-28, et seq., it is appropriate to
restate in one document the prohibitions and the statutory waivers and suspensions currently in
effect; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Military Department Emergency Management Division,
through the State Emergency Operations Center, continues coordinating resources across state
government to address the impacts and long-term effects of the emergencies on Washington
State and its people.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the
above-noted situations, and under RCW 38.08, 38.52, and 43.06, do hereby proclaim that a State
of Emergency continues to exist in all counties of Washington State, that Proclamation 20-05
and all amendments remain in effect, and that the prohibitions in Proclamations 20-28, et seq.,
are amended to (1) recognize the extension of the statutory waivers and suspensions of RCW
42.56 and RCW 42.30 restated herein by the leadership of the Washington State Senate and
House of Representatives until the termination of the COVID19 State of Emergency or
11:59 p.m. on December 7, 2020, whichever occurs first, and (2) similarly extend the
prohibitions herein until the termination of the COVID-19 State of Emergency or 11:59 p.m.
on December 7, 2020, whichever occurs first.
I again direct that the plans and procedures of the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan be implemented throughout state government. State agencies and departments
are directed to continue utilizing state resources and doing everything reasonably possible to
support implementation of the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
$9.4 million awarded to 421 youth development organizations across Washington state.
School’s Out Washington partners with Commerce to implement Youth Development Nonprofit Relief Fund
The COVID-19 outbreak, extended school closures, and social distancing have deepened inequities and hardships for young people across Washington. In response, youth development programs quickly adapted their services to provide supports for youth and families to whom they are deeply connected. Expanded or adapted offerings have included emergency childcare, social-emotional supports, academic mentoring, virtual programming, and basic needs supports. For many families, these organizations have been a sustaining lifeline. By providing access to essential services and pivoting to offer expanded learning opportunities online, they have helped ensure that young people remain safe, engaged and supported.
The Washington State Department of Commerce created the Washington Youth Development Nonprofit Relief Fund and partnered with School’s Out Washington to implement it. The funding was made possible by the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act). This one-time investment helps nonprofits keep their doors open and manage programmatic and financial challenges including lost revenue and increased expenses to adhere to new safety measures.
“As far as we’ve come together in combating COVID-19, we still have a long way to go. Nonprofit organizations are absolutely crucial for supporting and lifting up the children and youth most at risk of falling behind or suffering the physical and emotional impacts of this pandemic. But our community organizations can’t do their work without funding. We are in this together, and these grants are one way we can help keep our communities strong,” said Lisa Brown, director of the Washington State Department of Commerce.
$9.4 million was awarded to 421 youth development organizations. Awards were distributed across all areas of the state with a focus on organizations serving priority populations that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 (BIPOC, LGBTQ, migrants/immigrants, youth with disabilities and youth in poverty, among others). Awards range from $10,000 to $50,000 and will be distributed between mid-November and December 15, 2020.
Commerce chose to work with School’s Out Washington (SOWA) because of the organization’s field expertise, equity lens, grant-making experience, and capacity to lead a complex process on an unusually fast timeline. The process was designed to break down barriers to funding for grassroots organizations around the state that directly support BIPOC youth, youth in poverty, and other highly-impacted youth populations.
The RFP was released on September 23 and over 600 applications were received by the deadline on October 6. The RFP was translated into 13 languages. Commerce’s business resiliency network team provided technical assistance to support applicants from every region in the state.
Peer reviewers from communities throughout Washington were recruited to read and score applications.
112 reviewers were selected from over 200 who expressed interest
55% of these reviewers identified as BIPOC
84% reported having lived experiences/identities connected to BIPOC youth and youth in poverty
About a dozen youth/young adults were engaged as reviewers
All reviewers were required to participate in anti-bias training and to examine the approach to application review, using the scoring rubric
Small groups of peer reviewers met to discuss and score the applications and provide feedback to School’s Out Washington. In addition to review groups’ recommendations, SOWA also considered equitable representation among disproportionately-impacted populations statewide, and equitable geographic distribution. Final decisions were made in collaboration with Commerce.
“I had the pleasure to be part of the outreach and review process for the Relief Fund with School’s Out Washington. I was impressed with how inclusive the whole process was and appreciated having young people included in grant reviewing. SOWA reached and awarded a wide range of organizations across the state that serve youth furthest from educational justice,” said Luis Gomez, Program Officer, Community Engagement and Youth Leadership, Yakima Valley Community Foundation.
On average, 88% of youth served by awardees are in the Relief Fund’s disproportionately-impacted populations (including BIPOC, LGBTQ, migrant/immigrant, youth experiencing homelessness and youth in poverty). 48% of the organizations report that all the youth they serve are among those disproportionately-impacted populations.
“During this unprecedented time of economic uncertainty, social upheaval and growing inequities, the organizations that received these funds have navigated great challenges to provide responsive support and connection for children and youth when they need it most. School’s Out Washington is dedicated to supporting and championing the work of youth development providers. But it was these organizations—in this moment—that demonstrated so clearly their essential role in the ecosystem of support for young people in our state. We hope this influx of financial resources helps them to maintain, recover and ultimately thrive,” said Elizabeth Whitford, CEO, School’s Out Washington.
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINE NEWS...
WORLD NEWS:
Mozambique Cabo Delgado violence is a ‘desperate’ situation, warns Bachelet
Reported Ethiopia massacre: UN rights chief warns of spiralling situation, war crimes
South Sudan: ‘No child anywhere should suffer from polio’ – UN health agency.
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
Statement from National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien---WH PRESS REALEASE
Joint Statement of the U.S.-Ecuador Bilateral Expanded Political Dialogue---US STATE DEPT.
Senior Enlisted Leader Observes COVID-19 Testing for Patriot Express Passengers--DOD
United States Reaches Settlement with Federal Way Public Schools to Resolve Student Complaints of Harassment on the Basis of Religion and National Origin
BUSINESS & FINANCE HEADLINES:
Justice Department Issues Guidance On The Use Of Arbitration And Launches Small Business Help Center
IRS to mask key business transcript details; protect taxpayers from identity theft.
Trump Administration Invests $11.3 Million in High-Speed Broadband in Rural Alaska
ReConnect Funding to Connect 448 Rural Households to High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity---USDA
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S OSHA ANNOUNCES $2,856,533 IN CORONAVIRUS VIOLATIONS
STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
WDFW seeks feedback for the 2021 coastal steelhead season
Washington receives $4.65 million in Specialty Crop Block Grant funds--WSDA
COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan update from the Washington State Department of Health--DOH
STATE PARKS COMMISSION TO MEET NEXT WEEK.
NEWS STORIES YOU WON'T SEE FROM THE DNC PRESS.
Not a Blue Wave Nor Even a Trickle
Five Not-So-Quick Things: What Might Have Prevented This Fix We’re In
Peter Navarro: 'Moot' Point to Worry What Biden Will Do--NEWS MAX
TODAY'S VIDEO
#MalkinLive: Election update
https://www.facebook.com/therightmichellemalkin/videos/2336616753141046
ELECTION DEFENSE TASK FORCE!
