Press release issued 12.14.20
WASHINGTON DC – U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and other Western U.S. Senators in pushing Senate leaders to deliver critical housing assistance to Americans struggling to find reliable shelter in the wake of catastrophic wildfire damage in Washington state and across the Western U.S. This year alone, fires in the West burned over 5.8 million acres, including more than 800,000 in Washington state; claimed over 30 lives; and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.
“The current wildfires will further exacerbate an already critical affordable housing shortage impacting western states. Oregon, California, and Washington are short over 1.2 million affordable rental housing units, and have an average of 75% of extremely low income renter households dealing with severe cost burden,” the senators wrote to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby and Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy.
“State resources and funding were already seriously strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now completely depleted by weeks of fighting some of the most dangerous and widespread fires on record. With nowhere else to turn, western states are looking to the Senate to deliver critical housing relief,” the lawmakers continued.
The senators’ request includes $15 billion for Community Development Block Grants, $3 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund, $2 billion in Emergency Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Funding, and $1 billion for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development and Rural Housing Service. The letter also included specific program guidance to ensure the funds would put much-needed housing assistance funding in the hands of people significantly impacted by fire; help incentivize and prioritize affordable housing rebuilding; ramp up lending capacity in fire impacted states; and help repair and rebuild housing, community facilities, and infrastructure projects.
Senators Murray and Cantwell have forcefully pushed for the State of Washington and communities across the West to receive assistance responding to and recovering from this year’s devastating fire season. Just last week, the senators sent a letter to House and Senate leadership requesting that funds for wildfire risk mitigation and recovery efforts be included in the next COVID-19 relief package, and they were joined by the entire Washington state congressional delegation in a third letter since September urging President Trump and FEMA Administrator Gaynor to support Governor Inslee’s request for a statewide federal emergency disaster declaration in response to this year’s wildfires. Last month, Murray and Cantwell also asked the National Guard for a report on its readiness to help states prepare for and fight wildfires. And in September, Murray and Cantwell urged President Trump to provide additional federal assistance to states, Tribes, and communities grappling with wildfires and their aftermath. The senators have been congressional leaders on wildfire management for years, and in September Senator Cantwell introduced legislation to support pre-fire season controlled burns.
Dear Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Chairman Shelby, and Vice Chairman Leahy,
We write to request that the Senate immediately consider and pass urgent federal housing assistance for residents of Oregon, Washington, and California impacted by historically destructive and dangerous wildfires. While FEMA has delivered substantial emergency relief to our home states, the scale of natural disasters in western states demands additional resources that can only be delivered through disaster supplemental legislation.
Since August dozens of large fires in Oregon, Washington, and California have burned over 5 million acres, displacing tens of thousands of people and resulting in dozens of fatalities. Air travel was temporarily suspended in several locations due to poor visibility, schools were forced to close, and many of our constituents have been forced to stay indoors due to extremely hazardous air quality conditions. Many of these homes and business are uninsured, leaving these victims even more vulnerable in the recovery process.
The current wildfires will further exacerbate an already critical affordable housing shortage impacting western states. Oregon, California, and Washington are short over 1.2 million affordable rental housing units, and have an average of 75% of extremely low income renter households dealing with severe cost burden.
State resources and funding were already seriously strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now completely depleted by weeks of fighting some of the most dangerous and widespread fires on record. With nowhere else to turn, western states are looking to the Senate to deliver critical housing relief. We strongly encourage you to consider including the following specific funding levels and programs as you work to negotiate an appropriate disaster supplemental response package in the near future.
$15 billion for Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery
To ensure that funds reach victims quickly, HUD should use the same process by which CDBG – COVID Relief (CDBG-CV) funds were recently allocated and disbursed.
CDBG grantees should be allowed to immediately use CDBG-CV funds to assist people significantly impacted by fire.
Current CDBG grantees should be allowed to pledge CDBG and CDBG-DR estimated allocations as collateral for funding through HUD’s Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program, and borrow up to 10 times their estimated annual allocation.
CDBG-DR funds should be able to pay of land acquisition loans executed as a direct result of fire recovery efforts.
$3 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund
$3 billion for wildfire impacted states will help incentive and prioritize affordable housing rebuilding, including private owners of manufactured housing parks who might otherwise sell to an investor to build luxury housing.
$2 billion Emergency Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Funding
CDFI funding can quickly ramp up lending capacity in fire impacted states through the preexisting CDFI lending network.
$1 billion for USDA Rural Development and Rural Housing Service
Funds should be directed towards repairing and rebuilding housing, community facilities, and infrastructure projects.
Expand USDA’s Section 502 Manufactured Housing Loan Pilot program to any fire impacted state, and modify lending rules to cover new manufactured homes on land owned by nonprofits and housing authorities.
We thank you for your consideration, and look forward to working with you on this matter of importance to our states.
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Inslee announces Washington’s historic commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
For the first time, the governor directed state agencies to center budgetary decision packages and legislation around equity.---Press release issued 12.14.20
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced a historic equity policy package for the upcoming 2021 legislative session, including $365M for equity-related decision packages and budget items. For the first time, the governor directed state agencies to center budgetary decision packages and legislation around equity.
The proposed investments follow an unprecedented year that exposed the inequities that communities of color have faced for generations. These proposals showcase Washington’s commitment to not just changing policies affecting these communities but investing in them as well.
Inslee was joined by Rep. Melanie Morgan, Rep. Mia Gregerson and Commissioner Mike Kreidler for the announcement.
“I firmly believe Washington will be an anti-racist state, and I will be taking actions that hold our state to that commitment,” Inslee said during a press conference Monday. “We need our policies and budget to reflect our dedication toward disrupting the harmful systemic cycle of racism and inequity.
“We have seen Black, Indigenous and other people of color disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 because of longstanding racial gaps all of which have as a root cause — racism. Now is the time to implement real change that will have a positive impact on the lives of those most impacted by this crisis.”
Inslee’s legislative and budget proposals would:
Establish Juneteenth as a legal holiday.
Stand up and task the Washington Equity Office.
Mandate independent investigations of police use-of-force.
Continue to fund the Immigrant Relief Fund.
Ban making insurance decisions based off credit scores.
Invest directly in communities of color.
Inslee supported establishing Juneteenth as a legal state holiday. Observing June 19 as Juneteenth will recognize America’s history of slavery while acknowledging the oppression from institutional racism that remains today.
The holiday is a somber celebration of the resiliency and spirit of Black Americans, reminding of past moral failures alongside a persistent hope of a more equitable future.
Rep. Melanie Morgan, sponsor of the bill that would establish the holiday, said that the move was a step in the right direction toward honoring the history of Black Americans.
“Juneteenth is an important part of American history and deserves its place as a paid state holiday, so that all Washington residents can appropriately reflect and celebrate the day in which chattel enslaved Africans were finally informed of their freedom,” Morgan said. “For more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Africans were still held in bondage until the Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that they were free. The legislature intends to designate Juneteenth as a state legal holiday to celebrate the end of chattel slavery. This is a critical and necessary step forward in racial reconciliation.
“Although this day has special significance for Black/African Americans in the state of Washington, the rejoicing of the end of this atrocity should be acknowledged and celebrated by all Washingtonians. Let us continue to fellowship with Black/African Americans; to revisit our solidarity and commitment to antiracism; and continue to lead the way on ensuring that all of our communities live in an equitable, diverse, and inclusive state.”
The governor announced he’s supporting $2.5 million of funding for the state Equity Office, created in the 2020 legislative session. The eight-person office will develop and implement a five-year equity plan for the state and assist agencies in developing their own diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) plans.
The office will create an online performance dashboard monitoring agency progress towards goals set out in their DEI plans in order to stay accountable to Washingtonians.
Rep. Mia Gregerson, who sponsored the bill creating the Office of Equity, expressed her support of the governor’s funding proposal and stressed the impact the office will have on Washingtonians across the state.
“Becoming one of the first states in the nation to establish a statewide Office of Equity was no small feat, and it could not have been done without your advocacy, your time, and personal stories,” Gregerson said. “It is a much better product because of the diversity of individuals — and places we traveled across the state — who were actively and passionately involved. We did this together. We should be proud of ourselves in being bold and calling for action — that is what truly makes our state a great place to live and work. We must stay focused to ensure that our promise to our communities is fulfilled. This Office is a promise to you that your expertise and vulnerabilities must be accounted for and brought to the table every time. I am truly grateful for the people who stewarded this process and the thoughtfulness that has been taken in every part of this journey.
“With the Office of Equity, so many more of us are creating a more equitable and healthier Washington — a livelihood in which everyone deserves to feel that they belong without shame and can thrive with dignity.”
Independent investigations
The governor will request legislation that would create the Office of Independent Investigations to ensure investigations of police use of force are conducted thoroughly, fairly, transparently and with an anti-racism lens.
After the death of George Floyd and Manuel Ellis, the governor announced the formation of a task force to gather input from community members, law enforcement and family members on how the state can improve how it investigates police use-of-force. The task force’s recommendations shaped the office in the legislation.
Inslee is proposing $26 million in the 2021–23 biennium for the creation of the Office of Independent investigations. After 2023, the office will cost approximately $17 million per year.
Immigrant Relief Fund
In his 2021 proposals, Inslee will be recommending an additional $10 million for the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund. The fund is a vital resource for Washington’s immigrant workers, unable to access most economic supports made available during the pandemic. The $10 million will be added to $62.6 million previously allocated.
“It’s important that we work just as hard to serve a crucial Washington community that works every day to serve their neighbors,” Inslee said. “Immigration status cannot be a what stands between a person and shelter, or food, or safety. This fund has and will continue to fund much needed relief.”
Credit score bill
Inslee also jointly proposed legislation with Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler that would ban the use of credit scoring in considering auto, homeowner, renter and boat insurance rates. The bill addresses systemic racism within the credit system. Historically, credit-based insurance scores have disproportionally affected communities of color.
The commissioner said that this bill will be vital in helping Washingtonians obtain insurance, protecting their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
“Banning the use of credit scores in insurance is an economic and racial justice issue,” Kreidler said. “For too long, insurers have been relying on a secret black box of data to set your insurance premium.
“The people hit hardest during this pandemic are those with lower incomes and minority communities and they’re seeing their credit scores suffer, too. Asking them to pay more for their insurance on top of everything else is wrong. Insurers spoke out this summer in support of racial justice. They need to join us to ban this unfair practice, once and for all.”
Capital investments
The governor is proposing new equity investments in the capital budget, including formation of grants and investing in BIPOC community-based organizations.
The investments include $400,000 in capital bonds for the Department of Commerce to create an equity committee to develop strategies for equitable investing and policy, looking at individual and community needs of underserved populations. He is also proposing $400,000 in capital bonds for the Recreation and Conservation Office to review equitable distribution of state grant programs.
In addition to the $800,000 in capital bonds to the two state agencies, Inslee will be recommending investments in five different capital projects across the state to support organizations, such as food banks, community centers, affordable housing and recreation in BIPOC communities.
“These are only some of the ways I am proposing we begin the long process of dismantling inequities, replacing our aspirations for a better society with concrete commitments to a better life for all,” Inslee said.
“We intend to disrupt the systemic racism that depresses the economic growth of BIPOC communities. We will invest directly in under-served communities experiencing gentrification; and we will increase individuals’ access to opportunity to stop this insidious cycle.”
Also included in the equity package is funding to:
Support financial literacy,
Increase minority contractor hires,
Build capacity in community-based organizations,
Invest in environmental justice,
Close the digital divide,
Advance equity on school campuses,
Remove barriers to financial aid,
Improve equity outcomes for foster and homeless students,
Support career development, and
Expand outdoor recreation equity.
IN OTHER STATE HEADLINES:
New rules cut the use of climate change “super pollutants”--DOE
WDFW asks for information on eagles that were shot--WDFW
https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/wdfw-asks-information-eagles-were-shot
Inslee issues proclamation on local health jurisdiction stability.
Governor Jay Inslee today put a pause on most efforts to terminate agreements creating health districts and combined city-county health departments throughout the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Washington state to host webinars on safety, development of COVID-19 vaccines
Experts to answer most common questions ahead of vaccine availability.
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IN TODAY's HEADLINE NEWS
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WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
People, planet on ‘collision course’, warns UN Development Program--UN NEWS CENTER
Countries must redesign their development pathways to reduce damage to the environment and the natural world, or risk stalling progress for humanity overall, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned in a major new report.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080042
UN documents 375 killings in Colombia in 2020, urges Government action
The United Nations has recorded the deaths of 255 people in 66 massacres in Colombia this year, as well as the killing of 120 human rights defenders, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Tuesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080082
Niger: UN gravely concerned for safety of refugees, following Boko Haram attack.
The United Nations voiced grave concern on Tuesday for the safety of thousands of refugees and internally displaced in the wake of a deadly attack on Toumour, a town in southeastern Niger’s Diffa region, near the border with Nigeria.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080062
Remarks at a Heritage Foundation Discussion on How to Fix the Broken UN Human Rights Council--USUN
https://usun.usmission.gov/statement-on-how-to-fix-the-broken-un-human-rights-council/
NATIONAL NEWS:
Executive Order on Increasing Economic and Geographic Mobility--WH
Guam, Hawaii Share COVID-19 Best Practices With Philippines--DOD
The Guam and Hawaii National Guard participated in a virtual subject matter expert exchange on COVID-19 with the Armed Forces of the Philippines as part of the Guard's State Partnership Program.
Remarks by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband on the Announcement of Olmstead Settlement with the State of North Dakota--DOJ
Secretary DeVos Announces New Funding to Accelerate Education Innovation and Empower Teachers with Professional Development Options---US EDUCATION DEPT.
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
Federal Reserve Board announces it has formally joined the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System, or NGFS, as a member--THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20201215a.htm
STATEMENT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF LABOR EUGENE SCALIA ON UNITED AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKERS OF AMERICA CONSENT ORDER---LABOR DEPT.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/olms/olms20201214
Mortgage Analytics Company Settles FTC Allegations It Failed to Ensure Vendor Was Adequately Protecting Consumer Data--FTC
As Scammers Leverage Pandemic Fears, FTC and Law Enforcement Partners Crack Down on Deceptive Income Schemes Nationwide--FTC
NEWS STORY COMMENTARY:
THE CHEATERS WON THE ELECTION
The Electoral College gave Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris the presientail election under the cloud of suspicion of voter and election fraud, which had plenty of evidence for a case to be made. But, the courts didn't want to hear any of the evidence that Trump wanted to submit to the Surpreme Court.
This was a stolen election against Trump, who should the next president. Trump was being defeated in courts, and by our own law enforcement agencies, who didn't see the evidence presented worthy of an investigation.
I would say this was a coup by the Washington Establishment, wanting to Trump to get out. To me it just smells like coup!
I fear for our nation, under Biden, Harris regime our nation will headline down a path this nation was never founded for which uphold our US Constitution, to a system this nation was never meant to be that is communism.
The following are related...
Fresh off Electoral College win, Biden to stump in Georgia for Democratic Senate candidates.
(Reuters) - A day after the Electoral College confirmed his presidential victory, Joe Biden will travel to Georgia on Tuesday to campaign for two Democratic U.S. Senate candidates whose Jan. 5 runoff elections could make or break his domestic policy agenda.
Related Story: The Embarrassing Russian Disinformation Canard.--National Review
To help Biden win, former top intelligence officials, aided by a derelict media, deliberately misled the public.
https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/12/the-embarrassing-russian-disinformation-canard/
CNN parent company refused to air Trump election fraud ads--Washington Examiner
CNN's parent company refused to broadcast two ads from President Trump's reelection campaign that claimed election fraud occurred.
AT&T's WarnerMedia made the decision when it couldn't substantiate the claims, according to a Bloomberg source familiar with the matter.
The advertisements were set to air “on national cable television” beginning Dec. 12, the campaign said on Friday. The titles were "The Evidence is Overwhelming — FRAUD!" and "STOP THE STEAL!"
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/cnn-parent-company-refused-trump-election-fraud-ads
Today's Bible Verse:
Luke 1:30-33 (New King James Version)
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
