THE PORT ANGELES GLOBE: Statement from Commissioner LeVine on unemployment 1099-G forms and tax info for fraud victims.

Saturday, January 16, 2021

Statement from Commissioner LeVine on unemployment 1099-G forms and tax info for fraud victims.

https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/levine-statement-on-unemployment-1099-g-forms-and-tax-info-for-fraud-victims

OLYMPIA – Employment Security Department (ESD) Commissioner Suzi LeVine shared this statement regarding 2020 tax forms being sent to unemployment claimants this week:

“As tax filing season begins, it’s important to remember that unemployment benefits are taxable. Over 1 million workers received unemployment benefits from ESD in 2020. This week we began the annual process we conduct of sending customers a tax form, called a 1099-G, that they’ll need when filing with the IRS. Claimants can learn more about unemployment benefits and 1099-G forms at esd.wa.gov/1099.

“While experiencing unprecedented levels of unemployment in 2020, we were one of many states that was hit with a nationwide unemployment imposter fraud attack. The team has worked diligently to ensure that none of the victims we confirmed with fraudulent claims filed in their name before Jan. 1, 2021 will receive a 1099-G for benefits.

“However, we continue to receive fraud reports and must thoroughly investigate each one in turn. People who’ve already reported fraud to us but get a 1099-G should not submit another report. Instead, they’ll get a corrected 1099-G when we’ve finished our investigation and confirmed fraud. To learn more, please visit our website to get tax info for fraud victims.

“We also expect that, for some people, receiving a 1099-G for unemployment benefits could be their first indication of imposter fraud. People who believe they’re victims of fraud should also visit our website for next steps and get tax info for fraud victims.”

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Ecology launches environmental review of proposed pumped storage energy project near Goldendale.

DOE press release released 1/14/21

Public input needed to shape the scope of the environmental study

GOLDENDALE –

The Washington Department of Ecology is seeking comment on what should be considered when preparing an environmental impact statement for a new hyyropower project proposed along the Columbia River in Klickitat County.

Free Flow Power Project 101, LLC (FFP Project), is proposing to build a closed-loop water storage system that releases water from an upper reservoir downhill to a lower reservoir to generate energy. The power produced would feed into the electrical grid at nearby John Day Dam.

The lower reservior would be located on a portion of the former Columbia Gorge Aluminum smelter site. Water for the project would be drawn from the Columbia River under a permit that once served the aluminum plant. Project plans call for the lower reservoir to be filled once, with supplemental fills annually.

Ecology is asking community members, stakeholders, tribes and others to weigh in on what should be studied in the scope of a full EIS for the Goldendale Pumped Storage Energy Project, including project alternatives, site impacts and what types of mitigation should be considered.

Scoping comments will be accepted through Feb. 12, 2021, and may be made online or in writing to Sage Park, Washington Department of Ecology, 1250 West Alder Street, Union Gap, WA 98903-0009, Attn: Goldendale Scoping.

People can learn more about the project, and make formal comments on the scope of the project during two online meetings:

Jan. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m., online at https://tinyurl.com/GoldendaleEnergyJan27 or by phone at 415-655-0001, access code 177 243 8033

Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon, online at https://tinyurl.com/GoldendaleEnergyFeb3 or by phone at 415-655-0001, access code 141 470 2345project website.

More information about the meetings and the project documents can be found on the project website.

The EIS will examine possible significant and adverse impacts resulting from the construction and operation of the proposed project. This includes impacts to both the natural environment and nearby communities through study of air quality, plant and animal habitat, transportation, water and cultural resources.

The EIS also will analyze how impacts can be reduced or eliminated through mitigation. A draft EIS is expected to be available for public review and comment sometime in 2022.

An EIS is an impartial, comprehensive study used as a resource for decision-makers and the public.

In OTHER STATE HEADLINE NEWS...

Roadmap to recovery update: All regions staying in Phase 1 for now

OLYMPIA – Today, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced that based on Governor Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan, all eight (8) regions in Washington will remain in Phase 1 until at least Monday, January 25, 2021.--DOH

Culp for Governor campaign lawsuit against Wyman, election officials, dismissed--Sec. of State.

OLYMPIA — Late yesterday, the Culp for Governor campaign withdrew its case against Secretary of State Kim Wyman and several county auditors demanding an audit of Washington’s 2020 General Election. The notice of dismissal was filed “with prejudice,” meaning the lawsuit cannot be refiled.

Temperance and Good Citizenship Day is Jan. 15

OLYMPIA — This academic year, Temperance and Good Citizenship Day is Friday, Jan. 15, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Office of the Secretary of State are helping schools register the next generation of voters.--Sec. of State.

UTC approves rate increases for Lake Chelan Boat Company, Inc.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has approved rate increases for Lake Chelan Boat Company, Inc.

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(3) IN OTHER NEWS HEADLINES

WORLD NEWS:

Peacekeepers under attack again in Mali, as one Egyptian blue helmet dies, another seriously injured.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned another fatal attack carried out against a peacekeeping convoy that left a ‘blue helmet’ from Egypt dead, and another seriously injured on Friday.--UN News Center

Child labour ‘robs children of their future’, scourge must end urges UN.

Although child labour has decreased significantly over the last decade, one-in-ten children are still caught up in harmful work, the UN’s labour agency said on Friday, kicking off a year-long bid to eradicate the practice. --UN News Center

Cameroon: Authorities urged to seek justice for recent deadly attacks.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged authorities in Cameroon to take steps to prosecute perpetrators behind two recent deadly attacks in the Anglophone provinces of the country, his Spokesperson said on Friday. --UN News Center

Deadly earthquake hits Indonesia: Dozens killed, hundreds injured.

At least 35 people have been killed and hundreds of others injured after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the West Sulawesi Province of Indonesia on Friday morning, according to the UN humanitarian coordination office (OCHA).

NATIONAL NEWS:

Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Designations of the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain as Major Strategic Partners of the United States--WH

U.S. Completes Troop-Level Drawdown in Afghanistan, Iraq.--DOD

Compounding Pharmacy Mogul Sentenced for Multimillion-Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme

A Mississippi businessman was sentenced today for his role in a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud TRICARE, the health care benefit program serving U.S. military, veterans, and their respective family members, as well as private health care benefit programs.--DOJ

HUD SELECTS THIRTY PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES TO JOIN THE EXPANSION OF THE MOVING TO WORK (MTW) DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

HUD Invites Agencies to Apply to The MTW Demonstration Program to Study Work Requirements And Landlord Incentives---HUD

BUSINESS & FINANCE:

Infrastructure and Workforce Development Are Key to Rebuilding America---US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The State of American Business: How to Revitalize America’s Global Leadership--US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Treasury Finalizes Payroll Support to Aid Airline Industry Employees--US TREASURY DEPT.

Commerce Adds China National Offshore Oil Corporation to the Entity List and Skyrizon to the Military End-User List--US DEPT. OF COMMERCE

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COMMENTARIES & LOCAL MEETINGS.

How Big Government And Big Tech Conspire Against Voters

Allum Bokhari's book, '#DELETED,' warns of the insidious ties between the incoming Biden administration and the tech oligarchs who want to shape our politics and run our lives.--The Federalist

Timeline: Trump Was Still Speaking When the Capitol Riot Began, But the Left Blamed Him Anyway--PJ MEDIA