Farmers should be hiring legal immigrants to this country to harvest their crops. Everyone, probably knows why that is the reason farmers hire illegal aliens to work on their farms, cheap work force. But, that's no excuse of breaking the law. Both on the farmer, and the illegal alien parts. Now these politicians are making the practice of hiring illegal aliens legal! Are they also going to protect the farmers who are doing the hiring from prosecution? It's like saying: "Hey! it's okay to hire that illegal immigrant from Mexico to work your farm, you're not going to get busted, or fined! He's protected, your not!--Peter Ripley.
Legalize America’s essential immigrant farmworkers--Seattle Times editorial
Quote: "Last year, grocery stores might have run out of toilet paper, but the domestic food supply remained strong. Farmworkers, many of them immigrants who entered the country illegally, harvested fruits and vegetables. They processed meat. They were essential workers. Now they deserve legal protection, and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act would provide it.
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, a Republican who represents Central Washington, has joined with Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California to sponsor the bill. Its core components address the three key players in the agricultural workforce equation."
After Identifying Gaps in Previous Aid, USDA Announces ‘Pandemic Assistance for Producers’ to Distribute Resources More Equitably.
From a USDA press release dated 3/24/21
USDA Reopens Program Sign-Up to a Larger Share of Producers with Plans to Expand Outreach and New Programming
WASHINGTON, March 24, 2021 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The new initiative—USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers—will reach a broader set of producers than in previous COVID-19 aid programs. USDA is dedicating at least $6 billion toward the new programs. The Department will also develop rules for new programs that will put a greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers, specialty crop and organic producers, timber harvesters, as well as provide support for the food supply chain and producers of renewable fuel, among others. Existing programs like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will fall within the new initiative and, where statutory authority allows, will be refined to better address the needs of producers.
USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers was needed, said Vilsack, after a review of previous COVID-19 assistance programs targeting farmers identified a number of gaps and disparities in how assistance was distributed as well as inadequate outreach to underserved producers and smaller and medium operations.
“The pandemic affected all of agriculture, but many farmers did not benefit from previous rounds of pandemic-related assistance. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to helping as many producers as possible, as equitably as possible,” said Vilsack. “Our new USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative will help get financial assistance to a broader set of producers, including to socially disadvantaged communities, small and medium sized producers, and farmers and producers of less traditional crops.”
USDA will reopen sign-up for CFAP 2 for at least 60 days beginning on April 5, 2021. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has committed at least $2.5 million to improve outreach for CFAP 2 and will establish partnerships with organizations with strong connections to socially disadvantaged communities to ensure they are informed and aware of the application process.
The payments announced today (under Part 3, below) will go out under the existing CFAP rules; however, future opportunities for USDA Pandemic Assistance will be reviewed for verified need and during the rulemaking process, USDA will look to make eligibility more consistent with the Farm Bill. Moving forward, USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers will utilize existing programs, such as the Local Agricultural Marketing Program, Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach, and Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, and others to enhance educational and market opportunities for agricultural producers.
USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers – 4 Parts Announced Today
Part 1: Investing $6 Billion to Expand Help & Assistance to More Producers
USDA will dedicate at least $6 billion to develop a number of new programs or modify existing proposals using discretionary funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act and other coronavirus funding that went unspent by the previous administration. Where rulemaking is required, it will commence this spring. These efforts will include assistance for:
Dairy farmers through the Dairy Donation Program or other means:
Euthanized livestock and poultry;
Biofuels;
Specialty crops, beginning farmers, local, urban and organic farms;
Costs for organic certification or to continue or add conservation activities
Other possible expansion and corrections to CFAP that were not part of today’s announcement such as to support dairy or other livestock producers;
Timber harvesting and hauling;
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other protective measures for food and farm workers and specialty crop and seafood producers, processors and distributors;
Improving the resilience of the food supply chain, including assistance to meat and poultry operations to facilitate interstate shipment;
Developing infrastructure to support donation and distribution of perishable commodities, including food donation and distribution through farm-to-school, restaurants or other community organizations; and
Reducing food waste.
Part 2: Adding $500 Million of New Funding to Existing Programs
USDA expects to begin investing approximately $500 million in expedited assistance through several existing programs this spring, with most by April 30. This new assistance includes:
$100 million in additional funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which enhances the competitiveness of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops.
$75 million in additional funding for the Farmers Opportunities Training and Outreach program, administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, which encourages and assists socially disadvantaged, veteran, and beginning farmers and ranchers in the ownership and operation of farms and ranches.
$100 million in additional funding for the Local Agricultural Marketing Program, administered by the AMS and Rural Development, which supports the development, coordination and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises and value-added agricultural products.
$75 million in additional funding for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, administered by the NIFA, which provides funding opportunities to conduct and evaluate projects providing incentives to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers
$20 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to improve and maintain animal disease prevention and response capacity, including the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
$20 million for the Agricultural Research Service to work collaboratively with Texas A&M on the critical intersection between responsive agriculture, food production, and human nutrition and health.
$28 million for NIFA to provide grants to state departments of agriculture to expand or sustain existing farm stress assistance programs.
Approximately $80 million in additional payments to domestic users of upland and extra-long staple cotton based on a formula set in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 that USDA plans to deliver through the Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills program.
Part 3: Carrying Out Formula Payments under CFAP 1, CFAP 2, CFAP AA
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, enacted December 2020 requires FSA to make certain payments to producers according to a mandated formula. USDA is now expediting these provisions because there is no discretion involved in interpreting such directives, they are self-enacting.
An increase in CFAP 1 payment rates for cattle. Cattle producers with approved CFAP 1 applications will automatically receive these payments beginning in April. Information on the additional payment rates for cattle can be found on farmers.gov/cfap. Eligible producers do not need to submit new applications, since payments are based on previously approved CFAP 1 applications. USDA estimates additional payments of more than $1.1 billion to more than 410,000 producers, according to the mandated formula.
Additional CFAP assistance of $20 per acre for producers of eligible crops identified as CFAP 2 flat-rate or price-trigger crops beginning in April. This includes alfalfa, corn, cotton, hemp, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets and wheat, among other crops. FSA will automatically issue payments to eligible price trigger and flat-rate crop producers based on the eligible acres included on their CFAP 2 applications. Eligible producers do not need to submit a new CFAP 2 application. For a list of all eligible row-crops, visit farmers.gov/cfap. USDA estimates additional payments of more than $4.5 billion to more than 560,000 producers, according to the mandated formula.
USDA will finalize routine decisions and minor formula adjustments on applications and begin processing payments for certain applications filed as part of the CFAP Additional Assistance program in the following categories:
Applications filed for pullets and turfgrass sod;
A formula correction for row-crop producer applications to allow producers with a non-Actual Production History (APH) insurance policy to use 100% of the 2019 Agriculture Risk Coverage-County Option (ARC-CO) benchmark yield in the calculation;
Sales commodity applications revised to include insurance indemnities, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program payments, and Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus payments, as required by statute; and
Additional payments for swine producers and contract growers under CFAP Additional Assistance remain on hold and are likely to require modifications to the regulation as part of the broader evaluation and future assistance; however, FSA will continue to accept applications from interested producers.
Part 4: Reopening CFAP 2 Sign-Up to Improve Access & Outreach to Underserved Producers
As noted above, USDA will re-open sign-up for of CFAP 2 for at least 60 days beginning on April 5, 2021.
FSA has committed at least $2.5 million to establish partnerships and direct outreach efforts intended to improve outreach for CFAP 2 and will cooperate with grassroots organizations with strong connections to socially disadvantaged communities to ensure they are informed and aware of the application process.
Related stories:
Opening Statement of Thomas J. Vilsack Before the House Committee on Agriculture – Remarks as Prepared.
USDA press release for 3/25/21
"I am here today to discuss with you something not unrelated—the systemic racism and discrimination perpetuated against Black Farmers, and the history of discrimination against Black Farmers by USDA that has prevented numerous African-Americans, among other people of color, from fully realizing the same level of prosperity and success as their white counterparts. Unfortunately, the racism that resulted in the precipitous decline of Black Farmers over the last century has also been evidenced among other groups of socially disadvantaged farmers."
Biden Defends Border Approach, Rollback of Trump Policies--NEWS MAX
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/border/2021/03/25/id/1015203/
House Passes 2 Immigration Bills as Border Crisis Intensifies.--Daily Signal
" The House then passed HR 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would allow farm workers and their families to earn legal status while they work in the agricultural sector. It also would update the H-2A agricultural visa program."
5 Things to Know About Agriculture Amnesty Bill.--Daily Signal
https://www.dailysignal.com/2021/03/16/5-things-to-know-about-agriculture-amnesty-bill/
Texas Rancher Details Terror Migrants Are Putting His Family Through at Night--WJ
https://www.westernjournal.com/texas-rancher-details-terror-migrants-putting-family-night/
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(2) IN STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Inslee lifts prohibition on travel to North Carolina for many state employees--press release from Governor's office
AG FERGUSON: MESH MANUFACTURER BOSTON SCIENTIFIC WILL PAY MORE THAN $8.8 MILLION FOR FAILING TO DISCLOSE RISKS OF ITS TRANSVAGINAL MESH DEVICES.
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced that Boston Scientific, a medical device manufacturer, will pay more than $8.8 million to Washington for misrepresentations and failure to include serious risks in the instructions and marketing materials for surgical mesh devices.
Department of Commerce launches new Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention.
State to launch new round of Working Washington small business grants on March 29.
After restoration success, Ecology proposes site-specific rulemaking for Chelan River.
https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/News/2021/March-25-Chelan-River-Rulemaking
Initial and continued unemployment claims for regular benefits decreased during the week of March 14 – March 20
OLYMPIA – During the week of March 14 – March 20, there were 11,398 initial regular unemployment claims (down 2.6 percent from the prior week) and 435,675 total claims for all unemployment benefit categories (down 3.1 percent from the prior week) filed by Washingtonians, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).
https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/initial-unemployment-insurance-claims-for-week-of-march-14-20-2021
Applications deadline extended for federal relief funding to commercial fishing, shellfish aquaculture, charter and seafood sector industry members.
From our congressional Delegation to DC:
Kilmer Cheers New Department of Energy Grant for PNNL
Sequim, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) cheered the announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that new funding will be provided to the Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) to support the operation and demonstration of marine energy technologies and for applications across the blue economy. PNNL was selected for multiple projects, with the largest project being a $3.75M investment in a new electric research vessel to support marine energy field work at the PNNL’s Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory (MCRL) in Sequim.
https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-cheers-new-department-of-energy-grant-for-pnnl
Cantwell Touts Tri-Cities Leadership on Advanced Nuclear Power, Skilled Nuclear Workforce at Senate Energy Committee Hearing
Billions in economic investment coming to Tri-Cities region for advanced nuclear projects - Cantwell played a key role in advancing development, demonstration of next-generation nuclear technologies.
Senators Murray and Manchin, Representative Smith Reintroduce Legislation to Expand Worker’s Compensation for Toxic Exposure at Hanford and Other Nuclear Sites.
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World News Headlines:
Myanmar army putting country’s future at risk, UN Special Envoy warns.
The military in Myanmar has turned on citizens and is putting the nation’s future at risk, the UN Special Envoy for the country warned on Friday in a statement issued on the eve of the annual celebration of Armed Forces Day.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1088362
100 million more children fail basic reading skills because of COVID-19.
A new study released on Friday by the UN cultural agency, reveals that more than 100 million more children than expected, are falling behind the minimum proficiency level in reading, due to COVID-related school closures.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1088392
Deep concern for thousands of Eritrean refugees ‘scattered’ in Ethiopia’s Tigray.
In Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray region there’s deep concern for thousands of Eritrean refugees whose camps have been found burned to the ground, confirming satellite imagery and testimony from those who have fled attacks.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1088372
First Person: ‘No daughter of mine will be cut’
Like 95 per cent of women in her Ugandan community, Margaret Chepoteltel underwent female genital mutilation (FGM) as a child, subjecting her to lifelong health problems. Today, she is raising awareness of the dangers of FGM, as part of a UN-backed program.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1088342
Statement at a UN General Assembly Informal Meeting on the Political Declaration on Equitable Global Access to COVID-19 Vaccines--US MISSION to the UN
Joint Political Declaration on Equitable Global Access to COVID-19 Vaccines--US MISSION TO THE UN
First-Ever West Africa Joint Ops Exercise Links Counterterrorism Investigators in Three Nations--US STATE DEPT.
NATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:
Remarks by President Biden in Press Conference.--Press release from White House.
Watch video: Presidential News Conference
President Biden held his first official news conference in the White House East Room, announcing at the top of his remarks a new goal of 200 million vaccination shots in his first 100 days. The president’s original goal was 100 shots, which was surpassed around March 19. He answered a range of questions on immigration policy, the filibuster rule, relations with China, and voting rights. President Biden called the Republican attempts to limit voting rights in the U.S. “un-American” and “sick” and later told reporters that it was his expectation to run for reelection in 2024--CSPAN
https://www.c-span.org/video/?510139-1/president-biden-holds-news-conference
Related stories:
Missing from Biden Presser: Questions About the Pandemic---PJ MEDIA
Big Lies at Biden's First Presser
The president dishonestly answered questions about many issues yesterday.--The Patriot Post
https://patriotpost.us/articles/78715-big-lies-at-bidens-first-presser-2021-03-26
Biden Used Cheat Sheets at Press Conference--NEWS MAX
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/biden-press-conference-notes-infrastructure/2021/03/26/id/1015270/
MORE NATIONAL NEWS....
Biden Declares May 1 Deadline To Be Out of Afghanistan 'Hard to Meet'--DOD
Former Venezuelan Official Pleads Guilty in Connection with International Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme--DOJ
ICYMI: Department of Education hosts National Safe School Reopening Summit.
Statement from U.S Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona regarding NAEP 2021 School Survey.
Today’s findings from the National Center for Education Statistics show encouraging early progress in states and communities’ efforts to reopen schools safely and quickly. As of February, 76% of schools were open for full-time or hybrid learning. While schools continue to show us what’s possible as they work to open their doors and meet students’ needs, we know that we still have a lot of ground to go. Data from January show there were critical gaps in access to in-person instruction, particularly for communities of color and students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At the Department of Education, we are committed to working with schools all across the country to get them reopened quickly and safely and to build confidence among families and educators. We owe it to our students - especially students in underserved communities and students with disabilities - to get all our schools opened safely and to meet the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of all students. Between the critical funds allocated from the American Rescue Plan and the bold initiatives this Department is putting forward, I am confident that we can bridge the gaps that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated and build a better educational system for all of our students.”
HUD REPORT ON YOUTH HOMELESSNESS UNDERSCORES IMPORTANCE OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today released a report on coordinated community approaches to preventing and ending youth homelessness. The report, "Evaluation of the HUD Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program: Early Implementation Report," underscores the importance of the American Rescue Plan to addressing homelessness, including for youth.
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_21_048
CDC Plans to Provide $332 Million to Support Community Health Workers for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0325-community-healthworkers-support.html
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
New Report Reveals Improving Intellectual Property Protections Worldwide--US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Federal Reserve announces temporary and additional restrictions on bank holding company dividends and share repurchases currently in place will end for most firms after June 30, based on results from upcoming stress test--THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20210325a.htm
IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) pledges continued commitment to investigating COVID-19 fraud as CARES Act reaches one-year anniversary
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LAUNCHES INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON EDUCATION, OUTREACH, ENFORCEMENT IN NATION’S AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY
WASHINGTON, DC – Throughout the pandemic, farmworkers have remained on the job throughout the nation despite potential exposures to feed Americans and support U.S. exports. As the U.S. Department of Labor recognizes National Farmworker Awareness Week March 25-31, the department’s Wage and Hour Division has launched a nationwide education, outreach and enforcement initiative to ensure workplace protections for these frontline, low-wage workers.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20210325
Michigan Businessman Charged with Tax Evasion Among Other Offenses
A federal grand jury in Detroit, Michigan, returned an indictment yesterday charging a Bloomfield Hills businessman with tax evasion, attempting to obstruct the internal revenue laws, making a false statement, and willful failure to file his own individual income tax return.--DOJ
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/michigan-businessman-charged-tax-evasion-among-other-offenses
Former Oil Trader Pleads Guilty to Commodities Price Manipulation Conspiracy
A California man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a multiyear conspiracy to engage in commodities price manipulation.--DOJ
FTC Sends More Than $6.5 Million to Consumers Harmed by Fashion Nova.
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COMMENTARIES & LOCAL MEETINGS
Statement from Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security, about Economic Impact Payments.
https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2021/#3-2021-4
Editorial Note: Mealy mouth feeble excuse I ever heard! If Trump was still President, this would have been done already. They issued these checks, and direct deposits before with no problems, now they claim there's a problem, go figure!--Peter Ripley
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission work session for 3/ 29/21
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1256
Clallam County business meeting for 3/30/21
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7258
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Special meeting for 3/29/21
Special Port Townsend meeting for 3/29/21
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=2276
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