To make way for housing authority's renovation project.
By Peter Ripley
Before I get into this, I have to say while staying at the hospital, and then the covalence center in Tacoma, one bright spot I can make mention of that I got to meet people I wouldn't have met normally. Made a few new acquaintances, and friends along the way.
I knew that the housing authority were going to renovate the apartments, last year, after they gotten an grant from HUD, to renovate public housing apartment buildings.
So, when the accident, and illness occurred, along with spending time away from my apartment, convalescing in the hospital, and covalence center. It was difficult for me to take all at once to suddenly feel the rug pulled out from under me, by housing so soon after just coming home.
Just as I was about put this story to bed, I got a call from housing saying they have to postpone my apartment's renovation for a month, because they are having to deal with the logistics of moving us who are disabled in the building to reasonable accommodations hotels.
So, in short I'll have another month to publish a paper for you, and give housing more time to figure something out. No word yet now when I have to move out to accommodate housing's renovation project.
This week's headlines...
State news headlines.
Inslee updates decades-old affirmative action guidance to better achieve equity in hiring, education and contracting.
Gov. Jay Inslee today signed an executive order that rescinds Directive 98–01, a 23-year-old document that was supposed to provide agencies with instructions on how to implement Initiative 200 (I-200) on affirmative action. Instead, the directive was overly restrictive.
The governor announced earlier this month his intention to rescind the outdated directive and today’s replacement executive order that will instruct agencies on how to move forward with achieving equity while still complying with I-200. The executive order provides agencies with new instructions, which marks our commitment to the work to identify, document, and eradicate discrimination and disparities in all forms, for the benefit of all Washingtonians.
“Today, as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I am taking action to change how we achieve equity within the law in our state. Achieving equal opportunity has always been foundational to our country’s history and each of us bears the responsibility to stand up and keep this unalienable right for all Washingtonians. Everyone deserves a fair chance to live to the fullest — everyone,” Inslee said.
Moving forward
Within public employment, State Human Resources will ensure that all agencies have put in place diversity, equity, and inclusion, anti-discrimination, and reasonable accommodation plans. In addition, all executive and small cabinet agency staff would be required under the governor’s plan.
In public education, the Washington Student Achievement Council will provide a report on student success across subpopulations and the effectiveness of existing programs designed to identify and remedy discrimination in our higher ed system.
The governor will solicit feedback from the Superintendent of Public Instruction on additional steps needed to address discrimination within our K-12 schools.
The Office of Equity will set the path forward in their upcoming comprehensive strategic plan for the state. In response to that strategic plan, the governor will request that all executive and small cabinet agencies develop their agency’s pro-equity, anti-racist strategic plan.
“This the first step toward transforming state government into one that embeds equity and justice into our state culture, into our DNA, so everyone has a fair shot to achieve their dream and the dream Dr. King held for each of us,” Inslee said.
The rescission of Directive 98–01 does not alter other state and federal legal requirements related to affirmative action and agencies are required to consult with the Office of the Attorney General on how to comply with this directive and applicable laws.
Former Governor Gary Locke, who originally signed 98–01, applauded Inslee’s actions.
“I applaud Governor Inslee’s actions today. Our state has a deep commitment to providing equitable opportunities for all and now that the attorney general’s office has modified its opinion, it is absolutely appropriate to repeal 98–01 and replace it with something that better reflects our values,” Locke said.
Other community leaders weighed in as well.
“I applaud Governor Inslee for taking the right and necessary step of rescinding this restrictive directive and issuing a new executive order that centers equity and opportunity,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “I’ve directed my staff to develop our own executive order focused on strengthening and increasing opportunities for businesses owned by women, veterans, LGBTQ+ neighbors, and communities of color. In partnership with efforts from Governor Inslee and the Office of Equity, I know Seattle can accomplish this holistically — meaning not only signing more contracts — but also by seeking out ways to mentor and support entrepreneurs and small businesses, streamline certification requirements, and ensure comprehensive, inclusive and robust RFP processes. Seattle and Washington state must be places where any person — regardless their background — feels encouraged to pursue their dreams with the support to succeed and thrive.”
“The City of Tacoma prides itself on advancing issues of equity, but this is not work that we can do alone. A number of interconnected systems, including County, State, and Federal governments, influence the outcomes of the lives of our friends, family, and neighbors every day. This is why I am proud that Governor Jay Inslee is rescinding Directive 98–01 and putting forward an updated state policy on race and gender-conscious affirmative action,” said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards. “While Initiative 200 still limits the ways we can solve for the disparate outcomes caused by systemic racism, today’s actions are a welcomed victory in our long march toward justice.”
“The Port of Seattle stands with Governor Inslee today as he leads our state in the direction of our shared values,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho. “Washingtonians have spoken out loudly about the need for equitable access to opportunity and just treatment of underserved groups. The Port of Seattle Commission has long sought the repeal of Initiative 200, as we see first-hand the harm it has done to our minority business partners, and this Executive Order begins the process of restoring equity. This is a big step for our state, and it is long overdue.”
“I-200 and its implementing Executive Order have had devastating impacts on women and communities of color, particularly Black Washingtonians. Thank you, Governor Inslee, for recognizing these impacts and for taking action to pave the way for ALL Washingtonians to share in the prosperity of this state,” King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay said.
Background
In 1998, voters passed Initiative 200, which said that the state should not discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to any individual on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, education or contracting. And after the initiative was passed, Directive 98–01 was issued by the sitting governor to instruct agencies on how to comply with the initiative.
Subsequent court decisions and legal guidance have clarified the scope of options available to state agencies to address evident discrimination.
“As Dr. King said, ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’ All of us are responsible for doing our part to bend this arc. I want to thank our many leaders that have worked for years to improve equity in our state. And I call on all Washingtonians to continue their work on this important issue,” Inslee said.
In other state news headlines...
Inslee prioritizes poverty reduction efforts
Included in the governor’s 2022 supplemental budget, signed executive order
Year after year, Washington ranks among the best economies in the country, and yet existing policies and systems have not enabled all residents to thrive. An estimated 1.7 million Washingtonians still do not have enough resources or income to maintain consistent housing, access healthy food, pay utility bills or meet other basic needs — and that was before the COVID-19 pandemic further compounded these issues.
https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-prioritizes-poverty-reduction-efforts-4d8dbcaa5c5c
Inslee provides support to hospitals to fight Omicron variant
With COVID-19 cases rising due to the transmissibility of the Omicron variant, hospitals are seeing a dramatic increase in COVID hospitalizations. The health care staffing shortages have led hospitals to be at or over their capacity to treat patients. Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that the state will be taking a number of actions to help alleviate the staffing crisis in hospitals.
CONSUMER ALERT: Watch out for price gouging on COVID-19 at-home test kits.
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson is urging consumers to be on the lookout for price gouging on at-home test kits for COVID-19.
Increase in breakthrough cases related to current COVID-19 surge
OLYMPIA –The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is seeing an increase in the number of “vaccine breakthrough” cases related to the recent increase in overall cases statewide. Even with the increase in breakthrough infections, data continue to show that vaccination is highly protective against hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
Current reporting shows a recent 43% increase in the number of breakthrough cases. The increase in the number of breakthrough cases is related to the increase in the number of total cases statewide. From January 17, 2021 - January 1, 2022, there have been 123,365 vaccine breakthrough cases identified in Washington State. While the majority of individuals with confirmed vaccine breakthrough experienced only mild or no symptoms, at least 3% were hospitalized.
Local food system infrastructure: What’s needed and how WSDA is preparing to help.
When a farmer who runs a small or mid-scale operation wants to sell a value added-product locally— whether it’s berries frozen during peak season, sliced and bagged carrots, milled or malted grains, or simply fresh produce packed for wholesale—they face a unique challenge: accessing food supply chain infrastructure that’s right-scaled for them.
https://wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2022/01/local-food-system-infrastructure-whats.html
From our congressional delegation...
Cantwell Defends Voting Rights on the Senate Floor, Highlights Success of Washington State Vote-By-Mail, Business Leader Support
Cantwell: “I will not stand by, because my parents taught me better.”
Kitsap span included in $605 million fix for state bridges
The first round of investments in repairing Washington state bridges under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Law, which includes a fix for the Port Washington bridge on SR 303 in Kitsap County, was announced Friday by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer’s office.
https://kilmer.house.gov/news/in-the-news/kitsap-span-included-in-605-million-fix-for-state-bridges
Senator Murray Pushes to Pass Strong Voting Rights Protections on Senate Floor.
Senator Murray: “What each of us has to do is decide that our democracy comes before Senate procedure—and then cast our votes. I’ve made my decision, and here’s what I believe—we cannot let the filibuster stop us from protecting every American’s right to vote. If it’s the filibuster or democracy, I’ll choose democracy. If it’s Senate rules or a Senate that works for the American people, I’ll chose a Senate that works.”
World news headlines...
Cases drop for first time as Africa’s fourth COVID-19 wave ebbs.
For the first time in Africa since the peak of the Omicron wave, weekly COVID-19 cases dropped significantly and deaths dipped, the World Health Organization (WHO) informed on Thursday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/01/1110132
Rare coral reef discovered near Tahiti is ‘like a work of art’, says diver.
One of the largest coral reefs in the world has been discovered by a UN-supported scientific mission off the coast of Tahiti. Announcing the stunning find on Thursday, UNESCO said that divers had explored large rose-shaped corals spanning some three kilometres, at depths of between 30 and 65 metres.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/01/1110112
2021 joins top 7 warmest years on record: WMO
Last year joined the list of the seven warmest years on record, the UN weather agency said on Wednesday, and was also the seventh consecutive year when the global temperature has been more than 1°C above pre-industrial levels; edging closer to the limit laid out under the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/01/1110022
FACT SHEET: Restoring America’s Leadership at the United Nations in President Biden’s First Year.
Over the past year, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, under the leadership of Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has worked tirelessly to rebuild global relationships and restore America’s leadership at the United Nations. From combating COVID-19 and climate change, to advancing human rights and racial justice, to pushing back on bad actors and authoritarian regimes, USUN has helped to implement President Biden’s foreign policy agenda and make Americans more safe, prosperous, and secure.--USUN
Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at a UN Security Council Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East.---USUN
NATIONAL HEADLINES...
FACT SHEET: President Biden and Vice President Harris Delivered Results for Working Families in First Year--WH
President Biden Signs Cybersecurity National Security Memorandum
FORT MEADE, Md. — The White House announced today that President Joe Biden has signed National Security Memorandum 8, “Improving the Cybersecurity of National Security, Department of Defense and Intelligence Community Systems.” This Memorandum implements the cybersecurity requirements of EO 14028 for National Security Systems (NSS) - networks across the U.S. Government that contain classified information or are otherwise critical to military and intelligence activities. The Memorandum provides the Director of the NSA, General Paul M. Nakasone, in his role as the National Manager for NSS, with enhanced insight and authorities to better safeguard these systems.---DOD
Georgia Dog-Fighting Trainer and Breeder Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
A well-known dog-fighting trainer and breeder, who owned Cane Valley Kennels, was sentenced to the statutory maximum of five years in prison resulting from an investigation into a significant multi-state dog-fighting and cocaine trafficking ring.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/georgia-dog-fighting-trainer-and-breeder-sentenced-five-years-prison
Treasury Sanctions Russian-Backed Actors Responsible for Destabilization Activities in Ukraine.
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned four individuals engaged in Russian government-directed influence activities to destabilize Ukraine.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0562
USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations Highlights 2021 Accomplishments to Advance Equity and Opportunity for Tribal Nations and Communities.
Local Meetings:
Clallam County Commission work session agenda for 1/24/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1299
Clallam County Commission board meeting for 1/25/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7301
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 1/25/22
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01252022-568
City of Sequim Council meeting for 1/24/22
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2543
Clallam County PUD meeting for 1/24/22
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1-24-22-WEB-Packet.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County commission meeting for 1/24/22
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/cab5767e-43ec-4717-93d9-e9e78f9d3651
Port of Port Townsend meeting for 1/26/22
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/20220126-CommMtgAgenda.pdf
