“Politicians are not above anyone else”
Inslee argues for stronger accountability against politicians seeking to undermine elections or incite violence.
From the governor's medium page.
https://medium.com/wagovernor/politicians-are-not-above-anyone-else-2bed16009af4
January 6, 2021, was a pivotal day in America’s history. Attempts to hold elected leaders accountable for their roles in spreading disinformation and inciting a deadly, attempted coup of the U.S. Capitol are ongoing. But Gov. Jay Inslee says the growing numbers of candidates and elected officials who knowingly espouse false information about elections pose a longer-term threat to democracy.
Recent polls show alarming trends in the faith of U.S. elections and acceptance of violence against the government. An Axios-Momentive poll last month indicates more than 40 percent of Americans do not believe President Joe Biden legitimately won the 2020 presidential election, while a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll reveals nearly one-third of Americans believe violence against the government can be justified.
Inslee’s SB 5843 applies specifically to elected officials or candidates who “knowingly, recklessly or maliciously” make false statements or claims about elections and have an intent of inciting lawlessness, undermining an election, or falsely claiming they won. The bill makes such action a gross misdemeanor.
The bill does not apply to instances where an individual has evidence of election fraud.
The bill was heard today by the Senate Committee on State Government & Election. Inslee was first to testify.
“After Jan. 6, I have this question: Do politicians think they have a right to foment violence and degrade our democracy by knowingly lying about elections results? No they do not.
“That’s where we’re at in American politics today and it is our future if we don’t act. This is not just our recent past. The horrific insurrection we all witnessed at the U.S. Capitol — and the mob we saw break through the gates here — represent the here-and-now. And they are harbingers of what is to come. Our democracy remains an experiment and we cannot take it for granted.”
The bill, sponsored by Sen. David Frockt, establishes clear parameters intended to preserve the right to free political speech.
Inslee’s office consulted with nationally-known constitutional law scholar, Laurence Tribe, while drafting the proposal. While it’s impossible to speculate on the outcomes of potential constitutional challenges, Tribe believes the bill is written “in a manner that respects the text and purposes of the First Amendment and the precedents construing it.”
Catherine Ross, a constitutional law professor from George Washington University Law School who focuses on the First Amendment, also provided expert feedback to Inslee’s office on the proposed legislation. She testified at today’s hearing in favor of the bill.
“I first learned about Governor Inslee’s proposal from an article in the Washington Post that quoted my work to suggest this bill would face an uphill battle. But on reading this piece I agreed with the governor that these are exceptional times in which lies about the results of the last election pose a realistic threat,” Ross testified. “I thought Washington’s interests were so important I wanted this bill to be done right, and I reached out and offered to help. I consulted and helped craft the language which I do believe addresses the First Amendment problems.”
Related news stories: ‘What have we come to?’: Inslee bill to criminalize election fraud lies advances.
A bill from Gov. Jay Inslee that would make it a misdemeanor for elected leaders or candidates to spread unfounded allegations of election fraud was passed out of committee in the state Legislature on Wednesday.--My Northwest
https://mynorthwest.com/3334034/inslee-bill-criminalize-election-fraud-lies-passes-committee/
The future of election security and access in Washington state
New Secretary of State Steve Hobbs discusses his plans to fight misinformation and what the failure to pass voting rights legislation means for our state.--Cross Cut Seattle
'Pro-Free Speech': Washington State Governor's Plot to Criminalize Election Fraud Complaints Moves Forward--PJ MEDIA
Note: This coming from a guy who is serving his third term as governor! Talk about someone who doesn't know how to walk away from an elected position!
In Other State headlines:
Biden Administration approves public assistance request for counties and Tribes impacted by November storms.
Today, Gov. Jay Inslee thanked the Biden Administration after learning the state’s Major Disaster Declaration approved earlier this year to help individuals and families impacted by last November’s floods has been amended to include additional support.
“We have a long way to go to achieve a full recovery following the record rainfall that hit our state last November. It’s going to take time, and a lot of money to get back on our feet. I appreciate that President Biden is offering his support and making programs available to ensure our families and communities quickly, and fully recover," Inslee said.
The president’s declaration now makes available the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program for infrastructure damage suffered during severe storms that occurred Nov 5 through Dec 2 for seven counties and five tribes. The program helps offset costs these counties, tribes and state agencies incurred to provide emergency protective measures, as well as repair and replacement of some disaster-damaged facilities.
Jurisdictions that FEMA determined qualify for the Public Assistance program include: Clallam, Island, Jefferson, Lewis, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom Counties, as well as the Hoh Indian Tribe, Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, Nooksack Indian Tribe of Washington, Quileute Nation, and the Swinomish Indian Community.
Earlier this year, Biden approved FEMA’s Individual Assistance for those who experienced losses during the incident period in Clallam, Skagit and Whatcom Counties, as well as for the federally recognized Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe and Quileute Nation. The IA program helps individuals and families who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
In collaboration with the Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, FEMA has established several Disaster Recovery Centers throughout the impacted jurisdictions. Recovery specialists from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Washington state agencies are available to help flood survivors apply for federal assistance and receive information about help available for homeowners, renters and business owners.
Individuals can find a list of Recover Center locations here or can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) for assistance.
Inslee issues Green Crab Infestation proclamation.
Gov. Jay Inslee today issued an emergency order to address the exponential increase in the European green crab population within the Lummi Nation’s Sea Pond and outer coast areas. The European green crab is a globally-damaging invasive species that, if they become permanently established, will particularly harm endangered species, impact resources that are part of the cultural identity of the tribes and native peoples, and affect small businesses.
The emergency order directs the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to begin implementation of emergency measures, as necessary, to effect the eradication of or to prevent the permanent establishment and expansion of the European green crab. The order also directs the Department of Ecology to, and requests that the Department of Natural Resources and the State Parks and Recreation Commission, identify European green crab management as a high priority on their respective state-owned aquatic lands and to facilitate implementing emergency measures. Finally, the order urges the Legislature to provide additional emergency funding as requested by the WDFW as soon as possible.
https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-issues-green-crab-infestation-proclamation
Veterinary Shortage Areas Designated in WA.
Are you having trouble finding a veterinarian to work on your livestock?
https://wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2022/01/veterinary-shortage-areas-designated-in.html
WSDA awards $1.5 million in grants for Farm to School efforts.
Last fall, WSDA announced a new grant program to promote and expand farm to school efforts by supporting local food purchasing in schools, child care centers, and summer meal programs statewide.
https://wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2022/01/wsda-awards-15-million-in-grants-for.html
AG Ferguson files lawsuit against Center for COVID Control over invalid and false test results.
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today filed a lawsuit against Center for COVID Control, an Illinois-based company that ran several testing centers in Washington state, for providing invalid, false and delayed COVID-19 test results to Washingtonians, or sometimes providing no results at all. The company’s unlawful practices included storing tests in garbage bags for over a week rather than properly refrigerating them, and backdating sample collection dates so that stale samples would still be processed.
State agencies begin implementing improvements to WA Cares Fund
OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee has signed two bills, House Bill 1732 and House Bill 1733, which make changes to the WA Cares Fund, a first-of-its-kind program ensuring all Washingtonians have access to affordable long-term care when they need it. House Bill 1732 enables near-retirees to qualify for partial benefits and delays the WA Cares Fund by 18 months, directing employers to begin withholding premiums starting July 1, 2023. House Bill 1733 will allow certain veterans with disabilities, spouses and registered domestic partners of military service members, workers on temporary nonimmigrant visas, and employees who work in Washington but live in a different state to opt out of WA Cares.
https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/update-on-changes-to-wa-cares-01-2022
WDFW to kick off coastal steelhead management long-term planning with Feb. 17 Ad-hoc Coastal Steelhead Advisory Group online meeting.
State disciplines health care providers
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Articles/ID/3078/State-disciplines-health-care-providers-R22-4
From our congressional delegation to DC:
Senator Murray Introduces Bill to Prevent U.S. Weapons Going Towards Human Rights Abuses
Senator Murray reintroduced her Values in Arms Export Act, which would restore Congressional authority over weapons sales, and create more oversight to prevent United States weapons going towards human rights violations.
Senator Murray Pushes for Swift Confirmation of Shalanda Young for OMB Director
Senator Murray: “I can’t think of anything more appropriate than putting a working mom in charge of America’s budget… We need a steady hand to help guide our economic recovery— the best person for that job is Shalanda Young.”
Washington Labor Leader Max Vekich‘s Nomination for Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission Advances to Senate Floor
Cantwell: “His voice, I think will be an important one in addressing supply chain issues at our busiest seaports around the United States.”
Cantwell Calls on Federal Trade Commission to Investigate Fraudulent COVID Tests
Hearing followed complaints by local officials, lawsuit filed by Washington state Attorney General
World news headlines:
Africa needs to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination rate six-fold.
The COVID-19 vaccination rate in Africa needs to increase six-fold for the continent to meet the 70 per cent target set for the middle of this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1111202
Finding homes for more than a million displaced Ukrainians.
Around 1.5 million Ukrainians have been forced from their homes since fighting in the far east of the country began in 2014. The UN and other humanitarian organizations are supporting those who have been displaced, as they try to adjust to their new lives.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1111182
Philippines: More support needed for thousands still reeling from Typhoon Rai
Humanitarians are scaling up assistance in the Philippines to assist hundreds of thousands still impacted by Typhoon Rai which struck the islands seven weeks ago, the UN said on Wednesday, launching a $169 million revised appeal to meet the urgent and growing needs.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1111142
Remarks at the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation---USUN
Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Black History Month and a Diverse Workforce.
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
Remarks by President Biden Announcing the Framework for His Build Back Better Agenda and Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill--WH
Department of State Offers Reward for Information to Bring Bolivian Narcotics Trafficker to Justice--US STATE DEPT.
U.S. to Deploy 3,000 Troops to Romania, Poland, Germany---DOD
The United States will move approximately 3,000 service members to Romania, Poland and Germany in response to Russia's continuing build-up of forces on its western border with Ukraine and in Belarus, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said today during a news conference.
Pennsylvania Housing Provider Ordered to Pay Damages and Redress Discrimination Based on Pregnancy and Disability Status
The Justice Department announced today that the owner and former manager of rental properties in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, have agreed to resolve a federal lawsuit brought by the United States in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The United States alleged that the defendants violated the Fair Housing Act when they refused to let a tenant’s girlfriend move in with him because she was pregnant with his son and because the tenant was in recovery from an addiction to alcohol.--DOJ
Justice Department and U.S. Department of Agriculture Launch Online Tool Allowing Farmers, Ranchers to Report Anticompetitive Practices
Today, the U.S. Departments of Justice and Agriculture (USDA) launched farmerfairness.gov, a new online tool that allows farmers and ranchers to anonymously report potentially unfair and anticompetitive practices in the livestock and poultry sectors. The launch of the new portal will advance the goals of Biden-Harris Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain, including by creating more competitive agricultural markets that are fairer to producers and consumers. As part of the agencies’ enforcement partnership, the agencies are signing an interagency memorandum of understanding to further foster cooperation and communication between the agencies and effectively process the complaints received through the portal.
In OTHER HEADLINES:
Russia Denies Fabricating Pretext for Ukraine Invasion--NEWSMAX
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/russia-ukraine-fabricate-pretext/2022/02/04/id/1055492/
COVID, geopolitical concerns make Beijing Games far from joyous for NBC--NY POST
https://nypost.com/2022/02/03/covid-geopolitics-make-olympics-2022-not-so-joyous-for-nbc/
Senate Republicans probe Biden's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, identify planning failures--Washington Times
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/feb/4/senate-republicans-probe-bidens-botched-withdrawal/
What You Say as a Representative Matters: Rep. David Kustoff on Antisemitism in America, Congress--Daily Signal
https://www.dailysignal.com/2022/02/04/david-kustoff-on-anti-semitism-in-america-and-congress/
G.O.P. Declares Jan. 6 Attack ‘Legitimate Political Discourse’--NY TIMES
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/04/us/politics/republicans-jan-6-cheney-censure.html
LOCAL MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission Worksession for 2/7/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1301
Clallam County Commission Board meeting for 2/8/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7303
Port of Port Angeles Commission Meeting for 2/8/22
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02082022-572
Jefferson County Meetings:
Jefferson Commission board meeting for 2/7/22
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/bb16b332-ee10-463b-8296-4f4d31c19bd9
City of Port Townsend Council meeting for 2/7/22
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=1694
Port of Port Townsend Commission Meeting
1st Monthly Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 1:00 p.m.
Agenda
https://portofpt.com/event/feb-9-port-commission-meeting/
