Link Source: https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-directive-bans-state-contracts-russian-government-entities
Gov. Jay Inslee today issued a directive to cabinet agencies that bans new contracts and investments with Russian state entities, and charges agencies with identifying and ultimately cutting existing contracts that may exist. The directive follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine that began Feb. 23.
"This invasion, which continues, has resulted in grievous loss of life among Ukrainian military personnel and civilians, and it has sparked an historic refugee crisis with global impacts—including for Washington state's large Ukrainian, Russian, and other Eastern European communities," Inslee wrote in the directive. "Virtually the entire world, including governments, businesses, and ordinary citizens, have united in condemnation of this unjust invasion, resulting in unprecedented economic sanctions upon Russian state institutions and leaders.
"As the world responds to this crisis with humanitarian and military aid, Washington State must also do its part in this common effort."
The directive targets any potential contracts or investments with Russian government agencies, or with companies that are, to any extent, Russian-state-owned, or with entities or individuals sanctioned by the United States government in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Information regarding U.S. government sanctions against Russia can be found on the websites of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Current estimates are not yet available regarding current or planned contracts or procurements with Russian entities. Additional actions may be announced as events warrant.
The directive, effective immediately, also instructs state agencies to refrain from entering into new contracts or investments with the same entities subject to federal sanctions. Each agency's initial review and summary is due to the governor's general counsel no later than March 18. After reviewing each agency's findings, the governor's office will provide further guidance.
The Washington State Investment Board, an independent board that oversees the state’s retirement and public trust investments, is also taking steps to restrict purchasing of Russian investments. The WSIB reports less than $100 million of investment exposure to Russia, which is less than 0.10 percent of WSIB’s total assets. Inslee’s directive invites public agencies like the State Investment Board, as well as separately elected officials and private organizations, to conduct similar review of their operations.
In Other state headlines:
WSDA NAMES NEW STATE VETERINARIAN
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has selected Dr. Amber Itle as its new state veterinarian.
https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=33878
Legislature passes AG Ferguson, Rep. Simmons bill that significantly expands financial assistance for hospital bills.
Legislature passes AG Ferguson, Sen. Wilson bill that provides stipends to individuals with lived experience who participate on task forces.
AG Ferguson, Rep. Lekanoff bill creating alert system for missing Indigenous women, people passes legislature.
Commerce awards second round of economic development grants to encourage four high-growth industry clusters.
Nisqually Tribe wins award for restoration work near Eatonville
Tribe is a recipient of water quality loan administered by Ecology.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/March-2022/Nisqually-Tribe-wins-award-for-restoration-work-ne
Tune into the next Let's Talk About Hanford
LERF, ETF, and the 242-A Evaporator.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/March-2022/Tune-into-the-next-Let-s-Talk-About-Hanford
Public invited to provide input on 2023-2024 coastal recreational bottomfish fisheries.
From Our Congressional Delegation to DC:
Kilmer Secures Federal Funding for Three Tribal Relocation Efforts in Western Washington
House-Passed Bill Includes Over $3.6 Million for Tribal Relocation Efforts.
Kilmer Secures New Federal Funding for Port Angeles Food Bank’s Nourish to Flourish Expansion
House Passes $900,000 for Port Angeles Food Bank Expansion.
Cantwell Statement Following All-Members Call with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined more than 300 bipartisan members from the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in a video call with Ukrainian.
Washington Democratic Delegation Urges Support for Local Distillers and Restaurants
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Representative Derek Kilmer (D, WA-06) led the Washington democratic congressional delegation in a letter to U.S. Small Business Administrator Guzman urging the SBA to extend Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) deferrals to help Washington state distillers and restaurants rebound from economic losses suffered throughout the pandemic.
Murray and Burr Release PREVENT Pandemics Act Ahead of Committee Mark Up Next Week
PREVENT Pandemics Act takes common sense steps to act on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic response and improve the nation’s preparedness for future public health emergencies.
Senator Murray Helps Pass Bipartisan Legislation to Save U.S. Postal Service
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after voting to pass the Postal Service Reform Act, bipartisan legislation that ensures the financial solvency of the United States Postal Service (USPS) for decades to come. The legislation eliminates a burdensome prefunding requirement of retiree benefits that has contributed to 15 consecutive years of operating losses, streamlines and improves delivery services, and strengthens transparency and accountability of the agency’s performance.
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
Invasion of Ukraine: Neighbours struggle with refugee influx; UN expresses 'horror' at Mariupol hospital attack.
The exodus of millions of Ukrainians from their country following the Russian invasion could overwhelm neighbouring countries, UN humanitarians warned on Wednesday, as the head of the UN Children’s Fund, expressed her horror over the reported destruction of a maternity hospital in the stricken coastal city of Mariupol, which has been under heavy bombardment for days.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1113652
Break the link between illicit drugs and social media: UN-backed report.
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), an independent, UN-backed body, is calling on governments to do more to regulate social media platforms that glamourize drug-related negative behaviour and boost sales of controlled substances.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1113642
UN rights chief leads call for global COVID-19 vaccine equity.
The global failure to deliver enough COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries “is prolonging the pandemic” and causing tens of thousands of preventable deaths every week, senior UN figures told the Human Rights Council on Thursday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1113672
Ukraine: World must unite in face of Russia’s ‘violation of international law’
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine compels Member States of the United Nations to unite in “cooperation and solidarity” to support all those impacted “and to overcome this violation of international law” said Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday, addressing the General Assembly in New York.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1113692
Investing in women’s empowerment yields major peace, prosperity dividend, Security Council hears.
Investing in women’s economic empowerment yields enormous dividends for peace and prosperity, the head of UN Women told the Security Council on Tuesday, stressing that countries where women are economically marginalized and shut out of the workforce are much more likely to go to war.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1113552
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Chemical Weapons in Syria--USUN
https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-a-un-security-council-briefing-on-chemical-weapons-in-syria-7/
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Interview with James Menendez of BBC Newshour--USUN
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov Before Their Meeting---US STATE DEPT.
NATIONAL NEWS:
FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan Government Funding Bill--WH
U.S., Finland Work Closely to Aid Ukraine, Defend Europe--DOD
16 Defendants, Including 12 Physicians, Sentenced to Prison for Distributing 6.6 Million Opioid Pills and Submitting $250 Million in False Billings
Sixteen Michigan and Ohio-area defendants, including 12 physicians, have been sentenced to prison for a $250 million health care fraud scheme that included the exploitation of patients suffering from addiction and the illegal distribution of over 6.6 million doses of medically unnecessary opioids. Five physicians were convicted in two separate trials, while 18 other defendants pleaded guilty. Seven defendants await sentencing.--DOJ
FACT SHEET: The Impact of the American Rescue Plan after One Year---US Teasury Dept.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0645
USDA Announces American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment to Benefit Underserved Farmers, Ranchers and Forest Landowners.
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by M&T Bank Corporation--THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/orders20220304a.htm
Mask Use on Public Transportation
At CDC’s recommendation, TSA will extend the security directive for mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs for one month, through April 18th.
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0310-TSA-masks.html
NASA to Air Briefing, Spacewalks to Upgrade Space Station--NASA
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-to-air-briefing-spacewalks-to-upgrade-space-station
NEWS from Other Sources:
America’s Ruling Class Wants to Reduce Us to Incompetence--Daily Signal
https://www.dailysignal.com/2022/03/10/americas-ruling-class-wants-to-reduce-us-to-incompetence/
The Guardians of Our Constitution Have Failed---NEWS MAX
https://www.newsmax.com/judgeandrewpnapolitano/cia-gitmo-foia-zubaydah/2022/03/10/id/1060633/
NewsGuard CEO: Company Helps Advertisers Find ‘Legitimate’ Outlets--News BUSTERS
German Delegation Laughed at Trump When He Warned Them About Russia, But Not a Single One of Them Is Laughing Now--WJ
Reporter Asks Psaki: ‘Are You Guys Going to Start Blaming Putin for Everything Until the Midterms?’--CSNEWS
Steps the U.S. must take to stop murderous dictator Putin--Washington Times
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/mar/10/steps-the-us-must-take-to-stop-murderous-dictator-/
The Growing Battle Against the ‘Transgender’ Movement
More and more GOP-led states are fighting against the Rainbow Mafia’s efforts to destroy culture, education, and sports.--Patriot Post
https://patriotpost.us/articles/86844-the-growing-battle-against-the-transgender-movement-2022-03-11
Low pay and lack of opportunity drove 'Great Resignation,' poll says
In a newly published Pew Research Center survey, 63 percent of respondents quit a job in 2021 over low pay, while another 63 percent quit because there weren’t any opportunities for advancement.--THE HILL
LOCAL MEETINGS:
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission work session for 3/14/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1306
Clallam County Commission Board meeting for 3/15/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7308
Clallam Board of health meeting for 3/15/22
City of Port Angeles City Council meeting for 3/15/22
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/11291/CC-Agenda-Packet-03152022
City of Sequim Council meeting for 3/14/22
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2561
City of Forks Council meeting for 3/14/22
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Agenda-20220314.pdf
Clallam County PUD meeting for 3/14/22
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3-14-22-WEB-Packet.pdf
OMC Board meeting for 3/16/22
https://www.olympicmedical.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AGENDA-March-16-2022.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 3/14/22
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/9d874064-9c44-4db9-95b8-c2fbabcbd776
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA. For 3/14/22
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=1953
