LINK SOURCE: Governor's Inslee's webpage.
Gov. Jay Inslee released his 2023–25 budget proposals today, urging legislators to continue prioritizing investments in housing, homelessness, and behavioral health with urgency and audacity. His budgets also outline updated plans for climate, salmon recovery, education, public safety, state workforce, and more.
Housing referendum will front-load funding so we can build more, faster
At the heart of Inslee’s housing proposal is a referendum that will allow legislators to front-load $4 billion of housing construction over the next six years.
The underlying capital budget will fund approximately 2,200 housing units in 2023–25. The $4 billion referendum would add approximately 5,300 units additional units during that time, and 19,000 in the following three biennia.
“Unfortunately, we no longer have the influx of federal funding we are using today to quickly build thousands of new supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness,” Inslee said. “I don’t want to lose momentum, and I don’t want the problem to get worse because we aren’t moving fast enough.”
The referendum would allow the state to issue bonds outside Washington’s debt limit. It requires approval by legislators and voters.
Washington state’s 2022 Point in Time Count indicates nearly 13,000 people are living unsheltered throughout Washington state, up from 10,506 in 2020. This follows a trend of skyrocketing housing prices and not enough housing supply.
“Our traditional systems for funding housing take an incremental approach, but if there was ever a time we need to move faster, it’s now,” Inslee said. “Homelessness and housing shortages are burdening every community in Washington. We can’t wait decades to build, we need housing now or the numbers of people sliding into homelessness will grow.”
Inslee proposes using the referendum funding to address several housing gaps:
· Emergency supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness, such as those being built as part of the state’s Right of Way Safety Initiative.
· Housing for people with special needs such as developmental disabilities or chronic mental illness.
· Community capacity for behavioral health, including a new diversion and recovery center for people with behavioral health needs and criminal justice involvement.
· Affordable housing units for lower- and middle-income workers making less than 80% average median income.
· Down payment and closing cost assistance for low-income, first-time homebuyers.
The referendum proposal is in addition to a series of housing proposals Inslee has previewed in recent weeks to increase density near transit corridors and streamline the permitting process to speed up housing projects.
Behavioral health priorities include intensive services for youth and competency restoration reforms
Last week, Inslee previewed his behavioral health agenda during a visit to the site of a behavioral health teaching hospital being constructed at the University of Washington. The hospital is one part of a multi-year plan the governor and legislators launched in 2018 to transform Washington’s behavioral health system and build up a network of specialized care facilities across Washington.
Despite thousands of new beds becoming available for patients, demand for services and care is outpacing the state’s progress. Inslee urged lawmakers to maintain full funding for planned facilities. He also signaled reforms are needed to address the skyrocketing number of referrals for in-jail competency evaluation and restoration services. Court orders for competency services have increased by nearly 60% since 2018, and inpatient referrals have increased 145% since 2013.
“The exponential growth in court orders and forensic referrals is not sustainable, even with the state’s huge new investments in facilities, staffing, and programs,” Inslee said. “I will be asking local leaders to join me in crafting a plan that better ensures more people get the care they need and preserves forensic services for people who need to remain in custody for the safety of themselves and the community.”
Inslee’s proposed budget would:
Continue full funding for planned facilities, including the new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State Hospital and new state-run facilities in Maple Lane, Clark County, and Stanwood. Continue expansion of non-state operated facilities, increase bed day rates, and establish a new acuity-based rate that addresses services for harder-to-place patients.
Respond to increased demand for forensic beds at Western State Hospital by contracting with two behavioral health hospitals and a treatment center, and expand early treatment, diversion and intervention services that will free up beds at forensic facilities.
Strengthen specialized community services and substance use treatment. This includes expanding the 9–8–8 program’s mobile crisis teams as well as specialty care for people with specific needs such as traumatic brain injury or dementia. Funds from the State v. McKesson Corp. lawsuit settlement will provide more than $60 million for various opioid and fentanyl prevention and treatment services.
Build on recent investment for intensive services for youth, including the Children’s Long-Term Inpatient Program (CLIP), additional navigator resources for families, and a pilot project with Seattle Children’s Hospital and Providence of Spokane that provides intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization services.
Support behavioral health workers with improved compensation rates, more training opportunities, additional safety measures at state hospitals, and modern technology such as electronic health records.
Budget takes prudent approach to implementing top priorities as economic uncertainties loom
Though state revenues remain healthy, economists remain leery about the prospect of a recession or economic slowdown. State revenues have increased, but so have costs resulting from inflation and demand for state services.
Federal pandemic funding is also winding down. Legislators used more than $14 billion of federal funding to help businesses, local governments, hospitals and families manage the impacts of COVID-19. Inslee’s proposed operating budget will direct remaining federal pandemic funds towards emergency housing, food programs, public health, and special education.
Inslee’s budget does not contain any general tax or fee increases. It leaves $2.6 billion in total reserves.
Beyond housing, homelessness and behavioral health, Inslee’s proposed budget continues services that have been helping working families, helps state agencies adapt to changing and competitive workforce conditions, and implements crucial climate, natural resource, education, and public safety priorities.
Workforce challenges
Like many public and private employers across the country, Washington state agencies are grappling with workforce challenges. Sectors such as behavioral health and transportation have been facing shortages for the past several years. The state’s 24/7 institutions, such as psychiatric hospitals and developmental disabilities facilities, are facing especially difficult challenges. This is impacting the ability of state agencies to reliably provide crucial services.
A number of factors affect the state’s workforce challenges but exit surveys show compensation and pay was the reason most often cited for leaving state government.
The governor’s budget proposal includes funding for collectively bargained provisions:
Most state employees will receive a 4% general wage increase in 2023, and 3% in 2024.
Some agencies negotiated larger increases for hard-to-retain positions, such as state ferry workers.
A $1000 incentive payment for employees who receive COVID-19 booster vaccines.
The governor’s budget also provides funding to support training, certification or other workplace safety and support efforts aimed at improving recruitment and retention for hard-to-fill positions.
Climate and salmon
In recent years, Washington enacted a comprehensive suite of policies to transition to clean, affordable energy and fight climate change. This includes requirements for 100% clean electricity, cleaner fuels, more efficient buildings and a cap-and-invest program that includes strong environmental justice and worker provisions.
Now, the focus is on implementing these policies. In the 2023 legislative session, the governor will request legislation and funding to:
Effectively site and permit clean energy and transmission infrastructure that ensures Washingtonians can power their homes, vehicles and businesses with 100% clean electricity.
Plan for livable, resilient communities with clean transportation and affordable housing options.
Mobilize a workforce and create a Climate Corps service program to build our clean-energy and climate-resilient future.
Establish a new Institute for Northwest Energy Futures at Washington State University’s Tri-Cities campus that will research new and emerging energy technologies and systems.
Improve indoor air quality and comfort in homes using energy efficiency and HVAC upgrades.
Reduce diesel emissions by electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Much of this work is funded by the Climate Commitment Act passed in 2021, which is expected to generate at least $1.7 billion over the next two years. The CCA directs numerous other climate and clean energy investments with significant resources directed to benefit tribes and overburdened communities. The CCA has also transformed the state’s ability to develop clean transportation options and infrastructure.
The governor is also proposing the strongest suite of budget and policy initiatives in Washington’s history to protect and restore salmon habitat and salmon populations. His budget includes funding to promote the highest priority actions in the governor’s Salmon Strategy that also align with known tribal priorities and regional salmon recovery plans:
Protect and restore riparian habitat.
Invest in clean water for salmon and people.
Correct fish passage barriers and restore salmon access to historical habitat.
Protect and manage our state’s waters.
Align harvest, hatcheries and hydropower with salmon recovery.
Address predation and food web issues for salmon.
Examples of funding in the governor’s budget include:
Outreach, education, and coordination efforts for riparian restoration.
A new voluntary riparian grant program with enhanced landowner assistance to emphasize and encourage riparian protection and recovery statewide.
Investments to reduce and monitor toxins in stormwater, improve infrastructure to reduce and treat stormwater runoff, and support good wastewater management.
Addressing the toxic chemical 6PPD-quinone, created when a commonly used chemical in tires interacts with ozone.
Integrated and collaborative watershed planning and projects that support communities, agriculture, and our natural environment.
Education
From early learning to college and career training, Inslee’s budget continues investing in high-priority areas that help students and families be successful. Examples include:
Early learning. As of December 2020, there were more than 33,500 children eligible for the state’s highly successful early childhood program but only 16,278 slots. Inslee’s budget adds 2,000 slots per year and increases the rate paid to providers by 40% to help with operation costs and retention and recruitment of staff. The budget also makes permanent the one-time subsidy rate increase for the Working Connections Child Care program that was funded in 2022.
K-12. To support educators, Inslee’s proposed budget expands mentoring for beginning teachers and also expands residency programs for teachers planning to specialize in special education, dual language or working in high-poverty districts. Funding is provided to expand teacher academies in high schools to help recruit a more diverse population of candidates to the profession and provide work experience at the same time.
Inslee’s proposal continues enhanced funding totaling $313 million for social-emotional and learning supports that enables schools to hire nurses, social workers, counselors and other intensive supports for students. Additional funding is proposed to provide all students access to outdoor learning experiences.
The governor also proposes more than $120 million for special education services and support, including additional funding for young students ages 3 to 5 years old.
Higher education and workforce. To help offset rising costs at the state’s colleges and universities, the governor’s budget increases the state’s share of higher education funding at 2- and 4-year institutions to at least 66% for four-year institutions. He also expands funding for Career and College Pathways Innovation Challenge Program and Career Connect Washington, two successful programs that partner with employers and industry leaders to connect thousands of students to career training opportunities.
The governor’s budget also prioritizes health care workforce training. It expands community and technical college slots for nursing students by 400 over the next four years, doubles the capacity of the new nursing program at Eastern Washington University, and establishes a public health degree program at WSU’s Pullman, Spokane and Vancouver campuses.
Economic support for working families
Washington’s job market remains strong but the economic recovery has been uneven and many families continue to grapple with inflation. The governor’s budget continues or adds funding for several programs that provide direct relief or support to lower-income households including:
The Working Families Tax Credit passed in 2021. Applications open February 1. About 400,000 households will be able to receive a check or direct deposit for up to $1,200.
Utility assistance for low-income households and assessments for possible cooling and heating system upgrades.
Subsidies to support access to Cascade Care, which includes public option health plans that result in health plans with $10/month or less premiums.
Cash benefits that help more than 9,000 families a month with diaper costs.
Broadband infrastructure to work towards the goal of universal broadband access throughout Washington by 2024, and digital equity programs that help connect the 280,000 Washington households without internet access to devices, subscriptions and digital skills.
A two-year expansion to the Economic Security for All program to provide employment and education supports that are helping move people out of poverty.
Detailed budget and policy information
Inslee has recently previewed several other priorities for the session, including proposals to expand law enforcement training capacity and to strengthen access and support for reproductive services. Complete budget highlights for these topics and all other issue areas are available from the Office of Financial Management.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS...
Inslee issues emergency proclamation for a series of severe autumn storms.--Gov. Inslee's office
Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation today related to a series of severe autumn storms that occurred between Nov. 3 and Nov. 8 in Clallam, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Lewis, Okanogan, Pierce, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, and Wahkiakum counties. These storms caused significant power outages, road damage, temporary road closures and detours, and extensive damage to public utilities and electrical power systems.
The Washington State Military Department has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to implement emergency response procedures, and is coordinating resources to support local officials in alleviating the immediate impacts. State agencies and departments are directed to utilize state resources in accordance with the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and to do everything reasonably possible to assist affected political subdivisions in an effort to respond to and recover from the event.
BIRD FLU INFECTS FIRST COMMERCIAL FLOCK IN WASHINGTON--WSDA
OLYMPIA – Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) struck a large commercial flock last week in Washington state.
The highly contagious virus spreads rapidly in poultry environments, causing severe illness or death among infected birds or animals. There is little to no risk to the public. Although this is the first commercial detection in Washington, there have been more than 250 commercial flock detections in two dozen states across the country since the beginning of the outbreak in February of 2022.
https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=36203
AG Ferguson: Walmart to pay $62.6 million to Washington for its role in opioid epidemic--AG OFFICE
2. NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO DC.
OLYMPIC PENINSULA RECEIVES $18.7 MILLION TO REMOVE FISH BARRIERS, RESTORE SALMON HABITAT.
LINK SOURCE: From Congressman Kilmer's office.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the agency will award $18,699,257 to Tribes, communities, and local governments across the Olympic Peninsula for removal of fish passage barriers like small dams and culverts, to open up salmon migration routes, and allow more salmon to return to their spawning grounds.
In total, NOAA will fund 10 projects across Washington state totaling $39.8 million. Together, these projects will help recover habitats for endangered migratory fish and support the sustainability of commercial, recreational, and Tribal fisheries.
“Through these awards, the federal government is moving to restore fish passages and provide critical access to upstream habitat. That’s critically important if we’re going to recover the salmon populations that are so vital to our region’s economy, culture, and way of life,” said Rep. Kilmer. “I'm grateful for Senator Cantwell's partnership and for the support of all those who know how important this effort is to protecting clean water and recovering salmon populations in our region.”
“These first projects from the NOAA’s Restoring Fish Passage Through Barrier Removal Program will jumpstart salmon recovery on the Olympic Peninsula by removing salmon-blocking culverts and other stream obstructions,” said Senator Cantwell. “Barriers like obsolete dams and impassable culverts prevent salmon from migrating to their spawning grounds in the Quillayute, Quinault, and Lower Chehalis watersheds. These first projects will make real progress in salmon recovery, including boosting stocks important to Southern resident orcas and coastal ecosystems, as well as commercial, recreational, and Tribal fishing communities.”
Included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding, Rep. Kilmer, who serves as Co-Chair of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus, and Sen. Cantwell championed $1 billion for a new program aimed at removing, replacing, or restoring culverts, the first federal program devoted to culvert restoration. Rep. Kilmer and Sen. Cantwell also secured $172 million for the NOAA Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, a grant program that provides funding to States and Tribes to protect, conserve, and restore West Coast salmon. Also included in the BIL funding, Rep. Kilmer and Sen. Cantwell secured $89 million for the Puget Sound Geographic Program, which provides critical support to state, local, and Tribal governments to implement projects that improve water quality, enhance fish passage, and restore salmon habitat.
Across the country, NOAA announced nearly $105 million for 36 fish passage projects this year, as well as an additional $61 million in future year funding under the BIL. This year, Washington state received the largest allocation in the nation in both the amount of money received and the number of projects funded.
The following organizations on the Olympic Peninsula received funding for fish passage projects.
$10.39 million for culvert removal in the Quillayute and Quinault watersheds
Wild Salmon Center and partners will be awarded $10,396,280 to design, permit, and remove nine culverts on county and Tribal reserve roads. The project is part of the Coldwater Connection Campaign, which is a partnership between non-profits, stakeholders, and state, federal, and local agencies to reconnect 125 miles of high-quality salmon and steelhead streams in Washington’s coastal areas.
The project was developed with the Quileute and Quinault Tribes and will increase tribal capacity for fish passage restoration. Culvert replacements in the Quillayute and Quinault watersheds will improve access for native migratory salmonids to their historic range while improving the durability of public infrastructure.
Project partners include the Coast Salmon Partnership, Trout Unlimited, the Quileute Tribe, the Quinault Indian Nation, the Hoh Tribe, and others.
“We thank the entire Pacific Northwest delegation, especially Senators Cantwell and Murray, and Representative Kilmer for securing generational federal investments that can change the trajectory of salmon and orca recovery in the Pacific Northwest," said Guido Rahr, CEO of Wild Salmon Center. “We are at a critical juncture for these species and the Tribes, economies, ecosystems, and local communities that depend on them throughout the region. This investment builds resilience in our communities and our watersheds, ensuring that wild salmon and steelhead can access cold water needed to thrive in the face of a changing climate."
$7.07 million for fish barrier replacements on the Olympic Peninsula
Trout Unlimited and partners will be awarded $7,071,627 to replace eight fish passage barriers as part of the Coldwater Connection Campaign.
The eight barriers were prioritized using a decision support tool that evaluated the potential ecological benefits of removing more than 500 fish passage barriers in the Olympic Peninsula. The culverts will be replaced with structures that fish are able to swim through to improve the resilience of salmon populations and transportation infrastructure.
The effort will open more than 7 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for commercially and recreationally important salmon species. Funding will also support hiring staff and support capacity building with the Hoh Tribe.
Project partners include the Wild Salmon Center, the Coast Salmon Partnership, the Quileute Tribe, the Quinault Indian Nation, the Hoh Tribe, and others.
“Trout Unlimited’s ongoing partnership with NOAA is helping us recover critical populations of salmon, steelhead, and trout and building resilience against the growing impacts of climate change for fish and communities. The new investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, made possible by the outstanding leadership of Senator Cantwell and Representative Kilmer, only accelerates this crucial work,” said Chris Wood, president and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “This work is improving fish passage, but also helping rural communities by providing family-wage jobs, improving water quality, and helping prevent road failures and flood damage.”
$1.23 million for Hoquiam River Dam removal feasibility assessment in the Lower Chehalis Watershed
The City of Hoquiam and partners will be awarded $1,231,350 to assess the feasibility of removing the West Fork of the Hoquiam River Dam in the Lower Chehalis Watershed.
The project will involve developing conceptual designs for dam removal and designing, permitting, and installing groundwater wells that will be tested to serve as an alternative water source for the City of Hoquiam.
Removal of the dam would open 13 miles of habitat for Chinook, coho, and steelhead, and would improve instream flows in the watershed.
If the wells can provide a reliable source of alternative water, and the dam removal is found to be feasible, residents of the City of Hoquiam will have a more reliable water supply, decreased likelihood of water supply contamination, reduced dam and fishway maintenance and repair costs, and updated infrastructure.
The project has been prioritized by Chehalis Basin restoration partners and Tribes due to its potential to provide access to high-quality habitat that will be more resilient to climate change because of the cooler waters, there. Cool water is critical to salmon survival.
Project partners include the Chehalis Basin Partnership and the Chehalis Basin Habitat Workgroup.
“This project provides tremendous long-term benefits for the citizens of Hoquiam, the environment, and our critical salmon stocks,” said Hoquiam City Administrator Brian Shay. “When this project is completed we will remove the second worst fish barrier in the entire Chehalis Basin Watershed opening up 13 miles of new salmon habitat, while also providing a new, safe, reliable drinking water source for our community. The City of Hoquiam has been working on this project since 2009 and hopes to reach completion by the end of 2027, subject to future grant applications for construction. This specific NOAA grant will allow the City to complete predesign of the dam removal and groundwater sources and initiate water right permitting.”
IN OTHER CONGRESSNAL NEWS:
Equal Pay for All Team USA Athletes One Step Closer as Cantwell-Championed Bill Passes Senate
Cantwell, Murkowski Bill Would Spur Hydropower Upgrades, Restore Free Flowing Rivers
3. WORLD NEWS HEADLINES.
General Assembly Adopts 51 Third Committee Drafts on Combating Glorification of Nazism, Refugees, Displaced Persons, Protecting Children from Sexual Exploitation
Delegates Reject Country-Specific Texts as Political Tools to Interfere in Nations’ Internal Affairs.--UN NEWS RELEASE
The General Assembly adopted 51 resolutions and 1 decision recommended by its Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, covering a range of issues, from the rights children, women, refugees and others forced to flee their homes, to combating the glorification of Nazism.
Amid spirited debate, the Assembly adopted a draft on combating the glorification of Nazism by a recorded vote of 120 in favour to 50 against, with 10 abstentions (Afghanistan, Ecuador, Myanmar, Palau, Panama, Papau New Guinea, Samoa, Switzerland, Republic of Korea and Türkiye).
The representative of the Russian Federation, describing the vote as shocking, said that, for the first time in the history of the United Nations, former Axis Powers voted against a text condemning Nazism. Criticizing a country-specific approach to a thematic resolution, he rejected amended operative paragraph 4, which condemns Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine.
Echoing his stance, China’s delegate opposed attempts to distort the history of the Second World War. The practice of adding country-specific content to thematic resolutions by means of amendments is inconsistent with the established practice of the Third Committee, she noted. In the same vein, Sri Lanka’s delegate criticized amended contents for politicizing the issue of combating racism and neo-Nazism through a country-specific approach.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s delegate stressed that operative paragraph 4 speaks about Moscow’s endeavours to justify its military invasion and territorial aggression on the purported basis of eliminating neo-Nazism. “That is why we do not allow rapists to lecture us about how to fight rape,” he emphasized, adding that the summary executions of civilians by the Russians in Ukraine — documented in the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights — may constitute the war crime of wilful killing. This is the fascism of today — the glorification of Nazism being executed by the Russian Federation — he asserted.
Along similar lines, the representative of the United States stressed that Moscow’s resolution is not a serious effort to combat Nazism and antisemitism; instead, it is a shameful ploy to justify its war of aggression in Ukraine. In full support of the amendment that became a part of the resolution, she categorically rejected that the draft has turned into a country-specific resolution. The representative of the Czech Republic, speaking on behalf of the European Union, rejected the term denazification, used by the Russian Federation to justify its illegal invasion of Ukraine, adding that such distortion erodes understanding of the Holocaust.
Also today, the Assembly passed five draft resolutions on country-specific situations. Numerous delegates broadly rejected country-specific texts, with Iran’s delegate noting that such drafts are supported by countries with the darkest human rights records. The resolution on the situation in Iran does not concern the protection of human rights; instead, it aims to exert political pressure, she stressed, criticizing attempts to marginalize Iran through exploitation of United Nations mechanisms.
Similarly, the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, condemning the draft on the human rights situation in his country, criticized the United States and Western countries for abusing human rights issues as a political tool for interfering in internal affairs of other countries.
Three resolutions were adopted on questions relating to refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons. The text on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) — adopted by consensus — had the Assembly express deep concern at the increasing number of people who are forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution and climate. Stressing the importance of responsibility-sharing, the Assembly urged States to uphold the civilian and humanitarian character of camps for refugees and allow unhindered access for UNHCR.
This year, the Assembly adopted by consensus a new text on protecting children from sexual exploitation. By its terms, the Assembly voiced concern over the threat posed by “self-generated” child sexual abuse materials produced through coercion, as well as linkages between child sexual exploitation and trafficking in children for commercial sexual exploitation. It urged States to criminalize all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse, including online, and provide tools to identify victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
A draft resolution on the world drug problem — adopted by a recorded vote of 124 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, Cameroon, Iran, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Syria and Türkiye), with 45 abstentions — sparked controversy, with some delegates interpreting the text as a roll-over, while others refused to recognize it as the annual omnibus resolution due to extensive revisions.
In its one decision of the day, the Assembly adopted the work programme of its Third Committee for the seventy-eighth session.
Also speaking today were representatives of Nicaragua, Belarus, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Cuba, Syria, Venezuela, Maldives, Philippines and Oman (on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council).
The Assembly will next meet at 3 p.m. on Friday, 16 December, to continue its work.
IN OTHER WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
States Must Address Drivers of Radicalization, Technology Use by Terrorists, Speakers Tell Security Council, Urging Comprehensive Approach to Tackle Transnational Threat--UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2022/sc15141.doc.htm
Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Press Availability--US STATE DEPT.
U.S.-Lithuanian Defense Leaders Consult at Pentagon.
4. NATIONAL & BUSINESS HEADLINES
Justice Department Finds Alaska Unnecessarily Segregates Children with Behavioral Health Disabilities in Institutions--DOJ
The Department of Justice announced today that it found reasonable cause to believe that the State of Alaska violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide community-based services to children with behavioral health disabilities, relying instead on segregated, institutional settings — specifically, psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric residential treatment facilities. This finding comes at the conclusion of the department’s investigation into whether Alaska subjects children with behavioral health disabilities to unnecessary institutionalization in violation of Title II of the ADA.
“Each year, hundreds of children, including Alaska Native children in significant number, are isolated in institutional settings often far from their communities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Most of these children could remain in family homes if provided appropriate community-based services. We look forward to working with Alaska to bring the State into compliance with federal law and prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of children.”
Children who are segregated in psychiatric residential treatment facilities commonly stay there longer than six months, and some of them are sent to states as distant as Texas and Missouri, thousands of miles from their families.
The department’s investigation found that Alaska’s system of care is heavily reliant on institutions and that key community-based services and supports needed to serve children with behavioral health disabilities in family homes, such as home-based family treatment, crisis services and therapeutic treatment home services, are often unavailable. As a result, many children with behavioral health disabilities, including a substantial number of Alaska Native children, are forced to endure unnecessary and unduly long admissions to psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric residential treatment facilities both within Alaska and in states across the country.
With today’s announcement, the department has concluded its third investigation in 2022 involving the unnecessary institutionalization of children with behavioral health disabilities.
IN OTHER NATIONAL NEWS...
Five Individuals Sentenced in $12 Million Federal Financial Aid Fraud Scheme
Five individuals were sentenced yesterday for conspiring to defraud the U.S. Department of Education’s financial aid programs of over $12 million in federal funds.--DOJ
FHA ANNOUNCES NEW ASSISTANCE OPTION TO HELP SENIOR HOMEOWNERS WITH REVERSE MORTGAGES IMPACTED BY COVID-19
New COVID-19 Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Property Charge Repayment Plan allows servicers to offer homeowners up to five years to repay past-due property charges.--HUD
HHS Proposes Rule to Strengthen Beneficiary Protections, Improve Access to Behavioral Health Care, and Promote Equity for Millions of Americans with Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D--HHS
BUSINESS NEWS
FTC Action Leads to Permanent Ban for Scammers Behind ‘The Credit Game’ Credit Repair Scheme
As a result of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit, the operators of “The Credit Game,” a credit repair scheme that cost consumers millions of dollars, face a lifetime ban from the credit repair industry in proposed court orders filed today.
Michael and Valerie Rando and their companies, first sued by the FTC in May 2022, would also be required to turn over a wide array of property that would be liquidated and used to provide refunds to consumers harmed by the scam.
“These defendants falsely promised consumers improved credit based on tactics that were both illegal and ineffective,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Our proposed orders will permanently ban these fraudsters from peddling deceptive credit repair tactics to struggling consumers.”
In its complaint against the Randos and their companies, the FTC alleged that the scheme’s operators provided false information to credit reporting agencies regarding consumers’ credit reports. Additionally, the Randos perpetuated the harm to consumers by pitching their customers a supposed business opportunity to create their own bogus credit repair scheme. The complaint also alleged that the scammers encouraged consumers to pay for the bogus services using COVID-19 tax relief funds, which the FTC alleged was a violation of the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act.
The proposed court orders, which were agreed to by the defendants in the case, include a number of requirements:
Permanent ban on credit repair: The Randos and their companies are permanently banned from operating or assisting any credit repair service of any kind.
Prohibition against unsubstantiated claims: The orders would also prohibit the defendants from making claims about the benefits, performance, or efficacy of any good or service without sufficient supporting evidence.
Turn over possessions: The orders would require the defendants to turn over numerous properties, including: their interest in numerous real estate investments; a Lamborghini, Maserati, Land Rover, and a golf cart; and the contents of numerous bank, investment, and life insurance accounts. These assets will be liquidated by a court-appointed receiver and the funds used by the FTC to provide refunds to consumers harmed by the scam.
The orders contain a total monetary judgment of $18,875,613, which is partially suspended based on the defendants’ inability to pay the full amount. If the defendants are found to have lied to the FTC about the financial status, the full judgment would be immediately payable.
The Commission vote approving the stipulated final orders was 4-0. The FTC filed the proposed order in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
NOTE: Stipulated final orders or injunctions have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
IN OTHER BUSINESS NEWS...
IRS reminder: For many employers and self-employed people, deferred Social Security tax payment due Dec. 31--IRS
Calling on Congress: Grow and Modernize Our Workforce
Addressing the worker shortage crisis and preparing our workforce for the jobs of tomorrow can and must be addressed in the 118th Congress.--US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES ENHANCED EMPLOYMENT TRAINING FOR TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS, SPOUSES, CAREGIVERS--Dept. of Labor
5. LOCAL MEETINGS
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Board of Health meeting for 12/20/22
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12202022-504
Note: There was no Clallam Commission meetings scheduled this week no agendas posted.
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 12/20/22
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/12451/CC-Agenda-Packet-12202022
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS
Jefferson County Commission meeting 12/19/22
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/21cbc419-5a76-442d-9672-52b4384ecad6
