Gov. Jay Inslee today testified at the public hearing in support of SJR 8202, a bill that would amend Washington state’s constitution to explicitly recognize the right of all Washingtonians to reproductive freedom.
"We are now in a historic fight to maintain reproductive freedom and the right to abortion access," Inslee told legislators. "We cannot be lulled into thinking that this is a past debate. It is a current challenge, and it is a current threat to the women of the state of Washington."
The resolution is one of several bills this session that would protect and enhance patients’ ability to receive abortion care. Other bills would strengthen data privacy protections, improve oversight of hospital mergers that result in reduced access to abortion or gender-affirming care, prohibit cost-sharing for abortion, protects patients and employers, and shields providers and their WA licenses from retribution by other states.
The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last year highlighted the crucial role governors and state legislatures play in protecting access to such care. In the six months since Dobbs, 24 states have banned or severely restricted abortion care.
"Fundamentally, this is an issue of freedom," said Inslee. "It is an issue of freedom to have the most intimate decision of a woman's life to be determined by her, not someone she has never met."
Washington law is currently among the strongest when it comes to reproductive freedom, but without a constitutional amendment, legislators could enact the same kinds of severe restrictions or bans taking place in other states.
Inslee reiterated that point in response to a comment from a Republican senator that proposals like this are mere “political theater” to stoke fear about what should be considered “settled” law.
"There is a party in our state that wakes up every single morning trying to take away this right from women," said Inslee. "In multiple states, unfortunately, they have done so effectively. And while you have been sitting here for two weeks, there have been multiple bills in THIS legislature to take away this right."
"If you do believe it should be a right, why not put it in the constitution? That's the question that I would ask."
In other State News headlines...
Attorney General Ferguson recovers another $9.3M in stolen unemployment money.
Sturgeon retention fishing to close on 2 pools of the Columbia River.
Saving Washington's salmon from toxic tire dust
We are taking action to reduce 6PPD-quinone, a chemical that is deadly to coho salmon--DOE
State regulators approve rail safety grants for South King Fire and Rescue--UTC
(2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO DC
ICYMI: REPRESENTATIVES KILMER AND STRICKLAND CELEBRATE NEW PUGET SOUND RECOVERY LAW IN TACOMA.
From Rep. Kilmer's office
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, January 23, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Co-Chairs of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus, celebrated their new law, the PUGET SOS Act, which passed the House and Senate as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2023.
The new law, signed by President Biden on December 23, aims to enhance the federal government’s role and investment in Puget Sound, the nation’s largest estuary by volume and the heart of Washington State’s identity and economic engine.
At a press conference in Tacoma, Laura Blackmore, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership, joined Reps. Kilmer and Strickland to celebrate this milestone for Puget Sound recovery.
“When President Biden signed our PUGET SOS Act into law, that moment marked progress that was years in the making – and it demonstrates the federal government stepping up and treating Puget Sound the same way other bodies of water of national significance are treated,” said Rep. Kilmer. “And it’s a recognition that it’s not just about environmental protection, but about our region’s economy as well.”
Kilmer continued, “it’s also about ensuring we can continue to use the Sound for recreation, that we can continue to dig for clams, and that we continue to see Southern Resident Killer Whales in Puget Sound not just today but for generations to come.”
“As Co-Chair of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus, protecting and restoring the Sound is a top priority,” said Rep. Strickland. “Puget Sound is a key natural resource for the South Sound and the entire state, accounting for hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact. And now it is getting the federal recognition it deserves as one of our nation's great marine ecosystems.”
“Our governor, state legislature, local elected officials, tribal elected officials, and our network of organizations around Puget Sound have proven their commitment to restoring it,” said Laura Blackmore, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership. “We needed commensurate investment at the federal level, and today, I’m very pleased to say that the newly enacted PUGET SOS bill demonstrates that federal commitment.”
Blackmore continued, “the PUGET SOS Act aligns federal brainpower and resources to focus on Puget Sound, and makes sure that our federal partners are coordinated, that they’re setting goals, and that they’re holding each other accountable – and this alignment and accountability will increase our effectiveness and provide yet another boost to Puget Sound recovery.”
Now law, the PUGET SOS Act will help build a stronger partner in the federal government for critical Puget Sound recovery and restoration efforts by establishing a Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office in the Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate protection and restoration efforts related to Puget Sound and codify the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, created through a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding by executive action.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, the fiscal year 2023 government funding legislation signed into law by President Biden on December 29, includes $54 million for the implementation of these provisions – a nearly $20 million increase from last year’s funding level.
IN OTHER CONGRESSIONAL NEWS...
Cantwell Celebrates Renewal of Protections for America’s ‘Salmon Forest’
Forest Service announcement overturns Trump administration efforts to allow old-growth logging in Tongass National Forest in Alaska--Sen. Cantwell's office
$11.6M in Grants to Washington State Ferries Will Help Electrify State’s 2nd Most Popular Route
Grants will fund electric charging station for vital Mukilteo/Clinton route; a new Southworth passenger terminal; better payment options for all riders; Funds secured through ferry programs included in Cantwell-supported Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law--Sen. Cantwell's office
Senator Murray Joins Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Protect Communities, Schools from Assault Weapons--Sen. Murray's office.
Senator Murray Urges Judiciary Committee to Advance Judge Charnelle Bjelkengren’s Nomination for U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.--Sen. Murray's office
(3) WORLD AND NATIONAL HEADLINES.
With Highest Number of Violent Conflicts Since Second World War, United Nations Must Rethink Efforts to Achieve, Sustain Peace, Speakers Tell Security Council.--UN Press release.
Against a backdrop of the highest number of violent conflicts since the Second World War and a consequent, pervasive sense of insecurity around the world, the United Nations must rethink its efforts to achieve sustainable peace, the Security Council heard today, as speakers presented suggestions to that end during an open debate on investing in people to enhance resilience against complex challenges in the context of building and sustaining peace.
Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, stating that peace — the United Nations’ raison d’être — “is now under grave threat”, observed that people’s sense of safety and security is at an all-time low in almost every country. Six out of seven worldwide are plagued by feelings of insecurity, the world is facing the highest number of violent conflicts since the Second World War and 2 billion people — a quarter of humanity — live in places affected by such conflict. Recalling the Secretary-General’s words that “the world is at a key inflection point in history,” she underscored the need to rethink efforts to achieve sustainable peace.
“There is only one route to durable peace,” she stressed — the route of sustainable development. It is the only reliable tool with which to break through cycles of instability and address the underlying drivers of fragility and humanitarian need. Stressing that investments in development, people, human security and shared prosperity are also investments in peace, she noted, however, that such investments have fallen short in recent years. “When we fail to meet the development needs of our time, we fail to secure peace for our future,” she said, urging the Council to consider the fundamental role of sustainable development in securing peace for current and future generations.
Muhammad Abdul Muhith (Bangladesh), Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, also stressed that inclusivity is key to advancing national peacebuilding processes and objectives, as it ensures that the needs of all segments of society are considered. Underlining, in that regard, the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, he called for their inclusion — along with youth — in capacity-building efforts at all levels. Adding that the Commission’s strengthened advisory role has supported the Council in making decisions that benefit from broader peacebuilding perspectives, he encouraged those present to further explore innovative ideas on how the Council can better use the Commission to complement its work.
Diago Ndiaye, President of the Network on Peace and Security for Women in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), also highlighted the importance of inclusivity, pointing out that domestic conflict is triggered by governance issues, poorly organized elections and non-compliance with Constitutions. She encouraged the Council to find ways to prevent such situations, including by expanding discussion frameworks to involve non-State actors in consultations and dialogue. Also noting that social inequalities and exclusion relating to religious, regional and ethnic differences constitute sources of conflict in African countries, she urged the Council to find approaches to rectify such trends.
In the ensuing debate, nearly 80 speakers shared national perspectives and suggestions on how best to achieve sustainable peace in today’s fraught world, including the actions the Council can and must take in this endeavour. Many underscored the importance of meaningfully including women and youth in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and policymaking processes. Speakers also underlined the important role played by the Peacebuilding Commission, and how liaising with that body can help the Council better maintain international peace and security by leveraging the Commission’s specialized local and regional knowledge.
The representative of Japan, Council President for January, spoke in his national capacity to advocate for convening a meeting where all Peacebuilding Commission and Council members engage through informal interactive dialogue. He also said that the organ could request the Commission’s advice before commencing work on draft mandate resolutions, and to help develop that advice, could ask the head of the relevant peacekeeping operation to brief the Commission.
The representative of the United States also called for more ambitious and structured Council collaboration with the Commission, as the latter body is ideally placed to raise awareness of regional efforts, local communities’ expertise and the cross-border dimension of conflicts. Also noting that international actors often cannot be architects of peace, he stressed that local stakeholders must be supported in finding their own solutions and called on the United Nations to shift resources to increase the capacity of local, national and regional peacebuilding activities.
Ghana’s delegate similarly stated that local ownership of peace processes helps ensure the success of peace missions, joining many others in underscoring the need to actively empower women and youth through local peace initiatives. In addition, she pointed out that early warning systems are more effective if they are anchored in regional arrangements, including the African Union and its regional economic communities such as ECOWAS. These regional organizations are closer to conflict settings and, usually, have an institutional memory and keen awareness of the sensitivities that can help to better defuse conflicts.
The representative of the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing that institutions do not exist for the sake of existing, also urged the Council to better coordinate with the Commission through the latter’s written advice, informal dialogues and the participation of the chairs of country-specific configurations within its discussions. “We do not have to reinvent the wheel,” she stressed, “but we do need to mobilize the different tools at our disposal in the UN peacebuilding architecture.”
Ecuador’s representative observed that the Council might, at times, give the impression that it functions “as a sort of global ambulance”, going from one conflict to another when they are already in full swing — even though prevention is the most effective way to maintain global peace and security. Underlining the importance of conflict prevention, he also said that the “New Agenda for Peace” must include effective mechanisms to overcome the challenges posed by non-military threats — such as organized transnational crime that takes advantage of porous borders during times of transition.
The representative of Kuwait, also underlining the importance of prevention, said that the Council should look for means and methods to effectively avert the outbreak of conflicts. On that point, he urged that a greater role be given to regional and subregional organizations in this area by boosting their strategic partnerships with the United Nations to conduct mediation. He also commended the important role of the Peacebuilding Commission, calling for enhanced cooperation, consultation and coordination between that body and the Council.
Kenya’s delegate, meanwhile, pointed out that there can be no true defence of human rights in countries and regions beset by poverty and armed conflict; no way to protect peace when citizens have no decent livelihood; and no chance to promote peacebuilding by investing in people-centred development while cutting the core budget of development agencies. Recalling that peacekeeping was invented to further the defence of international peace and security, he urged that this same spirit be used to harness the Peacebuilding Commission’s potential and innovate in the area of peacekeeping, particularly in mandating, funding and equipping regional peace operations.
Echoing that point was the representative of Turkmenistan — also speaking for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan — who, while expressing support for the “New Agenda for Peace”, noted that efforts to implement peacebuilding agendas require adequate resources. Stressing the need for such funding to be predictable and sustainable, she praised the work of the Peacebuilding Fund “as a catalytic, rapid-response and flexible pre-positioned pooled fund” that provides financing for crucial activities in conflict-affected countries.
On that point, many speakers welcomed the Peacebuilding Fund’s work, with delegates drawing attention to the need for adequate, predictable and sustainable financing for these efforts and underlining the importance of increasing financing for peacebuilding in general. Otherwise, the representative of Canada, pointing out that peacebuilding and conflict prevention ultimately require money, warned: “A strategy without resources is better called a hallucination.”
Addressing the financing of the Fund, several speakers announced their country’s contributions to the Fund, with the representative of the Republic of Korea reporting that his Government will provide $4.3 million to the Fund in 2023. As well, Australia’s delegate, underscoring that global spending on peacebuilding represents only a fraction of that spent on militaries and crisis response, said his country has committed to a further three-year agreement with an increased contribution of A$12 million for the Fund.
Also speaking today was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and representatives of China, France, Albania, Brazil, Mozambique, Switzerland, Malta, Russian Federation, Gabon, United Kingdom, Egypt, Poland, Rwanda, Indonesia, Latvia, Mexico, Slovenia, Italy, Luxembourg, Croatia, Denmark (also for Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), Romania, Germany, Jordan, Guatemala, Thailand, Slovakia, Djibouti, Chile, Portugal, Austria, Netherlands, Philippines, Costa Rica, South Africa, Pakistan, Dominican Republic, Sierra Leone, Nepal, Mongolia, Morocco, Lebanon, Ireland, Peru, Myanmar, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Georgia, Cambodia, India, Greece, Azerbaijan, Argentina, El Salvador, Palau (for the Pacific Small Island Developing States), Federated States of Micronesia, Bangladesh, Liberia, Ukraine, Liechtenstein and Armenia, as well as the League of Arab States.
In other World News headlines.
Largest U.S.-Israeli Exercise in History Concludes--DOD
Holocaust remembrance: beware ‘sirens songs of hate’ – UN chief.
NATIONAL
HUD AND CENSUS BUREAU REPORT NEW RESIDENTIAL SALES IN DECEMBER 2022.--HUD press release
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau jointly announced the following new residential sales statistics for December 2022:
New Home Sales
Sales of new single‐family houses in December 2022 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 616,000, according to estimates released jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 2.3 percent (±18.5 percent)* above the revised November rate of 602,000 and is 26.6 percent (±13.2 percent) below the December 2021 estimate of 839,000.
Sales Price
The median sales price of new houses sold in December 2022 was $442,100. The average sales price was $528,400.
For Sale Inventory and Months’ Supply
The seasonally‐adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of December was 461,000. This represents a supply of 9.0 months at the current sales rate. The January report is scheduled for release on February 24, 2023. View the full schedule in the Economic Briefing Room. The full text and tables for this release can be found at www.census.gov/construction/nrs/.
EXPLANATORY NOTES
These statistics are estimated from sample surveys. They are subject to sampling variability as well as nonsampling error including bias and variance from response, nonreporting, and undercoverage. Estimated average relative standard errors of the preliminary data are shown in the tables. Whenever a statement such as “2.5 percent (±3.2%) above” appears in the text, this indicates the range (‐0.7 to +5.7 percent) in which the actual percent change is likely to have occurred. All ranges given for percent changes are 90‐percent confidence intervals and account only for sampling variability. If a range does not contain zero, the change is statistically significant. If it does contain zero, the change is not statistically significant; that is, it is uncertain whether there was an increase or decrease. The same policies apply to the confidence intervals for percent changes shown in the tables. Changes in seasonally adjusted statistics often show irregular movement. It takes 4 months to establish a trend for new houses sold. Preliminary new home sales figures are subject to revision due to the survey methodology and definitions used. The survey is primarily based on a sample of houses selected from building permits. Since a “sale” is defined as a deposit taken or sales agreement signed, this can occur prior to a permit being issued. An estimate of these prior sales is included in the sales figure. On average, the preliminary seasonally adjusted estimate of total sales is revised about 5.8 percent. Changes in sales price data reflect changes in the distribution of houses by region, size, etc., as well as changes in the prices of houses with identical characteristics. Explanations of confidence intervals and sampling variability can be found at the Census Bureau’s website.
* The 90 percent confidence interval includes zero. In such cases, there is insufficient statistical evidence to conclude that the actual change is different from zero.
IN OTHER NATIONAL NEWS...
Five Members and Associates of White Supremacist Gang Sentenced to Life in Prison for Racketeering, Kidnapping, and Murder--DOJ
Secretary Cardona Speaks with Native American Parents About Unique Needs of Native American Students in Urban Oklahoma Schools--Dept. of Education
Statement from Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, PhD, MPH, Director, CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health on the passing of Brian Hayden, Tips From Former Smokers® participant.--CDC
FDA Proposes Individual Risk Assessment for Blood Donations, While Continuing to Safeguard U.S. Blood Supply--FDA
(4) BUSINESS HEADLINES
On EITC Awareness Day, IRS and partners promote major tax benefit to millions of low- and moderate-income workers--IRS press release
WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service and partners nationwide today kicked off their Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day outreach campaign to help millions of Americans who earned $59,187 or less last year take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
"This is an extremely important tax credit that helps millions of hard-working people every year," said IRS Acting Commissioner Doug O'Donnell. "But each year, many people miss out on the credit because they don't know about it or don't realize they're eligible. In particular, people who have experienced a major life change in the past year – in their job, marital status, a new child or other factors – may qualify for the first time. The IRS urges people to carefully to review this important credit; we don't want people to miss out."
In 2022, 31 million eligible workers and families across the country received about $64 billion in Earned Income Tax Credits, with an average amount of more than $2,000.
The IRS administers the EITC, which Congress originally approved in 1975. It was developed in part to offset the burden of Social Security taxes and provide an incentive to work.
The IRS and partners urge people to check to see if they qualify for this important credit. They also encourage people who don't normally file a tax return to review whether they qualify for EITC and other valuable credits.
The EITC is a tax credit for certain people who work and have low to moderate income. A tax credit usually reduces tax owed and may also result in a refund. Even though millions of people get the EITC, the IRS estimates that about 20% of EITC eligible taxpayers do not claim it.
Workers at risk for overlooking the EITC include those:
Living in non-traditional homes, such as a grandparent raising a grandchild
Whose earnings declined or whose marital or parental status changed
Without children
With limited English skills
Who are veterans
Living in rural areas
Who are Native Americans
With earnings below the filing requirement
The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the quickest way to get a tax refund is by filing an accurate tax return electronically and choosing direct deposit for their refund. Tax software, tax professionals and other free options can help people see if they qualify for the EITC.
Who can get the EITC?
To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if they did not earn enough money to be obligated to file a tax return. There's no need to guess about EITC eligibility; find out with the EITC Assistant.
Workers with qualifying children may be eligible for EITC if their adjusted gross income (AGI) was less than $53,057 in 2022 ($59,187 for married filing jointly). These individuals can receive a maximum of $6,935 in EITC, up from $6,728 in 2021.
The maximum EITC for taxpayers with no dependents is $560, available to filers with an AGI below $16,480 in 2022 ($22,610 for married filing jointly), and it can be claimed by eligible workers between the ages of 25 and 64. Married but separated spouses who do not file a joint return may qualify to claim EITC if they meet certain requirements.
EITC is for workers whose income does not exceed the following limits in 2022:
$53,057 ($59,187 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children who have valid Social Security numbers (SSNs).
$49,399 ($55,529 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children who have valid SSNs.
$43,492 ($49,622 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child who have valid SSNs.
$16,480 ($22,610 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children who have valid SSNs.
Investment income must be $10,300 or less.
How to claim the EITC
To get the EITC, workers must file a tax return and claim the credit. Eligible taxpayers should claim the credit even if their earnings were below the income requirement to file a tax return. Free tax preparation help is available online and through volunteer organizations.
Those eligible for the EITC have these options:
Free File on IRS.gov. Free brand-name tax software is available that leads taxpayers through a question-and-answer format to help prepare the tax return and claim credits and deductions if they're eligible. Free File also provides online versions of IRS paper forms, an option called Free File Fillable Forms, best suited for taxpayers comfortable preparing their own returns.
Free tax preparation sites. EITC-eligible workers can seek free tax preparation at thousands of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites. To locate the nearest site, use Find a Location for Free Tax Help on IRS.gov, the IRS2Go smartphone application, or call toll-free 800-906-9887. Taxpayers should bring all required documents and information.
Find a trusted tax professional. The IRS reminds taxpayers that a trusted tax professional can prepare their tax return and provide helpful information and advice. Tips for choosing a return preparer, including certified public accountants, enrolled agents, attorneys and many others who don't have a professional credential, and details about national tax professional groups are available on IRS.gov. EITC recipients should watch out for unscrupulous return preparers.
The IRS reminds taxpayers to be sure they have valid Social Security numbers for themselves, their spouse if filing a joint return and for each qualifying child claimed for the EITC. The SSNs must be issued before the April due date of the return. There are special rules for those in the military or those out of the country.
Most EITC refunds deposited by late February
While the IRS began accepting 2022 returns on January 23, 2023, the IRS cannot issue a refund that includes the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. This is due to the 2015 PATH Act law passed by Congress, which provides this additional time to help the IRS stop fraudulent refunds from being issued.
Where's My Refund? should show an updated status by February 18 for most early EITC/ACTC filers. The IRS expects most EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by February 28 if taxpayers chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return.
Get it right
Taxpayers are responsible for the accuracy of their tax return even if someone else prepares it for them. Since the rules for claiming the EITC can be complex, the IRS urges taxpayers to understand all of them.
Look out for scams
Be sure to choose a tax preparer wisely. Beware of scams that claim to increase the EITC refund. Scams that create fictitious qualifying children or inflate income levels to get the maximum EITC could leave taxpayers with a penalty.
Visit IRS online to learn about other tax credits
IRS.gov is a valuable first stop to help taxpayers get it right this filing season. They can check to see if they also qualify for the Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit or Credit for Other Dependents.
In other Business News...
USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production--USDA
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SELECTS 10 STATES, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FOR NATIONAL EFFORT TO EXPAND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES--Dept.of Labor
Federal Reserve Board issues policy statement to promote a level playing field for all banks with a federal supervisor, regardless of deposit insurance status--THE FED
FTC Returns More Than $973,000 to Consumers Charged by NutraClick LLC for Unwanted Monthly Subscriptions for Supplements and Beauty Products--FTC
(5) Local meetings.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS
Clallam County work session for 1/30/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01302023-712
Clallam County Commission meeting for 1/31/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01312023-713
Clallam County housing solution committee for 2/3/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02032023-708
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 1/31/23
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01312023-649
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