The legislation removes numerous invalid and unconstitutional statutes that remain on the books, based on an analysis done by the Washington Supreme Court. In addition to the death penalty, those statutes include laws allowing judges to order people sterilized and requirements that public employees sign anti-communist pledges. Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, sponsored the companion bill in the House.
Ferguson has proposed legislation to remove Washington’s death penalty from state law every session since 2017. In 2018, the Washington Supreme Court found the state’s method of applying the death penalty unconstitutional as a result of its arbitrary and racially biased application.
“The Washington State Supreme Court ruled that Washington’s death penalty is invalid because it’s applied in an arbitrary and racially biased manner,” Ferguson said. “On Friday the Legislature took the important and appropriate step of repealing the death penalty from our state statutes once and for all. Thank you to Senator Pedersen for his leadership.”
“Removing the death penalty and other laws struck down by the courts from our statute books both helps regular people understand what the law is and also makes a profound statement of our values,” Pedersen said.
The Washington Constitution requires the state Supreme Court to advise the governor of any “defects and omissions in the laws” judges have determined to exist as a result of legal challenges. In a recent “defects & omissions” report, Chief Justice Steven Gonzalez listed 30 statutes that are unconstitutional and need to be stricken from the books, including the state’s death penalty statute.
On Oct. 11, 2018, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that Washington’s use of the death penalty was “racially biased,” “arbitrary,” and “lacks ‘fundamental fairness.’ ” A study submitted to the court showed black defendants were four times as likely as white defendants to be sentenced to death. The court unanimously found that Washington’s use of the death penalty is unconstitutional.
As a result, the sentences of everyone on death row at the time in Washington state were converted to life without the possibility of parole.
In addition to the state’s invalid death penalty statute, SB 5087 also removes other unconstitutional laws, including, for example:
Forced sterilization. RCW 9.92.100 allows a judge to order certain people sterilized. This is unconscionable and at least questionable under Skinner v. Oklahoma.
Loyalty oaths. RCW 9.81.070 required public employees to sign loyalty oaths attesting that they are not communists and do not belong to subversive organizations. The United States Supreme Court ruled this unconstitutional in Baggett v. Bullitt.
Disclosure of private financial records. RCW 21.20.380 authorized administrative subpoenas of customer banking records from financial institutions without notice to the customer. The court ruled this violates Article I, Section 7 of the state constitution in State v. Miles.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
AG Ferguson, Rep. Lekanoff legislation creating MMIWP Cold Case Unit signed into law.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson partnered with Rep. Debra Lekanoff, D-Anacortes, to propose House Bill 1177. The Washington State Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & People (MMIWP) Task Force, which is facilitated by Ferguson’s office, unanimously recommended establishing a cold case unit in the Attorney General’s Office in its first report. Lekanoff and companion bill sponsor Sen. Manka Dhingra, D- Redmond, both serve on the MMIWP Task Force. The legislation passed unanimously. (details)
Public welcome as Court of Appeals, Div. III hears cases at Chiawana High School in Pasco April 24
The Washington State Court of Appeals, Division III, will hear oral arguments outside of its regular Spokane courtroom during a community visit to Chiawana High School in Pasco on Monday, April 24. The public is welcome to attend the oral arguments and to ask questions about the role and operations of the Court of Appeals during Q&A sessions. /details
Grant program supports community-based improvements to waste management
Funding for Public Participation Grant Program doubled to $4.8 million since 2019. /details
WDFW to discontinue online-only hunter education courses after May 31.
OLYMPIA – Starting June 1, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will no longer offer fully remote hunter education courses. The Department will continue to offer in-person hunter education courses as well as hybrid courses that combine online and in-person learning./details
Fecal pollution restricts shellfish harvest in parts of lower Hood Canal and Annas Bay in Mason County./details
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSINAL DELEGATION.
Cantwell Presses DOE Secretary on Top WA Priorities: Clean Energy & Hanford Cleanup
Following release of Biden’s FY24 budget, Cantwell advocates for further investments in green hydrogen & fusion power: “That's exactly what my state wants to see”; Hanford cleanup expected to last until 2078: “What we could do to help accelerate the process?” /details
Cantwell Questions IRS Commissioner on Plan to Streamline Communication & Raise Awareness for Unclaimed Refunds
Pandemic-era upheaval left more than $44 million in unclaimed 2019 refunds on the table for WA taxpayers./details
Senator Murray Emphasizes Need to Deliver for Military Families, Keep Pace with Adversaries at Hearing on Air Force and Space Force Budgets./details
3) WORLD & NATIONAL HEADLINES
WORLD NEWS:
Aboriginal Australians suffer from ‘violent history’ and ongoing ‘institutional racism’
Decisions made at the UN can push governments to improve the rights of indigenous peoples, who still face discrimination, says Aboriginal Australian activist and human rights lawyer Hannah McGlade./details
Human, economic, environmental toll of climate change on the rise: WMO.
The relentless advance of climate change brought more drought, flooding and heatwaves to communities around the world last year, compounding threats to people’s lives and livelihoods, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Friday./details
Remarks at a Security Council Briefing on the Great Lakes Region--USUN/details
United States Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Military Procurement Network--US STATE DEPT.
The United States remains firmly committed to taking action to disrupt Iran’s military programs and its procurement networks. We are designating elements of Iran’s military procurement network — one individual and six entities. These elements based in Iran, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and Malaysia have supported procurement activities of the U.S.-sanctioned Iranian company Pardazan System Namad Arman (PASNA), which is linked to Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics. This network has enabled PASNA to procure electronic components, including components for use in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), from foreign suppliers primarily based in the PRC. Iran’s proliferation of weapons destabilizes the Middle East and beyond, and we will continue to work with allies and partners to counter such activity./details
U.S.-Led Ukraine Defense Contact Group Convenes for 11th Discussion-DOD/details
NATIONAL:
President Biden to Catalyze Global Climate Action through the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate--WH (details)
Justice Department Announces Nationwide Coordinated Law Enforcement Action to Combat COVID-19 Health Care Fraud
Criminal Charges Brought Against Medical Professionals, Owners of Medical Businesses, and Others for a Variety of COVID-19 Fraud Schemes with False Billings Exceeding $490 Million--DOJ (details)
Former Professional Wrestler Charged with Theft of Millions of Dollars in Federal Funds Intended for Needy Families--DOJ/ details
Statement from Secretary Cardona on Speaker McCarthy’s Debt Ceiling Proposal.--DEPT. of Education( details)
4) BUSINESS NEWS
USDA Announces Funding Availability to Expand Meat and Poultry Processing Options for Underserved Producers and Tribal Communities
Up to $125 million through two grant programs will increase choices for producers, including new capacity for indigenous meat processing to support tribal food systems. (details)
Will the Threat of Electronic Duties Stifle Digital Transformation?
For two decades, WTO members have upheld a pledge not to put tariffs on data flows. That transformative policy is now at risk.--US CHAMBER COMMERCE (details)
FTC Acts to Block Payment Processor’s Credit Card Laundering for Tech Support Scammers
Court orders would also require close vetting of high-risk clients--FTC (details)
DOLLAR GENERAL AGAIN FOUND EXPOSING EMPLOYEES TO FIRE, ENTRAPMENT HAZARDS, AFTER FEDERAL WORKPLACE SAFETY INSPECTION AT ORLANDO-AREA STORE--Dept. of Labor (details)
5) IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS
IN FOCUS: At Hearing on HUD Budget, Senator Murray Emphasizes Urgency of Strong Federal Investments to Tackle Housing & Homelessness Crisis.
Washington, D.C. – Today, at a Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on President Biden’s FY24 budget request for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, emphasized the importance of passing timely bipartisan spending bills that invest in making our country stronger. During her questioning, Senator Murray underscored that tackling the national housing and homelessness crises is foundational to supporting families, building a strong economy, and maintaining American competitiveness.
“Families back in Washington state, and across the country, are counting on us to work together to get our communities the resources they need to grow, thrive, and compete on the world stage,” began Senator Murray. “And when it comes to keeping folks safe, setting families up for success, and strengthening our country—that really starts with making sure everyone has a roof over their head, and no one is left on the streets or in the cold. Because it is all too common for families in every part of this country to be terrified about what will happen to them—to their kids—the moment they can’t make rent or cover their mortgage.”
At Thursday’s hearing, Senator Murray recounted just how dire the housing and homelessness crises are in Washington state and the entire country. Senator Murray made clear that a whole-of-government approach is critical in order to make progress on this front—noting how various HUD programs make a real and tangible difference in the lives of millions of families.
“As I wrote to President Biden, we need a whole of government approach here. And, let’s be clear, whole of government, includes this subcommittee. That’s why I fought to make critical housing investments in our bipartisan funding package last year—and I want to see us build on that progress with funding to tackle the root causes of this crisis,” said Senator Murray. “That means increasing the supply of quality housing—and preserving our existing public housing, investing in under resourced neighborhoods, and incentivizing changes to zoning laws. It also means providing rental assistance to help people keep a roof over their head, and assistance for first time home buyers.”
“These investments pay off for our country in so many ways: they help families build wealth, they help provide safety and stability so kids can focus and thrive in school, and adults can focus on their jobs, education, and more,” stated Senator Murray. “They strengthen our families, our communities, and our economy.”
In her questioning, Senator Murray asked HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to explain how the newly proposed spending cuts by House Republicans would undercut efforts across the country to address the worsening housing and homelessness crises.
“Secretary Fudge, House Republicans have proposed cutting non-defense discretionary programs to Fiscal Year 2022 levels. Can you speak to how such cuts would harm HUD’s programs and your department’s ability to increase the supply of affordable housing, reduce the cost of housing, and support people experiencing homelessness?” asked Senator Murray.
Secretary Fudge went on to underscore just how devastating it would be to revert to FY22 spending levels, noting the severe lack of federal investment in key HUD programs over the long term and how imposing additional cuts now would only exacerbate a rapidly-growing housing crisis.
“Thank you, Secretary Fudge,” said Senator Murray in closing. “We have a housing and homelessness crisis in Washington state—so I want everyone to understand just how serious and devastating these kinds of cuts would be, not just for my state, but the entire country.”
Related stories:
HUD ANNOUNCES $486 MILLION IN GRANTS AND $43 MILLION FOR STABILITY VOUCHERS TO ADDRESS UNSHELTERED AND RURAL HOMELESSNESS
LOCAL MEETINGS.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission work session for 4/24/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04242023-784
Clallam County Commission meeting for 4/25/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04252023-783
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 4/25/23
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04252023-668
City of Sequim Council meeting for 4/24/23
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2814
City of Forks Council meeting for 4/24/23
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Agenda-20230412.pdf
Clallam County PUD meeting for 4/24/23
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4-24-23-WEB-PacketRev1.pdf
Community Meeting April 25th, 2023
Port Angeles School District Superintendent Marty Brewer and Director of Finance Kira Acker will host a community meeting regarding the 2023-24 school year budget on Tuesday, April 25th, at 7pm, in the Jefferson Elementary Gym (218 E 12th St, Port Angeles, WA 98362).
This presentation will also stream on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/_dAQN2MXXrM?feature=share
This forum is open to students, families, staff, and community members. During this time, in-person stakeholders can learn more and ask questions about Port Angeles School District's budget outlook and planning for the next school year.
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS.
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 4/24/23
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/58dd31e6-8fb7-435a-81a0-bc3d17d11d67
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