Link Source: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-gov-inslee-argue-idaho-s-abortion-travel-ban-illegal
OLYMPIA — Today, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is leading a coalition of 20 attorneys general to file legal arguments in a lawsuit challenging Idaho’s restrictive law making it a crime for adults to help minors travel out-of-state for abortion care.
The challenge to Idaho’s so-called abortion “travel ban” was filed in U.S. District Court in Idaho earlier this month by an attorney working with sexual assault victims, the Northwest Abortion Access Fund and the Indigenous Idaho Alliance. Ferguson’s amicus brief urges the court to block Idaho’s law immediately.
“The Constitution protects the individual right to travel between states, and Idaho’s radical Legislature cannot abolish that right,” Ferguson said. “Washington is standing up for the Constitution and reproductive freedom to support this challenge to Idaho’s unconstitutional abortion travel ban.”
“Washington vigorously supports those challenging Idaho’s patently cruel and unconstitutional law restricting travel for abortions,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “This law places Idahoan youth in grave danger, and unlawfully infringes on every person’s First Amendment rights to free speech and to travel freely between states’ borders. As I said in my April 4 letter to Gov. Little when he signed this repugnant law, we will continue to harbor and comfort all Idahoans who seek health care services that are denied to them in Idaho.”
In today’s amicus brief, Ferguson argues that Idaho’s law not only endangers minors from Idaho, it also punishes Washington’s and other states’ medical providers and residents for helping them access lawful abortion care outside of Idaho’s borders.
“This cannot be reconciled with Supreme Court precedent, under which States cannot prevent their residents from accessing abortion care in other states where it is legal — much less from even accessing information about such lawful care,” the brief asserts.
Further, Ferguson argues, Idaho should not be allowed to criminalize legal conduct in other states.
Idaho’s abortion laws, among the most restrictive in the country, have resulted in significant increases in Idaho patients coming to Washington for care. Washington clinics reported an unprecedented 75% increase in Idaho patients between January 2022 and early 2023. For example, Planned Parenthood’s clinic in Pullman reported that 62% of its patients were from Idaho in June 2022 — the same month the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The next month, Idahoans made up nearly 80% of its patients. Pullman is just eight miles from the Idaho border.
Other states bordering Idaho have seen similar increases in Idaho patients.
Idaho’s law also harms the ability of states like Washington to provide timely medical care. In a letter to Idaho’s governor in April, Gov. Inslee warned that Idaho’s law would likely result in an “increased mortality rate of Idahoan women and girls.”
Deputy Solicitors General Cristina Sepe and Emma Grunberg, Assistant Attorneys General Sarah Smith and Alexia Diorio and Legal Assistant Stephanie Lindey developed the brief for Washington.
This is the third time Washington has weighed in on Idaho’s restrictive abortion laws. Last month, Washington led a coalition of 15 attorneys general to file a friend of the court brief supporting Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Alaska, Indiana and Kentucky, challenging a law that had been interpreted to prohibit providers from making out-of-state referrals for abortion care. In August 2022, Washington joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general to file a friend of the court brief supporting the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit challenging another of Idaho’s restrictive laws.
If you have questions about your right to access abortion care in Washington, Ferguson has partnered with advocacy organizations and Washington law firms to make pro bono legal counsel available to abortion providers, individuals traveling to Washington for care and others seeking to understand their rights in Washington state. Help can be found at a new legal services website managed by the Lawyering Project — abortiondefensenetwork.org.
Anyone with complaints or concerns about violations of reproductive rights under state law is encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.
Washington’s efforts to protect reproductive freedom
Earlier this year, Ferguson partnered with Rep. Vandana Slatter, D-Bellevue, and Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, to pass a nation-leading health privacy law. The Washington My Health My Data Act protects Washingtonians’ most sensitive health data — including data on reproductive and gender-affirming care. The new law requires entities that collect personal health data to maintain and publish a privacy policy, blocks them from sharing that data without consent and guarantees the right to withdraw consent. It also restricts geo-fencing around health care facilities, the practice of using individuals’ location data to potentially bombard them with anti-choice messaging.
Ferguson filed a lawsuit in February in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington accusing the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) of singling out the medication abortion drug mifepristone — one of the two drugs used for medication abortions — for excessively burdensome regulation, despite ample evidence that the drug is safer than Tylenol.
Less than two months later, a federal judge in Spokane barred the Food & Drug Administration from doing anything to reduce the availability of mifepristone in Washington, 16 other states and the District of Columbia that filed the lawsuit. That lawsuit is ongoing.
Also in February, Ferguson partnered with 21 other attorneys general to file a friend of the court brief in a separate case in federal court in Texas defending the FDA’s original approval of mifepristone. The case, filed in November 2022 by four doctors and several anti-abortion medical associations, seeks to overturn the FDA’s decades-old approval of the drug.
That same month, Ferguson joined 22 other attorneys general to urge CVS and Walgreens to continue with plans to dispense abortion pills, despite threats from states that have severely restricted abortion.
Last May, Ferguson sent a letter to the members of the Washington Medical Commission, the Washington State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, and the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission asking the boards to exercise discretion when licensing out-of-state medical providers who have been penalized for providing abortion services criminalized in other states.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS...
Fun with a purpose - the Washington Bee Atlas trains volunteers to map native bees--WSDA
Blake Refund Bureau Launches to Assist with Refunds of Court Fines
July 31, 2023
Washington state's official online reimbursement center for court-ordered fines or costs paid in connection with drug possession convictions, found to be unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court in State v. Blake, launched July 29, 2023.--WA COURTS
Washington Supreme Court Hires State’s First Supreme Court Administrator.
The Washington Supreme Court announced it has chosen its first administrator, filling a new position created with funding approved this year by state lawmakers. Ashley Lipford, who has worked the past four years as judicial administrative assistant to Chief Justice Steven González, was named to the position and will begin her new role Monday, July 31.--WA COURTS
$11.3 million available for water banking grants.
OLYMPIA –
The Washington Department of Ecology is now accepting applications for $11.3 million in water banking grants. The grants are intended to help rural communities in headwater basins throughout the state preserve water supplies for local use.--DOE
WA Among States To Recover $5.5 Million In Overcharges For Lear Captial Investors.
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) today announced that investors who purchased retail precious metals from Lear Capital will receive compensation as a part of Lear’s bankruptcy plan. State securities regulators had been investigating Lear for deceptive securities and commodities activities and misleading marketing at the time of the company’s bankruptcy.--DFI
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.
KILMER INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE EFFECTIVENESS OF USDA PROGRAMS FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Nick Langworthy (NY-23) announced the introduction of the REACH Our Tribes Act, legislation to make government help more effective for Tribal communities by ensuring they have a say in budget decisions, tracking how well the help is working, and making it easier to find and use available resources.--PRESS RELEASE
Cantwell Tours Local Spokane Company Helping NASA Astronauts Return to the Moon and Beyond
41 companies in Washington state contribute to the NASA Artemis Program, Hi-Rel is currently the only supplier in Eastern Washington--Press Release.
Senator Murray Discusses New Clean Energy Jobs and Opportunities at Big Bend Community College’s Workforce Training Center in Moses Lake--Press release
3) WORLD & NATION
Security Council Adopts Presidential Statement Addressing Conflict-Induced Food Insecurity in Situations of Armed Conflict
In All-Day Debate, 80 Speakers Call for Unity Tackling
Global Hunger, Urge Russian Federation to Re-join Black Sea Grain Initiative--UN PRESS RELEASE
UN Secretary-General Creates Scientific Advisory Board for Independent Advice on Breakthroughs in Science and Technology
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced the creation of a new Scientific Advisory Board to advise UN leaders on breakthroughs in science and technology and how to harness the benefits of these advances and mitigate potential risks.--UN PRESS RELEASE.
Ninety-One Countries Sign U.S.-Led Joint Communiqué Condemning the Use of Food as a Weapon of War--USUN
Secretary Antony J. Blinken After the UN Security Council Open Debate on Famine and Conflict-Induced Global Food Security--US STATE DEPT.
DOD Releases Plan for Implementing Cyber Workforce Strategy--DOD
NATION
Two New York Men Sentenced for Operating Mass Mailing Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly and Vulnerable Victims--DOJ
Bitfinex Hacker and Wife Plead Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving Billions in Cryptocurrency--DOJ
Biden-Harris Administration Opens Nearly $100M in Grant Opportunities for HBCUs, TCCUs, and MSIs and Underserved Students--Dept. of Education
CDC Recommends a Powerful New Tool to Protect Infants from the Leading Cause of Hospitalization
New immunization is the first approved and recommended in the U.S. to prevent severe RSV disease in all infants--CDC
FDA Approves Second Over-the-Counter Naloxone Nasal Spray Product--FDA dated 7/28/23
“We know naloxone is a powerful tool to help quickly reverse the effects of opioids during an overdose. Ensuring naloxone is widely available, especially as an approved OTC product, makes a critical tool available to help protect public health,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “The agency has long prioritized access to naloxone products, and we welcome manufacturers of other naloxone products to discuss potential nonprescription development programs with the FDA.”
4) BUSINESS
Vice President Harris, Treasury Department Announce Over $175 Million to Support Small Businesses as Part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda--US TREASURY DEPT.
USDA, Washington State University Break Ground on New State-of-the-Art Agricultural Research Facility.
PULLMAN, Wash., August 1, 2023 — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Plant Sciences Building that will house scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Washington State University (WSU)--USDA
Home energy audits may qualify for an Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit--IRS
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES FINAL RULE ON PROCEDURES FOR IDENTIFYING, REMEDYING DISCRIMINATION IN FEDERAL CONTRACTING--Labor Dept.
Statement Regarding Termination of CooperCompanies’ Attempted Acquisition of Cook Medical’s Reproductive Health Business.--FTC
5) IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS
IN FOCUS: Fish and Wildlife Commission to decide land transactions, a petition on spring bear hunting, hatchery transfer, and 2024 budget requests at meeting in August.--WDFW
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to hear updates on a variety of topics during its Aug. 10-12 hybrid meeting in Olympia, including decisions on land transactions, a 2024 spring bear hunting petition, Klickitat Hatchery transfer, and 2024 legislative and budget requests.
The Commission kicks off work Thursday at 8 a.m. with meetings of its Big Tent and Wildlife committees to discuss the Commission’s draft Conservation Policy, an overview of Communications and Public Engagement, and updates to the Game Management Plan (GMP) timeline update and avian flu.
Beginning on Thursday at 1 p.m., the Fish Committee will receive a briefing on the co-manager Hatchery Policy, an update on the Olympic Peninsula Steelhead Federal Endangered Species Act listing status, the Willapa Bay salmon management draft policy, and an overview of a new Management Strategy Evaluation approach for salmonids in Washington. At 3 p.m., the Habitat Committee will provide an update on fish passage and screening rulemaking.
The Commission meeting continues Friday with an opportunity for open public input, followed by a report from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind.
The Commission will take comments and decide on proposed land transactions in Grays Harbor and Clallam counties, and the proposed transfer of the Klickitat Hatchery to the Yakama Nation for upgrades and permanent operation. The Commission will also decide on the agency’s budget requests and policy proposals for the 2024 legislative session.
On Friday afternoon, commissioners will hear an overview of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation from an invited guest, Dr. John Organ. The Commission will decide on the 2024 spring bear hunt petition, and a freshwater forage fish management policy.
The Commission will close Friday with a briefing on social science and its application to fish and wildlife conservation.
The Commission meeting resumes Saturday with open public input followed by a briefing and public comment on the co-manager hatchery policy update and the Willapa Bay salmon management draft policy review.
The August meeting will be hybrid, with public attendance available via webinar, phone, and in–person at the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street SE, Room 172, in Olympia. The meeting will be recorded and posted online so people can watch afterwards at their convenience. For more information about attending, please view the meeting agenda online.
Visit the WDFW webpage for information on how to register to submit testimony either virtually or in-person. Registration deadlines are in effect for public input opportunities throughout the meeting. All members of the public are invited to share their perspective and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, or basis of disability.
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for the WDFW. WDFW works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS
Callam County Commission work session for 8/7/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08072023-890
Clallam County Commission meeting for 8/8/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08082023-891
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 8/8/23
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08082023-700
Special Forks City Council meeting for 8/8/23
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_08_08_Council.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 8/7/23
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/39c38fb0-9765-4bac-ba63-106748ff2412
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA FOR 8/7/23
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=3539
Port of Port Townsend meeting for 8/9/23
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/20230809-CommWS-Agenda.pdf
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