October 04, 2023
Gov. Jay Inslee today sent a letter to President Biden asking for a major disaster declaration and requesting federal assistance to help survivors recover from damages incurred by wildfires in Spokane County from August 18 to 25. During that time, the Gray and Oregon Road fires killed two people and destroyed more homes than any other fire in state history.
Inslee asked the president to make financial assistance for wildfire survivors available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Individual Assistance program. If approved, the program would provide financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs.
Inslee also requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency assist with debris management and disposal, with a focus on preventing debris and contaminants from impacting local waterways.
The letter follows previous steps by the Governor’s Office to assist Spokane County communities with recovery from the August wildfires. Inslee previously made available $2.5 million from his office’s emergency assistance fund to help with individual assistance as well as testing and removal of debris for uninsured homeowners impacted by the fires. Additional funds will also be made available for debris removal from state Department of Commerce emergency response funds. The department will be working with Spokane County officials to determine an amount. Press release dated 10/4/23
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
WSDA NOW ACCEPTING SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROPOSALS
PROPOSALS DUE OCT. 24
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is now accepting concept proposals for the 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant.--WSDA
The essence of Washington-grown grapes: A toast to excellence.
When it comes to viticulture (growing grapes) and viniculture (making wine), Washington State is a national leader. ---WSDA
AG Ferguson creates Indian boarding schools Truth & Reconciliation Tribal Advisory Committee.
OLYMPIA — Following the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools on Saturday, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today the five members of his office’s Truth & Reconciliation Tribal Advisory Committee. The committee will study how Washington state can address the harms caused by the government’s historical role in the shameful legacy of Indian boarding schools.---WAAG
Native plants take root in Hangman Creek
Hangman Creek sees largest riparian restoration effort in Spokane County’s history---DOE
Cleaning up: Fieldwork continues on Bellingham’s working waterfront.
The Central Waterfront site of the Bellingham Bay cleanup is on course for cleanup construction to begin in 2026. ---DOE
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
KILMER ANNOUNCES NEW FEDERAL BROADBAND INVESTMENTS FOR LOWER ELWHA KLALLAM, SKOKOMISH INDIAN TRIBES
TACOMA, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced a significant investment by the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). NTIA awarded a total of $1 million through the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), including $500,000 to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and $500,000 to the Skokomish Indian Tribe, both for Broadband Infrastructure Deployment projects./ press release issued 10/3/23
KILMER STATEMENT ON HOUSE RESOLUTION TO VACATE THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) released the following statement after voting to vacate the Office of the Speaker of the House--press release issued 10/3/23
Cantwell Calls for Hearing on How Fentanyl Crisis is Impacting Indian Country
Recent increase in overdose deaths have devastated many Tribal communities in Washington state/ press release issued 10/3/23
Senators Murray and Collins Statement Following Senate Appropriations Committee Briefing on Ukraine
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee respectively, issued the below statement following a classified Senate Appropriations Committee briefing on U.S. Assistance to Ukrainian Air Defenses./ press release issued 10/4/23
Senators Murray, Cantwell, Representative McMorris Rodgers Urge President Biden to Make Major Disaster Declaration for Gray and Oregon Road Fires in Eastern Washington/ press release issued 10/4/23
3) WORLD, NATIONAL, & BUSINESS
WORLD:
Speakers Call for New Innovative Methods of International Tax Cooperation, Reform of Inequitable Global Financial System, as Second Committee Takes Up Reports
Multidimensional macroeconomic crises are stalling or even reversing gains in development and poverty reduction, requiring not only urgent, comprehensive reform of an inequitable global financial system, but also new, innovative international tax cooperation, United Nations experts warned today, as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) took up that issue./UN PRESS RELEASE
Amid Record Temperatures, Floods, Fires, More Investment in Disaster Resilience, Adaptation Key to Safe Future, Secretary-General Says in Observance Message/ UN PRESS RELEASE
With Children at Higher Risk of Severe Rights Violations, Third Committee Emphasizes Need to Regulate Digital Spheres, Boost Protection Regimes
Increased Internet Connectivity Helps Realize Children’s Rights, but Sophisticated Technologies Pose Risk of Abuse and Sexual Exploitation, UN Official States/ UN PRESS RELEASE
Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on the Adoption of the Political Declarations of the High-Level Meetings on Health/USUN
Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Attorney General Merrick Garland, White House Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall, Mexican Secretary of Public Security and Citizen Protection Rosa Icela Rodriguez Velázquez, And Mexican Foreign Secretary Alicia Bárcena At a Joint Press Availability/US STATE DEPT.
NATION
DOD Remains Focused on Deterring Conflict in Indo-Pacific.
The U.S. remains fully committed to its strategy of integrated deterrence in the Indo-Pacific while keeping a close eye on China's provocations in the region, a senior Pentagon official said today./DOD
Woman Pleads Guilty to $359M Fraud Involving Claims for Unnecessary Respiratory Tests Submitted with COVID-19 Tests/DOJ
Biden-Harris Administration Announces an Additional $9 Billion in Student Debt Relief.
The Biden-Harris administration announced today that an additional 125,000 Americans have been approved for $9 billion in debt relief through fixes the U.S. Department of Education has made to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and granting automatic relief for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities. Today's announcement brings the total approved debt cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration to $127 billion for nearly 3.6 million Americans./ DEPT.of EDUCATION
HUD Announces Over $75 Million in Loan Guarantees for Public Safety, Facility Improvements, Economic Development, and Housing Projects/HUD
FDA Takes Steps to Advance the Development of Novel Therapies for Stimulant Use Disorders/FDA
BUSINESS
Introducing the Seven Finalists for America’s Top Small Business 2023
These exceptional finalists are leaders in innovation and community engagement, come from diverse backgrounds, and are a snapshot of American small businesses today./ US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
FTC Data Shows Consumers Report Losing $2.7 Billion to Social Media Scams Since 2021
New data spotlight shows that in 2023 online shopping scams are the most commonly reported social media scam, but consumers reported losing more money to investment scams/FTC
The Role of Research, Data, and Analysis in Banking Reforms
Governor Michelle W. Bowman
At the 2023 Community Banking Research Conference sponsored by the Federal Reserve System, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, St. Louis, Missouri/THE FED
USDA Announces $27.6 Million to Support Underserved and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers through the 2501 Program/USDA
IRS issues guidance for the transfer of clean vehicle credits and updates frequently asked questions/IRS
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS FOR 10/7/23
https://pr2345.blogspot.com/p/in-focus-local-meetings-for-10723.html
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