Source Link: WAAG
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that he is partnering with Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, and Rep. Gerry Pollet, D- Seattle, to propose a bill in the next legislative session to exempt Washington newspapers and eligible online news outlets from the state business and occupation tax.
Newspapers currently pay a reduced B&O tax rate, but that preferential tax rate expires in July of 2024. Consistent with the Legislative Auditor’s recommendation, Senate Bill 5199/House Bill 1206 expands the preference to fully eliminate the B&O tax for newspaper publishers and printers. This legislation also extends the same rate to exclusively online news outlets that provide a similar public benefit as printed papers.
Attorney General Ferguson is proposing this legislation as part of his ongoing commitment to promote and defend democracy and combat polarization, misinformation, and extremism. A detailed report from the Washington League of Women Voters on the impacts of the loss of local journalism framed the harm this way: “Fewer people running for office and fewer people voting, less community engagement, increased political partisanship, and negative outcomes in public health and public finance.”
The proposal will have two benefits — save jobs and protect a critical community service. The legislation will reduce state revenues by an estimated $1 million per year.
“We don’t have to accept the loss of local news as an inevitability,” Ferguson said. “The time to act is now. This bill will save jobs — and help restore our democracy.”
“I've seen local newspapers and media in my district struggle over the past few years, and too many have already had to shut down,” Mullet said. “We have to help keep these outlets afloat. Local journalists play an essential role to inform the public, hold government accountable, and make our communities stronger. This bill will make a real difference.”
“Newspapers are vital to a healthy democracy and we have seen too many close and lay off employees,” said Pollet. “We can and should do everything we can to help preserve newsrooms across the state. Exempting them from the state B&O tax is an important step to support a robust free press.”
The bill will have its first hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. It will stream live on TVW here.
Local news serves irreplaceable role
Local newspapers are responsible for half of our country’s original reporting, and only make up one-quarter of media outlets. In many rural communities, local news organizations provide the only information and updates about issues impacting the community.
Regional journalism is critical, as is journalism by and for Black, Indigenous, and people of color, including ethnic media organizations. These organizations are best positioned to identify, investigate, and report on issues of concern to their respective communities.
Increasingly, these roles are also being filled by online news outlets. Community-focused online digital publishers provide a vital service to geographically remote and ethnically diverse communities by producing timely, community-focused information in an accessible format.
B&O tax relief will protect jobs in an industry that has lost significant staffing
According to the Pew Research Center, newsroom employment at newspapers nationwide fell by about 40,000 between 2008 and 2020. Employment at digital news organizations did increase during the same timeframe, but at a much slower rate.
Between 2005 and 2020, Washington state newspapers lost 67% of newsroom employees, according to a report from the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The pandemic exacerbated the problem. According to data compiled by the Columbia Journalism Review, at least 43 newspapers in Washington laid off employees in 2020, and 23 suspended printing operations or reduced the number of days they offer a print newspaper.
Researchers at Northwestern University’s Medill School found that the country has lost more than a quarter of the newspapers that existed in 2005, and predicts that a third of those American newspapers will no longer exist by 2025.
Legislation includes eligible online news outlets
Ferguson, Mullet, and Pollet’s proposed legislation covers the digital publications of newspapers that publish a print publication. Recognizing the value of community-focused online publications, the tax break also applies to exclusively digital news outlets that meet certain criteria.
To be eligible, digital news outlets must meet all of the following criteria:
The organization has at least two, but no more than 50 Washington employees, at least one of whom creates content for the publication.
The organization’s primary business activity is creating and publishing eligible digital content.
Content is published at regular intervals, at least once every three months.
The outlet primarily features written content, and most of that content identifies the author or original source.
This is the first state-level proposal to include digital news outlets in efforts to save local news.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS...
AG Ferguson, Rep. Hackney partner to expand protections for used car purchases--WAATG
Chief Justice Steven C. González: Pandemic adaptations improved access to justice, but “our work isn’t done”
January 11, 2023
Washington courts and judicial branch partners have worked hard to keep courts accessible and safe during the pandemic, and in doing so learned a great deal about everyday challenges to equity and accessing justice for state residents, said Washington Supreme Court Chief Steven C. González in a spoken address to a joint session of the state Legislature today.--WA COURTS
Seattle and King County fined for sewer overflow violations.
SEATTLE –
The Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are jointly issuing fines to Seattle and King County for violating conditions of their federal consent decrees and state water quality permits that regulate combined sewer overflows from parts of the sanitary sewer systems that serve Seattle residents and businesses. --DOE
(2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO DC.
BIDEN SIGNS KILMER-LED LEGISLATION TO PLAN FOR WASHINGTON’S AGING VETERAN POPULATION.
Link Source: Rep. Kilmer's office
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that President Biden signed into law his legislation, the Planning for Aging Veterans Act, as part of a government funding package passed by the House and Senate in December. The new law aims to pave the way for future investments in long-term care, improve the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) relationship with State veterans’ homes, and expand the care veterans residing in state-run veterans’ homes receive.
“If you served our country, the federal government should have your back. That’s why I’m working to ensure that our brave veterans have the long-term care that they need to live with dignity,” said Rep. Kilmer. “Now that it’s law, the Planning for Aging Veterans Act will help make the VA step up to ensure all veterans in our region, and in every corner of our country, have the support and care that they have earned and deserve.”
To support Washington’s aging veteran population, the Planning for Aging Veterans Act will:
Require the VA to develop a strategy addressing the current and future long-term care needs of veterans to identify areas for future investment.
Standardize the process across the VA for medical centers entering into sharing agreements with State homes.
Clarify the VA policy to ensure catastrophically disabled veterans residing in a State home receive their medications without a copayment, as they would if they resided elsewhere.
Require that any deficiencies during State veterans’ home inspections are reported to the VA and inspection reports are published on the VA website.
Create a pilot program that will provide geriatric psychiatry assistance to eligible veterans at State veterans’ homes.
Instruct the VA to work with public housing authorities and local organizations to assist aging homeless veterans in accessing existing housing and supportive services.
Nearly 50 percent of the 9 million veterans currently enrolled in the VA’s health care system are at least 65 years of age. From 2018 to 2028, the number of enrolled veterans aged 75 and older is projected to grow by 46 percent, and during the same time frame, the number of enrolled veterans under age 75 is projected to drop by 14 percent. A recent GAO report outlined the current state of state-run veterans’ homes and called for greater oversight of the quality of these homes by the VA.
Veterans’ advocates have indicated that veterans will also benefit from home- and community-based services (HCBS) to support the desire to age in place. Rep. Kilmer has long advocated for expanded access to HCBS and helped pass the American Rescue Plan, which included $12.7 billion in funding for HCBS to help people with disabilities and older adults get the care they needed during the pandemic.
Last year, President Biden signed into law the Honoring our PACT Act to invest in VA’s infrastructure workforce through new recruitment and retention incentives, fund 31 new VA facilities, and deliver additional tools to build clinics more efficiently.
In other Congressional news...
Rep. Schrier and Senator Cantwell Lead Washington State Delegation Requesting Assistance to Remove Harmful Tariffs on WA Apples by India.--From Sen. Cantwell's office
Murray, Collins Statement on Bipartisan Commitment to Funding the Government
(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the Senate Appropriations Committee’s incoming Chair and Vice Chair respectively, issued the following joint statement on their bipartisan commitment to funding the government and passing the Senate’s appropriations bills through regular order.--from Sen. Murray's Office
(3) WORLD & NATIONAL HEADLINES.
Greater Acceptance, Participation in International Court of Justice’s Compulsory Jurisdiction Key for Improving Global Dispute Settlement, Security Council Hears
Rule of Law ‘All that Stands’ between Peace, Stability and Brutal Struggle for Power, Resources, Secretary-General Says, Opening All-Day Debate--UN PRESS RELEASE
Increased State consent to the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice and compliance with its decisions would strengthen the rule of law, senior United Nations officials told the Security Council today during its open debate centered on the rule of law among nations, as speakers subsequently offered differing visions of how best to govern international relations and settle disputes.
Opening the meeting, Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that “from the smallest village to the global stage, the rule of law is all that stands between peace and stability and a brutal struggle for power and resources”. While today’s open debate sends a strong message that all States must adhere to international standards, the state of the world shows that the international community has far to go in this regard. “We are at a grave risk of the rule of lawlessness,” he stressed, highlighting the flouting of international law in Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, the Sahel, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Haiti.
“Disputes in one area must not prevent progress elsewhere,” he stressed, urging Member States to support United Nations efforts to promote the rule of law — including in the Council. The Organization is in a unique position to promote innovation and progress in respecting the rule of law, as no other global entity has the legitimacy, capacity to bring people together or normative power of the United Nations. Adding that the International Court of Justice occupies a special place with its unique mandate, he called on all Member States to accept its compulsory jurisdiction.
The Court’s President, Joan E. Donoghue, then told the Council that engagement with international dispute settlement means more than accepting jurisdiction, as States must also participate in proceedings brought against them. Further, the rule of law requires States to comply with decisions of international courts and tribunals that are binding on them — even if they disagree with the ruling. While doing so may appear more difficult for national leaders than simply reciting the importance of the rule of law, States’ long-term strategic interests are best served by fostering a robust system of international adjudication, she stressed.
Also briefing the Council was Dapo Akande, professor of public international law at the University of Oxford, who similarly pointed out that international tribunals can only act where States provide consent. Expressing concern over a declining tendency for States to consent to the Court’s jurisdiction — noting that only 73 have expressly recognized the same — he stressed that increased acceptance of such jurisdiction would mark an important advancement in the rule of law and contribute to the maintenance of peace. He went on to point out that, while the Council must ensure that international law is observed, that responsibility ultimately falls on individual Council members — who must ensure the body collectively does so.
In the ensuing debate, many of the over 70 ministers, senior officials and representatives echoed sentiments expressed during the briefing, underlining the key role played by international courts and tribunals in ensuring respect for the rule of law. Many also expressed support for Council reform, particularly the need for increased scrutiny where the use of the veto is concerned. Dominating the discussion, though, were national viewpoints as to what exactly the rule of law — as applied to States in an international setting — entails against the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan — serving as Council President for January — said that the rule of law is intrinsically linked with the Council’s responsibility, can only be upheld through multilateralism and should be anchored in trust. Further, the rule of law does not allow any country to rewrite borders by force, he stressed, adding that such action cannot be justified through arbitrary interpretations of the Charter of the United Nations or international law.
David Rutley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, noted that, despite serious commitment by many, certain countries continue to demonstrate disregard for the rules-based international order and the rule of law — spotlighting, among others, the Russian Federation’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. He called on the international community to reiterate support for the Charter and the rule of law, strengthen the rules-based international order and send a clear message that efforts to undermine the same will not be tolerated.
China’s representative, however, questioned the phrase “rules-based international order”, which he called an ambiguous formulation. Noting that this wording is not found in the Charter or in resolutions adopted by the General Assembly or Security Council, he said that the use of such an approach has plunged the world into chaos and likely results from the intention of a few countries to impose their will on others. All countries must engage in international rulemaking, he added, which must not be the prerogative of a few countries.
Similarly, the representative of the Russian Federation said that the Western concept of the “rules-based order” — where rules are made by the West — is in line with neither truth nor the norms of international law. He stressed that international law and the Charter will prevail over pseudo-concepts such as the rules-based order and “systems that divvy up States into the goodies and the baddies”, urging focus on maintaining and protecting systems of international law built around the Charter.
Highlighting an adjacent issue, the representative of Egypt expressed concern over continuing attempts by some States to impose concepts and measures that do not enjoy international consensus on other countries. Each society is unique, he stressed, adding that these recurring attempts only jeopardize respect for the rule of law at the international level. He also underscored the need to reform the Council to ensure equitable representation and end the historic injustice inflicted upon Africa.
India’s delegate, meanwhile, said that a rules-based international order is free of coercion and based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, transparency and peaceful resolution of disputes. She also urged the reform of international institutions of global governance — including those charged with maintaining peace and security — as debates on strengthening the rule of law while holding onto anachronistic structures that lack representative legitimacy serve little purpose in achieving this aim.
Mexico’s representative, noting that all conflicts have a component connected to the breakdown of the rule of law in a region, pointed out that Article 51 of the Charter has been invoked in ways that exacerbate conflict and that the prohibition against the use of force against States has been violated. Meanwhile, the Council has been paralyzed by political divisions and the abuse of the veto, he said, asking States to join the veto initiative proposed by his delegation and France. He added that it is crucial to strengthen all United Nations bodies and their ability to enforce the rule of law, including the courts and their advisory functions.
The representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, also placed the spotlight on the Council, calling on members to refrain from using their right of veto in cases of mass atrocities and to use its right of referral. Permanent Council members — vested with special privileges that should mirror special responsibilities — should serve as models in implementing the Charter, he stressed, adding that “international law cannot be a spider web that catches the small but misses the powerful”.
Also speaking today were ministers, senior officials and representatives of Switzerland, Ecuador, United States, United Arab Emirates, Malta, Albania, France, Brazil, Mozambique, Gabon, Ghana, Cabo Verde, Panama, Ukraine, Poland, Jordan, Singapore, Romania, Italy, Indonesia, Austria (also for the Group of Friends of the Rule of Law), Estonia, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Armenia, Lebanon, Greece, Denmark (also for Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), Pakistan, Philippines (for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)), Türkiye, Germany, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uruguay, Viet Nam, Slovenia, Thailand, Australia, South Africa, Iran, Portugal, Luxembourg (also for Belgium and the Netherlands), Guatemala, Sri Lanka, Slovakia, Latvia, Chile, Ireland, Maldives, Nepal, Lithuania, Myanmar, Kenya, Argentina, Eritrea, New Zealand, Malaysia, Nigeria, Georgia, Kuwait, Qatar, Serbia, Mongolia, Morocco, Azerbaijan, Canada and North Macedonia, along with an observer for the State of Palestine.
IN OTHER WORLD NEWS HEADLINES...
Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at a UN Security Council Open Debate on the Rule of Law--USUN
2023 Indo-Pacific Business Forum Promotes Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in the Indo-Pacific--US STATE DEPT.
General Says U.S. Values Allies' Assistance to Ukraine--DOD
NATIONAL
HUD Secretary Announces Step Towards Addressing Bias in the Home Appraisal Process for People Seeking FHA Financing
A preview of the policy update is available for public feedback on FHA’s Drafting Table web page.
Link Source: HUD
WASHINGTON - Today, at an event at the Brookings Institute, HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced that HUD, through the Federal Housing Administration, is creating a process that people seeking FHA financing can use to request a review of their appraisal if they believe the results may have been skewed by racial bias. For example, a homeowner who is in the process of refinancing their home with an FHA-insured mortgage can take steps to ensure that their appraisal is fair.
The proposed change to FHA policy represents the first step to solidify the processes that lenders must follow when a borrower requests a Reconsideration of Value (ROV) review if concerns arise around unlawful discrimination in residential property valuations. This will empower borrowers with a potential plan of recourse if bias in the appraisal process is in question.
“HUD is committed to making the appraisal process fair nationwide. We must eliminate bias in home valuations so that everyone can equally reap the benefit of wealth – and intergenerational wealth – that come along with homeownership,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “This announcement is an important step forward in rooting out appraisal bias in this country.”
Under the Reconsideration of Valuation proposal, lenders will have clear guidance regarding how to review requests from borrowers for a reconsider of value for the appraisal conducted in conjunction with their application for FHA-insured mortgage financing. It also provides guidance for obtaining a second appraisal when material deficiencies are documented, and the appraiser is unwilling to resolve them. Material deficiencies include when a Fair Housing violation has occurred, or bias has been identified on a property valuation report.
This draft proposal supports the Biden-Harris administration’s PAVE Action Plan commitments and the continued work of the Interagency Task Force. The Action Plan represents the most wide-ranging set of equity reforms to the home appraisal process since landmark financial reform thus creating greater opportunities to embed concrete strategies such as this into the homebuying process.
FHA is committed to eliminating bias in residential valuations and is taking multiple actions to enhance information, process, and documentation requirements related to this important issue. FHA is asking for stakeholder feedback to identify barriers and impediments that the draft ROV process may impose on the lending process. Any interested party is welcome to provide input. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the Draft ML by emailing the Feedback Response Worksheet located in the Drafting Table to the FHA at sffeedback@hud.gov. The feedback period is open from January 3, 2023, to February 2, 2023.
IN OTHER NATIONAL NEWS...
United States Files Complaint Against Bob Dean Jr. and Affiliated Corporate Entities for Financial Misconduct Stemming from Evacuation of Nursing Homes During Hurricane Ida--DOJ
New Proposed Regulations Would Transform Income-Driven Repayment by Cutting Undergraduate Loan Payments in Half and Preventing Unpaid Interest Accumulation--DEPT of Education
CDC Announces Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement from Air Passengers Entering the United States from the People’s Republic of China--CDC
(4) BUSINESS HEADLINES
Commerce invests $2.5 million to accelerate development of six rural industrial sites.
Link Source: WA Commerce Dept.
State grants aim to attract, expand manufacturing activity and jobs in communities across the state
OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce recently awarded $2.5 million in grants to six projects that will expand the state’s portfolio of project-ready industrial sites and incentivize private investment. With help from this state funding, publicly owned sites become more competitive for business attraction nationally and globally.
These one-time grants support engineering studies, permitting and site due diligence activities designed to accelerate development of manufacturing activity, creating economic opportunity and jobs, particularly in rural communities. The Building Economic Strength Through Manufacturing (BEST) Act passed by the 2021 Washington Legislature, provides a framework for the state to add 300,000 new manufacturing jobs over the next 10 years. These grants help support that goal.
Each of the following projects was awarded $416,000:
East Omak (Okanogan County): Site planning, a corridor study, and rail, water, wastewater and electrical grid assessments will be conducted by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. The tribally designated land has partial construction underway, and further development will focus on manufacturing, biomass and other industry sectors on this 386-acre site.
Lummi Indian Business Park (Whatcom County): Environmental and transportation studies and geotechnical analysis will be conducted by the Lummi Indian Business Council. The site shows potential for industries such as solar manufacturing, which the awardee has identified as a key recruitment area for this 118-acre site.
Midvale Industrial Park (Yakima County): Surveying, an engineering study and design plans will be conducted to further enhance the project, which the Port of Sunnyside leads. Recent project interests in this area include vital industries such as food processing and biogas production within the 511-acre site.
Tri-Cities Airport (Franklin County): Due diligence study and engineering master plan for property around the airport will be conducted by the Port of Pasco. Aerospace and advanced manufacturing opportunities are of key consideration for this 460-acre site within the rural county.
Wallula Gap Business Park (Walla Walla County): Surveying, parcel subdivision, design plans, permitting and reports will be conducted to support the Port of Walla Walla’s initiatives for this 1,380-acre site, which aims to generate significant impact for the community.
Watershed Business Park (Skagit County): Engineering design, permitting, site grading, and binding site plans will be conducted in support of the Port of Skagit. Diverse industry interests and potential development include several of the state’s key sectors within this 123-acre site.
“Manufacturing is an important part of growing an equitable state economy with family wage jobs that strengthen communities,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “This funding for pre-development planning adds competitive value to potential sites, encouraging additional private and local investment that will bring these projects, and the jobs they will create, online as quickly as possible.”
“This grant will provide us the opportunity to more fully develop a 500-acre industrial site where several potential tenants have expressed interest,” said Jay Hester, Executive Director, at the Port of Sunnyside. “Together, with additional investment, we’ll be in a stronger position to create new employment opportunities within our community and help achieve the broader manufacturing goals of Washington state.”
“This new funding will bring our 118-acre industrial site project closer to its realized potential,” said Sean Lawrence, Director of the Office of Economic Policy at Lummi Nation, “With this support, we will continue our goal of generating family-wage jobs and bringing new, often innovative industries to the area that align well with our values and enhance growth within our region.”
To help businesses locate sites for expansion, Commerce offers an online property search tool with available development properties and buildings throughout the state. Learn more about all of Washington state’s key industry sectors and business services at www.choosewashington.com.
IN OTHER BUSINESS HEADLINES..
National Taxpayer Advocate delivers 2022 Annual Report to Congress; focuses on taxpayer impact of processing and refund delays--IRS
FTC Announces Tentative Agenda for January 19 Open Commission Meeting--FTC
USDA Announces Major Program Improvements, Progress, and Investments to Benefit American Farmers, Ranchers, and Producers--USDA
(5) LOCAL MEETINGS.
CLALLAM COUNTY
Clallam County Commission work session for 1/17/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01172023-623
Clallam County Board meeting for 1/17/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01172023-624
Clallam County board of Health for 1/17/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01172023-625
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 1/17/23
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/12594/CC-Council-Packet-01172023
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 1/17/23
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/c57bedc9-aa73-4808-970d-e60286b4a85c
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
FOR 1/17/23
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=3105
