Governor joins legislators and AG Ferguson in committing to protect access to medical abortion
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that Washington state has taken unprecedented action to purchase a three-year supply of mifepristone, an abortion medication used safely for more than two decades. Inslee directed the state Department of Corrections, using its existing pharmacy license, to purchase the medication last month. The full shipment was delivered on March 31.
Inslee was joined at a press conference today by legislators who are introducing legislation authorizing the state Department of Corrections to distribute or sell the medication to licensed health providers across the state, and by Attorney General Bob Ferguson who is helping lead a multi-state lawsuit aiming to protect access to the medication.
These actions come as a Trump-appointed judge in Texas is poised to issue a ruling any day that would order the Food and Drug Administration to rescind its approval of mifepristone. Such a ruling would effectively end the ability of providers or pharmacists nationwide to purchase the medication.
Purchasing the medication now ensures it will remain available to providers and patients in Washington, regardless of the Texas ruling.
“This Texas lawsuit is a clear and present danger to patients and providers all across the country. Washington will not sit by idly and risk the devastating consequences of inaction,” Inslee said. “Washington is a pro-choice state and no Texas judge will order us otherwise.”
The legislation that would authorize DOC to distribute or sell the medication is sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser and Rep. Jessica Bateman.
“The last year has made it clear that we cannot be complacent when it comes to reproductive health,” Keiser said. “The Legislature is taking a number of crucial steps this session to protect abortion rights, but those rights are meaningless without access to care. We cannot allow an extremist judge in Texas to deny Washingtonians access to this safe, effective medication, and that’s why I’m sponsoring this bill.”
“Patients need access to this medication here in Washington state,” Bateman said. “Abortion is health care. This legislation is vitally important to protect your right to get the best care possible, and the full range of medical options. These decisions should not be made by a judge in Texas, but by patients here in Washington.”
Medication abortions account for nearly 60% of abortions in Washington state, and has been associated with fewer serious side effects and deaths than common drugs like Tylenol or Viagra. This prompted Ferguson to pursue a legal challenge to overly-burdensome FDA restrictions on prescribing and dispensing mifepristone.
“Thank you to Gov. Inslee and Sen. Keiser for your efforts. Protecting access to mifepristone is critical,” said Ferguson.
Anti-choice activists and politicians are mobilizing quickly around their long-sought fall of Roe by pushing through chilling and dangerous restrictions on abortion in statehouses and courtrooms across the country. Washington state, however, has aggressively responded with a suite of policies to protect abortion care and access. Several abortion and gender-affirming care bills are expected to pass this session:
HB 1155 is an AG request bill sponsored by Rep. Vandana Slatter that improves consumer health data privacy.
HB 1340 is sponsored by Rep. Marcus Riccelli and strengthens Uniform Disciplinary Act language for providers who provide abortion care or gender-affirming care.
HB 1469 is sponsored by Rep. Drew Hansen and strengthens legal protections for patients or providers involved with reproductive care or gender-affirming care in Washington state.
SB 5242 sponsored by Sen. Annette Cleveland removes cost-sharing for abortion care services.
“Abortion care is health care — Washingtonians have said that loud and clear, year after year,” said Sen. Manka Dhingra, a co-sponsor of the mifepristone bill. “And in order to deliver that care, providers need to have the right tools, including this medication, which is used in more than half of abortions. This legislation is urgently needed to ensure that Washingtonians and people seeking care in Washington can get the safe, effective treatment they need.” (details)
IN OTHER STATE NEWS
AG Ferguson, Rep. Leavitt bill providing accountability for illegal robocalls passes legislature
OLYMPIA — Late yesterday, the Legislature passed a bill Attorney General Bob Ferguson partnered with Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, to help combat illegal robocalls. (details)
AG Ferguson wins $35 million and counting for Washingtonians from co-conspirators in chicken price-fixing case.
SEATTLE — Today Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the recovery of $35 million and counting as a result of his lawsuit over price-fixing on chicken products. Fourteen of the 19 chicken producers named in the lawsuit paid $35 million to resolve claims against them. Ferguson’s office is working on a plan to distribute recoveries from this lawsuit to assist impacted Washingtonians. (details)
Registration open for National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in Courts and Supreme Court Symposium this May in Seattle.
The 35th annual National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts (NCREFC) is being held at the Hilton Motif Hotel in Seattle May 21-24, with registration open for the conference being hosted by the Washington Supreme Court’s Minority & Justice Commission.
Kicking off the morning of Sunday, May 21, judges, attorneys, legal professionals, and advocates from across the country will gather in Washington state to explore the root causes of racial and ethnic bias and disparities in state judicial systems and highlights solutions; while promoting the conference’s guiding principle of actively eliminating racism at all levels. (details)
Commerce invests $24.2 million to create more than 240 new homeownership opportunities.
OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce has invested $24.2 million to create and support homeownership opportunities throughout the state. Twenty-one new proposals were awarded grants and three existing projects will receive additional funding to cover gaps created by increased costs for materials. (details)
FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
Regional Higher Education & Industry Leaders Tout Spokane’s Future as a Leader in Technology Innovation
During visit by National Science Foundation’s Director, leaders from Avista, WSU, Gonzaga, and EWU discuss opportunities provided by Cantwell-led CHIPS & Science Act. (details)
Senator Murray Tours Elwha River, Discusses Salmon Recovery Efforts.
(Port Angeles, WA) – Wednesday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, toured the Elwha River with Olympic National Park Service staff and Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe leaders to see how the region has changed since the removal of the Elwha River dams. Senator Murray and the event participants discussed ongoing salmon recovery work and the return of major salmon runs to the river. Senator Murray played a major role in the removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams in 2011 and 2014, respectively, as well as the ongoing salmon restoration efforts. (details)
Senator Murray, Rep. Kilmer Trap European Green Crab, Murray Discusses Efforts to Marshall Federal Resources.
(Sequim, WA) – Wednesday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA-6), toured the southern end of Sequim Bay with leaders from the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe along with local environmental advocates and experts to trap invasive European green crab and hear directly from local leaders about their on-the-ground efforts to address the threat posed by the invasive species. While no live crabs were found, during the event, Senator Murray made clear she will be working to secure dedicated federal resources and better coordination in future spending bills to support state and local efforts to protect Washington state’s local ecosystems from the European green crab. (Details)
2) WORLD & NATIONAL NEWS:
World:
‘The world cannot abandon the people’: Top humanitarian official in Afghanistan.
A Taliban decision banning women from working for the UN inside Afghanistan, will have devastating consequence for aid delivery, the UN’s top humanitarian official in the country warned on Thursday.(details)
Reflecting on genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Guterres urges all nations to stand firm against rising hate, intolerance.
As the world marks the grim anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, during which Hutu and others who opposed the massacre were also killed, the UN Secretary-General has said that a generation since those horrific events, “we must never forget what happened – and ensure future generations always remember.” (details)
Remarks at an Arria-Formula Meeting Organized by the Russian Federation on Children in Armed Conflict. (details)
Joint Statement by the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan Special Representatives for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) (details)
Leaders Say TikTok Is Potential Cybersecurity Risk to U.S.
TikTok is a "potential threat vector" to the United States, said John F. Plumb, assistant secretary of defense for space policy and principal cyber advisor to the secretary of defense. (details)
NATIONAL:
STATE FACT SHEETS: How President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is delivering for Americans in all 50 states and territories-WH (details)
City Of Chicago Held in Violation of Americans with Disabilities Act
A federal judge in Chicago held the City of Chicago liable for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by failing to provide accessible pedestrian signals at signalized intersections throughout the city to those who are blind or have low vision.--DOJ (details)
Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Medicare Fraud Scheme
A California man pleaded guilty today to submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare for prescription drugs that were never dispensed to patients.--DOJ (details)
U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Resolves Investigation Addressing the University of Vermont’s Responses to Allegations of Antisemitic Incidents. (details)
HUD Takes Action to Highlight and Research Land Use and Zoning Reforms
WASHINGTON - Thursday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a new publication that summarizes the effects of restrictive land use policies on housing supply, location and affordability in addition to highlighting reforms that state and local governments can adopt to increase the supply of housing. (details)
3) BUSINESS HEADLINES:
Marketing Firm Owner Charged with Tax Crimes and Bank Fraud
Defendant Allegedly Falsely Claimed Nearly $65M in Tax Refunds, Evaded Taxes on Business Income and Fraudulently Obtained $10M Tax Refund and COVID Program Loan--DOJ (details)
Microsoft to Pay Over $3.3M in Total Combined Civil Penalties to BIS and OFAC to Resolve Alleged and Apparent Violations of U.S. Export Controls and Sanctions--US TREASURY (details)
Welcoming Remarks
Governor Lisa D. Cook
At "Exploring Careers in Economics," a conference sponsored by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C.--THE FED (details)
USDA Awards Innovations in Climate-Smart Agriculture, Soil Health and Nutrient Management. (details)
IRS wraps up 2023 Dirty Dozen list; reminds taxpayers and tax pros to be wary of scams and schemes, even after tax season.
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service wrapped up the annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2023 with a reminder for taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to watch out for these schemes throughout the year, not just during tax season. (details)
4) FOCUS STORY & LOCAL MEETINGS:
No bags in the bin! Plastic bags contaminate recycling system.
LINK SOURCE: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Who-we-are/News/2023/Recycle-Right-No-bags-in-the-bin
OLYMPIA –
Plastic bags are one of the largest sources of contamination in Washington’s residential recycling stream. These bags can clog recycling machinery, contaminate other recyclable materials, and lead to more potentially recyclable material ending up in the landfill.
How big a problem is it? According to a Washington Department of Ecology survey, 20% of residents put their recyclables in plastic bags before placing them in a curbside recycling bin. A new statewide “Recycle Right” initiative led by Ecology aims to provide education on how everyone can pitch in to improve our recycling system.
Plastic bags are not recyclable in Washington’s curbside recycling programs. When people place recyclable items in a bag, it makes them impossible to sort. As a result, all bagged items are pulled from the sorting line and the contents are sent to the landfill because workers at recycling facilities cannot see what is inside. The bags that make it past the workers can get tangled in the sorting equipment – causing stoppages – or become mixed with other materials, reducing their value and recyclability.
“People in Washington value the environment, and they are enthusiastic about recycling – but bagging your recyclables does more harm than good,” said Laura Watson, Ecology’s director. “We know people want to ‘Recycle Right,’ so this new campaign will help them take simple steps to improve the system.”
The Recycle Right campaign is designed to inform people about the challenges caused by bagging recyclables and improve their recycling behaviors.
So, why are people bagging their recyclables in the first place?
Ecology’s survey found that residents bag their recyclables for many reasons. Some are motivated by convenience and the ease of carrying recyclables to the bin, while others are concerned with cleanliness and odor control. Some people believe bagged recyclables are helpful for recycling haulers or that the bags themselves are recyclable.
“It is great that we all do our part to recycle, but it is important that we recycle right so our actions help more than they harm,” said Dan Weston, Ecology’s statewide recycling coordinator. “When you bag your recyclables before tossing them into the curbside bin, not only will your items not get recycled, but it also causes a strain on our facilities and disrupts the recycling process.”
The campaign features online and social media advertising, billboards, radio spots, and public service announcements in English and Spanish. An online toolkit provides information and resources for partners to share through additional channels. Washington residents will see and hear Recycle Right ads throughout April.--DOE
LOCAL MEETINGS.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County work session for 4/10/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04102023-767
Clallam County Commission meeting for 4/11/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04112023-768
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING for 4/11/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04112023-758
Port Angeles City Council and the Clallam County Commissioners Joint Special Meeting Agenda for 4/10/23
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 4/11/23
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04112023-664
City of Sequim Council meeting for 4/10/23
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2797
City of Forks Council meeting for 4/10/23
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Agenda-20230410.pdf
Clallam PUD Meeting for 4/10/23
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4-10-23-WEB-Packet.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 4/10/23
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/5fa88dac-72fe-4da1-8263-42644489f66f
Port of Port Townsend meeting for 4/12/23
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/1-2023-04-12-CommMtg-Agenda1.pdf
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: Romans 5:10 (New King James Version)
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Weekly Bible Study
The Resurrection of Christ and the Inspiration of the Scriptures. by Robert H. Farish
via Gospel Guardian, April 14, 1960
The evidence by which the resurrection of Christ is proved is the testimony of the apostles. This testimony was originally given orally and later put into writing by the apostles.
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
The Chosen: About the life of Christ
https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
THIS WEEK'S VIDEOS
Riley Gaines, a swimmer and outspoken opponent of men in women’s sports, was recently ambushed by pro-trans activists and forced to flee a speech in California. But this, Glenn explains, is just the latest example of a disturbing trend within the transgender community, which he argues is fueled by the media. However, the insanity doesn’t stop there. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby was pressed on the Biden administration’s disastrous actions in the Afghanistan withdrawal, and his defensive statements left Glenn speechless. And Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen appeared to say the quiet part out loud regarding the "Inflation Reduction Act."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VHJ0Cx1Rio
Fruit of the Spirit - Temperance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAX2F0nWjpY
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
