November 15, 2023
Gov. Jay Inslee signed an executive order Wednesday that requires state agencies to create and adopt a plain language policy. Plain language writing and design ensures information is concise, inclusive and easy to understand.
Executive Order 23-02 directs agencies to prioritize their most-viewed, public-facing materials. Then, agencies will simplify and review the content on a regular basis to ensure these documents follow plain language writing and design principles. Agencies will also assign certain employees to take plain language training, and the Department of Enterprise Services will update its plain language curriculum.
Using plain language minimizes confusion and errors. It also supports efforts to make information available in multiple languages and improves accessibility for people who use screen readers or other accessibility tools.
Inslee has connected the state’s equity efforts to how important it is for the public to access easy-to-understand information.
“Any complexity adds to inequity,” Inslee remarked at a July 2021 meeting about digital equity. “The more complex [something is], the more challenging because of language or disability to navigate [a system], you’re just putting up more U-turns and dead ends.”
Inslee has championed a statewide Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) approach to serve Washingtonians, and accessible communication is part of PEAR efforts. The updated order also supports a multilingual environment where more than 230 languages are spoken in the state.
The order replaces a 2005 executive order signed by then-Gov. Christine Gregoire that was limited to fewer agencies. In 2010, President Barack Obama signed a federal measure, the Plain Language Act of 2010. Much of Washington state government continues to be one of the nationally known adopters of plain language principles over time. Inslee’s new order builds on these policies and installs leadership within each agency to improve public-facing communication.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS:
SEATTLE — Today Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the first criminal prosecution by his new Organized Retail Crime Unit, and the first leader for the Unit.
The Attorney General’s Office charged Shawn Nanez, a 33-year-old from Bremerton, in King County Superior Court with felony first-degree organized retail theft. The criminal charges stem from 11 thefts totaling more than $50,000 in merchandise from Target stores in King and Kitsap counties. The 11 thefts occurred in a two-month period between April and May 2022. Video footage showed Nanez using a tool to break into security cases that contained electronic items like speakers and headphones. He then took the items out and loaded them into a shopping cart. He walked out of the stores without paying for any of the items. After his arrest on June 3, 2022, Nanez told investigators he sold the merchandise to a third party for cash./WAAG
Children Finding Family: Public Welcome as Courts Complete Adoptions and Celebrate National Adoption Day Nov. 16-17
November 13, 2023
Several dozen children in Washington foster care will be adopted into new families this week as courts and child welfare offices across the state celebrate National Adoption Day by welcoming families and the public into courthouses, and many by completing adoptions during the celebrations./WA COURTS
Commerce awards nearly $3 million to help cities plan for increasing middle housing options.
Grants will support adoption of local actions that aim to accommodate projected housing needs at all income levels through different types of units, providing more affordable housing options
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Department of Commerce today announced nearly $3 million for 54 cities across 16 Washington counties to support the adoption of local comprehensive plan policies and zoning codes to allow more middle housing in residential neighborhoods. Increasing the availability and variety of different housing types is essential to address the shortage that continues to drive up home prices and rents, threatening the potential for homeownership and financial security of many Washington residents in communities throughout the state, not just urban centers./ WA COMMERCE DEPT.
State and EPA ready grants to restore salmon habitat, improve water quality near Puget Sound.
OLYMPIA –
In areas where native trees and vegetation are allowed to thrive along a riverbank, streams typically have better water quality, provide more suitable habitat for salmon and are more resilient to climate change./DOE
WA DFI Issues Action Against GSPartners, Citing Certificate Sales and Multi-Level Marketing Program Violate State Securities Law/DFI
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
Cantwell, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Tribal Access to Economic Development Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen tribal economic development programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Rural Economic-Development Assistance and Consultation to Help (REACH) Our Tribes Act would improve USDA’s tribal consultation, data reporting, and interagency collaboration for economic development./PRESS RELEASE
In Two Years of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, WA Has Received $5.3 Billion for Nearly 1,200 Transportation Projects
Ports, railroads, airports, & highways will operate more safely & efficiently thanks to once-in-a-generation investment in American infrastructure; Entities across WA - from Spokane Itnl Airport to Washougal’s rail underpass to the Port of Tacoma’s Husky Terminal - are making multimillion dollar upgrades this year with new infrastructure funds/PRESS RELEASE
Senator Murray Announces Over $8.7 Million for Five Projects Across WA to Restore Fish Habitats and Boost Ecosystem Health/PRESS RELEASE
Senator Murray Celebrates Second Anniversary of Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law That Has Sent Nearly $8 Billion to Washington State So Far
Nearly $8 billion in funding for WA has been announced so far from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, more than 465 projects in WA identified for funding/PRESS RELEASE
3) WORLD< NATIONAL< BUSINESS
WORLD:
Concluding Its Session, Third Committee Approves 11 Draft Resolutions, Including Texts on Youth, Girl Child, Racism, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) concluded its work today, approving 11 draft resolutions on issues ranging from the rights of the child and protection of migrants to the elimination of racism and programmes involving youth./UN PRESS RELEASE
Bureau of General Assembly Palestinian Rights Committee Welcomes Security Council Resolution 2712 (2023) Demanding Compliance with International Law in Gaza/ UN PRESS RELEASE
With Violent Conflicts Increasing, Speakers Say Security Council Reforms Crucial to Ensure International Peace, Stability, as General Assembly Begins Debate
Appointments Made to Committees on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, Contributions, Investments, Independent Audit Advisory Committee, Auditors Board/ UN PRESS RELEASE
Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at a UN Security Council Briefing on Sudan/USUN
Secretary Antony J. Blinken At the Philippines 123 Agreement Signing Ceremony/US STATE DEPT.
NATION:
With Continuing Resolution, Service Members to Get Paid Through Holidays/DOD
Justice Department's Procurement Collusion Strike Force Holds Its First Summit to Discuss Strategies to Combat Emerging Threats/DOJ
CDC and FDA Expedite the Availability of Additional Doses of New RSV Immunization for Infants/CDC
Global measles threat continues to grow as another year passes with millions of children unvaccinated/CDC
Federal Judge Enters Consent Decrees Against Utah-Based Dietary Supplement Distributor and Manufacturer of Balance of Nature Products/FDA
BUSINESS
USDA Announces Planned Trade Missions for 2024, Shares Next Steps for Regional Agricultural Promotion Program
Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and trade missions will help to build on two record years for U.S. agricultural exports/USDA
U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Propose New Rules to Drive Clean Energy Investments/US TREASURY
Pharmacy Owners and Doctor Convicted for $145M Health Care Fraud, Money Laundering, and Tax Evasion Scheme/DOJ
Global Linkages: Supply, Spillovers, and Common Challenges
Governor Lisa D. Cook
At “Global Linkages in a Post-Pandemic World” 2023 Asia Economic Policy Conference, sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Center for Pacific Basin Studies, San Francisco, California/THE FED
Government Shutdown: State-by-State Impact
If the federal government shuts down, small businesses, members of the military, and residents, workers and tourists in every state would be affected./US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS FOR 11/18/23
https://pr2345.blogspot.com/p/in-focus-local-meetings-for-111823.html
