OLYMPIA — Today, the Legislature adopted legislation sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, creating a statewide hate crimes hotline in the Attorney General’s Office.
The bill, Senate Bill 5427, passed the House in a 56-39 vote. The Senate passed the bill in early February with a bipartisan 30-18 vote. It will now head to Gov. Inslee for his signature.
The legislation creates a hotline Washingtonians can contact to provide information and referrals to Washingtonians targeted by hate crimes.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson offered the following statement:
“We must stand up to the hate crimes targeting Washington communities,” said Ferguson. “Creating this hotline will provide a centralized location for Washingtonians to report hate crimes and bias incidents. This will improve our state’s response to these incidents and increase public safety. I thank Sen. Valdez for his leadership on the hate crimes task force and for bringing forth this legislation, and for the many advocates who joined my office in supporting this policy.”
Under the legislation, the Attorney General's Office will develop and test a pilot hotline to assist Washingtonians in at least three counties by July 1, 2025. By Jan. 1, 2027, the hotline must be active statewide. Once operational statewide, the Attorney General's Office will publish an annual report regarding hate crimes and all bias incidents reported to it.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Commerce invests $8.1 million to expand renewable energy use, strengthen Washington’s electric grid.
Funded projects include battery storage systems, microgrids for more resilient clean energy
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced 14 grants awarded through the Clean Energy Fund (CEF) that will expand the use of renewable energy in the state’s electrical grid. These projects are for numerous innovative clean energy technologies, including battery energy storage systems and microgrids./WA COMMERCE DEPT.
Let’s Talk About the National Park Service’s job at Hanford.
Join us for the live discussion, via Zoom or Facebook Live, 6 p.m. March 27, 2024.
This event will stream on both platforms, and a recording will be available on YouTube afterward. Those in attendance on the Zoom stream will have the opportunity to either type their questions into the chat or to unmute, turn on their cameras, and ask their questions directly./DOE
Summer jobs now open for central Washington teens.
Teens 14-17 can apply to Ecology Youth Corps by April 1 to pick up litter and keep our state clean/DOE
Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin dba South Branch Lending - Not Licensed in Washington State.
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has received a complaint from a Washington consumer against South Branch Lending. The consumer reported that South Branch Lending provided a loan and charged excessive fees and/or interest well over the principal loan amount./DFI
More than two dozen lakes across Eastern Washington open March 1 for trout fishing.
OLYMPIA – More than two dozen Eastern Washington lakes open March 1 for trout fishing, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers announced today./WDFW
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
KILMER ANNOUNCES MARITIME CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN PIERCE, CLALLAM, AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES
TACOMA, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has designated three maritime organizations in Washington’s Sixth Congressional District as Centers of Excellence (CoE) for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education/from a press release issued 2/27/24
KILMER INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL LEGISLATION TO FIX AMERICA’S ELECTION WATCHDOG
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) introduced the bipartisan Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act to reform the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) and enable it to more effectively carry out its mission to oversee and enforce campaign finance laws./ press release issued 2/29/24
In Senate Floor Speech, Murray Calls for Israel to Change Course in Gaza and End Collective Punishment of Civilians; Reiterates Support for Mutually Negotiated Ceasefire and Condemns Far-Right Netanyahu Administration/ press release issued 2/29/24
Sens. Murray, Schmitt, Reps. Sewell, Moylan Introduce New Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Improve Financial Literacy Training for Servicemembers
Over 80 percent of military families said their finances were a source of stress, and more than half of military and veteran families reported experiencing barriers to saving over the past two years, according to recent survey data./press release issued 3/1/24
WA Pot Shops Could Finally Get Bank Accounts Under Bill Cosponsored by Cantwell
SAFER Banking Act would provide licensed cannabis businesses access to same financial services as any other business Cantwell: Bill will “take the target off the back of our state’s dispensaries” imposed by cash-only operations./ press release issued 2/27/24
Senate Republicans Block Cantwell-Sponsored Bill to Secure Access to IVF Nationwide
Cantwell: Recent Alabama IVF ruling is “next front of the anti-choice crusade”; Cantwell previously released a snapshot revealing impacts of the Dobbs decision on PNW’s abortion providers./ from a press release issued 2/28/24
3) WORLD< NATION< BUSINESS
WORLD:
Special Committee on Charter Concludes Session without Consensus on Annual Report
The Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on Strengthening the Role of the Organization concluded its annual session today without the adoption of a full draft report due to disagreements on language concerning the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The Committee approved Chapter I of the report (document A/AC.182/2024/L.1) and forwarded it to the General Assembly./ UN PRESS RELEASE
West, Central African Countries Gather to Set Priorities for Tackling Illicit Small Arms in Preparation for Global Meeting
LOMÉ, 29 February (Office for Disarmament Affairs) — Lomé is set to host a pivotal gathering of West and Central African countries to review progress made and to set priorities for tackling illicit small arms and light weapons. /UN PRESS RELEASE
As Syria’s Humanitarian Crisis Worsens, Delegates in Security Council Stress Need for Damascus to Re-engage with Constitutional Committee
The Syrian humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with mounting violence and the threat of regional spillover afflicting a desperately vulnerable population, briefers warned the Security Council today, as members stressed the need for Damascus to re-engage with the Constitutional Committee towards a resolution./UN PRESS RELEASE
Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on the UN Sudan Panel of Experts Report/ USUN
U.S. Department of State Concludes $51 Million Settlement Resolving Export Violations by The Boeing Company.
The U.S. Department of State has concluded an administrative settlement with The Boeing Company (Boeing) to resolve 199 violations of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), 22 U.S.C. § 2751 et seq., and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR parts 120-130. The Department of State and Boeing reached this settlement following an extensive compliance review by the Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance in the Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs./US STATE DEPT.
NATION:
Austin Tells Congress There Was No Lapse in Authority, Command, Control During Hospital Stay.
When the secretary of defense was admitted last month to the hospital for complications related to surgery in December, his authorities and responsibilities were temporarily transferred to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks. /DOD
Iranian National Charged for Multi-Year Hacking Campaign Targeting U.S. Defense Contractors and Private Sector Companies/DOJ
U.S. Department of Education Announces Updates and Additional Preparation Support for 2024–25 FAFSA Implementation/DEPT. OF EDUCATION
Older Adults Now Able to Receive Additional Dose of Updated COVID-19 Vaccine.
CDC Director Mandy Cohen endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for adults ages 65 years and older to receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose. The recommendation acknowledges the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults, along with the currently available data on vaccine effectiveness./CDC
HUD and VA Award $14 Million to Help Homeless Veterans Find Permanent Housing
WASHINGTON - In an effort to help homeless veterans and their families find permanent housing, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded $14 million in HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers to 66 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) across the country for over 1,400 vouchers./HUD
BUSINESS:
Russian International Money Launderer Pleads Guilty to Illicitly Procuring Large Quantities of U.S.-Manufactured Dual-Use, Military Grade Microelectronics for Russian Entities./DOJ
Main Street Business United Against Burdensome Bank Rules
To protect hometown businesses, more than 100 local chambers of commerce across America urge Biden Administration to scrap the “Basel III Endgame” banking rules./ US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Thoughts on Quantitative Tightening, Including Remarks on the Paper "Quantitative Tightening around the Globe: What Have We Learned?"
Governor Christopher J. Waller
At the 2024 U.S. Monetary Policy Forum, New York, New York./THE FED
Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy Launch Initiative to Help Farmers Reduce Costs with Underutilized Renewable Technologies as part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda/USDA
IRS: Spokane area taxpayers impacted by wildfires qualify for tax relief; various deadlines postponed to June 17/IRS
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS
IN FOCUS: Commissioner Franz Labor Protections Working for Washington’s Lands and Workers.
Project Labor Agreements protect union workers on large projects, while apprenticeship paying dividends for growing workforce
Workers on projects funded by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are gaining experience and working under increased protections thanks to an order issued by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz.
Commissioner Franz last year issued an official order protecting workers that required large projects on state lands have in place project labor agreements and apprenticeship programs.
“By ensuring labor peace, we are ensuring the workers who are building a more sustainable economy share in those gains and have the chance to advance in their careers. At the same time, it protects the state’s investments in these projects by eliminating delays from labor conflict or shortage,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “As the daughter of a proud union father, I know first hand how important worker protections are for building healthy families.”
Commissioner Franz’s Order on Project Labor Agreements and Apprenticeship Program requires project labor agreements for clean energy projects and public works contracts awarded by DNR that are estimated to cost $1 million or more. The order also requires contractors use apprenticeships for no less than 15 percent of a project’s total labor hours.
A project labor agreement (PLA) is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project. These agreements ensure labor peace, making them an effective tool for ensuring projects are completed on time and on budget, providing a reliable sources of skilled workers, increasing diversity and equitable workforce development, and improving the health and safety of workers.
“We believe that PLA’s offer a pathway to the middle class. Commissioner Franz’s directive offers more working Washingtonians a pathway to good paying jobs, healthcare and the ability to retire with dignity,“ said Billy Wallace, Political and Legislative Director for the Washington & Northern Idaho District Council of Laborers. “Apprenticeships are a key component to building our next generation of workers and this directive will engage a new generation of workers who are invested in their careers and taking care of Washington’s lands. We commend her leadership in developing and protecting our workforce.”
The integration of social equity in labor programs and projects instituted by Washington's localities and jurisdictions has proven successful in fostering family-wage careers for workers-in-training, residents of economically disadvantaged communities, and those underrepresented in particular industry sectors in Washington-aligning with the Department's goals regarding equity and social justice, and in growing the skilled workforce necessary for our state's continued prosperity.
DNR lessees have successfully utilized project labor agreements in past clean energy projects and commercial leases including the Lund Hill Solar project.
The agency has also begun employing apprenticeship programs at its Webster Seed Nursery outside Olympia.
IN FOCUS: Commissioner Franz Announces $8 Million in Urban Forestry Grants.
More than 40 communities from Seattle to Spokane slated to get funding for urban trees
More than $8 million will be used to plant trees in communities across Washington as the Washington State Department of Natural Resources announced the 45 recipients of the agency’s largest Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program ever.
The record-shattering dollar amount is 14 times bigger than the previous single-year record of $550,000 and is nearly three times the total grants awarded by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for urban and community forestry projects since 2008.
“Access to clean air, shade, and green spaces should be a basic human right, but the fact is that throughout our state, lower-income communities and communities of color more often live in neighborhoods with more concrete and asphalt, and too few trees,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “We need to bring the same urgency we brought to our wildfire crisis to our efforts to ensure everyone lives in neighborhoods with adequate tree canopy. Trees and tree equity are essential for our quality of life. As temperatures rise and economic disparities widen, trees are no longer a nice-to-have, they are a must-have.”
Neighborhoods with adequate tree canopy cover can be as much as 14 degrees cooler during our worst heat waves. Where there is heat, there is death, such as when more than 100 people lost their lives to the 2021 heat dome.
DNR received 122 applications requesting more than $23.5 million. Due to the overwhelming number of applications, more than half of which came from areas of poor environmental health and low tree equity, DNR chose to allocate an additional $1 million of Climate Commitment funding into the grant program, increasing its share to $3 million. The remaining $5 million is Inflation Reduction Act money awarded to DNR by the USDA Forest Service in 2023.
The number of grant applications that focused on equity and environmental justice mark a paradigm shift in how Washington approaches urban and community forestry. DNR only received one equity-focused UCF grant application in 2019; staff reviewed more than 65 applications with an emphasis on equity and environmental justice for this offering.
All 122 applicants will be invited to join the Washington Tree Equity Collaborative – the first statewide tree equity initiative in the country. Created in partnership with American Forests, the collaborative counts the city of Seattle as a founding member and aims to achieve true tree equity in every neighborhood across Washington.
“We are grateful to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for providing funding to identify opportunities to increase our tree canopy in historically underserved neighborhoods like Roxbury, South Park, SoDo, and west Capitol Hill where foliage and shade are most needed," said Seattle Department of Transportation Deputy Director Rodney Maxie. "Trees improve our health and environment and make our neighborhoods more pleasant places to live so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of our urban forest and green spaces."
Though the grant funds will go to benefit projects in every region of the state, five projects located in Tacoma and are slated to receive more than $1.3 million to improve tree equity and enhance urban tree canopy in the largest city in Pierce County.
“We are honored to be working with DNR, the City of Tacoma, and many other partners to empower community members to plant and care for trees,” said Lowell Wyse, executive director of the Tacoma Tree Foundation. “We applaud our state, federal, and local governments for recognizing urban forestry as an urgent environmental justice issue and delivering resources directly to communities that need trees the most. Public-private partnerships like this are essential for getting more folks involved in the transformative work of urban and community forestry.”
Tacoma neighborhoods average tree canopy coverage of about 20 percent, well short of the goal of 30 percent set in the city’s comprehensive plan. Local projects set for grant funding include a collaborative effort to plant street trees along walking routes near schools and drafting of an urban forest management plan by Metro Parks Tacoma.
“As we plant more trees and preserve those that we have, we recognize that partnerships have always – and will continue to be – vitally important,” said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards. “Commissioner Franz and the Department of Natural Resources are leaders in this important work, with the establishment of Washington state’s first Tree Equity Collaborative. Tacoma has been a participant in the Tree Equity Collaborative since its inception. We remain committed to advancing our shared goals around improving tree coverage in our urban environments.”
This grant cycle also marks the largest investment DNR has made in urban and community forestry projects led by Tribal partners.
The Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation is slated to receive more than $165,000 for tree plantings in Airway Heights and Cusick. The Spokane Tribal Network was selected to receive $166,000 to create a community forest that demonstrates Tribal food sovereignty.
“Connecting our people with our plant foods and medicines is our passion,” said Spokane Tribal Network Director Penny Spencer. “Now, we are making the moves to meet the community in the places of greatest alignment with their values and ideals, as well as ours. This is great.
ref. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/news/commissioner-franz-announces-8-million-urban-forestry-grants
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Work session for 3/4/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03042024-1082
Clallam County Commission meeting for 3/5/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03052024-1083
Homeless Taskforce Committee meeting for 3/5/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03052024-1081
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 3/5/24
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/14354/03052024-CC-Packet
OMC BOARD MEETING 3/6/24
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS
Jefferson County Commission Meeting for 3/4/24
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/d49e88f4-320b-44e7-b910-33c19862f171
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA FOR 3/4/24
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=3553
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: Job 23:10-11 (New International Version)
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
Weekly Bible Lesson:
How Is the Church on Earth Organized?
The Bible teaches the whole church has no permanent earthly organization. Only the local congregation has officers and organization today.--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/how-is-the-church-on-earth-organized
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:
Why Biden's Regime Wants to Brand YOU a 'Christian Nationalist'
Blaze Media journalist Steve Baker has been arrested by the FBI. His “crime”? Reporting from the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and exposing the Biden regime’s corrupt campaign to brand political dissenters as “insurrectionists” and “extremists.” But there’s a new “threat” that the regime is targeting. It has partnered with the media, Big Tech, and private corporations to create the narrative that Christian conservatives are just a step away from domestic terrorists. And it all begins with their newest label: “Christian nationalist.” Politico has already deployed it to falsely claim that former Trump official Russ Vought and the Heritage Foundation are trying to usher in a theocracy with “Project 2025.”
But what does “Christian nationalism” really mean? Should Christians embrace the term, or is this all a trap? Glenn breaks it all down, including why he believes this is an attempt to crack down on your God-given rights. Glenn also speaks with FBI whistleblower Steve Friend, who has some strong words for the FBI agents in charge of Steve Baker’s arrest and a warning about how weaponized the agency has already become against Christians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qk7oWcdRcE
Sunday Worship - 2/25/2024-Four Lakes C.of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isf1uQw_6Fg
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
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