IN FOCUS: Investing in Washington’s people and communities: Inslee budget prioritizes urgent needs in homelessness, fentanyl and behavioral health./Issued 12/13/23
Today, Inslee released his 2024 supplemental budget proposals, which serve as a mid-way update to the state’s two-year 2023–25 budgets. His release precedes the start of the 60-day legislative session on January 8.
Heading into the new year, Washington’s overall economic health remains strong. Pandemic response funding is winding down, but new state revenues have kept pace with higher costs from inflation and entitlement caseload increases.
With modest state revenue gains expected, Inslee released a proposal that continues prioritizing urgent needs such as encampments, fentanyl treatment and behavioral health services.
“We are fortunate in Washington state to have a healthy economy that allows us to invest in our people and communities,” Inslee said. “That’s especially important as we wind down remaining pandemic funding and grapple with the lingering effects of the pandemic. Homelessness, fentanyl and behavioral health are stark examples of places we need to double down to meet the need.”
“This supplemental budget proposal builds on the critical behavioral health investments already begun — workforce development, infrastructure, treatment and recovery supports,” said Rep. Jamila Taylor. “And, these proposals also focus on prevention and early intervention, efforts that are proven to be effective.”
Helping people move out of dangerous encampments
Inslee is proposing $100 million from the capital budget to continue funding for the Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition fund (RCHA). This fund, created in 2021, has allowed state agencies and local partners to quickly open new shelter and housing units and move more than 1,000 people out of encampments along state freeways. The new funding will support more than 1,200 units of housing.
Current funding levels will soon run out, leaving the state with limited options to transition people at remaining encampments. Additional funds will also support the Washington State Department of Transportation’s work to restore and secure sites after people have moved.
Fighting the fentanyl and opioid crisis
The governor’s budget proposes $64 million in new funding for fentanyl and opioid response to augment $200 million already in the current budget. The funding would support a continuum of prevention and treatment strategies. Inslee puts a particular focus on youth education and prevention and help for Tribal communities grappling with fatality rates that are quadruple the state average.
Among other things, Inslee’s budget would fund four new health engagement hubs — all-in-one locations where people struggling with substance abuse can access a range of social and medical services — by 2027, and allow for more treatment of people in jails and correctional facilities.
It also funds naloxone distribution for opioid overdoses to first responders and would stand up 20 “Smart Health Machines” statewide to be stocked with naloxone and other health supplies. The budget designates $2.7 million to multi-jurisdictional task forces that play a key role in addressing drug distribution.
Serving more patients in need of behavioral health care
The state is steadily making progress on opening and staffing new facilities that can treat the growing number patients in need of behavioral health services. More than 120 beds have opened at three state facilities in the past year, with opening of hundreds more beds underway. These facilities and several provisions in Inslee’s supplemental budget support the state’s ongoing efforts to address a lawsuit known as Trueblood.
Inslee’s budget funds 110 new beds at state-run facilities, including the purchase and operation of the newly-opened Olympic Heritage Behavioral Health facility in Tukwila which adds 72 beds for forensic services. The governor’s supplemental budget increases reimbursement rates for certain community-based providers and teams who help patients avoid admission to higher levels of care or transition from a state facility back to a community setting. Inslee also extends a diversion program launched in 2018 that serves people who would otherwise be in jail to await competency services.
Inslee also continues support for Washington’s nation-leading 988 Crisis Lifeline efforts. Efforts are underway to build the infrastructure to eventually allow 988 to dispatch crisis units or directly connect callers to local providers, even helping to schedule appointments. Inslee’s budget provides $21.2 million to support this work.
His total behavioral health package would add $464 million to the current $1 billion in the 2023–25 budget.
Supporting public safety and criminal investigations
The governor’s budget supports Washington State Patrol recruitment efforts by including funding to fill 80 trooper positions and adds a third trooper class to ensure training is available to additional cadets. To support WSP’s criminal investigations, Inslee proposes funding for two new forensic scientists who can process Rapid DNA samples. He also funds the new organized retail theft task force in the Attorney General’s Office.
In support of local law enforcement efforts, Inslee proposes $2.7 million for grants to support the work of multijurisdictional drug task forces that previously received federal Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funding. He also proposes $10 million for grants to local governments in support of local law enforcement recruitment and retention. Inslee’s budget also funds additional Corrections Officers Academy classes in eastern Washington to support recruitment of additional corrections officers in local jails.
Supporting educators and students
Funding for K-12 education in Washington has doubled in the past 10 years and remains the largest share of the state’s budget. Washington teachers are now among the best paid in the nation.
But more work remains to strengthen parts of the education system that are critical to student success. The governor proposes a $3 per hour average wage increase for the state’s 32,000 paraeducators, equal to an approximate 11% wage increase. He increases the special education funding cap up to 17.25%, which will provide an additional $17 million to help school districts serve students with special needs. The governor also includes support for paid teacher residencies to incentivize more teachers to earn their special education endorsement, particularly teachers of color and teachers from low-income communities.
Putting Climate Commitment Act dollars to work
In the 2023 legislative session, legislators approved $2.1 billion of CCA investments in projects and programs that reduce harmful pollution and create clean energy jobs. CCA funding is being put to work in neighborhoods across Washington in the form of electric school buses, hybrid-electric ferries, free transit for youth, public EV chargers, heat pumps for low-income households, and more.
In his 2024 supplemental budget, Inslee detailed his proposal for the additional $900 million in projected CCA revenue for the biennium. This includes a proposal to offset rising oil prices with a $200 utility bill credit for residential electricity customers. About 750,000 low- and moderate-income households — one of every three utility customers — will qualify for the benefit.
Inslee also beefs up investments in heat pump installations for affordable multifamily housing, as well as funding for more EV charging stations along state highways. Forty-one percent of the funds are expected to benefit communities hit hardest by pollution and climate change.
The CCA will help more transit agencies go electric.
Boosting transportation budget investments in culverts and ferries
The most recent transportation package — the Move Ahead Washington package — included about $5.4 billion from the CCA over 16 years.
CCA funding is providing $1 billion for hybrid-electric ferries, safer bike and pedestrian routes, transit, high speed rail and other investments that serve Washington’s growing population with modern, reliable, clean options that don’t rely on ever-sprawling freeways.
Importantly, 14% of Move Ahead Washington went to the Washington Department of Transportation’s fish passage barrier efforts. The previous Connecting Washington package in 2015 only dedicated 2%.
The governor proposes an additional $150 million in the supplemental budget to further support that culvert work, while state leaders determine a long-term solution to a multi-billion dollar funding gap.
The governor is also supporting several efforts to improve Washington State Ferries’ ability to provide reliable, on-time ferry service. He proposes funding to support the hiring of more licensed deck officers. His budget funds 48 additional spots in the AB to Mate program so more ferry workers can fill those spots, and doubles the number of slots available to out-of-state mariners. He also funds additional staffing for each vessel to prevent missed sailings.
And because it will take time to build the five new ferries funded in the current budget, Inslee directs WSDOT to assess options for the state to resume passenger-only service, particularly in the San Juan Islands.
Detailed budget information and highlights are available from the Office of Financial Management.
IN FOCUS: Senate Passes NDAA, Including Murray’s Bill to Help Hanford Workers Suffering from Toxic Beryllium Exposure.
Press release issued 12/13/23
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted for final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (NDAA), which—among many other things—includes Senator Murray’s Beryllium Testing Fairness Act, legislation that will help more Hanford workers and nuclear weapons complex workers across the country access care for diseases caused by toxic beryllium exposure. The NDAA passed the Senate by a vote of 87-13 tonight and the legislation now heads to the House of Representatives.
“Beryllium exposure is a serious health risk for Hanford workers, but not everyone who needs medical benefits to help treat diseases caused by beryllium exposure can get them—and that’s because the law doesn’t match today’s science,” said Senator Murray. “I have always cared deeply about the safety and wellbeing of the workers at Hanford—I believe I have a serious obligation as their voice in the United States Senate to fight for the protections and benefits they deserve. Hanford workers should not have to jump through unnecessary hoops to get the care they need—my bill will update the statute so it’s consistent with today’s science and make sure we don’t lose precious time getting workers the support they need to manage this awful disease.”
“Importantly, this year’s NDAA also includes a pay boost for our military and civilian personnel—the largest pay bump in over two decades—which is long overdue,” Murray continued. “At the end of the day, supporting our men and women in uniform is about a lot more than just investing in weapons or facilities—it’s about ensuring our servicemembers and their families have the support they deserve throughout their lives, and know that their nation has their back.”
Senator Murray introduced the Beryllium Testing Fairness Act last September—after meeting with Hanford workers—to expand access to care for diseases caused by beryllium exposure. Currently, federal law places an outdated overly burdensome proof of illness requirement on nuclear weapons complex workers, preventing many workers from getting the care they need. The Beryllium Testing Fairness Act will update these testing requirements to be consistent with the latest science to ensure that more nuclear complex weapons workers—past and present—dealing with health issues caused by beryllium exposure receive the health care benefits they need and deserve. Senator Murray spoke on the Senate floor about her legislation in July—video is HERE and additional information about the legislation is HERE.
In addition to including the Beryllium Testing Fairness Act, the NDAA bill Senator Murray helped pass would:
Boost pay for military and civilian personnel by 5.2 percent—the largest pay increase in more than 20 years;
Improve care and education services for military families, including by authorizing DOD to provide funding to local education agencies supporting children of servicemembers and extending support for re-licensure of spouses affected by military moves and adding doula certifications to the list of eligible professions;
Require a report on family planning and cryopreservation including the number of servicemembers who leave the service for family planning reasons, whether cryopreservation would lead to greater retention of servicemembers, and methods for DOD to offer cryopreservation to active-duty members;
Require military bases to have a Tribal liaison with an Indian Tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, or Tribal interest in the area surrounding the installation to have a Tribal liaison located at the base.
In addition, the legislation also authorizes:
Over $227 million for improvements at the Lewis-McChord Joint Base;
$65 million for improvements at the Kitsap Naval Base;
Over $11 million for the service facility at the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station;
$3.6 million for the National Guard Reserve at Campy Murray; and
$960K for the Yakima Training Center Battle Course Planning.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 12/19/23
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/13933/12192023-Agenda
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 12/18/23
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/2b663cfb-3c63-423b-a1cd-26364a6caa48
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: Luke 1:46-47, 49 (New International Version)
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
Weekly Bible Lesson: God Has Joined Himself to the Bible
Many people deny the Bible is the Word of God, God’s revelation of Himself to us, but many others have clearly seen the overwhelming evidence. We must respect it, obey it, and see it as the singular standard of authority for our lives. As we apply it to our lives and live it as we should, then we enjoy peace, comfort, and the hope of eternal life.---TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/god-has-joined-himself-to-the-bible
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:
Trump Admin Insider Exposes EVERY LEVEL of the Deep State
Our founding fathers designed this country with checks and balances. They hated tyrannical government so much that they created a system that put each branch directly at odds with each other. They even made the president the weakest head of state. Well, that was so 247 years ago. Today, the United States federal bureaucracy has grown into a monster where the Deep State lives practically unimpeded. It’s where decisions are made to throw Catholics in jail, send the IRS to audit political enemies of Democrats, or use federal agents to raid the private home of former President Trump. Was it part of his punishment for trying to expose a nameless, faceless, sinister level of government? Glenn interviews Kash Patel, author of “Government Gangsters” and one of President Trump’s closest advisers. As principal deputy to the acting director of national intelligence, he oversaw the operations of all 17 intelligence community agencies. He also worked with the National Security Council, the secretary of defense, and the Department of Justice. And he spearheaded the investigation into Russia’s campaign to influence the 2016 election — meaning he knows what was REALLY Russian disinformation and what was the Deep State and the Clinton campaign’s meddling. He saw the Deep State firsthand, fought it, and he’s naming names. And it’s all going up on Glenn’s chalkboard …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTAFmjtll-I
Sunday Worship - 12/10/2023/ Four Lakes C. of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i49nTIa2bCE
Enya - Christmas Secrets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55qtlyxaUW4
NIGHT OWL COMICS PRESENTS: THE ANICENTS
The Ancients
Chapter two: Jupiter's Road to destiny
Time frame: The age of Aquarius
By, Peter Ripley (aka Peter Leo on IMVU.com)
So she went back to Troy and stood before her ex-husband, who when he saw her looking beautiful as ever his heart with in him leaped for joy, hoping she come back to him, however it sank with in him when she asked, “ Oh Jupiter the great, I only came to ask a favor from you.” Jupiter answering her, “ Ask what you wish for my lady, you know I can't refuse you.”
She gave him a smirk and said, there's a potter in a near by village who want's to pay you homage, by building you a mighty statue, so all the generations after you will remember your heroics oh king.”
Jupiter cleared his throat and answered, “ I have no need of a stone statue, the one thing I desire is here already, my wife.”
Minerva answered in a angry voice, “ You lost your wife when you sought the arms of another woman! I don't care about the circumstances, it's the very idea you were looking for greener pastures, then being with me!”
She went on to say, “ Now, are you going to give me the sacks of gold, and silver coin or not!?”
Jupiter Answered her saying, “ Does it strike you as ironic my dear you are doing the very same thing with this artist that I done, and he sends you to fetch money for him? The medusa used me to get what she wanted from me, now your lover is using you in a similar fashion?” Then he ordered the treasury to give her the money, when she got it, she walked away in a huff stomping her feet as she went.
Then Jupiter ordered two of his guards to follow her and saw that she got back safely to the village which was just five miles away, she got in her cart she drove on, seeing the two guards following her, she said in a snippy tone of voice, “ So he sent you to be my armed escort? Well there's no need, I came here by myself, I can drive this cart back alright without his muscle men.” They responded, “ But Mistress, you have thousands of gold and silver on you, the king wants to make sure you, and the money arrive to your destination safely.”
She gave them attitude, saying, “ Oh, now he cares for me since I'm packing silver and gold coin, how nice, come along if you must, but at the moment we arrive there, I want you gone, understood?” “ Yes, mistress understood.” was the response the two guards riding along on horses.
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| Jupiter orders a armed escort for Minerva's trip back to Vulcan's home. |
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
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