Senator Murray: Tacking Bipartisan Murray-Alexander Health Bill to Partisan Republican Tax Reform “Like Trying to Put A Fire Out With Penicillin”
Press release issued 11/ 15/ 17
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=41D56DEB-C7E8-404A-82C7-924A4FF3CC75
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate health committee, gave remarks on Senate Republican efforts to paper over devastating health changes added to the partisan tax reform bill by including the bipartisan Alexander-Murray stabilization legislation:
“Before we begin today’s conversation I want to comment on the decision by Senate Republicans to once again attempt to raise families’ costs and take away their health care—this time to fund tax cuts for massive corporations and the rich—while using the bipartisan agreement Chairman Alexander and I, and members of this committee, reached as nothing more than political cover.
“First—let’s be clear about the policy: tacking Alexander-Murray onto the partisan Republican tax reform effort is like trying to put out a fire with penicillin. It will not do anything to help.
“The Alexander-Murray bill was intended to lower costs and stabilize the market—but millions of people will still be left paying more and losing coverage if Senate Republicans sabotage families’ health care to help millionaires and billionaires get more tax breaks they probably don’t need.
“Second—the way that this was done, by sneaking devastating health care changes into a partisan bill at the last minute, is completely counter to the bipartisan spirit in which we worked on our stabilization bill.
“Many of us agreed in the wake of partisan repeal efforts earlier this year that jamming partisan policy through before anyone has a chance to see it is absolutely not the right way to get things done, and it’s especially disappointing to see this happen because in working on our bill and reaching agreement, we proved we can work under regular order and find common ground.
“And finally, Chairman Alexander, I’ve said many times before how much I appreciated your willingness to work across the aisle after Trumpcare failed in July—to try to get a result that actually helps families rather than burdening them with higher costs and causing millions to lose coverage.
“I think the work we and this committee are able to do together when we focus on what’s best for patients and families is exactly what people want to see happening in Congress.
“What Senate Republicans are proposing now is the exact opposite and the wrong direction for families’ health and financial security.
“It would be deeply disappointing for people who are looking to Congress for leadership—not partisanship—if this latest partisan Republican effort undermined both the policy and the spirit of the agreement we were able to reach.”
Senator Murray on Reported Republican Plans to Use Bipartisan Stabilization Bill As Political Cover to Fast-Track Devastating Tax Cuts for Wealthy
Press release issued 11/ 14/ 17
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=9A653BED-2671-4780-BE74-66FCAB1DF25B
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate health committee, issued the following statement on reports that Senate Republicans have opted to raise families’ premiums and take coverage away from 13 million people as part of their rushed, partisan effort to give millionaires and billionaires a tax cut.
“This is the exact opposite of where we should be going. Patients and families have made it absolutely clear that they have no interest in Republican efforts to raise their health care costs and take their coverage away, and that they want Democrats and Republicans to work together to reduce premiums and push back against President Trump’s health care sabotage.
“Republicans should listen and back away from their plan to pay for tax cuts for the rich by spiking families’ premiums, cutting millions of people off of coverage, and injecting even more uncertainty into peoples’ health care.
“Instead, they should put our bipartisan health care bill on the floor as quickly as possible, without any attempts to sabotage it or use it as political cover to jam legislation through that would be devastating for patients and families. It would make absolutely no sense to stabilize health care with one hand while devastating it with the other.”
(page 2)
Led by Cantwell & Udall, Senators Call for Impartial Investigation into Potential Quid Pro Quo between Chairman Ajit Pai, Trump Administration, and Sinclair Broadcasting
Press release issued 11/ 15/ 17
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/led-by-cantwell-and-udall-senators-call-for-impartial-investigation-into-potential-quid-pro-quo-between-chairman-ajit-pai-trump-administration-and-sinclair-broadcasting
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tom Udall (D-NM), and 13 of their Senate colleagues are requesting the inspector general of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) open an investigation into the objectivity and impartiality of the FCC’s review of the proposed merger of Sinclair Broadcasting and Tribune Media.
“We have strong concerns that the FCC’s ongoing review of the proposed merger of Sinclair Broadcasting and Tribune Media may be tainted by a series of actions and events that raise questions about the independence and impartiality of the FCC,” wrote the senators to FCC Inspector General David Hunt.
In addition to Sens. Cantwell and Udall, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Al Franken (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) also signed the letter.
In their letter to the inspector general, the senators point out 16 actions and events that suggest a disturbing pattern of a three way quid pro quo involving Sinclair, the Trump Administration, and Chairman Ajit Pai. Many of the actions taken by Chairman Pai have overturned decades-long, settled legal precedent. ( For more see link source)
Cantwell Addresses Inadequate Response To Humanitarian Crisis In Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
Press release issued 11/ 14/ 17
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-addresses-inadequate-response-to-humanitarian-crisis-in-puerto-rico-us-virgin-islands_
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) in a hearing, called for greater federal government participation in recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
During the hearing, Senator Cantwell said, “It has been 69 days since Irma struck, and 56 days since Maria struck, and both the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico continue to operate in emergency mode. They are struggling with even the most basic needs: providing drinking water, turning on the lights, and delivering adequate healthcare. This is unacceptable.”
“The United States is a strong nation and needs to take care of its citizens. Approximately 3.4 million United States citizens in Puerto Rico and over 100,000 United States citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands face challenges as we speak,” said Senator Cantwell. “The federal government needs to do more, and it needs to plan in advance.”
On October 24, 2017, Senator Cantwell called for, “The Government Accountability Office to investigate the circumstances surrounding the multi-million dollar contract awarded to Whitefish Energy—a brand new company with two employees." On October 29, 2017, Senator Cantwell supported the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's (PREPA) intent to cancel its $300 million contract with Whitefish Energy.( for more see link source)
Cantwell, Colleagues Call for Inspector General Investigation of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross
Press release issued 11/ 14/ 17
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-colleagues-call-for-inspector-general-investigation-of-commerce-secretary-wilbur-ross
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and five of her Senate colleagues are calling on the Inspector General (IG) of the Commerce Department, Peggy Gustafson, to open an independent inquiry into Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’ compliance with ethics requirements. Today’s letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
The Senators’ letter details several areas of concern, including:
Ascertaining the true value of Secretary Ross’ personal wealth;
Whether Secretary Ross has complied with the divestment requirements in his ethics agreement;
Whether Secretary Ross has complied with the recusal requirements in his ethics agreement and the adequacy of that agreement; and
Whether senior department officials have been allowed to serve despite conflicts of interest.
As part of his confirmation process, Ross committed to an ethics agreement that required he divest significant assets and recuse himself from actions that would affect the assets he was permitted to retain. After missing several deadlines to provide proof that he has sold problematic assets, it remains unclear whether Ross has actually complied with the divestment requirements outlined in his original ethics agreement. Ross also appears to be actively participating in policymaking that could have a direct and predictable effect on the financial interests of the assets he has retained, which would violate that agreement’s recusal terms.
Following additional reporting that raises serious questions about Ross’ true net worth and the structure of his finances, it is also unclear whether or not the original ethics agreement is truly sufficient to prevent conflicts of interest. This reporting also raises concerns about high-ranking Department of Commerce officials including Secretary Ross’ chief of staff, Wendy Teramoto, who appears to have served on the board of a shipping company at the same time she oversaw trade deals that may have impacted that company’s finances.
Cantwell: “Republican Tax Plan Would be Paid for on the Backs of Middle Class Families”
Press release issued 11/ 13/ 17
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-republican-tax-plan-would-be-paid-for-on-the-backs-of-middle-class-families
Opening Remarks before the Senate Finance Committee Markup on Republican Tax Bill
November 13, 2017
Senator Cantwell: Mr. Chairman, I’ll try to do my best but this is pretty important legislation. First I want to say I don’t agree with many of the president’s economic strategies. I don’t believe in his notion of fear and isolationism. I don’t believe in his notion of discussing things that are going to start trade wars. I don’t believe in his lack of support for a functioning Export-Import Bank that will help US manufacturers build products and seek homes and find their acceptance in international markets. I don’t support his notion that the FERC ought to mandate that consumers in Ohio or Pennsylvania or Kentucky pay higher electricity rates by forcing them to adhere to purchasing coal because he wants to bring coal back. And I don’t support his notions of cutting innovation and R&D in various sectors of our economy. I sure don’t think you have to apply this sort of FERC logic on coal to oil and say that the only way that Amazon or Microsoft can get a tax break is if we destroy the great wilderness of the Arctic Wildlife Refuge.
So no I too had high hopes for what would be a discussion about our corporate tax rate, having many companies in my state that have to compete on an international basis. I hoped that we were going to have that discussion and when my colleagues on the other side of the aisle said it needed to be deficit-neutral, I listened. I thought ‘okay, this is interesting.’ When they said we are going to close corporate loopholes to pay for a corporate rate reduction, I listened and I thought ‘well, maybe this is where we’re going to go. We’re going to sit down in a collaborative fashion and work together.’ And Mr. Chairman, you and I do have a good working relationship, but the notion that the president had a meeting of the Finance members to come down the White House and I wasn’t invited because I represent a state that he didn’t win is a ridiculous idea.
So, the notion that where we are today and my main objection, is that instead of doing those things that we talked about on the corporate tax rate, looking at some of these things like carried interest or in-kind exchanges or the fact that golf courses get tax breaks. Instead, a big chunk of this bill is being paid for on the backs of middle class families by taking away their deductions. Their local sales tax deduction from a state like mine that doesn’t have an income tax, from their property taxes not being able to be deducted, or the mortgage deduction and I know there’s differences between the House and the Senate bill. But this isn’t simplification of our tax code, it’s simply raising taxes on middle class families in my state. And it’s raising taxes on millions of Americans across the United States to give a break to the corporations. So it’s a very different structure than we talked about.
Now, most are objecting – because Mr. Chairman you and I have worked very hard – trying to make more affordable housing. But by getting rid of these deductions on property taxes on home mortgage, the notion that you’re getting rid of private activity bonds in the House legislation and that you’re making changes to the Low Income Tax Credit in this Senate bill is just making housing more expensive at a time when we have a record number of Americans who are in unaffordable housing situations.
So I look at our challenges and I know that you or some of our colleagues talked about the credit that small business are getting. It’s so complex. It’s so challenging. I don’t know what small businesses are going to benefit from this. So Mr. Chairman I hope that we can slow down. The reason I mentioned the housing, and I will wrap up, is that housing used to be 15% of GDP. In the few hearings that we did have on this, now it’s only 12% of GDP. This bill, I know you think this notion of returning investment overseas, not a bad idea, something we could talk about. But we’re just returning it and it’s just going to the dividend pool. There’s nothing in there that says it should go to infrastructure investment. There’s nothing in there that says it should go to roads or housing or even job training. And I guarantee you: it’s not worth giving a tax break to corporations if you can’t find a qualified workforce or they have to live an hour and a half away because housing is so expensive. So Mr. Chairman, thank you for the additional minute. I think five is a very good target. And I appreciate, I hope we’ll slow down. I hope we’ll have the courage to work together in a regular order process.
(page 3)
NEWS FROM OLYMPIA
WASH. COMMERCE DEPT: Washington state delegation exhibits at MEDICA in Dusseldorf, Germany this weekOLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce kicked off several days of business-to-business meetings and marketing activities today to showcase the state’s life sciences industry at MEDICA, the world’s largest trade show for the medical technology sector.
Germany is Europe’s largest medical device market and the world’s third largest medical market, with an annual market size of €30 billion. Thirty percent of Germany’s medical device imports come from U.S. companies. Leading European countries importing Washington medical devices include Germany, the U.K., Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and Italy, with over half a billion dollars’ worth of medical products exported from Washington State to Europe in 2016. Europe’s medical market provides excellent opportunities for companies to expand sales overseas.
http://www.commerce.wa.gov/news-releases/washington-state-delegation-exhibits-at-medica-in-dusseldorf-germany-this-week/
Washington Supreme Court Issues Order on McCleary Education Case
November 15, 2017
Olympia, WA – The Washington Supreme Court today issued an order in the case of McCleary, et al. v. State of Washington ruling that the State is not on track to meet the September 1, 2018 deadline to fully implement its program of basic education.
The court’s ruling retains jurisdiction of the landmark education case, continues daily sanctions and orders a report by the State by April 9, 2018 on its progress toward full compliance during the next legislative session.
Signed by all nine justices of the Court, the order acknowledges that “the State has made significant progress in fully funding the program of basic education” but notes that the funding system adopted, “delays by over a year implementation of a constitutionally compliant salary model, a critical part of meaningful reform.”
The order summarizes the nearly six years of history in the case, along with analysis of several areas of reform that have satisfied the Court’s mandate, including: K-3 class size reductions; all-day kindergarten; transportation; materials and supplies; and categorical programs such as highly capable students and special education.
However, the order notes that as things stand today, the salary allocation model enacted in EHB 2242 complies with the State’s obligation to fully fund K-12 basic education salaries, but it will not be implemented by September 1, 2018 – the deadline the Legislature itself recognized.
“The court’s constitutional responsibility is to the schoolchildren of this state who have an enforceable right under article IX, section 1 to an amply funded education,” said the Court. “We cannot erode that constitutional right by saying that the State is now ‘close enough’ to constitutional compliance.”
The ruling responds to the most recent report of the Washington State Legislature and oral argument on progress made toward meeting constitutional education requirements outlined by the Court in its January 5, 2012 original opinion in this case.
The order states that upon reviewing the parties’ submissions in April, the Court will determine what, if any, additional actions to take. The Court’s most recent order, along with a complete history of the documents filed in this case.
http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/?fa=newsinfo.internetdetail&newsid=14825
October unemployment rate matches record low
Press release issued 11/ 15/ 17
OLYMPIA – Washington’s unemployment rate fell from 4.6 to 4.5 percent in October – equaling the state’s all-time low for unemployment set earlier this year, according to the state Employment Security Department.
“Washington’s economy keeps growing,” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “The demand for workers remains strong with ample opportunity for employment.”
Washington added 6,900 nonfarm jobs in October. The department released the seasonally adjusted, preliminary jobs estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its October Monthly Employment Report.
In October last year, the statewide unemployment rate was 5.3 percent. The national unemployment rate was 4.1 percent this October and 3.8 percent in the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area.
Employment Security paid unemployment insurance benefits to 48,122 people in October.
Labor force continues to grow in Washington
The state’s labor force rose to 3.76 million in October — an increase of 14,100 people from the previous month. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the labor force increased by 4,500 over the same period.
From October 2016 through October 2017, the state’s labor force grew by 98,700 and the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region increased by 20,400.
The labor force is the total number of people, both employed and unemployed, over the age of 16.
Seven sectors expand and six contract
Private sector employment increased by 6,000 and government employment increased by 900 jobs in October.
This month’s report shows the greatest job growth occurred in professional and business services — up 4,800 — and transportation, warehousing and utilities, up 3,100. Other sectors adding jobs were construction (+2,700), wholesale trade (+1,000), government (+900), information (+300), and financial activities (+300).
Education and health services faced the biggest reduction in October, losing 4,000 jobs. Additionally, leisure and hospitality cut 900, retail trade eliminated 700, other services trimmed 300, manufacturing shed 200 and mining and logging clipped 100.
Year-over-year growth remains strong
Washington added an estimated 105,800 new jobs from October 2016 through October 2017, not seasonally adjusted. The private sector grew by 3.4 percent or 91,000 jobs, and the public sector increased by 2.5 percent, adding 14,800 jobs.
From October 2016 through October 2017, 12 of the state’s 13 industry sectors added jobs. Manufacturing (-1,600) was the only sector to report job losses.
The three industry sectors with the largest employment gains year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted, were:
Construction with 17,100 new jobs;
Professional and business services with 16,700 new jobs; and
Government with 14,800 new jobs.
Check out Employment Security’s other labor market information and tools, including a video tutorial, to highlight popular information and data.
Note: The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently updated its “alternative measures of labor underutilization,” or U-6 rate, for states to include the third quarter of 2017. The U-6 rate considers not only the unemployed population in the official U-3 unemployment rate, but also “the underemployed and those not looking but wanting a job.” The U-6 rate for Washington through the third quarter 2017 was 9.4 percent compared to the national rate of 8.9 percent. Washington’s U-6 rate is the lowest it has been since 2009.
https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/october-unemployment-rate-matches-record-low
Public safety drives DNR funding needs
Funding for healthier forests, safer timber harvests, and mapping of earthquake and tsunami hazards top the list of Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz’s supplemental budget requests for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
“Public safety is at the heart of what DNR does, and these modest funding requests allow us to help people prepare for and prevent natural disasters,” said Commissioner Franz.
Healthier Forests
The agency is seeking $1.9 million from the state’s supplemental operating budget to expedite projects that will make Washington’s diseased, fire-prone forests healthier.
“People in Puget Sound this summer experienced what our neighbors in central Washington have dealt with for the past decade – increasingly thick smoke from more devastating wildfires. If we’re going to control the spread of these megafires, we need to address the root cause: forest health,” said Commissioner Franz.
Mapping geologic threats and ensuring safer timber harvests
DNR is also requesting $543,000 to map earthquake and tsunami hazards so counties, cities and the people of Washington can understand and mitigate their risks. The agency has also requested $457,300 to ensure design and construction of timber roads does not weaken potentially-unstable hillsides.
Other budget priorities include advanced training for wildland firefighters; cleanup of contaminated sediments; funding for amateur emergency radio operators; and funding to help counties impacted by endangered species regulations replace lost timber revenue.
Needs from capital budget
In addition, DNR has re-submitted requests for funding from the capital budget which the Legislature did not pass before adjourning last session.
“Whether it’s recreation maintenance, forest restoration or helping communities become FireWise, we have a lot of projects that rely on capital dollars to enhance quality of life for all Washingtonians,” Commissioner Franz said.
Commissioner of Public Lands
As the elected Commissioner of Public Lands, Franz oversees management of more than 5.6 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural, conservation and aquatic lands. More than half of these lands are held in trust and produce income to support public schools, universities, prisons and other state institutions. Lands managed by DNR provide other public benefits including outdoor recreation, habitat for native fish and wildlife and watersheds for clean water. Commissioner Franz also leads the state’s largest fire department and guides regulation of forest practices in Washington’s forests.
Press release issued 11/ 14/ 17
https://www.dnr.wa.gov/news/public-safety-drives-dnr-funding-needs
(page 4)
WORLD & NATIONAL HEADLINES FROM REUTERS...
Turkey, Russia, Iran to hold Syria summit in Sochi on Nov. 22: NTV
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey, Russia and Iran will hold a summit to discuss developments in Syria next week in the Russian resort of Sochi, Turkish broadcaster NTV said on Thursday.
China says 'dual suspension' proposal still best for North Korea
BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Thursday a “dual suspension” proposal to handle North Korea was still the best option, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had rejected a “freeze for freeze” agreement.
Two more women accuse Senate candidate Moore of sexual misconduct
(Reuters) - Two more women came forward on Wednesday with allegations of sexual misconduct against Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore, one accusing him of groping her and the other of forcing a kiss on her when he was 30 and she was about 18.
Billionaire founder of Insys to plead not guilty to opioid bribe scheme
BOSTON (Reuters) - The billionaire founder of Insys Therapeutics Inc was expected to appear in federal court in Boston on Thursday to plead not guilty to charges that he participated in a scheme to bribe doctors to prescribe a fentanyl-based cancer pain drug.
Daily Bible Verse: Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
Psalm 119:18 NKJV
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