https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-start-2021-legislative-session
Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today on the first day of the 2021 legislative session:
"Today convenes one of the most unique and challenging legislative sessions I can remember for our state. As the pandemic era has forced us all to adapt our processes, the Legislature is no exception. At the same time, decisions await legislators that will impact our state for generations going forward.
"These are my priorities for this legislative session: Relief, recovery and resilience. Relief for the here-and-now; a recovery plan to turn the corner; and resilience for our long-term wellbeing, including economic health, public health, a stronger education system, and greater preparedness for future challenges, including climate change.
"My agenda calls for immediate action on $200 million more in aid for small businesses, and landlords and tenants. My priorities also include getting more children back into the classroom in safe and healthy environments this year, as well as improving the state’s public health system so more lives can be saved from this pandemic.
"We must have more assistance to workers who have lost their jobs. We need to help everyone get back to a safe work environment. We need to keep people from losing their housing and get more who are experiencing homelessness under a safe roof.
"The pandemic era has made this inequity that much clearer, as the concentration of wealth at the top has only accelerated while Main Street has suffered and more families wonder whether they can afford food and other basic needs. That’s why I want to fund the Working Families Tax Credit. We can help fund it with a capital gains tax; one that would impact less than 2% of Washingtonians. At the same time, we’re going to lower unemployment insurance taxes for small businesses that unexpectedly had to lay off record numbers of employees.
"When we do come through this emergency, we are not going back to normal; we are going to create a better normal, together. This goes beyond COVID-19. We can’t just address economic disparities without acknowledging racial disparities.
"We think of one another as equal because it is one of this nation’s principles, but we can’t be equal until we live as equals. My legislative agenda takes aim at these inequities in all of these areas, whether it's reforming independent investigations, environmental justice, improving our health systems, expanding job training and early childhood education.
"I look forward to honest conversations with the Legislature about these issues and action that will benefit all Washingtonians
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(2) TACOMA JUDGE IMPOSES PENALTIES IN AG FERGUSON’S FIRST LAWSUIT TO FIGHT PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION USING 2017’S HEALTHY STARTS ACT.
FedEx contractor fired employee when she asked for a pregnancy accommodation
TACOMA — A Tacoma judge has ordered over $41,000 in penalties and mandatory training for a FedEx contractor and its owner for firing a pregnant employee immediately after she asked for an accommodation. An accommodation is a reasonable change to the working environment to accommodate the pregnancy and the health conditions after the birth of the baby. The judge’s decision came in the first case brought to trial by the Attorney General’s Office under the 2017 “Healthy Starts Act.”
The case involved a woman, Sarai Alhasawi, who asked her manager for a specific, legally required accommodation during the initial stage of her pregnancy. Her manager denied her request and immediately fired her over text message by writing, “Don’t give me that crap that you can’t work because you’re pregnant.” The manager then continued, “Either you don’t want to or you want to but it doesn’t matter anymore because you’re no longer employed with us.”
Pierce County Superior Court Judge Stanley Rumbaugh found two delivery companies that contract with FedEx violated the law when the manager fired Alhasawi in January 2018. Rumbaugh granted Ferguson’s motion for partial summary judgment in December, finding that the companies committed a “clear violation” of the law designed to protect pregnant employees.
The judge ordered the two companies, Colmar and DB Delivery, and owner Collin Heacox to pay $41,672.36 to Alhasawi. Further, the judge mandated that the companies provide employees with materials for both the Healthy Starts Act and Washington Law Against Discrimination, and conduct training on employees’ rights under Washington law. They must develop these materials within 30 days and submit them to the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division for approval.
“A pregnant employee does not have to choose between her job and her health,” Ferguson said. “This ruling communicates to employers around the state that my office will ensure pregnant employees are protected.”
“You’re no longer employed with us”
Alhasawi began working for Colmar and DB Delivery in November 2016. On January 24, 2018, she texted Operations Director Denise Brown to ask if she could avoid taking heavy items for the following day’s route. Brown asked why, and Alhasawi replied that since she was in the initial stage of her pregnancy her physician said she needed to be careful and not lift heavy items. She said she could get a note from her doctor but Brown declined the offer.
Brown then asked her to come in and drop off her work van because she would give Alhasawi’s entire route to someone else. Alhasawi asked why and Brown replied that it was because she could no longer lift 150 pound items as required. “I was going to have to let you go anyhow,” Brown texted. Brown later texted that other pregnant employees had worked their routes with no accommodations, then told Alhasawi none of that mattered “because you’re no longer employed with us.”
In other State news headlines:
Inslee signs Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery proclamation.--Press release issued 1/11/21
Continued brant hunts in Clallam, Pacific, Whatcom counties, limited three-day hunt in Skagit County
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today announced continuing hunts in Clallam, Pacific, and Whatcom counties and a three-day hunting season for brant geese in Skagit County.
Public invited to three Interstate Bridge Replacement program advisory group meetings in January--WSDOT
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(3) TODAY'S HEADLINE NEWS
Humanitarian crisis looms in Madagascar amid drought and pandemic.
In southern Madagascar, “famine-like conditions” have doubled the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance compared with last year, to more than 1.3 million. Successive droughts and a lack of jobs linked to COVID-19 restrictions are to blame, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday.--UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/01/1081892
UN agencies and partners establish global Ebola vaccine stockpile.
In a major milestone in the fight against deadly diseases, United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners announced on Tuesday, the establishment of a global Ebola vaccine stockpile, to help control future epidemics by ensuring timely access to vaccines for populations at risk, during outbreaks. --UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/01/1081862
Humanitarians seek $1.3 billion to help millions in war-weary Afghanistan.
The UN and humanitarian partners in Afghanistan are seeking $1.3 billion to assist almost 16 million people in need of life-saving assistance as a result of decades of conflict, recurrent natural disasters, and the added impact of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/01/1081872
Close ‘disgraceful’ Guantánamo camp – UN experts urge incoming US administration.
Exactly 19 years after the Guantánamo Bay detention centre first opened, UN independent human rights experts on Monday urged the incoming United States administration of Joe Biden, to close the notorious military prison as soon as possible. --UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/01/1081842
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
The White House Launches the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office--WH
Justice Department Concludes Its Investigation of D.C.-Area Private High Schools’ Decision to Stop Offering Advanced Placement Courses--DOJ
NIFA-Supported Research Innovates to Reduce Food Loss and Waste: An Interview with Robert Nowierski--USDA
Interior Seeks to Increase Broadband Access, Reduce Wildfire Hazards Across Rural Communities--Dept. of Interior
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
Patient Recruiter Convicted in $2.8 Million Telemedicine Scheme Against Medicare
The owner of an Orlando-area telemarketing call center was convicted for his role in a kickback scheme involving expensive genetic tests and fraudulent telemedicine services that resulted in the payment of approximately $2.8 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare.--DOJ
Supporting Responsible Use of AI and Equitable Outcomes in Financial Services.
At the AI Academic Symposium hosted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C. ---THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/brainard20210112a.htm
IRS seeks applications for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee through March 1--IRS
IRS sends Taxpayer First Act Report to Congress.
Recommendations aimed at providing greater ease, convenience to taxpayers and the tax community.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-sends-taxpayer-first-act-report-to-congress
NEWS STORY COMMENTARY:
WHY TRUMP'S SPEECH AT DC ON JAN. 6th, CAN'T BE FOUND ON THE WHITE HOUSE WEB PAGE?
Related news Article from PJ Media: Which of These Words Spoken by Trump Would Cause You to Riot?
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/victoria-taft/2021/01/11/which-of-these-words-by-trump-would-cause-you-to-riot-n1327633
" Since the Democrats in the House of Representatives have determined that what President Trump said at the Save America rally incited a riot, it seems like a good idea to go over what he actually said so you can make the call. And while you’re going over the words, ask yourself, what words would it take for you to breach the Capitol building and break things?"
Editorial Note: I searched for the text of President's speech on the 6Th on the White House webpage, and didn't even find it! Of all places, the White House not sharing the President's speech.
So, once again here is the video of his speech on his speech from another source, Right Side Broad Cast.
https://www.facebook.com/414280728767306/videos/399083394652223
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
