Senator Cantwell Announces $5.2 Million Grant for Pullman-Moscow Airport Improvement

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 7/ 17

SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport has received $5.2 million to make critical improvements to their runway through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

Specifically, the grant will fund a runway realignment of 7,100 feet of Runway 6/24 to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design standards as well as provide for land acquisition and additional site grading and earthwork on the realigned runway.

“I am thrilled to see the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport reach this important milestone in their runway realignment project. This investment will enable the airport to continue to play an important role in the region's economy, creating job opportunities and providing key connectivity for businesses, students, tourists, and residents of the Palouse,” said Senator Cantwell. “Investments in infrastructure like this are critical to keep our economy moving, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure these smart infrastructure investments continue.”

As former chair and current ranking member of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee, Cantwell has made airport infrastructure and air travel high priorities. Since 2014, Cantwell has helped airports across Washington state secure more than $21,240,000 in funding including for airport improvements and increased air travel.  Cantwell has also lead the way in ensuring Sea-Tac Airport has the resources it needs to reduce security wait times, including bomb sniffing canines.

Cantwell is also a co-sponsor of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017. In addition to reauthorizing the FAA, the bill increases authorized funding for the AIP, which pays for infrastructure like the Pullman-Moscow airport runway, by $400 million to an annual level of $3.75 billion. The bill also requires a study and recommendations on upgrading and restoring the nation’s airport infrastructure.

The impact air service has on the economy cannot be overstated. In Washington state, 97% of Gross Business Income is generated by businesses within 10 miles of an airport, and 70% by businesses within a short 5 miles of an airport.

Washington is a leader in aerospace manufacturing and aerospace jobs. With more than 132,000 workers and 1,350 aerospace-related companies, aerospace is a key economic driver for the state.  Cantwell has been a tireless defender of the aerospace industry and airline passengers in Washington state, fighting to ensure rural airports have the resources they need, passengers are treated fairly, and the state’s manufacturers can compete and win on the world stage.

RELATED STORY FROM THE FAA:  U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $167.6 Million in Infrastructure Grants to 64 Airports in 30 States
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 7/ 17

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $167.6 million in airport infrastructure grants to 64 airports in 30 states across the United States as part of the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
“The Airport Improvement Program helps to maintain our aviation infrastructure and supports safety, capacity, security and environmental improvements,” said Secretary Chao.  “This is an important investment in these airports and the economic vitality of their respective communities.”
The airport grant program funds various types of airport infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, and airport signage, lighting, and markings, all of which help to create thousands of jobs.
To date this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced more than 1,300 new grants to nearly 1,200 airports for a total of $2 billion.  These grants will provide funds for 546 runway projects and 459 taxiway projects that are important to the safety and efficiency of the nation’s system of airports.
Airports are entitled to a certain amount of AIP funding each year, based on passenger volume. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, then the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.

OUR PARKS AND FOREST

NATIONAL LEVEL

US DEPT. of INTERIOR: Secretary Zinke Supports Acceptance of 3,595 Acres of Wilderness for Sportsmen's Access to Sabinoso Wilderness Area in New Mexico
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 9/ 17

WASHINGTON – Following a ​trip to New Mexico, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today announced he and the Department - through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - intend to finalize the process to consider whether to accept the donation of 3,595 acres (formerly known as the Rimrock Rose Ranch) that are adjacent to Sabinoso Wilderness to be included as part of the wilderness​.
If approved, the donated land will provide public access to the 16,000-acre Sabinoso Wilderness, which is wholly surrounded by non-federal land. By adding the donated land, the Sabinoso will connect with neighboring BLM land and make the Sabinoso accessible to the public for the first time ever.
"I'm happy to announce today the Department intends to finalize the process to consider whether to accept 3,595 acres to make the Sabinoso Wilderness area accessible to hunters and all members of the public for the first time ever," said Secretary Zinke. "Expanding access to hunting, fishing, and recreation on federal lands is one of my top priorities as Secretary. I originally had concerns about adding more wilderness-designated area, however after hiking and riding the land it was clear that access would only be improved if the Department accepted the land and maintained the existing roadways. Thanks to the donation of a private organization, we we continue to move toward delivering this nonpartisan win for sportsmen and the community."
The Sabinoso Wilderness is some of the most pristine elk habitat in the country. Sportsmen from all over the world have expressed interest in gaining access to the area.
"The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation congratulates Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, New Mexico Senators Heinrich and Udall, the Wilderness Land Trust and the many sportsmen and women who helped make this incredibly important access project happen," said David Allen, President and CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. "The Interior Department’s acceptance of the 4,000 acre Rimrock Rose Ranch will provide public access to the 16,000 acre Sabinoso Wilderness and its premier habitat for elk, mule deer and other wildlife—and just in time for hunting season!"
​“On behalf the NRA’s five-million members, I want to thank Secretary Zinke for his leadership in opening access to the Sabinoso Wilderness Area for hunters and sportsmen,” said Chris W. Cox, Executive Director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Secretary Zinke continues to champion the rights of America's hunters and sportsmen by increasing access to our nation’s public lands.”
Secretary Zinke and New Mexico Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich toured the Sabinoso by horseback and hike on Saturday, July 29. Photos are available here.
"Sabinoso is the only American wilderness without public access, so I am heartened that Secretary Zinke is moving to finalize an agreement with the Wilderness Land Trust that will allow hikers, sportsmen and others to enjoy this pristine New Mexico landscape. This collaboration is a testament to how beautiful this land is and the tremendous opportunity it holds for sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts and our state's growing recreation economy," said U.S. Senator Tom Udall. "Enabling access to this wilderness is something that many New Mexicans have worked toward for years, and while there are some details to work out to ensure the property is managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act, I want to thank Secretary Zinke for coming to New Mexico to see this stunning land for himself and for moving quickly to accept the donation of the Rimrock Rose Ranch property."​​
“The Sabinoso is the only legally inaccessible wilderness area in the entire nation. Surrounded by private land and without a legal road or trail to get there, the public has effectively been locked out of this stunning landscape that we all own. By accepting this land donation as part of the wilderness, the Department of Interior will finally unlock the Sabinoso to the public,” said U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich. “This is a major gain for New Mexico and would not be possible without the generosity of the Wilderness Land Trust and the dedication of the local community and sportsmen who have championed this effort for many years. I am grateful that Secretary Zinke visited our state and recognizes just how special the Sabinoso truly is. Traditions like hunting, hiking, and fishing are among the pillars of Western culture and a thriving outdoor recreation economy. Through this collaborative effort to create public access to the Sabinoso we will ensure that outdoor enthusiasts from near and far can finally experience all that this special landscape has to offer and that it will be protected for our children and all future generations.”
The Sabinoso Wilderness is some of the most pristine elk habitat in the country. Sportsmen from all over the world have expressed interest in gaining access to the area.
The area offers exceptional opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, backcountry camping, and hunting. Public interest in accessing the wilderness for hunting and fishing has been significant. The donated lands include a large portion of Cañon Largo, a scenic canyon that would also become legally accessible to the public for the first time through donation. ​
The BLM will now prepare a number of realty actions that are expected to take three-to-four months to complete.

US DEPT. of INTERIOR: Secretary Zinke Expands Hunting and Fishing Opportunities at 10 National Wildlife Refuges
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 9/ 17

WASHINGTON - In his latest effort to increase access to hunting and fishing on public lands and waters, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today announced a proposal to open or expand opportunities at 10 national wildlife refuges. If finalized, this would bring the number of refuges where the public may hunt up to 373, and up to 312 where fishing would be permitted.

“I grew up in the mountains of northwest Montana, where I spent my time hunting and fishing on our shared public lands. I was lucky to take my boys out on the same land that my dad and granddad took me,” said Secretary Zinke. “As the steward of our public lands, one of my top priorities is to open up access wherever possible for hunting and fishing so that more families have the opportunity to pass down the heritage. The last thing I want to see is hunting and fishing become elite sports. These ten refuges will provide incredible opportunities for sportsmen and anglers across the country to access the land and connect with the wildlife.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages hunting and fishing programs to ensure sustainable wildlife populations while also offering other traditional wildlife-dependent recreation on public lands, such as wildlife watching and photography. The unparalleled network of 566 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts means that there is a national wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major metropolitan areas.

“With Secretary Zinke's leadership, the team at the Fish and Wildlife Service is happy to expand hunting and fishing opportunities where they are compatible with wildlife management goals,” said USFWS Acting Director Greg Sheehan. “Sportsmen and anglers play a huge role in the conservation of wildlife and their habitat, so it only makes sense that refuges provide opportunities for folks to get outside to hunt and fish. Refuges provide all Americans with places to hunt, fish, observe the natural world firsthand and experience the great outdoors.”

Hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities contributed more than $144.7 billion in economic activity across the United States according to the USFWS National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, published every five years. More than 90 million Americans, or 41 percent of the United States’ population 16 and older, pursue wildlife-related recreation.

Hunting and/or fishing will expand or be opened on the following refuges:

Georgia and South Carolina
Savannah River National Wildlife Refuge: Expand migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting. The refuge is already open to migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting and sport fishing.
Indiana
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge: Expand migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting and sport fishing. The refuge is already open to migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting and sport fishing.
Minnesota
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Expand migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting. The refuge is already open to migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting and sport fishing.
North Dakota
Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge: Open moose hunting for the first time. The refuge is already open to upland game and other big game hunting.
Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge: Open moose and turkey hunting for the first time. Expand upland game and big game hunting. The refuge is already open to upland game hunting, other big game hunting and sport fishing.
Oklahoma
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge: Expand upland game and big game hunting. The refuge is already open to migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting and sport fishing.
Oregon
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge: Expand migratory game bird hunting. The refuge is already open to migratory game bird hunting.
Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Open sport fishing for the first time. The refuge is already open to migratory game bird hunting.
Wisconsin
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge: Expand migratory game bird hunting and upland game and big game hunting. The refuge is already open to migratory game bird hunting, upland game and big game hunting and sport fishing.
Fox River National Wildlife Refuge: Expand big game hunting. The refuge is already open to big game hunting.
The USFWS is seeking comments from the public for 30 days regarding information pertaining to the proposed rule. For additional information, go to www.regulations.gov, docket no. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2017-0005. The proposed rule will publish in the Federal Register on August 10, 2017. Comments must be received by September 8, 2017.
More than 50 million Americans visit refuges every year. National wildlife refuges provide vital habitat for thousands of species and access to world-class recreation, from fishing, hunting and boating to nature watching, photography and environmental education. In doing so, they support regional economies to the tune of $2.4 billion dollars per year and support more than 35,000 jobs.
Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service permits hunting and fishing along with four other types of wildlife-dependent recreation, including wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation and interpretation, when they are compatible with an individual refuge’s purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is currently permitted on 336 wildlife refuges and 36 wetland management districts. Fishing is currently permitted on 276 wildlife refuges and 33 wetland management districts.


OUR PARKS ON THE STATE LEVEL....

WDFW: Commission approves various changes for hunting seasons
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 7/ 17

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved steps to reduce the spread of elk hoof disease among other actions at a meeting Aug. 4-5 in Olympia.
The commission is a nine-member citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
Commissioners adopted a measure requiring hunters to remove and leave behind the hooves of any elk harvested in six game management units in an effort to reduce the spread of elk hoof disease, a debilitating bacterial disease.
WDFW already requires these precautions in many management units in southwest Washington. Beginning this fall, those hunting in game management units 633 and 636 in Mason County, and 407, 418, 437, and 454 in north Puget Sound also will need to take the preventative steps.
The commission also voted to modify regulations for auction, raffle or special incentive permits for hunting elk. The changes clarify where permit holders can hunt and which animals can be legally hunted.
In other business, commissioners agreed with wildlife managers' recommendations to keep leatherback sea turtles listed as a state endangered species and green sea turtles listed as state threatened species.
The population of western Pacific leatherback sea turtles has declined by 80 percent since the mid-20th century, while the global population of green sea turtles has declined by 67 percent in the last 100 to 150 years. Both species continue to face significant threats including harvest by humans.

The commission also received briefings on a variety of issues including:
Proposed changes to Puget Sound clam and oyster seasons.
Staff recommendations on the protective status of yellow-billed cuckoos and loggerhead sea turtles.
Planned changes to spring black bear hunting seasons.
Results of the 2016 Puget Sound shrimp and Dungeness crab fisheries.
WDFW's 2018 legislative proposals and budget requests.
An agenda for the meeting is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/

WDFW seeks public comment on draft North Cascades (Nooksack) Elk Herd Plan
PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 25th

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is accepting public comments through Sept. 7 on a draft plan for future management of the North Cascades elk herd, the northernmost herd in Western Washington.

The draft plan for the herd, also known as the Nooksack herd, can be found on WDFW’s website at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01916/

In addition to the public comment period, state wildlife managers plan to hold a public meeting on Aug. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center.

Written comments can be submitted online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RDCSVVM or mailed to North Cascades Elk Herd Plan, Wildlife Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504.

The North Cascades elk herd is spread out over a large area of Skagit and Whatcom counties. Since the last herd management plan was adopted in 2002, the population of the herd – the smallest that WDFW manages – has rebounded from just a few hundred animals to more than 1,200 elk within the recent survey area.
But a growing elk population also comes with increased potential for elk/human interactions and conflicts. The new draft plan includes several strategies to address those concerns and other management issues.
Key goals of the proposed plan include:
Reducing elk/human conflicts, including minimizing elk damage on private property and elk-vehicle collisions along a stretch of State Route 20;
Offering sustainable hunting opportunities, including an increase of at least 100 square miles available for hunting on private and public lands;
Coordinating and cooperating with the Point Elliott Treaty Tribes on herd management and setting hunting seasons;
Increasing elk viewing and photography opportunities.
WDFW will consider comments received online, in writing, and during the public meeting in drafting the final version of the plan.

DNR: Campfires prohibited in many northeast Washington counties
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 9/ 17
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today campfire restrictions on lands that it protects in many northeast Washington counties.
 Effective 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2017:
All campfires are prohibited in Ferry, Lincoln north of Highway 2, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane and Stevens counties.
Daily updates on burn restrictions are available at 1-800-323-BURN or on the Fire Danger and Outdoor Burning risk map at fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/firedanger/ and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels map at dnr.wa.gov/ifpl.





PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL

EPA: EPA Awards Kansas $499,000 Grant for Air Quality Programs
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 10/ 17
(Lenexa, Kan., Aug. 10, 2017) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7’s Air Program has awarded an additional $499,009 to the Air Pollution Control Program at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in support of implementing the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
KDHE will use these funds to support air quality programs across the state. The Air Pollution Control Program includes National Ambient Air Quality Standards, like ozone, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide mitigation, and implementing and maintaining an ambient air monitoring program.
“Working with our states in partnership is how EPA will fulfill our ‘back to basics’ agenda. Providing this funding directly to the states, where the work on air quality is accomplished, allows us to make great strides forward in keeping the air we breathe clean," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.


PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT ON THE STATE LEVEL

DOE: Intalco fined for air quality violations
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 4/ 17

FERNDALE – Intalco Aluminum has been fined $32,500 for air quality permit violations at its Ferndale smelter tied to issues with the facility’s operations and to a November 2016 fire at the plant.

The operational issues at Intalco stem from a planned shutdown of the plant in 2016. That curtailment was cancelled in June 2016 after the company signed a new agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration, but the process of stopping the curtailment preparations, combined with the loss of trained personnel, resulted in a number of emission limit violations in the potlines. The potlines are the area of the smelting facility where electric current is used in the creation of metallic aluminum.
The violations were tied to these ongoing issues, and Ecology issued a $27,500 penalty for these problems. Ecology is also fining the smelter $5,000 for separate violations that occurred as it worked to restore production following a fire in the bake oven in November 2016.
An Ecology toxicologist analyzed the reported emissions from the potlines and bake oven and concluded that they were not likely to have caused exposure levels that would result in adverse health effects or impacts to the environment.
Ecology is also ordering the company to improve its training programs to help minimize emissions in the future.
“Intalco worked in good faith to minimize and correct the problems,” said James DeMay, manager of Ecology’s Industrial Section, which regulates the Intalco smelter. “We recognize Intalco has faced some challenges, but the company still needs to meet its air quality permit requirements.” The company may appeal the penalty within 30 days to the state’s Pollution Control Hearings Board.


COMMENTARIES ON WORLD & NATIONAL EVENTS

WP: Why we aren’t ‘winning’ in Afghanistan
President Trump has reportedly been asking two questions about Afghanistan: Why has the United States been there for so long? And why haven’t we won the war? Afghanistan is complex and confusing but the answers to these two questions are not. Unfortunately, answering them won’t get the president much closer to an effective Afghanistan policy.

WP: What Trump should know about the Cuban missile crisis
Hearing President Trump threatening to bring “fire and fury” down on North Korea because of its nuclear defiance reminded me of an incident during the Cuban missile crisis. The State Department had gotten slightly ahead of the White House by mentioning the possibility of “further action” by Washington — and President John F. Kennedy was irate.

CSM: The lesson of the Google firing for innovation
 In an era of slow productivity, companies need greater diversity of thought to innovate. Workers who stereotype people and their qualities by sex only put limits on diversity of thinking.

THE DAILY SIGNAL: Environmentalist and Labor Groups Have Bashed NAFTA. Here’s Why They Are Mistaken.
As the United States, Canada, and Mexico prepare for next month’s North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, several environmental and labor groups have slammed the agreement, calling for an overhaul of NAFTA priorities.

Daily Bible Verse:   [ God the Refuge of His People and Conqueror of the Nations ] [ To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth. ] God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1 NKJV 

 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)

http://www.pacofc.org/index.php

The Opioid crisis? If it's lawful in Washington state to use pot, for recreational, why not Opioid?

LAW & ORDER

It's a case of a drug that was widely used for medical use in the 18th, and 19th centuries for pain, and centuries before that in other parts of world, now declared by the Fed, harmful because of abuse. Like Pot, opioid is just as harmful when used for recreational purposes. It is amazing to me how two drugs which actually work for pain, is outlawed, while other so called pain killers causes more trouble than worth like aspirin that causes stomach issues.
To better understand what is opioid we look at the drug itself, and history behind it, to do that we turn to wikipedia on the subject. Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like effects.  Medically they are primarily used for pain relief, including anesthesia.  Other medical uses include suppression of diarrhea, treating addiction, reversing opioid overdose, suppressing cough, and suppressing opioid induced constipation.  Extremely strong opioids are approved only for veterinary use such as immobilizing large mammals.  Opioids are also frequently used non-medically for their euphoric effects or to prevent withdrawal.
The side effects of opioids may include itchiness, sedation, nausea, respiratory depression, constipation, and euphoria. Tolerance and dependence will develop with continuous use, requiring increasing doses and leading to a withdrawal syndrome upon abrupt discontinuation. The euphoria attracts recreational use, and frequent, escalating recreational use of opioids typically results in addiction. An overdose or concurrent use with other depressant drugs commonly results in death from respiratory depression. (read more)

News related stories....

WH: Remarks by President Trump Before a Briefing on the Opioid Crisis
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 8/ 17

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you very much, Secretary Price, for your work to address the crisis of opioid, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines.  It is a tremendous problem in our country, and we're going to get it taken care of as well as it can be taken care of, which hopefully will be better than any other country which also has the same problems or similar problems.

Nobody is safe from this epidemic that threatens young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural communities.  Everybody is threatened.  Drug overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and opioid overdose deaths have nearly quadrupled since 1999.  It is a problem the likes of which we have not seen.

Meanwhile, federal drug prosecutions have gone down in recent years.  We're going to be bringing them up and bringing them up rapidly.  At the end of 2016, there were 23 percent fewer than in 2011.  So they looked at this scourge and they let it go by, and we're not letting it go by.  The average sentence length for a convicted federal drug offender decreased 20 percent from 2009 to 2016.

During my campaign, I promised to fight this battle because, as President of the United States, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people and to ensure their safety.  Especially in some parts of our country, it is horrible what's going on with opioid and other drugs.  But the opioid is something that nobody has seen anything like it.

Today, I am pleased to receive a briefing from our team on ways we can help our communities combat this absolutely terrible epidemic and keep youth from going down this deadly path.

The best way to prevent drug addiction and overdose is to prevent people from abusing drugs in the first place.  If they don’t start, they won't have a problem.  If they do start, it's awfully tough to get off.  So we can keep them from going on, and maybe by talking to youth and telling them, "No good; really bad for you" in every way.  But if they don’t start, it will never be a problem.

We're also working with law enforcement officers to protect innocent citizens from drug dealers that poison our communities. Strong law enforcement is absolutely vital to having a drug-free society.  I have had the opportunity to hear from many on the front lines of the opioid epidemic, and I'm confident that by working with our healthcare and law enforcement experts, we will fight this deadly epidemic and the United States will win.

We're also very, very tough on the southern border, where much of this comes in.  And we're talking to China, where certain forms of manmade drug comes in, and it is bad.  And we're speaking to other countries and we're getting cooperation, but we're being very, very strong on our southern border and, I would say, the likes of which this country certainly has never seen that kind of strength.

So we're going to do our job.  We're going to get it going.  We've got a tremendous team of experts and people that want to beat this horrible situation that's happened to our country -- and we will.  We will win.  We have no alternative.  We have to win for our youth.  We have to win for our young people.  And, frankly, we have to win for a lot of other people, not necessarily young, that are totally addicted and have serious, serious problems.

Comments about Opioid from our Congressional delegation.

HEALTH CARE: Gearing up for Bipartisan Hearings, Sen. Murray Hears Health Care Stories in Tour Through SW Washington, Visits Military and Veteran Families in Tacoma, Opioid Treatment Clinic in Longview.

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 9/ 17
(Longview, WA) –  Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate health committee, traveled through southwest Washington state this week to sit with families, doctors and providers to hear their experiences and learn more about how access to affordable, high-quality health care has impacted their lives and communities. Days after helping lead her colleagues to defeat the disastrous Trumpcare bill and announcing upcoming bipartisan committee hearings on health care, Sen. Murray made stops in Tacoma and Longview to hear directly from Washington state families and share their experiences with her colleagues in the Senate as they begin work to shore up the individual insurance markets and improve health care for everyone. According to the Governor’s office, under Trumpcare Washington state would have $4.3 billion less per year to cover health care and Medicaid related expense by its full implementation in 2028, a shortage that would risk coverage for 600,000 Medicaid recipients, 24,000 veterans and families, and access to life-saving services for 22,500 seniors and disabled individuals.

“Patients, families, doctors, and providers across Washington state reached out to me and made their voices heard last month to beat back Republicans’ Trumpcare plan that would have changed Medicaid as we know it and raised coverage costs because they saw how it risked care for the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Sen. Murray. “As a voice for our state in the United States Senate, I will continue listening to their concerns, sharing their stories, and fighting for strong investments that will help make health care more accessible, more affordable, and higher quality for people across Washington state and the country.”

On Monday, Sen. Murray visited Tacoma Community College to meet with members of Tacoma-based nonprofit Partnerships for Action Voices for Empowerment, or PAVE, and sat with active duty servicemembers and military veterans with medically-fragile children to discuss their experiences accessing life-saving care, including talking about the challenges they face meeting their children’s’ short and long-term medical needs while also navigating frequent relocations, and sharing their concerns about how deep cuts to Medicaid proposed by President Trump, which are a major pillar of Trumpcare, would hurt their ability to care for their children after separating from military service. Sen. Murray then traveled to Longview on Tuesday to visit PeaceHealth St. John’s Medical Center and tour their opioid use disorder clinic to learn more about how they are combating the opioid epidemic in Cowlitz County through medical treatment. After the tour, Sen. Murray heard from doctors and clinic staff about the local impact of the opioid crisis and discussed their ideas for how the federal government could better support patients and medical professionals’ working to end opioid abuse.

In addition to her visits in Tacoma and Longview, Sen. Murray also made stops during the week to help dedicate Tacoma Housing Authority’s newest affordable housing development, the Bay Terrace, celebrate the rehab of the Columbia River’s Jetty A near Ilwaco’s Cape Disappointment, a critical investment in the Columbia River’s waterway infrastructure that supports commercial and recreational activity throughout southwest and central Washington state, and commemorate the grand opening of the Portland VA’s newest primary care clinic for veterans in Vancouver.


In other crime related stories...

From the FBI FILES: Stopping a Violent Burglary Ring
Jewelry Store Heist Began with Kidnapping
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 7/ 17 (link source)

Timothy Forbes was a career criminal who specialized in robbing jewelry stores. He and his crew had progressed from smash-and-grab thefts to what they considered a more reliable method: kidnap store employees and force them to provide after-hours access to the jewels.

In the spring of 2013, members of the burglary ring conducted surveillance on employees at a Fairfield, Connecticut jewelry store, going so far as to attach a GPS tracking device under one of their cars to learn where they lived.

Around 9 p.m. on April 11, 2013, three of Forbes’ crew, wearing masks and gloves, forced their way into an apartment in Meriden, Connecticut, brandishing handguns. The terrified victims—two of whom worked at the Fairfield jewelry store—were bound with duct tape, and their heads were covered with pillowcases, towels, and jackets. The kidnappers then forced the jewelry store employees into a vehicle and drove them to the store while a remaining kidnapper stayed behind to guard the other victims.

Forbes arrived at the store in a separate vehicle, and the thieves proceeded to steal jewels, watches, and loose diamonds estimated to be worth more than $3 million. After the robbery, Forbes notified his associate at the apartment, and the victims there and at the store were left bound as the criminals made their getaway and fled the state.

The kidnapping and robbery had gone off without a hitch, and Forbes thought he had considered all the angles. What he failed to anticipate, though, was how an alert neighbor and strong law enforcement partnerships would undo his careful plan.
When the victims were able to free themselves, they called the police. Meriden Police Department officers conducted interviews and did an initial neighborhood canvass the night of the robbery. A resident came forward with information he wasn’t sure was relevant but that “broke the case open,” said Special Agent Jennifer Berry, who worked the investigation from the FBI’s New Haven Division.

The neighbor told police that one night nearly two weeks before the kidnapping, he noticed a suspicious silver car on the block with out-of-state license plates. One man was sitting in the driver’s seat, and another man was on the ground next to what turned out to be the vehicle of one of the victims. The neighbor dialed 911 but hung up when the suspicious car drove away.

When the car returned 30 minutes later, the neighbor used a pair of binoculars to write down the New Jersey license plate number. He thought maybe the men in the car were buying or selling drugs. It was later learned that Forbes and one of his crew had been trying to remove the GPS tracking device from the victim’s car.

Investigators quickly identified the silver car as a rental vehicle, and with that information identified the woman who rented the car. Through the phone number she used on the rental application, investigators were able to tie Forbes and his crew to the robbery and kidnapping.

“Through detailed analysis of cellular phone records,” Berry said, “we knew exactly when Forbes was in the parking lot where the neighbor spotted him and dialed 911. Eventually we were able to show where all the thieves were before, during, and after the robbery based on calls that were made. That evidence was compelling.”
Forbes had been on something of a robbery spree. He had been involved in at least three other similar jewelry store robberies, including a 2012 theft in York, Pennsylvania in which a jewelry store owner was shot and permanently disabled. (Forbes was sentenced in 2016 to 14 years in prison for his role in that robbery.)

Within six weeks of the Connecticut kidnapping and robbery, Forbes and his four associates were arrested. “The concerned neighbor who wrote down the license plate saved us months of work,” Berry said, “and who knows how many more robberies the ring would have done during that time?”

“This case is a great example of partnership,” Berry explained. “The local police departments in Fairfield and Meriden conducted victim interviews, the Connecticut State Police helped process crime scenes, and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted us with the extensive cell phone analysis. Everybody worked well together.”

Of the more than $3 million in stolen jewels, Berry said, “very little was recovered.” Forbes and his crew—who had all grown up together in Allentown, Pennsylvania—were fond of gambling and high living.

In January 2017, Forbes pleaded guilty to kidnapping, robbery, and the use of a firearm during the Connecticut robbery. Last month, a federal judge sentenced the 35-year-old to 19 years in prison. His crew had been previously sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven to nearly 15 years for their roles in the kidnapping and robbery.

“This was a really good case,” Berry said, “because we were able to get a lot of bad guys off the streets. We couldn’t have done it without this great partnership and the help of a concerned citizen.”

TEN MOST WANTED: MARK ANTHONY PONCE
Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - Capital Murder
On September 17, 2014, Mark Anthony Ponce allegedly kicked in the front door of his ex-girlfriend's apartment in Dallas, Texas. Ponce allegedly shot and killed his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend, who was visiting at the time. Ponce immediately fled the scene of the crime.
After a local arrest warrant was issued for Ponce, he was charged with capital murder on September 18, 2014. A federal arrest warrant was issued on November 19, 2014, by the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, after Ponce was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/murders/mark-anthony-ponce


DHS: Six Things You Probably Didn't Know About FPS

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 9/ 17 (source link)
The Federal Protective Service (FPS) is a law enforcement, physical security and intelligence agency within DHS that serves on the front lines every day to prevent, protect, respond to and recover from terrorism, criminal acts, and other hazards threatening the U.S. government, federal employees and public visitors in more than 9,000 federal facilities. Their unique capabilities allow daily government operations to run smoothly. As symbols of U.S. strength and leadership, federal buildings can be a strategic target to those who wish to cause harm, which makes FPS’ services critical to the DHS mission of protecting the homeland. Here are some things you might not know about FPS:
1.) Their core mission is to protect people who work in, and visit, federal facilities.
All across the country, FPS inspectors and special agents work to ensure the safety and security of more than 1.4 million employees and visitors in over 9,000 federal facilities.
FPS inspectors are law enforcement officers who work closely with the agency leaders to assess what security risks their building faces, and then create tailored security plans to help agencies combat those risks for the safety of their employees and visitors. For example, FPS inspectors make sure buildings have items like security cameras, locked entryways, x-ray machines, and other countermeasures. FPS also has special agents who investigate threats made to federal employees, investigate stolen items, and investigate any major incident or emergency that occurs on federal property.

2.) Every day around the country, they conduct an “Operation Shield” to catch adversaries off guard.
Daily, and with little notice, FPS officers increase their patrols at random federal government buildings to enhance the protection of the individuals inside. This provides a highly-visible law enforcement presence to deter terrorist and criminal activity, and also gives FPS an opportunity to engage with federal employees, visitors, and facility security managers. During Operation Shield, FPS also tests the effectiveness of security countermeasures at that building.

3.) FPS officers have important teammates to help accomplish their mission: Highly-trained K-9 partners
FPS has explosive detection canines across the country to help prevent and detect explosives and other materials that may cause harm to people at federal buildings. FPS canines are primarily Labradors, and go through intensive training with military and police K9 teams, including other agencies from DHS.

These furry law enforcement dogs are widely used throughout the country and often support state and local police who may not have dogs who can detect explosives. An FPS canine and its human officer are full-time teammates. After a hard day’s work, and even once it retires, the canine goes home to live with its FPS officer.

4.) They Teach Federal Employees How to Respond to Active Shooters
FPS provides federal employees with training on how to respond to an active shooter in their building. Teaching employees to “Run, Hide, Fight,” this informative presentation explains important life-saving actions each employee can take in that situation. How do FPS officers know so much about this? Because FPS officers respond immediately to reports of active shooters at federal government buildings, and go through extensive training programs each year to prepare themselves for that day. Officers learn how to assess a shooter quickly, and work as a team to eliminate the threat.

5.)  They are peacekeepers who protect your First Amendment rights.
As symbols of government, federal facilities are often the place where citizens congregate to express their concerns about an issue, often in the form of mass demonstrations or protests. When this happens, FPS law enforcement officers are on-site to ensure that all citizens can express themselves in a safe and peaceful manner. When demonstrations start to become violent against others, or disruptive to government operations, FPS officers will step in to regain the peace.

6.) They cannot accomplish the mission alone, and they help others accomplish their missions in return.
FPS works closely with many other local and state law enforcement agencies, as well as other federal law enforcement agencies, to get the job done. FPS sits on a variety of interagency working groups and task forces, such as the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. As joint partners, FPS works with these agencies to assess and respond to threats, escort government leaders, enhance security measures at major events, and much more. For example, FPS works with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to provide security at the immigration port-of-entries along the nation’s borders. FPS teams up with the U.S. Marshals Service to protect the exterior of federal courthouses.


Daily Bible Verse:  “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7 NKJV

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THE SPOILED BRAT OF NORTH KOREA ISSUES THREATS AFTER STRONG SANCTIONS APPROVED, BIG BROTHER CHINA ORDERS STOP OF MISSILE TEST.

WORLD NEWS & EVENTS FOCUS REPORT 

But will it do any good?

Editorial note: Without a doubt North Korea's dictator Kim Jong Un has the whole world's attention. You can't go a day without some news flash regarding this bully and brat in North Korea, who throws parties honoring himself! Looks like from latest reports that "big brother' China decided to step up and tell this pit bull, to stop testing ICBM's according to published reports today;

REU: China vows to enforce UN curbs on N. Korea as Trump praises cohesion
BEIJING - China will pay the biggest price from the new U.N. sanctions against North Korea because of its close economic relationship with the country, but will always enforce the resolutions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

MORE RELATED ARTICLES:

WSJ:North Korea: Won't Negotiate on Nuclear Weapons Under Any Circumstances
 Defying pressure from new United Nations sanctions, North Korea threatened to use nuclear weapons against the U.S. if militarily provoked and said it would “under no circumstances” negotiate on its nuclear and missile weapons programs.

AFP: China holds war games as North Korea tensions spike
The Chinese navy and air force flexed their muscles in live-fire drills in seas adjacent to the Korean Peninsula, the defence ministry said, amid regional tensions over North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weaponry.

The following stories are press releases regarding the sanctions on North Korea...


UN PRESS RELEASE: Dangerous Rhetoric on Use of Nuclear Weapons Further Exacerbates Global Challenges, Secretary-General Tells Hiroshima Peace Ceremony
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 6/ 17

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message to the Peace Ceremony in Hiroshima, Japan, today:
It is a profound honour to pay my deep respects to the victims of the atomic bomb and to the Hibakusha and the city of Hiroshima for your fortitude and example.
In 1946, when eminent personalities were invited to share their ideas for rebuilding Hiroshima, the distinguished Hibakusha novelist Yōko Ōta said her vision was “to interweave dream and reality in harmony and enrich citizens’ lives”.  As the world looks to Hiroshima today, we see a city built on resilience and hope.  Your determination for peace is an inspiration to the world.
We live in challenging times.  The continued presence of some 15,000 nuclear weapons — along with dangerous rhetoric regarding their use — exacerbates these threats.
Despite negative trends, there has been a major development in 2017.  Last month, Member States of the United Nations adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  This measure is the result of a global campaign focused on the unacceptability of the use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances.  Hiroshima’s message of peace and the heroic efforts of Hibakushas have reminded the world of the devastating humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and have served as an invaluable part of this global campaign.
Yet, our dream of a world free of nuclear weapons remains far from reality.  The States possessing nuclear weapons have a special responsibility to undertake concrete and irreversible steps in nuclear disarmament.  There are many paths to a nuclear-weapon-free world.  I appeal to all States to intensify their efforts to contribute to the shared vision in their own ways.
A global vision requires a global effort — and I thank the people of Hiroshima for continuing to spread your message of peace and hope.  The United Nations stands with you in our shared pursuit of a world free of nuclear weapons.


US MISSION TO THE UN: FACT SHEET: Resolution 2371 (2017) Strengthening Sanctions on North Korea
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 5/ 17

Resolution 2371 (2017), adopted unanimously by the United Nations Security Council on August 5, 2017, strengthens UN sanctions on North Korea in response to its two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests conducted on July 3, 2017 and July 28, 2017. As such, this resolution sends a clear message to North Korea that the Security Council is united in condemning North Korea’s violations and demanding North Korea give up its prohibited nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Resolution 2371 (2017) includes the strongest sanctions ever imposed in response to a ballistic missile test. These measures target North Korea’s principal exports, imposing a total ban on all exports of coal (North Korea’s largest source of external revenue), iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood. Banning these exports will prevent North Korea from earning over a $1 billion per year of hard currency that would be redirected to its illicit programs. North Korea earns approximately $3 billion per year from export revenues. Additional sanctions target North Korea’s arms smuggling, joint ventures with foreign companies, banks, and other sources of revenue.

Resolution 2371 (2017) includes the following key elements:

Condemns North Korea July 3 and July 28 ballistic missile tests in the strongest terms, and reaffirms North Korea’s obligations not to conduct any further nuclear tests or launches that use ballistic missile technology, to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, to suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program, and to abandon all other WMD programs.
Imposes several full sectoral bans on exports North Korea uses to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, namely:
A ban on its largest export, coal, representing a loss to North Korea of over $401 million in revenues per year;
A ban on iron and iron ore exports, worth roughly $250 million per year;
A ban on seafood exports, worth roughly $300 million in revenue each year; and
A ban on lead and lead ore exports, worth roughly $110 million per year;
Imposes additional restrictions on North Korea’s ability to generate revenue and access the international financial system, by:
Adding new sanctions designations against North Korean individuals and entities that support the country’s nuclear and missile programs, including the state-owned Foreign Trade Bank (FTB), which acts as North Korea’s primary foreign exchange bank, while protecting diplomatic, consular, and humanitarian activities.
Prohibiting all new joint ventures or cooperative commercial entities between North Korea and other nations, as well as ban additional investment in existing ones.
Banning countries from allowing in additional numbers of North Korean laborers who will earn revenue for the illicit programs.
Requests the Security Council’s North Korea Sanctions Committee to identify additional conventional arms-related and proliferation-related items to be banned for transfer to/from North Korea.
Enables the Security Council’s North Korea Sanctions Committee to designate vessels tied to violations of Security Council resolutions and prohibit their international port access.
Takes steps to improve sanctions enforcement, including by asking Interpol to publish Special Notices on listed North Koreans for travel ban purposes.
Provides additional analytical resources to the UN’s Panel of Experts to enhance its capacity to monitor sanctions enforcement.
Regrets North Korea’s massive diversion of its scarce resources toward its development of nuclear weapons and a number of expensive ballistic missile programs and expresses its deep concern at the grave hardship to which the people in North Korea are subjected;
Includes sanctions exemptions to make sure these measures do not impede foreign diplomatic activities in North Korea or legitimate humanitarian assistance.
Reaffirms the Council's support for the Six Party Talks, calls for their resumption, reiterates its support for commitments made by the Six Parties, and reiterates the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.
Expresses the Council's determination to take further significant measures if North Korea conducts another nuclear test or ballistic missile launch.
This resolution has two annexes. These are:
An annex of 9 North Korean individuals operating abroad as representatives of designated entities designated for targeted sanctions (asset freeze and travel ban);
Another annex of 4 North Korea commercial entities designated for an asset freeze


US MISSION TO THE UN: Explanation of Vote at the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2371 Strengthening Sanctions on North Korea

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 5/ 17
Thank you, Mr. President.
Exactly one month ago, I came before members of the Security Council and declared it was a dark day for the world because of the dangerous and irresponsible actions of North Korea. Almost one week ago, I said the days of talking were over and it was time to act.
Today the full Security Council has come together to put the North Korean dictator on notice. And this time, the Council has matched its words and actions.
The resolution we’ve passed is a strong, united step toward holding North Korea accountable for its behavior. Today, the Security Council increased the penalty of North Korea’s ballistic missile activity to a whole new level.
North Korea’s irresponsible and careless acts have just proved to be quite costly to the regime.
This resolution is the single largest economic sanctions package ever leveled against the North Korean regime. The price the North Korean leadership will pay for its continued nuclear and missile development will be the loss of one-third of its exports and hard currency.

This is the most stringent set of sanctions on any country in a generation.
These sanctions will cut deep, and in doing so, will give the North Korean leadership a taste of the deprivation they have chosen to inflict on the North Korean people.
Nuclear and ballistic missile development is expensive. The revenues the North Korean government receives are not going towards feeding its people.
Instead, the North Korean regime is literally starving its people and enslaving them in mines and factories in order to fund these illegal nuclear programs.

Even as famine looms on the horizon; even as the regime continues to ask for international assistance to cope with devastating floods and a possible drought later this year; their displays of aggression take precedence over their own people.
Even as we respond to the North Korean nuclear threat, the United States will continue to stand up for the human dignity and rights of the North Korean people.
It is the continued suffering of the North Korean people that should remind the Security Council that, while this resolution is a significant step forward, it is not nearly enough.
The threat of an outlaw, nuclearized North Korean dictatorship remains. The unimaginable living conditions of so many of the North Korean people are unchanged.
The North Korean regime continues to show that widespread violations of human rights go hand in hand with threats to international peace and security.
I thank each and every one of my colleagues who worked so hard to bring this resolution to a vote. I have previously pointed out that China has a critical role to play on matters related to North Korea. I want to personally thank the Chinese delegation for the important contributions they made to this resolution.
While the Security Council has done good work, the members of the Security Council – and all UN Member States – must do more to increase the pressure on North Korea.
We must work together to fully implement the sanctions we imposed today and those imposed in past resolutions.
The step we take together today is an important one. But we should not fool ourselves into thinking we have solved the problem. Not even close. The North Korean threat has not left us. It is rapidly growing more dangerous. We’ve seen two ICBMs fired in just the last month. Further action is required.
The United States is taking – and will continue to take – prudent defensive measures to protect ourselves and our allies. Our annual joint military exercises, for instance, are transparent, and defense-oriented. They have been carried out regularly and openly for nearly 40 years. They will continue.
Our goal remains a stable Korean peninsula, at peace, without nuclear weapons. We want only security and prosperity for all nations – including North Korea.
Until then, this resolution and prior ones will be implemented to the fullest to maximize pressure on North Korea to change its ways.
Today is a good day at the United Nations. We will need many more such days in order to peacefully resolve the crisis that has been created by North Korea’s dangerous and illegal actions. As I’ve said before, time is short. But today we have taken one step in the right direction.
Thank you, again, to my colleagues and their teams for their action and support towards sending a strong message to the North Korean regime.

WH: The White House share a news article on the webpage from The Washington Examine dated 8/ 8/ 17 titled: “Donald Trump and Nikki Haley chalk up a victory on North Korea and China”

The United Nations imposed significant new sanctions on North Korea last weekend, in response to the dictatorship’s repeated ballistic missile tests. Kim Jong Un’s regime will be banned from exporting goods and services and cut off from foreign investors, at least to an extent.

This combined effort to confront what is, among other things, the foremost national security threat to the United States, is a big win for President Trump.

Deploying diplomacy backed by the credible use of force, he and his UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, were able to rally the entire 15-member UN Security Council into concerted action. While these sanctions won’t alone bring Kim Jong Un to serious negotiations, they will cause him real pain. Analysts believe the sanctions will cost North Korea around a third of its $3 billion total export market.

While North Korea’s transgressions — it’s evil, so let’s say it plainly — are undeniable, this sanctions vote was far from simple. It required China to change. Beijing would not have done so without believing that Trump might take military action against North Korea. Up until now, China's actions against Kim have been limited. Allowing this vote to pass the United Nations Security Council, where it has a veto, however, demonstrates that when Trump makes a military threat, China takes him seriously.

Trump’s approach has changed everything and shown his ability to do what others have not. Supported by Nikki Haley, Trump has, on China and North Korea at least, strengthened the foundations of American diplomacy. The combination of hard and soft power is important. Authoritarian regimes such as China's are unimpressed if international agreements don't have teeth as well as smiles.
This diplomatic success is also crucial in the precedent it sets. With Iran rapidly advancing its own ballistic missile program, Washington must ensure that hostile adversaries are aware that ballistic missiles offer only existential danger, not security. If North Korea’s ballistic missile program is allowed to rise unchallenged, Iran and others will pursue that technology as their first priority. Why wouldn’t they? If North Korea gains regime security from the possession of ballistic missiles, other regimes will seek the same safety. The stakes are high, considering Iran’s penchant for theologically rooted expansionism and the political sectarianism that defines Middle Eastern politics. ( read full article here)

IN OTHER WORLD NEWS...

UN NEWS CENTER:
South Sudan: Deployment of UN-mandated regional protection force begins
8 August 2017 – The phased deployment in South Sudan of the United Nations-authorized regional protection force has begun, freeing existing peacekeepers to extend their presence to conflict-affected areas beyond the capital, Juba.

UN chief urges Venezuelans to ease tensions and engage in negotiations
7 August 2017 – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is closely following recent developments in Venezuela, his Spokesperson told reporters today.


US MISSION TO THE UN: Press Release: Ambassador Haley on the Latest UN Report on Massacres in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 7/ 17

Last week, the UN released another disturbing report on the violence in the Kasai provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). During March and June of this year, UN investigators confirmed 251 people were killed, 62 of whom were children, with nearly half being under the age of eight. Witnesses told the investigators they saw people being mutilated, burned alive, and hacked to death. The investigators also learned that local Congolese security forces supported, and sometimes even led, the attacks.

Responding to the report, Ambassador Nikki Haley said, “The latest UN report sadly documents something we already know: innocent men, women, and children are being brutally killed in the Kasais, and Congolese authorities are doing nothing to stop it. Until the DRC government shows it can responsibly protect its own people from horrific acts of violence and hold murderers accountable for their crimes, the international community should question any efforts by the Congolese to seek representation in organizations like the Human Rights Council.”

The United States has already called on the DRC government to cooperate fully with an independent team of experts recently mandated by the Human Rights Council to investigate human rights abuses in the Kasais.

Related article

UN NEWS CENTER 'Don't turn a blind eye' to dire situation of children in DR Congo's Kasai region – UNICEF
7 August 2017 – The world must not turn a blind eye to the dire situation of children and families in the Grand Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said today, stressing that nothing can justify terrible acts of abuse against women and children.


Daily Bible Verse: For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.
Psalm 149:4 NKJV

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MARCHING BACK TO SCHOOL 2017

( A new series of news reports about education)
Editorial Note: Education is our fundamental right for both young and old. Every week I'll share with you stories I collect about education.

US DEPT. OF EDUCATION: Readout of Secretary DeVos' Meeting with Michigan School Superintendents
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 2/ 17 ( Link source)

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos visited Grand Rapids (MI) Public Schools today for a roundtable discussion with superintendents from across the state of Michigan. The secretary opened the conversation by asking the group: “How can I best help you serve your students?”

The superintendents and the secretary discussed the following topics, among others:

recruiting, honoring and retaining effective teachers
equipping teachers with professional development and skills not taught in many higher education institutions
addressing regulatory burdens that limit flexibility for local educators and pull school leaders out of the classroom
implementing personalized learning solutions to better meet the needs of students
providing services necessary to help students grow and thrive inside and outside of school
“We had a very productive and insightful conversation,” said Secretary DeVos. “I appreciate each of the superintendents traveling to Grand Rapids to share their ideas and observations on how we can better work together to serve all students. I left the meeting re-assured that giving local leaders more control is important to improving education for every student in America.”

Grand Rapids Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal who hosted the meeting, gave the following statement:

"Last week, I received a call from U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos' office asking me if I would host a meeting with approximately 25 superintendents from across the state. We invited a diverse group of superintendents from all corners of the state representing urban, suburban, and rural districts. The Secretary specifically asked for superintendents to share how best she and her department could better serve our districts. It was a very open, positive, respectful and constructive dialogue with superintendents sharing their issues, concerns and ideas specific to the federal budget, policy issues, regulations, reporting requirements, assessments and more. …

"I know I can speak for my colleagues when I say we are really grateful for the time and opportunity to meet with Secretary DeVos. We look forward to an on-going dialogue on how we can work together to improve education outcomes for all children."

Today's event followed a teacher roundtable Secretary DeVos held on Tuesday at the Van Andel Education Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.


Secretary DeVos Announces Approval of Delaware's State ESSA Plan
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 1/ 17 (link source)

Washington — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today announced the approval of Delaware's consolidated state plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Delaware is the first plan advanced to the Secretary for her review and approval.
"Delaware has always been a state of firsts, so it should be no surprise that theirs was both the first state plan submitted and the first approved under ESSA," said Secretary DeVos.
"My criteria for approval is clear: does the state's plan adhere to the law? Delaware demonstrated their plan does, and so I am happy to approve it. I hope it will give the students, families and educators in the state a strong foundation for a great education.
"Throughout the process, Delaware's leaders have been terrific partners. I want to thank Gov. Carney, Secretary of Education Bunting and State Board President Loftus for their work and collaboration on putting forth a plan that embraces ESSA's spirit of flexibility and creative thinking."
Delaware was the first of 16 states and the District of Columbia to opt to submit their complete consolidated state plan by the first deadline on April 3. The remaining states' plans are due by the second deadline on September 18. ESSA gives the Secretary of Education final approval of a state's plan.


Secretary DeVos Announces Intent to Enhance FSA’s Next Generation Processing and Servicing Environment
PRESS RELEASE DATED 8/ 1/ 17 (link source) 

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced her intent to transform how Federal Student Aid (FSA) provides customer service to more than 42 million student loan borrowers.

“The FSA Student Loan Program represents the equivalent of being the largest special purpose consumer bank in the world,” said Dr. A. Wayne Johnson, the new Chief Operating Officer of Federal Student Aid (FSA).  “To improve customer service, we will take the best ideas and capabilities available and put them to work for Americans with student loans. When FSA customers transition to the new processing and servicing environment in 2019, they will find a customer support system that is as capable as any in the private sector. The result will be a significantly better experience for students – our customers – and meaningful benefits for the American taxpayer.”

The anticipated FSA Next Generation Processing and Servicing Environment will provide for a single data processing platform to house all student loan information while at the same time allowing for customer account servicing to be performed either by a single contract servicer or by multiple contract servicers. This new approach is also expected to require separate acquisitions for database housing, system processing and customer account servicing which will allow for maximum flexibility today and into the future. FSA expects these contemplated changes to the servicing and processing environment to provide the opportunity for additional companies to submit proposals for contracting with FSA.
“Doing what’s best for students will always be our number one priority,” said Secretary DeVos. “By starting afresh and pursuing a truly modern loan servicing environment, we have a chance to turn what was a good plan into a great one.
“I hired Dr. Johnson for his extensive private sector expertise, his fresh perspective and his innovative thinking.  After just a few weeks on the job, Wayne has already identified potential ways to modernize FSA and to leverage new technology that will not only enhance the customer service experience for borrowers but will also protect taxpayers.”
Secretary DeVos recognizes the opportunities Dr. Johnson has identified to enhance FSA’s Next Generation Processing and Servicing Environment and accordingly the Department has cancelled the current student loan solicitation (Solicitation #ED-FSA-17-R-001).
Contracts with current FSA student loan servicers expire in 2019. Dr. Johnson and his team will have the new processing and servicing environment in place prior to the expiration of the current contacts.
You can view the Pronouncement on FSA’s Next Generation Processing and Servicing Environment here.


US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Dear Washington: Messages from Main Street on Building an Educated Workforce
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 4/ 17 (link source)

During the first 100 days of this year, we embarked on a small business listening tour around the country. As part of #LetsGrow campaign, we visited entrepreneurs in their hometowns, sat down with small business owners during their visits to Washington, and listened to job creators during roundtables and congressional hearings to hear what they had to say.

Our objective is simple: we want to find out what barriers are holding back today’s small businesses from growth and what we can do to help send Washington a message. While we heard about an array of issues, one core message kept shining through: growing the economy must be our nation’s top priority.



NEWS RELATED STORIES ON EDUCATION

WP: What should America do about its worst public schools? States still don’t seem to know.
Two years after Congress scrapped federal formulas for fixing troubled schools, states for the most part are producing only the vaguest of plans to address persistent educational failure.

NYT: Mark White, Texas Governor Who Championed Public Education, Dies at 77
Mark White, who as governor of Texas from 1983 to 1987 championed public education laws that limited class sizes, increased teachers’ pay and introduced basic skills tests for high school students, died on Saturday in Houston. He was 77.

NYT: An Ice Cream Maker’s Latest Recipe: Saving the Local School
MARKDALE, Ontario — Like hundreds of small towns in Ontario, Markdale got the bad news from the provincial government last year: Its elementary school would have to close, a victim of cost-cutting.

NEWS COMMENTARIES ABOUT WORLD & NATIONAL EVENTS

WP: India wanted a friend in Trump. Instead, it’s getting chaos.
Political attention here has been focused this summer in two very different directions. There is the Himalayan plateau where Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in the most tense and potentially explosive standoff since a 1962 border war. And there is the din emanating from the Trump administration, which has managed to frighten and confound just about every nation that counts on U.S. global engagement.

LA TIMES: A grand bargain with China could remove North Korea's nuclear threat — but it would destroy America's global influence
With North Korea’s latest test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, one apparently capable of reaching California, the American foreign policy community is struggling to find a way — short of war — to end the threat from Pyongyang. In the media and behind closed doors.

NATIONAL COMMENTARY STORIES

LA TIMES: An erosion of ethics oversight should make us all more cynical about Trump
resident Trump’s problems with ethics are manifest, from his refusal to make public his tax returns to the conflicts posed by his continued stake in the Trump Organization and its properties around the world — including the Trump International Hotel just down the street from the White House

PJ MEDIA: Outright Defiance of Trump Policies by Federal Bureaucrats
The Hill is reporting that holdover Obama political appointees and even some career bureaucrats are refusing to implement the policies of Donald Trump and criticizing their superiors.

Daily Bible Verse:  (For the Lord is our Judge, The Lord is our Lawgiver, The Lord is our King; He will save us);

Isaiah 33:22 NKJV 

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MONDAY'S BUSINESS & FINANCE REPORT

US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: The High Cost of Fracking Protesters
Blog post by, SEAN HACKBARTH, Senior Editor, Digital Content
Posted 8/ 2/ 17 (source link)

Taking strong stands publicly on issues is part of the American Way and so cherished that free speech is embedded in our constitution.
Unfortunately, some “Keep it in the ground,” fracking opponents have moved from peaceful protests to violence, while others waste public funds on Quixotic escapades.
First in Iowa, where two opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline stood before reporters’ cameras and confessed to damaging oil pipeline valves and committing arson:
Jessica Reznicek, 35, and Ruby Montoya, 27, both of Des Moines, held a news conference Monday outside the Iowa Utilities Board’s offices where they provided a detailed description of their deliberate efforts to stop the pipeline's completion. They were taken into custody by state troopers immediately afterward when they abruptly began using a crowbar and a hammer to damage a sign on state property.
The two women said they researched how to pierce the steel pipe used for the pipeline and in March they began using oxyacetylene cutting torches to damage exposed, empty pipeline valves. They said they started deliberately vandalizing the pipeline in southeast Iowa's Mahaska County, delaying completion for weeks.
Reznicek and Montoya said they subsequently used torches to cause damage up and down the pipeline throughout Iowa and into part of South Dakota, moving from valve to valve until running out of supplies.
The two women said they later returned to arson as a tactic, using tires and gasoline soaked rags to burn multiple valve sites and electric units, as well as heavy equipment located on pipeline easements throughout Iowa. They said they attempted again in May to pierce a valve in southeast Iowa's Wapello County with a cutting torch. But they were disappointed to learn oil was already in the pipe.
Ironically, the vandals wouldn’t have been able to employ their tools or get to the scenes of their crimes without the petroleum they oppose.
More importantly, they could have caused an oil spill, something they said they’re trying to stop. Oil pipeline are under high pressure, and tampering with them is extremely dangerous.  “On the wrong pipeline, in the wrong place (actions like this) could kill people,” said pipeline expert Richard Kuprewicz in 2016 when a set of coordinated attacks took place on five pipelines in four states. These actions are reckless and put the safety and lives of people in the community, workers, and public safety officials needlessly at risk and in harms way.
Next, in North Dakota, taxpayers have to fork over $38 million to pay for police costs and the cleanup of the mess Dakota Access Pipeline protesters made along the Missouri River. (These people claim to be fighting for a clean planet.) Far from being peaceful, the protesters attacked security guards and launched Molotov cocktails at police.
Finally, in Youngstown, Ohio, instead of property damage there's been taxpayer waste. Since 2013, shale energy opponents have been waging a fruitless war to ban fracking at the ballot box, even though the shale boom revived manufacturing and created jobs in the city.
They’ve been losing at the ballot box, but local taxpayers are stuck footing the bill, Energy In Depth discovered:
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and documents from the City of Youngstown and Mahoning County Board of Elections confirm that the city has paid $19,219.55 advertising the six previous ballot measures. Each time the so-called Community Bill of Rights is placed on the ballot, the City of Youngstown pays approximately $6,000 in required advertising costs. The Mahoning County Board of elections has confirmed that $168,000 has also been paid by the City of Youngstown to print the ballots, additional advertising, ballot space, poll workers, and notes there are additional funds that have been paid to staff to count the votes.
Thousands of dollars more could be spent, since fracking opponents have collected signatures to put another referendum on the ballot.
Whether it is property damage, violence, or wasted taxpayer dollars, communities are paying a high price for fracking opponents’ protests.


US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Trump's Historically Slow Confirmation Rate is Hurting America
By, NEIL BRADLEY, Senior Vice President and Chief Policy Officer
Blog posting dated 8/ 3/ 17 (source link)

There is an old saying in Washington that “personnel is policy.” But what happens to policy if there are no personnel?
Unfortunately, we are in the middle of finding out; and the answer is grim.
Every president nominates approximately 1,200 senior officials, who, after being confirmed by the Senate, manage and set policy in the various federal agencies and independent commissions.
Yet today, six months after President Trump took office, the majority of those positions still either sit vacant or are held by temporary officials in an acting capacity. As a result, agencies lack critical leadership and in the case of independent agencies, the quorum necessary to conduct important business.
This has real world impacts: Workers are sidelined as projects await permits and approvals from agencies that lack the quorum necessary to issue them. Businesses are left waiting for important administrative decisions that simply cannot be made in the absence of Senate-confirmed officials.
Why is this happening? While it is true that the White House got off to a slow start in identifying nominees and the process of conducting background checks on nominees is slowing down the process once nominees are identified, increasingly the hold-up is in the U.S. Senate.
Over 80 nominees have been approved by the committee of jurisdiction and now await consideration by the full Senate.  Some nominees have been waiting over two months. Why? Because some in the Senate are forcing most nominees to go through a time-consuming process designed to slow down the overall confirmation process.
Specifically, rather than confirming non-controversial nominees by voice vote – as the Senate did in prior administrations – the Senate minority is forcing most confirmations to go through what is called the cloture process, a process that takes several days to complete per nominee.

Through August 2, of President Trump’s 283 executive and judicial nominations, only 67 have been confirmed. Of those 67, only 13 (19%) were confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent, while 37 (55%) were confirmed only after going through the cloture process.  By way of comparison, at the same point in President Obama’s first term, the Senate had confirmed 206 nominees, 182 (88%) by voice vote or unanimous consent. Only eight (4%) of President Obama’s nominees were forced to go through the cloture process.
Unfortunately, we are in the middle of finding out; and the answer is grim.
Every president nominates approximately 1,200 senior officials, who, after being confirmed by the Senate, manage and set policy in the various federal agencies and independent commissions.
Yet today, six months after President Trump took office, the majority of those positions still either sit vacant or are held by temporary officials in an acting capacity. As a result, agencies lack critical leadership and in the case of independent agencies, the quorum necessary to conduct important business.
This has real world impacts: Workers are sidelined as projects await permits and approvals from agencies that lack the quorum necessary to issue them. Businesses are left waiting for important administrative decisions that simply cannot be made in the absence of Senate-confirmed officials.
Why is this happening? While it is true that the White House got off to a slow start in identifying nominees and the process of conducting background checks on nominees is slowing down the process once nominees are identified, increasingly the hold-up is in the U.S. Senate.

Over 80 nominees have been approved by the committee of jurisdiction and now await consideration by the full Senate.  Some nominees have been waiting over two months. Why? Because some in the Senate are forcing most nominees to go through a time-consuming process designed to slow down the overall confirmation process.
In a letter sent to Senate leaders, a number of business associations noted the impact this is having.
(See Business Letter to Senate: Stop Stalling on Trump Nominees)





IRS: Security Summit Alert: Tax Pros Warned of New Scam to Steal Their Passwords
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 4/ 17

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the tax industry today warned tax professionals to be alert to a new phishing email scam impersonating tax software providers and attempting to steal usernames and passwords.
This sophisticated scam yet again displays cybercriminals’ tax savvy and underscores the need for tax professionals to take strong security measures to protect their clients and protect their business. This is the time of year when many software providers issue software upgrades and when tax professionals are working to meet the Oct. 15 deadline for extension filers.
These types of phishing scams are why the IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry, acting as the Security Summit, launched the 10-week Don’t Take the Bait campaign currently underway. This awareness effort highlights the many tactics of cybercriminals as well as the steps tax professionals can take to protect their clients and themselves.
This latest scam email variation comes with a subject line of “Software Support Update” and highlights an “Important Software System Upgrade.” It thanks recipients for continuing to trust the software provider to serve their tax preparation needs and mimics the software providers’ email templates.
The e-mail informs the recipients that due to a recent software upgrade, the preparer must revalidate their login credentials. It provides a link to a fictitious website that mirrors the software provider’s actual login page.
Instead of upgrading software, the tax professionals are providing their information to cybercriminals who use the stolen credentials to access the preparers’ accounts and to steal client information.
The Security Summit reminds tax professionals that software providers do not embed links into emails asking them to validate passwords. Also, tax professionals and taxpayers should never open a link or an attachment from a suspicious email.
Tax professionals can review additional tips to protect clients and themselves at Protect Your Clients, Protect Yourself on IRS.gov.
Tax professionals who receive emails purportedly from their tax software providers seeking login credentials should send those scam emails to their tax software provider.
For Windows users, follow this process to help the investigation of these scam emails:
Use “Save As” to save the scam. Under “save as type” in the drop-down menu, select “plain text” and save to the desktop. Do not click on any links.
Open a new email and attach this saved email as a file.
Send a new email containing the attachment to the tax software provider, as well as a copy to Phishing@IRS.gov.



US DEPT. of LABOR: U.S. SECRETARY OF LABOR ACOSTA STATEMENT ON JULY JOBS REPORT
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 4/ 17

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the July 2017 Employment Situation report:

“July’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.3 percent from the previous month’s level of 4.4 percent. The unemployment rate matches its May 2017 rate, which is the lowest since May 2001. The unemployment rate has dropped 0.5 percentage point since President Trump took office. Non-farm payroll employment rose by 209,000 jobs. More than one million jobs have been created since January. Multiple economic sectors showed job growth since the President took office, including 82,000 jobs created in construction and 70,000 in manufacturing.

“Since President Trump took office, the unemployment rate has hit a 16-year low. This month’s jobs report reflects the steady economic growth and continued optimism felt by businesses across the United States. American companies are growing and they are hiring. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are now taking home a paycheck.

“By empowering business, education, and state and local government to work together on expanding apprenticeships and job opportunities, our labor force will continue to strengthen. This Administration is committed to ensuring good, safe, family-sustaining jobs for American workers will be available today and in the future.”



US TREASURY DEPT:  Report to the Secretary of the Treasury from the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 2/ 17

(Text of letter as posted on the US Treasury Dept.)
Letter to the Secretary

Dear Mr. Secretary:

Economic activity picked up in the second quarter after a sluggish first quarter. Real GDP rose 2.6% (annual rate) last quarter, led by healthy gains in personal consumption expenditures and business fixed investment. Smoothing through the quarterly variability, real GDP has expanded 2.1% over the last four quarters. That pace represents a continuation of the relatively slow but steady growth that has characterized this expansion.

Since the Committee last met in May, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised interest rates again, outlined a plan for how it will shrink its super-sized balance sheet, and suggested it would begin the run-off “relatively soon,” which most market participants interpreted as the next FOMC meeting in September.  In spite of these moves to provide less monetary policy accommodation, financial conditions eased on net. Equities rose on good news about earnings, the broad trade-weighted exchange value of the US dollar fell as growth improved abroad, and long-term interest rates were little changed. Financial conditions are expected to remain accommodative in the near term, continuing to support domestic economic activity and provide a favorable backdrop for the ongoing economic expansion.

Real personal consumption expenditures increased 2.8% in the second quarter, somewhat stronger than in the first quarter. Spending on durable goods rose briskly despite sagging sales of motor vehicles. Nondurable spending also notched a solid gain while growth in services was steady. The most recent readings on the consumer have been mixed. Core retail sales (excluding autos, building supplies and gasoline stations) fell outright in June, which provides a weak handoff to the current quarter. However, industry reports suggested motor vehicle purchases edged back up in July. Looking ahead, the fundamental determinants of consumer spending appear sturdy. Consumer sentiment is elevated, household balance sheets have enjoyed rising home and equity prices, debt growth has been disciplined, and compensation growth has been moderate.

Business fixed investment moved up 5.2% in the second quarter, improving across the board in equipment, structures, and intellectual property. Real outlays on equipment accelerated to 8.2%, the largest increase since the third quarter of 2015. Real structures investment increased 4.9%, a move that was more than all accounted for by a surge in drilling activity in the energy sector. Real investment in intellectual property slowed because of a decline in the entertainment sector. Looking forward, national and regional surveys of purchasing managers point to ongoing momentum in manufacturing and investment. In addition, hard data on orders of nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft have improved further in recent months, and remain above the corresponding shipments, which is positive for further growth in equipment investment. Inventory investment was nearly unchanged in the second quarter. The real level of -$0.3 billion means that there is plenty of room for sizable positive contributions to growth in the second half of the year as businesses restock.

Real residential investment declined 6.8% in the second quarter. Part of the decline may owe to payback from the large increase in the first quarter when unseasonably warm weather pulled forward activity. Despite the decline, fundamentals in the housing market look generally positive. The benchmark 30-year mortgage remains below 4%, credit is widely available, and the supply of new and existing homes is relatively lean.

Net exports added a little to second-quarter real GDP growth. With the broad trade-weighted exchange value of the US dollar depreciating by 7% this year, the dollar is turning into a tailwind for growth. At the same time, the outlook for global growth has brightened. Developed market economies have displayed surprising strength, especially in the Euro area, and emerging market economic performance has been stable as worries have faded about downside risks to growth in China. As a consequence, we look for stronger US exports in the coming quarters

Government spending and investment rose a bit in the first quarter. Federal outlays increased a little more than state and local contracted. Plans for federal expenditures on health care and tax reform continue to be debated by Congress and the administration. Efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare have been unsuccessful so far. An outline for tax reform was agreed among key officials and the relevant committees in Congress will forge ahead on filling in the details in the fall.

Despite relatively slow growth, the labor market has continued to impress. The unemployment rate has fallen 0.3 percentage points in the first half of the year to 4.4%. Over the same period, nonfarm payroll employment has averaged a robust 180,000 new jobs per month. Despite what appears to be a tightening labor market, wage growth has been modest. Average hourly earnings have slowed to a 2.5% clip over the year ended in June. Over the same period, a broader measure of compensation in the employment cost index has been similarly muted. Part of the explanation for restrained wage growth may owe to historically weak productivity trends.

Consumer price inflation has disappointed over the past few months. Total personal consumption expenditures inflation ticked down to 1.6% in the year ended in the second quarter. Inflation excluding food and energy has been even weaker slipping to 1.5%, owing mostly to a string of idiosyncratic and transitory factors. Earlier in the year, a huge decline in the quality-adjusted prices for wireless phone services shaved .1 percentage points by itself from core inflation. More recently, volatile categories like airfares and lodging held back core inflation. However, some of the decline in core inflation looks more persistent, as owner’s equivalent rent (the largest share of expenditures after health care) has slowed as well. Meanwhile, survey-based measures of inflation expectations bounced back to the middle of the ranges seen in the last few years. Market-based measures of inflation compensation have generally followed the path of longer-term nominal interest rates, declining for most of the year until bouncing back in the last month or so.

At its June meeting, the FOMC raised the federal funds rate for a third consecutive quarter to a range of 1.0% to 1.25%. The Fed also indicated that it expects to continue raising interest rates gradually. The median of the Committee participants’ submissions of the appropriate path of policy called for three rate increases in each of 2018 and 2019 with a longer run neutral rate of 3%. The FOMC also announced in June detailed principles about how it plans to normalize its balance sheet. The Fed will decrease its reinvestments of principal payments on Treasury and agency mortgage-backed securities subject to a series of caps. For Treasuries, the cap will be $6 billion per month initially and will increase in steps of $6 billion at three-month intervals over 12 months until it reaches $30 billion. For agency mortgages, the cap will be $4 billion per month initially and will increase in steps of $4 billion at three-month intervals over 12 months until it reaches $20 billion per month. Although no decisions were made about the ultimate size of the balance sheet, the near-term path of the gradually declining balance sheet appears to be on autopilot. At their July meeting, the FOMC indicated that normalization would begin “relatively soon,” code words most market participants took to mean an announcement in September with commencement soon thereafter. Given the very deliberate approach the Fed has taken to withdrawing accommodation, it seems likely they will pause on raising interest rates when they start balance sheet normalization. In light of the surprising shortfall in inflation from the Fed’s 2% mandate, such a pause also enables the Committee to evaluate inflation trends before raising rates again. Most officials appear comfortable with returning to rate hikes in December,

Against this economic backdrop, the Committee reviewed Treasury’s August 2017 Quarterly Refunding Presentation to the TBAC. Fiscal year-to-date receipts are up 2%, due to stronger individual income and payroll taxes. Fiscal year-to-date Treasury outlays increased by 6%.

Based on the Quarterly Borrowing Estimate, Treasury’s Office of Fiscal Projections currently projects a net marketable borrowing need of $96 billion for the fourth quarter of FY 2017, with an end-of-September cash balance of $60 billion. For the first quarter of FY 2018, net marketable borrowing need is projected to be substantially higher at $501 billion, with a cash balance ramping up to $360 billion by the end of December.

The Committee reviewed the Treasury’s cash balance policy in light of prudent risk management goals as well as developments related to the debt limit impasse, including the Secretary’s recent letter to Congress saying it must act to increase the debt limit by 29 September. The Committee stressed the urgency and importance for Congress to raise the debt limit in a timely manner.

The TBAC charge was to discuss the implications for Treasury debt management from the Federal Reserve’s potential normalization of its SOMA portfolio. The wide-ranging charge covered three major topics: Expectations for balance sheet normalization, options for the resulting increase in Treasury issuance, and potential broader market implications.

The FOMC is expected to begin phasing out reinvestments starting in October. Assuming a steady state where reserve balances are $650 billion (which includes a buffer than may prove unnecessary), the balance sheet will reach normal levels in the first quarter of 2021. At that time, Treasury holdings will be $1.7 trillion, down from $2.5 trillion presently. After normalization, the Fed is assumed to reinvest all maturing Treasuries on a pro-rata basis across the Treasury curve. Maturing mortgage-backed securities are assumed to be reinvested in T-bills. The Fed’s holdings of Treasuries will grow by $100-200 billion per year in 2021 and thereafter. Over this period of normalization, the impact on 10-year term premium is estimated to be a relatively modest 40 basis points, but that will depend on the Treasury’s issuance strategy as well as empirical relationships that are highly uncertain given the unique nature of this policy.

In addition to the funding gap created by less reinvestment by the Fed, the amount of maturing debt that needs to be refinanced will rise in the coming years. Another important variable for judging Treasury’s funding needs is the path of future budget deficits, a topic about which there’s considerable uncertainty. If the median deficit forecast by the primary dealers is a good guide, Treasury’s borrowing needs are likely to be substantially higher over the coming years. In the baseline estimates, borrowing needs will increase from $525 billion in calendar year 2017 to $1,010 billion in calendar year 2020, effectively a doubling. Assuming a gradual ramping up in T-bill’s share of overall debt, offering amounts excluding T-bills will have to rise by $672 billion by calendar year 2020. Assuming a more favorable profile for the federal deficit—such as in the administration’s forecast—results in meaningfully lower offering amounts.

The presentation then turned to how Treasury should consider responding to increased funding needs. The highlight of the findings is that Treasury should consider increasing auction sizes across all tenors while gradually increasing T-bills as a share of overall debt. Under this proposal, the weighted average maturity (WAM) of the debt would gradually increase. Several other scenarios were presented. For example, were Treasury to concentrate increases at the front end of the Treasury curve with a large jump in the T-bill share to 22% of outstanding, coupons would increase only modestly.

The higher borrowing needs are primarily driven by the federal deficit, so Treasury should carefully consider fiscal policies as it makes decisions about various debt management scenarios. Nevertheless, if the median primary dealer forecast is a good guide, a prudent and flexible approach would consider increasing coupon debt as soon as the November refunding and as late as the first quarter of 2018. In particular, the presentation recommended that Treasury consider a broader increase in issuance across tenors.
The presentation concluded with a discussion of potential spillovers and risks from the normalization of the Fed’s balance sheet. The private sector piggy-backed on the Fed’s large-scale asset purchases, a move that promoted a surge in corporate borrowing and tighter risk spreads. In this environment, a tail risk stress scenario is that a small increase in yields could possibly lead to large changes in risk premiums. In an adverse scenario, there’s the possibility of a meaningful, but not systemically risky, decline in both credit and equities.
In the ensuing discussion among Committee members, there was unanimous agreement that the traditional way of responding to cyclical debt needs by relying primarily on short-end funding would be inappropriate. Given the potential magnitude of the funding gap going forward, the Committee strongly recommends that Treasury consider a broader increase in issuance across tenors.
Although the Committee did not make specific recommendations for how to increase coupon issuance, there was unanimous agreement that the WAM should remain about the same or increase going forward. It was stressed by many members that the WAM is just a metaphor for Treasury’s specific goals for least cost issuance and interest rate risk mitigation over time. In future charges, the Committee plans to carefully examine different debt management strategies within a model-based framework along with using WAM. The risk is that by using WAM as a single metric exclusively, the market mistakenly infers that a mechanical increase in longer-term coupons is optimal. It’s not.
In terms of the timing of increased coupon issuance, the Committee felt that Treasury should consider increasing coupon debt as soon as the November refunding and as late as Q1 2018. By legging into increased coupon issuance relatively soon and in a predictable manner, Treasury maintains flexibility to respond to fiscal and other developments without causing market stress.

WORLD & NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS & Commentary

UN NEWS CENTER: On anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bombing, UN chief calls for intensified effort on nuclear disarmament
6 August 2017 – With the presence of some 15,000 nuclear weapons on earth, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today urged all States to intensify their efforts in the shared pursuit of a nuclear-weapons-free world.

PJ MEDIA: 'The Russians Don't Particularly Like General McMaster,' Top House Intel Dem Says of Ouster Campaign
WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers said today that it would be within Moscow's known M.O. to orchestrate or join a campaign calling for the ouster of National Security Advisor Gen. H.R. McMaster.

PATRIOT POST: Trump Is Woody Allen Without the Humor
Half his tweets show utter weakness. They are plaintive, shrill little cries, usually just after dawn.
The president’s primary problem as a leader is not that he is impetuous, brash or naive. It’s not that he is inexperienced, crude, an outsider. It is that he is weak and sniveling. It is that he undermines himself almost daily by ignoring traditional norms and forms of American masculinity.

THE HILL: McCain lifts the Senate
When Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) returned to the Senate floor after being diagnosed with cancer he was greeted by fellow senators with a rousing ovation of admiration, respect and goodwill.
After casting the decisive vote in favor of proceeding to consider the Republican healthcare bill, and before casting the decisive vote against the GOP bill, McCain gave one of the most impassioned and important speeches in many years about the nature and future of the Senate.

MORE REACTION ABOUT THE SCOLDING FROM US ATTORNEY GENERAL OVER POT
Inslee statement on Attorney General Sessions’ letter regarding Washington’s marijuana legalization efforts
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8. 4. 17
Washington state has been a ground-breaking leader when it comes to implementing a whole new marketplace for recreational marijuana. I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to implement legalization in a way that keeps youth safe, minimizes diversion into the black market, and minimizes diversion of product out of state.

"We are learning important lessons as we go and continually looking for ways to improve our work on all fronts. It is important for our state to know the Trump Administration is willing to work with us to ensure our success on these efforts, rather than undermining our efforts and diminishing our ability to work constructively with growers and distributors.

“While Washington has been successful in creating a tightly regulated market place and generating needed revenue for the state, challenges do remain. Most importantly marijuana remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance by the federal government. This determination affects all aspects of our state systems, from banking to research to consumer safety.

“It is clear that our goals regarding health and safety are in step with the goals Attorney General Sessions has articulated. Unfortunately he is referring to incomplete and unreliable data that does not provide the most accurate snapshot of our efforts since the marketplace opened in 2014. Our team is currently reviewing his letter, and we will have a more detailed response in the coming days. I look forward to speaking with Attorney General Sessions to make sure he fully understands everything our state is doing to accomplish our shared goals.”

Daily Bible Verse: The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

Psalm 119:160 NKJV 

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