From the governor's medium page.
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced additional economic supports for workers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inslee also announced a three-week extension of the state’s current restrictions which will now be in place until January 4, 2021.
What we do between now — when COVID activity is still at crisis levels — and the time when vaccines are widely available, is literally a matter of life and death,” Inslee said at a press conference Tuesday morning.
Economic supports
Washington has distributed billions of dollars in federal and state funds to help all of the state’s industries and workers impacted by this pandemic to date, $50 million going straight to businesses through Working Washington grants.
Inslee was joined by Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown who announced an additional $50 million, doubling the number of Washington small businesses that will receive aid. Industries recently shut down, such as restaurants and fitness centers, as well as businesses that have been devastatingly impacted throughout the pandemic, like music and event venues, have been prioritized.
“The needs among our small businesses are profound, and speed is of the essence,” Brown said. “This additional funding allows us to double the number of small businesses we can provide aid to, but we know it’s not enough. As we battle the toughest months of this pandemic, we need Congress to step up so we can support our businesses and workers as we continue asking them to do these hard things.”
In addition, Inslee also announced the state’s readiness to step in in the case of congressional failure to extend the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funding in the CARES Act by the end of the year. Washington will be able to fill some of the funding gap for residents that aren’t eligible for regular UI, such as self-employed workers, freelancers and independent contractors.
“Whether it is through federal or state aid, if Congress fails to act by Christmas, we will step up to help workers and their families who are not covered by pre-pandemic unemployment insurance benefits,” Inslee said.
The three-week extension of statewide restrictions come as the state’s healthcare system nears dangerous occupancy levels. With the effects of Thanksgiving on infection and hospital numbers still unknown, the extension will grant the state’s medical system much needed time to increase Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity before it’s overwhelmed.
“We all hoped a fall surge would not materialize. Sadly, that was not the case and our hospital systems continue to be heavily impacted by rising cases,” said Secretary of Health John Wiesman. “It’s important we stay the course right now. We cannot let our guard down, even though it’s hard and we’re tired. We need people to mask up, stay home as much as possible and delay gatherings with anyone outside your home.”
Currently, nearly 80% of ICU beds are currently occupied, with around 1,000 residents in those units. Even in the best-case scenario, hospitals across the state would need to add surge capacity to ensure enough ICU beds to care for COVID-19 patients in the weeks and months to come. In the worst-case scenario, state ICU capacity would need to be doubled before the end of the year.
“They’re not all COVID patients taking up the ICU beds, which is very important to remember: If COVID overwhelms our medical facilities, every other person with a significant medical need will be affected, not just COVID-19 patients,” Inslee said. “We are all, quite literally, in this together.”
Rep. Kilmer, Sen. Cantwell, Sen. Murray, Secure Vital Support for Washington’s Maritime Industry.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), along with U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), announced they secured vital support for Washington’s maritime sector through a key provision they championed in the final conference report for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will provide dedicated financial relief to maritime dependent businesses and communities during a national emergency, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters.
The Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act (MTSERA) will establish a comprehensive new program under the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to provide financial assistance to eligible entities – which includes state and local governments, port authorities, and private vessel operators – to maintain the stability and reliability of the U.S. Maritime Transportation System (MTS) in the event of a national emergency or disaster, including, the current COVID-19 public health emergency. This emergency funding is critical to supporting businesses like the Black Ball Ferry Lines that have been forced to reduce or suspend operations due to the current public health crisis.
“Having grown up in Port Angeles, I’m conscious of how critical the Black Ball ferry is to our local economy. It’s helped Port Angeles become the gateway for tourists and supported so many local businesses. But, as has been the case for so many things during the COVID-19 public health crisis, it’s been really challenged during this difficult time,” said Rep. Kilmer. “That’s why I’ve been working with our partners on the ground and Senators Cantwell and Murray to protect vital regional assets like the Black Ball ferry. I’ll keep working to ensure the federal government steps up during this unprecedent crisis.”
“Maritime transportation is a critical part of our way of life in the State of Washington. As we continue to fight COVID-19, it’s so important we don’t lose important community ties, like those between the Olympic Peninsula and Canada,” Senator Cantwell said. “Our local communities need support when unforeseen disasters strike, and I will keep working to secure much-needed economic relief for those impacted by the ongoing pandemic.”
“The Black Ball ferry has been a lifeline for communities on both sides of our Northern border for more than 60 years, and once we are through this crisis it will once again be critical to so many Washington state families and businesses,” Senator Murray said. “I’m glad that we were able to secure access to assistance for this essential Washington state institution, and I will continue working to get all of Washington state’s ferry systems the support they need to make it through this crisis.”
Steven Burke, Port of Port Angeles Commission President, thanked Rep. Kilmer, Senator Cantwell, and Senator Murray, for their work to include the Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act (MTSERA). “MTSERA will provide a mechanism to assist maritime Ports in bringing economic activity to rural regions like ours. MTSERA will also help grow and sustain maritime interests impacted by the closure of travel between Canada and the Olympic Peninsula. We look forward to working with this new program to restore and grow the maritime economy in Clallam County.”
“We are so appreciative and pleased with the constant support and efforts of Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and Congressman Kilmer for Black Ball and all of its employees,” said Ryan Malane, Co-owner & Vice President, Black Ball Ferry Line. “While Congress still needs to appropriate money, and we need to make application for funds, this is a major step forward.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINE
WSDA joins UW and WSU to learn more about COVID-19 impacts to agriculture.
https://wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2020/12/wsda-joins-uw-and-wsu-to-learn-more.html
AG FERGUSON: WASHINGTONIANS TO RECEIVE FULL REFUNDS ON HIDDEN SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL CHARGES
Making Fine Payments More Manageable and Fair, Tukwila Court Administrator Chosen for Award
December 08, 2020
Tukwila Municipal Court Administrator LaTricia (Trish) Kinlow has been named 2020 Court Manager of the Year by the Washington State Court Management Council for her work in establishing a unique, county-wide program to help people pay traffic fines in manageable amounts without paying excess fees or losing their driver licenses.---Washington State Courts
http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/?fa=newsinfo.internetdetail&newsid=42805
Cleaning Kendall Yards
In June 1881, the first steam engine from the Northern Pacific Railroad chugged down the line into the town of Spokane Falls, Washington Territory, population 594. Named after the falls that carved through narrow canyons of basalt bedrock, this town would eventually become a crossroads where three transcontinental railroads met.--DOE
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/December-2020/Cleaning-Kendall-Yards
In other headline news
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WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
More uprooted, fewer return, pushing forcibly displaced above 80 million
The number of people forcibly displaced around the world has doubled in the past decade and is estimated to have passed 80 million in mid-2020, as few could go home and more were uprooted, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said in a report published on Wednesday.--UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079642
UN’s Bachelet slams ‘reprehensible’ political leadership during pandemic, sees hope in new US administration.
Some political leadership during the pandemic has been “reprehensible”, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Wednesday, while holding out hope of a better 2021 as US President-elect Joe Biden takes office. ---UN NEWS Center
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079622
Recognize and act on warning signs of genocide, Guterres urges, honoring victims.
Social media platforms, technology companies, and religious and civil society leaders have a central role in combatting hate speech, “a clear warning sign” of genocide, the United Nations Secretary-General has said. ---UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079592
We cannot allow corruption to infest COVID-19 recovery, UN chief says.
Corruption has thrived under the coronavirus pandemic and anyone involved in graft must be prevented from exploiting the rollout of new vaccines, the UN Secretary-General has said.---UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079582
NATIONAL HEADLINES
President Donald J. Trump’s Effort To Provide Americans With A Safe And Effective Vaccine Is Delivering Results--Fact sheet/ WH
NEW CFO AUDIT REPORT INDICATES HUD ENHANCED FINANCIAL CONTROLS UNDER LEADERSHIP OF SECRETARY BEN CARSON AND CFO IRV DENNIS
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) today issued its Financial Statement Audit Opinion which was classified as an unqualified opinion by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the first time in eight years. This report illustrates the number of material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, and non-compliances across the Department, including Ginnie Mae and FHA since the previous administration.---HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_200
CDC expands local area health estimates to include data for the entire U.S. New PLACES data help inform local health decisions--CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p1209-places.html
Department of Homeland Security Announce Supplemental Guidance for MPP Implementation
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/12/07/dhs-announce-supplemental-guidance-mpp-implementation
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
Treasury Sanctions Corrupt Actors in Africa and Asia.
Global Magnitsky designations target corrupt actors and their networks on International Anti-Corruption Day
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1206
Justice Department Settles Claim Against Texas IT Company for Using Job Advertisements that Discriminated Against and Deterred U.S. Workers in Favor of Temporary Visa Holders--DOJ
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PUBLISHES FINAL RULE TO IMPLEMENT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today released its “Implementing Legal Requirements Regarding the Equal Opportunity Clause’s Religious Exemption” Final Rule, which will be published in an upcoming edition of the Federal Register. This rule will encourage the full and equal participation of religious organizations as federal contractors. Religious organizations, many of them small nonprofits, provide such essential services as feeding the hungry, supporting refugees, and educating our nation’s students.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ofccp/ofccp20201207
Get Ready for Taxes: What’s new and what to consider when filing in 2021.
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to take necessary actions in the final weeks of the year to help file federal tax returns timely and accurately in 2021.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/get-ready-for-taxes-whats-new-and-what-to-consider-when-filing-in-2021
Our continuing coverage of the election fraud case:
EXPERT: The Odds of Biden Overcoming Trump's Lead in the Four Swing States Was 'Less Than One in a Quadrillion'--PJ MEDIA
Texas Sues 4 Swing States: 'If Other States Don't Follow the Constitution...It Affects My State'--CNSNews.com
Fearing Trump Challenge, NY Electors Must Vote in Person--NEWSMAX
6 Things To Know About Texas’s Supreme Court Petition Over 2020’s Messed-Up Election
Texas argues that the case ‘presents constitutional questions of immense national consequences,’ namely that the 2020 election suffered from serious constitutional irregularities.--The Federalist
TODAY'S VIDEO
Texas AG: State legislatures have authority to identify electors
Ken Paxton discusses the details of his new election integrity lawsuit on 'Hannity.'
https://www.facebook.com/SeanHannity/videos/214488533576922
BIBLE VERSE: John 15:5,8 (New King James Version)
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
