by Sue | Jan 18, 2021 | 2021 Olympia Bills to Watch, Alerts about pending WA State Legislation
from WashingtonVotes.org
Governor Inslee sworn in for third consecutive term, vows a “new normal” for the people of the state – Senate Democrats pass measure to extend his emergency orders indefinitely
Governor Inslee took the oath of office for his third consecutive four-year term on Wednesday in the Capitol building, along with other state elected officials, wearing masks and physically distanced. Others, like Attorney General Ferguson who is also entering his third four-year term, were sworn in online. Governor Inslee is the first Washington governor to be elected for a third term since Republican Dan Evans in the 1970s.
Rather than delivering his inaugural address before the traditional assembly of lawmakers, state elected officials, and state supreme court justices, Governor Inslee presented his remarks in a pre-recorded 20-minute video posted online.
The governor’s speech touched on economic recovery, education, homelessness and the need to overhaul the state’s mental health system. He also declared his continued commitment to fighting climate change. ”We cannot let the short-term crisis of COVID-19 blind us to the long-term health cataclysm that is climate change,“ he said.
Governor Inslee also emphasized that Washingtonians should not expect their lives to return to normal after the COVID-19 epidemic is under control. “We are not going back to normal. We are going forward toward a new normal. We are on a path in this legislative session to a more just normal, a healthier normal. And we’re not just talking about the pandemic.”
State lawmakers continue to introduce new bills this week at a brisk pace—nearly 500 so far, as Washington’s 105-day regular session gets underway in a mostly online format. Legislative actions, including floor debates, committee hearings, and public testimony are conducted remotely, using online tools in keeping with the restrictions on gatherings imposed by Governor Inslee’s emergency orders.
These restrictions are likely to continue for the foreseeable future, as Senate Democrats on Wednesday pushed through a measure that would extend all of the governor’s emergency proclamations indefinitely.
Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 8402 would continue the restrictions ordered by Governor Inslee until the governor declares an end to the state of emergency or the legislature repeals his orders. (Reps. Chapman, Tharinger, and Sen. Van deWege voted for this.)
The measure passed along straight party lines by 28-19 votes, with all Democrats voting “yes” and all Republicans voting “no.” Two senators were excused. The House, which is controlled by Democrats with a 57-41 majority, is expected to vote on the resolution later today, Friday.
During the debate on the measure—carried out remotely via online tools, Republicans brought up their concerns about extending the governor’s emergency orders indefinitely. Sen. Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake), who voted against the resolution, said in an interview with The Everett Herald that lawmakers came to Olympia to help the governor “work our way as a state, through the situation that we’re in with this pandemic. He’s been doing it all on his own.”
Sen. Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville) also voted against the resolution. “We came to Olympia to be able to do the right thing,” he said. “Instead, the majority gives the governor continued dictatorial powers.”
A Republican proposal to extend the proclamations only until January 27th failed, along with an amendment to move each region in the state to Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery plan by January 18 before extending any proclamations.
WashingtonVotes.org is a free service provided by Washington Policy Center and is the go-to tracking tool to keep up with all the action in Olympia, especially during this mostly virtual session. Please check in often and follow us on Facebook and Twitter at #waleg.
(Reprinted from Washington Votes.org with permission)
by Sue | Jan 18, 2021 | Republican Party News
On Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, the State Committee of the Washington State Republican Party (WSRP), representing the 39 county Republican Parties across Washington state, voted to pass a resolution to condemn the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump.
Following is the Resolution as passed:
Resolution to Condemn the Impeachment of President Donald J. Trump
Whereas, we are the Party of Law and Order and are opposed to criminal violence and destruction of any kind, including the violence at the Capitol on January 6th and the violence of BLM and left-wing rioters in nearly every major city throughout the summer; and
Whereas, we support law enforcement and the prosecution of all violent crime to the fullest extent of the law; and
Whereas, the multiple serious concerns of millions of Americans regarding the 2020 election were ignored by both the offending states and Congress, creating an atmosphere of anger and distrust; and (more…)
by Sue | Jan 11, 2021 | Olympia News & Views 2021
by Ruth Peterson
Legislative Session 2021 – This is going to be a strange year. Many of us who work at the legislature are being asked to work from home. The buildings have been closed to the public. There will be little face to face access to your elected Representatives. These are all things that should concern every single Washington State citizen. It is wrong to not allow the public to access the place where laws are passed that affect them every single day. It’s especially dangerous this year, because the Democrats have a majority, and they are likely feeling pretty fearless, since they were able to be elected so easily. (more…)
by Sue | Jan 7, 2021 | Alerts, Education
Are you frustrated at the education system and are looking for alternatives for your children or grandchildren? Many parents have already removed their children and teenagers from the public school system and have found other methods of teaching them – from homeschooling to private schools. It’s one reason the Republican Party is such an advocate for school choice, where the money follows the child – to get the best education for each individual child!
Hillsdale College is a unique in that it takes no funding from the government, and is one – if not THE – best in the country. If you have a student preparing to attend college, be sure to check them out!
Hillsdale College has been in the forefront in helping to educate children and teens – in fact, people of all ages – about our nation’s history and government with their FREE online courses. It’s well-known for its Constitution 101 course (FREE), and many other courses it offers, free of charge. The monthly newsletter, Imprimis, is also offered free to the recipient, funded by donors from across the country.
Now, Hillsdale is offering a new course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope Study Group” – and again, it’s a FREE course of study.
Here’s the description on their website:
Special Six-Week Session of “The Great American Story”
(more…)
by Sue | Jan 4, 2021 | Alerts
If you’ve been observing any of the hearings around the country, in which poll watchers and other experts have been testifying in various states where vote fraud is suspected, you may come to the conclusion that there is a real issue with mail-in voting, especially where it’s been used last year for the first time. There are too many different challenges to the ballots to go into here. People who have stepped forward to tell what they have witnessed have been bullied and sometimes lost their jobs as a result. The electors’ votes from around the nation will be counted on January 6, 2021. There are several Congressional members who have stated they will object to certain states’ votes being counted due to the testimonies of many witnesses and affidavits put forth to show evidence that election integrity has been compromised in those states.
(more…)
