Inslee: Could mask requirements be lifted soon?

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE |||

Inslee says pandemic ‘turning point’ could see mask requirements lifted soon

Gov. Jay Inslee welcomed declines in COVID hospitalizations this week as evidence the state is at a turning point in the pandemic. COVID-19 hospitalizations and case counts remain high, but Inslee on Wednesday said the trends indicate we are at a turning point in the pandemic that could result in mask requirements being relaxed.

Inslee announced a series actions that will be lifted Feb. 18. Washington National Guard service members will begin to wind down deployment to hospitals; hospitals will be able to resume non-urgent procedures; and outdoor mask requirements at large events with more than 500 attendees will also end.

Conversations are also being had about when and how to safely change indoor mask requirements. Inslee said he would announce a decision next week.

“For the millions of Washingtonians who have quietly been doing all the right things these past two years to protect themselves, their families and their communities, thank you. You have helped save lives. We will continue to move forward carefully and cautiously, together,” Inslee said.

VIDEO: Gov. Jay Inslee media availability.

Seven counties receive $19 million in affordable housing funding

On Monday, the Department of Commerce awarded nearly $19 million in infrastructure funding to seven counties for affordable housing development. The grants will fund utility connection fees and the improvements needed to connect affordable housing to municipal water and sewer systems.

Projects awarded funding are located in Clark, King, Skagit, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom and Yakima counties.

“The communities receiving grant funds have already made affordable housing a priority with local tax levies. This program supports and helps accelerate that work at a time when affordable housing projects throughout the state are facing significant cost increases,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown.

Applications are open now for a second round of grants. More information is available on the CHIP webpage.

Read more about infrastructure funding.

Inslee applauds legislators’ green transportation proposal

On Tuesday, legislators unveiled a $16 billion state transportation funding proposal to support critical state infrastructure while transitioning away from a reliance on fossil fuels.

Senate and House Transportation Committee chairs Sen. Marko Liias, and Rep. Jake Fey led negotiations to draft this historic $16 billion proposal.

The package recognizes the need to reduce emissions in our transportation sector by prioritizing billions of dollars to clean transportation initiatives including funding for four new hybrid-electric vessels, support for new state and local decarbonization projects, and historic investments in transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

The package includes funding to replace the I-5 bridge over the Columbia River; keeps our legal commitment to remove fish passage barriers on our state highways; and continues work on ultra-high-speed rail.

“The Move Ahead Washington proposal will provide major benefits to communities all across our state. As our state continues to grow, we need to make sure people and businesses have safe, reliable transportation options,” said Inslee. “I would like to thank House Transportation Chair Jake Fey and Senate Transportation Chair Marko Liias for leading on this effort. I encourage the House and Senate to move this package through session as quickly as possible.”

‘Move Ahead Washington’ is made up of Senate bills 5974, 5975 and House bills 2118, 2119. 

“Washington is a nationwide leader on so many issues, and we can continue to show our progressive values in the transportation sector,” said Liias. “From letting kids ride free on transit and ferries, to increasing public transit options and investing in pedestrian and road safety projects, this is a win for our entire state.”

“This package is key for an accessible, sustainable future in Washington’s transportation sector,” said Fey. “We’ve worked hard over the last two years to listen to communities all across Washington, and they told us that their top priorities included preserving our infrastructure, finishing projects we’ve started, taking action against climate change, expanding multimodal options, and addressing the harm of past transportation policies. I’m proud that this package reflects all those things to invest in every Washington community.”

Read more about ‘Move Ahead Washington’.

Read our ‘Move Ahead Washington’ press release.

Latino Legislative Day highlights the state’s diverse communities

Gov. Jay Inslee spoke of the state’s commitment to Latino and immigrant communities Monday at the annual Latino Legislative Day hosted by the Latino Civic Alliance.

Latino Legislative Day is coordinated through the efforts of elected volunteer board members throughout the state. Latino Legislative Day is perhaps the largest advocacy platform to unite all the organizations that serve Latino communities in our state to work together to address legislation impacting them.

Inslee’s remarks highlighting the work of his office, DSHS-ORIA and community partners on the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund to support undocumented immigrants living in Washington who are not eligible for federal unemployment benefits.

The governor and Legislature successfully allocated $127.6 million to the WA COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund between August 2020 and February 2021. Ninety five percent (95%) of the funding has been used to provide grants of $1,000 to eligible and approved applicants. The remaining 5% of the funding has allowed DSHS to partner and contract with various organizations to receive and process applications, provide application assistance and outreach, provide customer support and release grants.

The success of the Immigrant Relief Fund along with the advocacy of community leaders and organizations, prompted the Washington State Legislature to allocate and approve an additional $340 million to continue the program through June 30, 2023.

VIDEO: Latino Legislative Day.

New nursing home units free up hospital beds as COVID rates remain high

The Department of Social & Health Services is opening units in long-term care facilities to treat non-COVID patients from hospitals to ease the strain on hospitals and staff at this stage of the pandemic.

DSHS contracted with 10 nursing homes and is providing staffing resources to establish dedicated units for patients. More than 240 hospital beds will be freed up for those in need of treatment. 

“This is a much-needed resource that aligns with the governor’s initiative of supporting hospital staff and their capacity to treat patients,” said DSHS Assistant Secretary Bill Moss.

“While I’m encouraged by our rapidly declining COVID-19 case rates, our hospitalization rate remains high,” said Inslee. “Our hospital staff continue to do incredible work, but many are understandably burned out. This program is a crucial step to ease some of the burden that’s been placed on them during this surge.”

DSHS news release.