||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE |||
Inslee releases 2023 budget proposal with major focus on housing, homelessness and behavioral health
Gov. Jay Inslee revealed his proposed budget for the upcoming biennium on Dec. 14 at the capitol. The highlight of the budget is an audacious housing proposal to fast-track and scale up housing across the state.
Gov. Jay Inslee released his 2023–25 budget proposals Wednesday including urgent and audacious investments in housing, homelessness, and behavioral health. His budgets also updated plans for climate, salmon recovery, education, public safety, state workforce, and more.
At the heart of Inslee’s housing proposal is a referendum that will allow legislators to front-load $4 billion of housing construction over the next six years. The referendum requires approval by legislators, then by a vote of the people. The referendum would fund more than 24,300 housing units over the next four biennia.
Federal emergency funds have allowed the state to rapidly fund supportive housing and shelter programs. Referendum funding would sustain a faster pace of housing construction.
“Unfortunately, we no longer have the influx of federal funding we are using today to quickly build thousands of new supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness,” Inslee said. “I don’t want to lose momentum, and I don’t want the problem to get worse because we aren’t moving fast enough.”
Inslee’s budget proposal also contains significant funding to continue building out the state’s behavioral health system as part of a transformation effort launched in 2018. Inslee is urging legislators to ensure full funding for planned facilities such as the new forensic hospital at Western State Hospital, and has signaled that he will ask local leaders to partner on efforts to reform the competency system that is currently resulting in unsustainable increases in referrals for forensic evaluation and restoration services.
The proposal also outline updated plans for climate, salmon recovery, education, public safety, state workforce, and more.
Read the full story on Gov. Jay Inslee’s Medium
New WSU institute would help lead clean energy tech innovation
Gov. Jay Inslee announced his proposal for a new Institute for Northwest Energy Futures at the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus on Monday, Dec. 12. Inslee was joined by WSU Tri-Cities chancellor Sandra Haynes, WSU president Kirk Schulz, TRIDEC CEO Karl Dye, 8th legislative district senator-elect Matt Boehnke, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory associate laboratory director Malin Young.
Gov. Jay Inslee visited Tri-Cities on Monday to announce his proposal to fund a new Institute for Northwest Energy Futures on the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus.
The institute will conduct joint research with partners in science and industry in search of new discoveries. It will introduce students to a spectrum of careers in clean energy, and engage governments to innovate public policy.
“As we advance clean energy, we know we’re going to create jobs, and we know we’re going to face challenges,” said Inslee. “Cougars will work those jobs, and Cougars will invent solutions to those challenges. WSU INEF graduates will help us push the envelope.”
“We are honored and excited that Governor Inslee has included the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures in Washington state’s clean energy initiative,” said WSU Tri-Cities chancellor Sandra Haynes. “This funding would allow INEF to support the Tri-Cities, our region, state, and nation as a leader in transforming energy systems and solving climate issues by bridging science and policy.”
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Federal judge prevents sweep of Camp Hope through Christmas
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New, modernized Amtrak trains soon to serve the Northwest
Amtrak will debut new, modernized trains to serve the northwest region by 2026. Modern, fuel-efficient trains are funded by the Biden Administration’s infrastructure package passed in 2021. Passengers will enjoy Wi-Fi, cushioned headrests, charging ports, cupholders, and cafe cars with local flavors including regional wine and beer. Elevated seats will improve the view of the journey.
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