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 The Jackson Street Workers Mural in Seattle chronicles the progress of labor in Washington state. Shown is a portion of the mural celebrating Tyree Scott, a Black labor activist who rallied against hiring discrimination in the trades during the 1960s and 1970s.
The history of work in Washington state is a story of progress. A century ago, the state was mired in labor strife. Workers commonly suffered gruesome injuries inside mines, aboard boats, and at logging camps. The state was only just beginning to regulate safety. Nowadays, Washington state leads the nation in supporting its workforce.
Washington state enjoys the highest minimum wage in the United States. The state recently adopted new overtime pay requirements and additional protections for workers exposed to wildfire smoke and extreme heat. Workers who welcome a newborn or who must care for a sick or injured loved one are entitled to paid leave. Washington recently became the only state in the nation to establish comprehensive workplace rights for rideshare drivers. Also, Washington?is one of the only states with a bilingual workplace safety and health team focused specifically on improving safety in the agriculture industry.?
Monday, Sept. 4 is Labor Day. The occasion is a state holiday and a chance to honor the hard-won progress of labor in America and Washington state. Thanks to outspoken workers and responsive public officials, Washington consistently ranks among the very best states for workers.
Read the full story on Gov. Jay Inslee?s Medium.
 Gov. Jay Inslee met evacuees displaced by wildfires in Spokane County last week. Cash assistance may be available for Washingtonians affected by wildfire.
Gov. Jay Inslee declared a statewide emergency in August due to dangerous fire conditions. Tens of thousands of acres were burning across the state, and two massive fires in Spokane would consume hundreds of homes. Thousands of families were evacuated. The governor?s declaration freed up military firefighting resources and helped Washingtonians qualify to access cash assistance and other resources.
On Thursday, Inslee signed another proclamation to expand the Family Emergency Assistance Program to cover families with and without children who have suffered losses due to wildfire. The expansion is effective until Sept. 29.
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner last week issued advice on how to file wildfire-related home insurance claims, and issued an emergency order to require insurers to continue coverage of wildfire-affected policyholders. The latter order was empowered by Inslee?s emergency proclamation.
Tax assistance is available to both homeowners and business owners. Property owners may?apply to their county assessor to reduce the taxable value of properties damaged by wildfire. Qualified property owners will have their 2023 property taxes reduced based on the value lost as a result of the fires. Businesses unable to pay their excise tax returns may request a filing extension.
The best and worst times to travel for Labor Day weekend
Labor Day weekend is a popular travel occasion, and congestion is expected along key routes. Travelers should consult the Washington State Department of Transportation?s?holiday traffic volume charts?to determine the best times to travel, and use WSDOT?s apps and social media accounts to monitor for changes. Expect congestion along highways, but also aboard ferries, at airports, and perhaps aboard public transit.
WSDOT employee retires after 56 years of service
Dan Floyd retired this week after 56 years of service for the state Department of Transportation. Floyd began his WSDOT career in 1968, but stayed for only three months before deploying to Vietnam. He returned in 1971 with a Distinguished Service Medal, four Bronze Service Stars, and other decorations. His state career spanned the completion of I-82 and I-182, the eruption of Mount St. Helens, and many other disaster responses. He retired as the Assistant South Central Regional Administrator for Maintenance and Operations, overseeing a staff of 400 people and a budget of $141 million.
?I?ve even surprised myself with working this long,? said Floyd. ?I have enjoyed making a positive contribution in every position I have held and looked at every problem as an opportunity for improvement.?
State campaign aims to end overdose deaths
At least 17,500 Washingtonians have died by drug overdose since 2007. At least two-thirds of those deaths involved opioids like fentanyl. The state Health Care Authority has launched a new ?Friends for Life? campaign to inform younger Washingtonians about the risks of opioids and the importance of naloxone to reverse overdoses. By carrying naloxone, ?friends? may one day save someone who has overdosed.
New state grants support low-income immigrants and Ukrainian refugees
Washington state has welcomed tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since Russia began its unprovoked invasion. Seattleites have led the nation in sponsoring Ukrainian refugees. This week, the state Department of Commerce awarded $15.4 million in grants to support eight charities supporting low-income immigrants in Washington state. Counties with the most arrivals from Ukraine were prioritized for awards.
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