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Last week, hydrogen was the story. This week, it was aerospace and mass timber. Pacific Northwestern innovation continues to earn federal attention, and the substantial funding that comes with it.
The Biden-Harris administration selected 31 Tech Hubs across the nation to receive up to $75 million in federal funding after a competitive process. Two regional consortiums made the cut. The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center in Spokane was selected, as was the Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub led by Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore.
Once the gold rush boomed in 1848, timber production became the region’s principal industry. By the time Washington achieved statehood in 1889, production exceeded 1 billion board feet per year. Bill Boeing himself enjoyed success in the timber industry before he turned to aerospace, starting The Boeing Company and setting the state on a course to dominate the industry for the century to follow.
State leaders are working with partners across the state to ensure Washington is in the best position possible to compete for historic federal funding available through the CHIPS and Science Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and other opportunities instituted by the Biden-Harris administration.
 Leah Griffin, a sexual assault survivor and reform advocate, shared her experience Thursday having evidence collected and waiting for it to be processed. "What happened to you is not your fault," said Griffin to other survivors. (Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General)
As recently as 2019, 9,000 sexual assault kits awaited processing in Washington state. Victims suffered long delays as crucial evidence sat neglected. Some samples dated back to the 1980s. Four years ago, the Legislature responded with new funding and new reforms to clear the backlog. This Thursday, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Rep. Tina Orwall, the Washington State Patrol and other leaders announced that the backlog had been cleared.
“I am excited to announce that we have successfully cleared that backlog. More than 10,000 backlogged kits have been cleared from evidence rooms across our state,” Ferguson said. “More than 99% have already been tested, and any remaining are being tested as we speak. This is the result, to put it mildly, of many years of hard work by many, many partners.”
When a sexual assault is reported, the survivor may consent to collection of biological evidence in a “kit.” The kit is submitted for processing in the hopes of matching the sample to the national DNA database known as CODIS. Between 2002 and 2015, the system produced 2,100 “hits” in CODIS, flagging potential suspects.
Recent laws passed by the Legislature require law enforcement to promptly submit samples for testing, and allow survivors to track the status of their kit online. The tracking system was the first of its kind to be mandated in the nation.
“We’re here to talk about a dark history: thousands of untested sexual assault kits,” said Orwall. “Each of those kits was a survivor whose voice was never heard, and who didn’t have a pathway to justice. We’re here to close that chapter. And what I would say to those survivors is that I’m sorry the system failed you, but we’ve created this system to make sure that never happens again in Washington state.”
 Gov. Jay Inslee shakes hands with WSDOT Secretary Roger Millar at the dedication of the new terminal at Colman Dock. The Issaquah pulls up to waiting passengers, and the roomy new concourse features a panoramic view of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline.
After seven years of construction, the new Seattle Multimodal Terminal at Colman Dock is just about finished. A spacious concourse, efficient ticketing, ample seating, vendor spaces, and seamless street access will delight more than 10 million ferry passengers each year.
"The history of Colman Dock is tied to the future of our Washington State Ferry system. That is to build a transportation system that does not pollute our waters," said Gov. Jay Inslee. “This is now a next-generation dock for the next generation of our electrified ferry system.”
Inslee joined a celebration on Monday to dedicate the new terminal. The event gathered state and local leaders, in addition to Tribal leaders who regaled the history of Puget Sound. The new terminal will be graced by several large panels featuring Tribal art, honoring the heritage of this region and its waters. The terminal's Columbia Street plaza was named by the Suquamish Tribe.
“'ʔulułali' means place of traveling by water,” said Joshua Bagley, vice chairman of the Suquamish Tribal Council. “It’s an appropriate name for a place we came to by canoe. And it’s a place thousands of people, including our Tribal members, will travel to on Washington state ferries.”
A mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine has claimed at least 18 lives and hurt many more. Gov. Jay Inslee responded Thursday:
Trudi and I are deeply saddened and disturbed by the mass shooting in Lewiston. Again, we are forced to reckon with the consequences of allowing weapons of war in our communities. Our thoughts are with the victims’ loved ones, and with all affected by this tragedy.
In accordance with @POTUS proclamation, I’ve directed Washington and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately to honor the victims. We stand with the people of Lewiston and Maine during this difficult time.
Inslees to host baseball-themed Halloween
Gov. Jay Inslee and First Spouse Trudi Inslee will host trick-or-treaters at the Executive Residence on Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. They’ll be joined by the Mariner Moose and Rhubarb from the Tacoma Rainiers for photos and baseball-themed fun. The public is welcome. Trick-or-treaters may bring small bags, but no large backpacks. Washington State Patrol troopers will be present.
Blood supply dangerously low
The state Department of Health warned this week that blood banks face critical shortages. Washingtonians are urged to donate. By doing so, you might save a life. Trauma patients, transplant recipients, and cancer patients rely on donated blood. Donations are easy to schedule, and it takes just an hour or so to donate.
On the Road: Inslee visits King, Snohomish, Skagit, and Yakima counties
Gov. Jay Inslee had a busy week visiting Washingtonians in several counties. His visits included the Washington Poison Center, a hydrogen fuel cell engine designing firm and a supportive housing development in Anacortes. The governor also visited with Guemes Island ferry operators, who transport over 400,000 passengers each year. Revenue from the cap-and-invest program created by the Climate Commitment Act funded the replacement of the current diesel-fired ferry with an electric model to enter service in 2025. The new “On the Road” series on the governor’s website will detail his frequent visits to communities all over the state.
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