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 Graphic courtesy of @POTUS on Twitter.
On Tuesday, President Biden announced details for the Student Debt Relief Plan, forgiving up to $20,000 in debt for Pell Grant recipients with loans held by the Department of Education, and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation for non-Pell Grant recipients. This forgiveness could impact 40 million people across the nation and half a million Washingtonians, providing relief for low and middle-class borrowers.
The administration also granted an extension of the?pause on federal student loan repayment through Dec. 31. Those potentially eligible for the PSLF waiver can visit this website by Oct. 31 to see if they qualify.
"My student loan plan makes sure working people have a shot at a college degree without the fear of being saddled with insurmountable debt," said Biden.
There are three parts to the debt relief plan:
- Final extension of the student loan repayment pause to Dec. 31.
- Targeted debt relief to low- and middle-income families.
- A student loan system that is more manageable for current and future borrowers.
"This is providing relief to hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians. Thank you to the Biden administration for delivering on your promise and helping to fuel the economy," said Gov. Jay Inslee.
 On Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee and?U.S. Sen. Patty Murray?released the?findings and recommendations?of the months-long Joint Federal-State Process that evaluated the feasibility of breaching the Lower Snake River Dams as a way of protecting endangered salmon and steelhead species.?
The senator and governor?s recommendations include three key themes:
- Status quo is not an option. Changing economic, energy and climate conditions require leaders to plan for changing circumstances in the Columbia Basin region during the coming decades.
- Saving salmon and other iconic species in the Columbia Basin is imperative. The scientific review affirms that breaching these specific dams offers the greatest benefit to the salmon.
- The impacts and benefits of breaching the dams are significant, but they can and must be mitigated or replaced. Until the energy and economic benefits of the dams are replaced or mitigated, breaching is not a feasible or responsible option.
The ultimate decision to breach or not breach the dams will now fall on Congress, since the dams are federally owned.
?The state and federal governments should implement a plan to replace the benefits of the Lower Snake River Dams to enable breaching to move forward," said Gov. Jay Inslee.
Read Inslee's full statement here.
Read Murray's full statement here.
Read the full report here.
Read all recommendations here.
 The inside of tank B-109 at the Hanford site. Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Ecology.
On Thursday, the state Department of Ecology and the U.S. Department of Energy announced an agreement on the cleanup of tanks at Hanford that have been leaking dangerous radioactive waste. The legally binding agreement will allow for continued work to fully clean up the tanks at the Hanford Site that have been leaking since 2013.
?It?s been a priority for the state of Washington to address leaking tanks in a way that protects nearby communities and the Columbia River,? said Ecology Director Laura Watson. ?We know that ongoing vigilance and commitment will be needed to fully address these risks, but I appreciate the work put in by both teams to agree on a plan that prioritizes safety and environmental protection.?
Under the agreement, partners will:
- Cover the tank farms with surface barriers to prevent rain or snowmelt from seeping into the tanks, and to slow the migration of leaked waste.
- Develop a response plan for future leaks.
- Evaluate the viability of installing a ventilation system to evaporate liquid waste.
- Evaluate conditions in and around tanks to determine if additional work is needed to prevent liquids from getting in.
- Explore ways to accelerate the schedule to retrieve waste.
"Leaking tanks at Hanford threaten nearby communities and the Columbia River. Today?s agreement between the Department of Ecology and the U.S. Department of Energy paves the way for critical progress," said Inslee.
Read Ecology's full news release.
Washington has one of the highest concentrations of military families and personnel in the country, but as rents increase our military families have had a more difficult time finding affordable housing. Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland is calling on federal Defense Department officials to address the housing supply and affordability at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). As the base grows, more housing is critical.?
"Servicemembers and their families ? who sacrifice so much for our nation ? must be securely housed. That?s why I introduced my Ensuring Every Servicemember has a Home package, which will increase access to safe & affordable housing for our nation?s hero?s in #WA10 and across the country," said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland on Facebook.
"The congresswoman's leadership is crucial for making sure our servicemembers - in Washington and all across the country - have access to affordable housing options. Thank you for leading this fight," said Inslee.
Read more from the Associated Press.
Millions of Washingtonians are now eligible for free or reduced health care thanks to an update to Washington state law that took effect July 1. Washingtonians within 300% of the federal poverty level now qualify for charity care for their full out-of-pocket hospital bill. Those within 400% of the federal poverty level are eligible for reduced care.
This care has to be considered ?medically necessary.? In Washington approximately 4 million people may fall into these groups.?
"This is a large help for low-income consumers who are facing large hospital bills. Changing this law allows for more people to get help with the impact of these large medical costs," said Inslee.
For more information about the new charity care law and how you can apply for coverage, visit the?state attorney general?s website?or the?Washington State Hospital Association?s website.
Read more from The Seattle Times.
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