Nordic trade mission, wildfire contained, student loan forgiveness, immigrant relief



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Inslee wraps Nordic trade mission with focus on electric ferries
Gov. Jay Inslee tours an electric ferry operated by Nordled, one of Norway?s largest ferry operators.

Gov. Jay Inslee tours an electric ferry operated by Nordled, one of Norway?s largest ferry operators. Several electric ferries operate in Norway, carrying more than seven million passengers a year across the nation?s famous fjords and along its extensive coastline.

Gov. Jay Inslee and a delegation of Washington state officials have concluded a ten-day trade mission [ [link removed] ] to the Nordic countries. This week, the delegation visited Sweden and Norway to observe innovations in industrial sustainability, corrections reform, and maritime commerce.

The delegation visited the Research Institute of Sweden (RISE) to discuss opportunities to collaborate on research. RISE and Washington State University (WSU) are both researching lignin, an organic polymer found in wood. WSU has already created a biodegradable packing foam from a lignin-based material, and RISE is pioneering a method to mix wood with electrical components to create a type of battery.

On Thursday, the delegation boarded an electric ferry in Norway. Norway?s electric ferry fleet completes dozens of daily trips carrying customers across Norway?s famous fjords, all without producing carbon emissions. One of the nation?s larger electric ferries, the MF Ampere [ [link removed] ], holds 120 cars and 350 passengers. It has sailed a distance equivalent to eight trips around the equator [ [link removed] ] during its service. Inslee signed an executive order in 2018 directing the state Department of Transportation to transition to a zero-emission fleet [ [link removed] ].

The mission was fruitful in enriching relationships between Washington state and the Nordic countries. The state Department of Commerce detailed many [ [link removed] ]?of the delegation's activities [ [link removed] ] on their website. [ [link removed] ]

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State Department of Corrections applying Norwegian methods to reduce recidivism
Gov. Jay Inslee and officials from the Washington State Department of Corrections visited Romerike Prison near Oslo in September.

Gov. Jay Inslee and officials from the Washington State Department of Corrections visited Romerike Prison near Oslo in September. Norwegian prisons seek to ?resocialize? incarcerated people to prepare them for society upon release ? Inslee spoke with American and Norwegian corrections officers for their perspectives.

The Norwegian Correctional Service believes that people go to "court" to get punished and to "prison" to become better neighbors. Norwegian prisons prioritize rehabilitation and have succeeded, slashing recidivism to just 20% (one-third of the American rate). A delegation of Washington state officials including Gov. Jay Inslee visited Romerike Prison near Oslo, Norway to observe their compelling correctional model. The visit was part of the governor?s ten-day trade mission to the Nordic countries.

The mission of the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is to improve public safety by positively changing lives. DOC has partnered with AMEND at the University of California San Francisco to adopt new strategies like those used in Norway to prepare incarcerated people for successful re-entry into society, a tactic which DOC hopes will prevent many from returning to prison.

*Read more about the Norwegian model and recent DOC reforms on Gov. Jay Inslee?s Medium.* [ [link removed] ]

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Bolt Creek Fire nearly completely contained by firefighters
Smoke from Brush Creek 2 Fire drifts through the Cascades. A wildlife firefighting instructor is pictured during a training exercise.

Smoke from Brush Creek 2 Fire drifts through the Cascades near the Canadian border (photo credit: Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group). A wildland firefighting instructor is pictured during a training exercise in June. Seven active wildfires continue to burn in the Washington, though firefighters have effectively contained several of the more dangerous fires.

The Bolt Creek Fire that forced evacuations and burned more than 10,000 acres is now nearly contained [ [link removed] ] thanks to wildland firefighters from the state Department of Natural Resources and local jurisdictions. Air quality in Pierce and King counties suffered this week due to smoke from the fire but has since improved. U.S. Route 2 has been closed between Index and Skykomish ? the state Department of Transportation is felling burnt trees and removing debris along the roadway in advance of an expected reopening next week [ [link removed] ].

The state Department of Resources reminds Washingtonians, ?don?t be the spark.? Nearly 85% of wildfires are human-caused [ [link removed]*%20of%20wildland,and%20intentional%20acts%20of%20arson. ].

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News you might have missed:

Department of Health launches monkeypox virus (MPV) data dashboard

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has launched a new, interactive monkeypox (MPV) data dashboard [ [link removed] ]. The dashboard shows case counts at the state and county levels, total weekly case counts, and demographic information.

DOH emphasizes that MPV can spread person-to-person with any kind of close, skin-to-skin contact, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, or age, including children. Anyone can get MPV.

Nearly 700,00 Washingtonians are eligible for student loan forgiveness

President Biden announced student debt relief [ [link removed] ] last month that will discharge up to $10,000 in federal debt for borrowers earning less than $75,000 per year, and up to $20,000 in relief for Pell Grant recipients. The White House estimates that 697,600 Washingtonians will benefit. More information about the program is available at StudentAid.gov/debtrelief [ [link removed] ].

COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund applications now open

State leaders significantly expanded unemployment benefits for workers in Washington state during the COVID-19 pandemic, but undocumented immigrants could not apply. Those workers may now apply for economic assistance through the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund [ [link removed] ]. Applications will be accepted through November 14. The state legislature voted to enhance the program [ [link removed] ] last year.

State revenue forecast adjusted to reflect economic headwinds

State revenue projections for the 2023-2025 budget cycle [ [link removed] ] were reduced slightly to account for market headwinds, including slowing home sales due to high interest rates. Projected revenue amounts to roughly $65.5 billion, reduced slightly from the prior forecast of roughly $66 billion. The next revenue forecast will be produced Nov. 18. The governor and legislators use the revenue forecast as the basis for creating balanced budgets every year.

Rosh Hashanah begins Sunday

Many Washingtonians will celebrate Rosh Hashanah to commence the Jewish New Year from Sunday, Sept. 25 through Tuesday, Sept. 27. ?Wishing many blessings to those celebrating Rosh Hashanah,? said Gov. Jay Inslee. ?Have a wonderful year ahead.?

Enjoy free entry to national parks on Saturday for National Public Lands Day

This Saturday, Sept. 24, is National Public Lands Day. The occasion is an opportunity to appreciate Washington?s beautiful public lands and historical sites for free. Visitors may explore the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site [ [link removed] ], Mount Rainier National Park [ [link removed] ], or Olympic National Park [ [link removed] ] and pay no vehicle entry fees.

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