State budget, $4 billion housing referendum, WSU clean energy program, behavioral health



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Inslee releases 2023 budget proposal with major focus on housing, homelessness and behavioral health
Gov. Jay Inslee announces his proposed budget for the 2023-25 biennium during a Wednesday press conference.

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 [ [link removed] ] 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.

Referendum funding would sustain a faster pace of housing construction.

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 [ [link removed] ]*

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New WSU institute would help lead clean energy tech innovation
Gov. Jay Inslee, WSU representatives, and legislators announce the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures

Gov. Jay Inslee annouced 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 [ [link removed] ].

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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News you might have missed:

Grace period for unpaid toll penalties ends March 2023

The state Department of Transportation will end the grace period for the suspension of late fees, civil penalties and registration holds for unpaid tolls on March 1, 2023.? WSDOT paused late fees and penalties in July 2021 after the new "Good to Go!" system launched to implement a new system to assess charges. WSDOT is willing to work with customers to avoid fees and lower bills [ [link removed] ].

Avian influenza detected in flock in Washington state, poses very low risk to public

Avian influenza was detected in large commercial flock in Kennewick [ [link removed] ] this week. The risk to the public is considered extremely low ? the virus typically spreads among wild birds and domestic poultry. ?There have been no human cases confirmed in Washington state to date. Poultry products from the flock will not reach the food supply.

Federal judge prevents sweep of Camp Hope through Christmas

A federal judge has ordered that local law enforcement may not forcibly remove residents of Camp Hope before Christmas [ [link removed] ], citing an "immediate risk of irreparable injury" to residents if forced to leave. State agencies continue to work with the City of Spokane to close the camp. The state Department of Commerce has invested in purchasing and converting hundreds of housing spaces with supportive services to help the camp's residents transition out of homelessness.

New, modernized Amtrak trains soon to serve the Northwest

Amtrak will debut new, modernized trains to serve the northwest region by 2026 [ [link removed] ]. 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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