Inslee, attorney general propose bills to treat gun violence ‘epidemic’

More than 117,000 Americans are shot each year, including 6,000 children and youth. Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for kids. Hundreds of police officers are shot every year. Hundreds of mass shootings occur every year. America has the highest rate of gun ownership in the world, and the highest gun death rate in the world among high-income countries (by a factor of four) to show for it.

As the start of the 2023 legislative session nears, Gov. Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and several legislators announced three bills during a press conference on Monday to help further reduce gun violence in Washington state.

Inslee is requesting legislation to require a permit to purchase a firearm, certifying that the purchaser is eligible to possess a firearm and has completed a state-certified safety training program. Every firearm purchase would be accompanied by an additional background check and 10-day waiting period. Connecticut passed a similar law following Sandy Hook, and observed nearly a 40% reduction in gun violence since.

“This epidemic of gun violence we are facing is unacceptable,” said Inslee. “What might have been a fistfight in a parking lot is now someone dead in the street. We cannot surrender to this epidemic. I refuse to accept that we’re powerless.”

Inslee and Ferguson will jointly request two other bills: a ban on assault weapons, and liability for firearm industry irresponsibility. Victims of gun violence and their families are deprived of legal recourse against gun manufacturers under federal law – the latter bill will allow civil suits for gun manufacturer failures to enact reasonable safety controls, such as chain-of-custody standards and responsible marketing.

Washington voters and legislators have consistently supported substantive, commonsense gun violence measures including universal background checks; bans on bump stocks, ghost guns and high capacity magazines; extreme risk protection orders sometimes known as “red flag laws;” and open carry restrictions in certain public spaces. In 2020, legislators approved creation of a new state Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention that partners closely with community and law enforcement leaders to pursue data-driven solutions to gun violence.

Federal spending bill includes vital investments for Washington state

Congress passed a $1.7 trillion omnibus bill before the midnight Friday deadline to fund the federal government through the fall. The bill funded a number of important local programs and federal programs that will benefit Washingtonians.

Nestled within the federal spending bill is an important line item for Washington state: long-overdue investment in the Hanford Site cleanup. The Biden Administration this year accelerated the cleanup by enhancing its funding in the president's budget proposal. This week, Congress further enhanced funding, investing $191 million more had been budgeted originally.

Among many other items, the bill also funds:

• Light rail expansion in King and Snohomish counties
• Grants for police training
• Relief for fisheries and the seafood industry
• Grants for Puget Sound restoration and cleanup projects
• Efforts to combat fentanyl and opioid addiction.
• Election certification protections
• Nutrition assistance
• Utility assistance for low-income households

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Federal report affirms scale of housing and homelessness crisis

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Flu spreading quickly in Washington – experts urge caution

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Ecology crews collect 166 tons of litter

Litter crews from the Washington State Department of Ecology collected 166 tons of litter in October and November, equivalent to the collective weight of about 74 killer whales. Ecology reminds Washingtonians to "dunk" trash in proper receptacles and to properly secure vehicle loads.

WDVA Director Alfie Alvarado-Ramos to retire

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs director Lourdes E. “Alfie” Alvarado-Ramos will retire at the end of January. Alvarado-Ramos has served veterans in myriad ways during her long career in government and the military. Her commitment to equity built a sense of belonging for veterans of all backgrounds, and her efforts to prevent veteran suicide saved lives.

"My cup is full and joyful that I did all I could to serve with you our Veterans, their families, and our state," said Alvarado-Ramos.