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Washington Finalizes Cap-and-Invest
Plan to Slash Carbon Pollution
The Washington State Department of Ecology has finalized regulations for the state's first cap-and-invest program, which will drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change. The program is a result of the Climate Commitment Act passed by legislators and signed by the governor last year. Under the cap-and-invest program, firms responsible for 75% of the state's greenhouse gas emissions must obtain allowances to cover their emissions. Over time, these allowances will be reduced, incentivizing businesses to cut emissions.
"This policy is among the most decisive actions we've taken in our history to confront climate change and protect our collective future," said Gov. Jay Inslee. "This new program will help us decarbonize our economy, improve air quality, and put Washington at the forefront of the fast-growing global era of clean energy."
This is among several policies passed in recent years aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions 95% by 2050. Ecology is required to implement the landmark program - only the second of its kind in the nation - by Jan. 1, 2023. The first auction is planned for February 2023.
The revenue will be invested in activities that further reduce emissions and benefit communities disproportionately harmed by climate change. One example of how these revenues will be used is in this year's Move Ahead Washington transportation package that includes unprecedented investments in transit - including free transit for all youth ages 18 and younger, electrification of ferries and cars, and other non-highway modes of travel.
Child Care Providers Invited
to Apply for Grant Allowing for
One-Time Payment to Retain Workers
Child care providers nationwide are having a hard time retaining good workers. The Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) has launched a non-competitive Workforce Retention Grant that will allow providers to offer a one-time payment to on-site child care workers. Applications are open until October 20. Information and technical assistance are available in multiple languages. DCYF will divide grant funding evenly among the eligible child care workers across all applications.
Addressing the retention challenge is just one aspect of DCYF's work to support the child care workforce and improve access to quality child care. The agency is working to meet long-term and emerging needs through various efforts, including Fair Start for Kids Act initiatives such as the Child Care Complex Needs Fund and the Early Childhood Equity Grant.
DCYF also provided the Child Care Stabilization Grant to support providers and stabilize the child care industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional supports include the Early Achievers Needs-Based Grant, health benefits for licensed family home providers, and health insurance coverage for $0 monthly premiums for child care workers.
These investments will support child care providers to help keep their doors open and meet the needs of the children and families they serve, making the child care and early learning system more accessible and equitable.
Homeless Service Workers May
Qualify for Up to $4,000 in Relief
Homelessness is a challenge for communities all across the country and Washington state. The root causes are as complex as the solutions, but workforce shortages are a big factor in many places. As with so many other sectors, it's been hard for homeless service providers to recruit and retain workers. These are the individuals who work directly with people experiencing homelessness to connect them to services and who staff shelters and housing facilities.
To help ensure those working as homeless service workers can afford to continue that work, the Washington State Department of Commerce is administering a federal Homeless Service Workers Stipend Program. The program is funded by $51 million in federal grants. Applications opened this week and eligibility information is available in English and Spanish. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Nearly 700,00 Washingtonians
Eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness
President Biden announced student debt relief 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.
Dept. of Health Launches
Monkeypox Virus Dashboard
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has launched a new, interactive monkeypox (MPV) data dashboard. 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.
COVID-19 Immigrant Relief
Fund Applications 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. Applications will be accepted through November 14. The state legislature voted to enhance the program last year.
State Revenue Forecast Adjusted
to Reflect Economic Headwinds
State revenue projections for the 2023-2025 budget cycle 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.
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. 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 10-day trade mission to the Nordic countries. 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.
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, holds 120 cars and 350 passengers. It has sailed a distance equivalent to eight trips around the equator during its service. Inslee signed an executive order in 2018 directing the state Department of Transportation to transition to a zero-emission fleet.
The mission was fruitful in enriching relationships between Washington state and the Nordic countries. The state Department of Commerce detailed many of the delegation's activities on their website.
State Dept. of Corrections Applying
Norwegian Methods to Reduce Recidivism
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.
