The decision, which was criticized by the administration, was then followed by a second decision allowing a more modest mandate requiring healthcare workers at facilities receiving federal money to be vaccinated.
Monthly Archives: January 2022
Posted inPolicy Topics
Washingtonians overwhelmingly favor right to repair bill for electronics, NPI poll finds
69% of likely 2022 voters surveyed by Public Policy Polling for NPI about two months ago said they were supportive of a bill introduced by Mia Gregerson (House Bill 1810) that aims to promote “the fair servicing and repair of digital electronic products in a safe, secure, reliable, and sustainable manner.”
Posted inPolicy Topics
Washingtonians favor both improving Amtrak Cascades and building ultra high speed rail
62% of voters who participated in NPI’s November 2021 poll of the Washington State electorate said they would support updating and implementing Amtrak Cascades’ Long Range Plan to electrify existing intercity rail service at a cost of about $10 billion, while 51% said they would support a long-term project to build a new ultra high speed rail line costing between $24 and $2 billion.
Posted inLegislative Advocacy
A majority of Washington voters are willing to raise vehicle fees by $10/year to fund ferries
51% of likely 2022 voters surveyed by Public Policy Polling for NPI two months ago said they would support increasing the fees they pay annually to renew their vehicles’ car tabs by ten dollars to provide Washington State Ferries with stable, dedicated funding. 44% said they were opposed, while 6% were not sure.
Posted inLegislative Advocacy
2022 legislative session begins; four state senators report positive COVID-19 tests
The 2022 session is expected to run through March 10th, 2022, the last day allowed by the Washington State Constitution for a regular session in an even-numbered election year like the one we’re in.
Posted inPolicy Topics, Public Planning
NPI’s polling shows Washingtonians want the state’s next transportation package to be safety and climate focused, not car-centric
Whether or not the Legislature can reach agreement on a package before March 10th remains to be seen. It won’t be easy. But legislators should make a genuine effort to try to forge an agreement, and not punt until 2023.
Posted inSeries & Special Reports
Last Week In Congress: How Cascadia’s U.S. lawmakers voted (January 3rd-7th)
The week’s only major vote was Senate confirmation of Anne Witkowsky to serve as the State Department’s assistant secretary for conflict and stabilization operations.
Posted inHealthcare
COVID-19 Update: New Secretary of State Steve Hobbs implements vaccine mandate
Hobbs’ predecessor Kim Wyman, a Republican, had chosen not to require employees reporting to her to be vaccinated, in a break with the rest of the state’s executive department.
Posted inElections
We can’t know our future, but we can be better prepared to defend our democracy
Progressives can no longer rely on old political, societal, or governmental norms, resulting shame for violating said norms, or a judiciary that has become too far removed from the realities of how racism, classism and misogyny exist in our time, to restrain an opposition willing to cast aside all norms and legal precedents as is necessary to achieve and permanently retain power.
Posted inPolicy Topics
All of Washington State’s mountain passes are impassable right now due to heavy snow
“Conditions are too dangerous for crews to be in the pass areas. Snow & debris continue to slide onto the highways. Crews are working in areas where it is safe to plow, clear catch basins & do other work to have those areas ready when we can reopen,” WSDOT said.
Posted inAppreciations & Remembrances
Read President Biden’s speech marking the anniversary of the January 6th attack
Access the complete transcripts of the speeches delivered by Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden at the United States Capitol on January 6th, 2022.
Posted inTechnology
Media coverage of BlackBerry’s end of support for legacy mobile services high on nostalgia, but low on accuracy and precision
Rather than gathering facts and then reporting the more complex details of this event, a whole bunch of stories appear to have been written on the basis of a press release and a company end of life document. A simplistic narrative has once again prevailed over the more complicated reality.
Posted inPolicy Topics
The two faces of Sean Hannity: Fox host privately advised Trump to go back to Florida while publicly attacking our democracy
Unbelievable as it may seem, Hannity briefly offered Trump sensible advice in closing days of his scandal-ridden presidency, according to a treasure trove of emails obtained by the House Selection Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Posted inHolidays
Banished Words for 2022
Read Lake Superior State University’s forty-seventh List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness — plus NPI’s additions!