Two NPI priority bills are on the move in the Washington State Legislature, with one week left to go until the 2022 chamber of origin cutoff arrives.
Monthly Archives: February 2022
Light rail trains roll through Bellevue on overhead power during weekend of testing
Video taken by Sound Transit’s photographer shows trains rolling from several angles during these nighttime forays onto our new rapid transit guideway. You can also see what it was like to be inside the train and stations during the testing
IRS scraps policy requiring taxpayer consent to facial recognition for online account access
“The Treasury Department has made the smart decision to direct the IRS to transition away from using the controversial ID.me verification service, as I requested earlier today” Oregon’s U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said.
Last Week In Congress: How Cascadia’s U.S. lawmakers voted (January 31st-February 4th)
The week’s major votes included House passage of an amendment to the Bioeconomy Research and Development Act and Senate confirmation of judges to the northern district of Ohio bench.
School seismic safety bill passes out of Senate Ways & Means with bonding plan removed
The purpose of the legislation is to protect schoolchildren, faculty, volunteers, and community members from geologic hazards by modernizing decrepit, dangerous old school buildings that are vulnerable to earthquakes, tsunamis, and lahars.
Redistricting reform bill gets unanimous vote in the Senate as House tweaks new maps
Two redistricting-related floor votes were held in the Washington State Legislature on February 2nd, 2022. One advanced a redistricting reform bill and the other made technical corrections to maps created by the state’s Redistricting Commission.
NPI to Legislature: Washington State should levy a wealth tax on billionaire fortunes
Read NPI’s founder’s prepared testimony in support of raising funding for Washington’s essential public services by requiring billionaires to step up and invest in the state’s future.
“A long time coming”: B.C. ends threat of mining in upper reaches of the “Magic Skagit”
In January of 2021, the Province of British Columbia announced a buyout of mining rights owned by Imperial Metals, the folks responsible for the Mount Polley disaster of 2014, which saw a retention dam burst and send tailings into Quesnel Lake. It’s a huge win for conservation.