The bill will provide tens of billions of dollars in security assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. It also contains a provision aimed at forcing China-based ByteDance to divest TikTok.
Category: Policy Topics
Posted inPublic Planning
City of Redmond, Microsoft open new bridge over State Route 520 for pedestrians and bicyclists
The new bridge, a quarter of a mile long, provides a safe way to get from one side of the Microsoft campus to the other. It directly connects to the new Redmond Technology Station, one of eight Line 2 light rail stops.
Posted inPublic Planning
Help Chickadee Bakeshop and other Snoqualmie businesses recover from a devastating fire
While no one was hurt in the fire, each of these women-owned small businesses faces a long road to recovery and they need all of the help that they can get.
Posted inPublic Planning
Multiple bridges on the Columbia River are vulnerable to ship strike, New York Times story notes
The Francis Scott Key Bridge is far from the only critical crossing around the United States that is at risk of coming down if a ship were to hit it. A New York Times story about bridges at risk highlighted several in the PNW, including two that span the Columbia River.
Posted inPublic Planning
Lynnwood Link extension slated to open to the public on August 30th, 2024, Sound Transit announces
Four new stations will inaugurate revenue service and be added to Puget Sound’s growing light rail system as of Labor Day Weekend: Shoreline South/148th St., Shoreline North/185th St., Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood City Center.
Posted inPublic Planning
Redmond Health Through Housing project moves closer to welcoming residents
A former Silver Cloud Inn in Redmond is set to open as a Health Through Housing facility for the homeless, offering one hundred units and support services managed by The Salvation Army. Previously, it housed Afghan refugees, nearly all of whom secured permanent housing.
Posted inNational Defense, Policy Topics, Public Planning
Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses after catastrophic overnight ship strike
Last night, the cargo ship Dali struck and caused the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, hindering marine traffic and impeding Port of Baltimore operations. The incident sent vehicles and workers into the water, with rescue efforts and NTSB investigations ongoing. President Biden has called for congressional funds to rebuild the span.
Posted inPolicy Topics, World Commmunity
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to leave, in news that will be welcome to many Washingtonians
Research commissioned by the Northwest Progressive Institute had found support for Calhoun’s departure following more grave safety lapses at Boeing. Steve Mollenkopf, ex-CEO of Qualcomm, has been chosen as the next board chair and is tasked with finding Calhoun’s successor. The company faces a pressing need for a culture shift towards safety and restoration of trust.
Posted inLegislative Advocacy
DONE! Governor Inslee signs legislation ending child marriage in Washington
As of June 6th, Washington will require that both parties entering into a civil marriage be at least eighteen years of age.
Posted inLegislative Advocacy
A majority of Washington voters support the Affordable Homes Act, despite Realtor opposition
54% of respondents surveyed by our pollster said they strongly or somewhat supported the Affordable Homes Act, while 32% were opposed. 14% said they were not sure.
Posted inPublic Service
Mitch McConnell to step down as top Senate Republican at the end of this Congress
The eighty-two year-old Kentuckian announced in a speech on the Senate floor that he will hand off leadership of the caucus to somebody else at the end of this Congress and become a backbencher for the remainder of his current term ending in 2027.
Posted inPolicy Topics, Public Planning, Series & Special Reports
Trainspotting with NPI: Watch pre-revenue service light rail trains glide through Bellevue
Watch footage of simulated light rail service in Redmond in this latest installment of our Trainspotting series.
Posted inCivil Liberties, Legislative Advocacy, Policy Topics, World Commmunity
VICTORY! Washington State Senate sends bill ending child marriage to Governor Inslee
On February 23rd, 2024, forty-eight out of forty-nine state senators voted in favor of State Representative Monica Stonier’s legislation to set a minimum age of eighteen for both parties to legally marry, in a big win for human rights.
Posted inLegislative Advocacy
Bill to end child marriage moves to the floor of the Washington State Senate
House Bill 1455, prime sponsored by State Representative Monica Stonier (D‑49th District: Clark County) would require that both parties in a civil marriage must be at least eighteen years of age, putting an end to the abhorrent practice of child marriage.