Washington is a sanctuary state for abortion: Inslee and state legislators respond to Supreme Court decision

Gov. Jay Inslee held a press conference on Saturday, June 25 to declare Washington a sanctuary state for those seeking abortion care. The press conference followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The court’s decision severed constitutional protections for abortion and reproductive freedom. Inslee called for a state constitutional amendment to protect abortion, announced $1 million in emergency funding for local clinics to brace for surging demand, and a prohibition against state law enforcement cooperation with out-of-state abortion-related investigations and prosecutions.

President Joe Biden met with Democratic governors on Friday, including Inslee, to discuss state measures to protect reproductive rights. Washington, California, and Oregon formed a multi-state commitment to reproductive freedom. Other states like Connecticut have established new laws that insulate providers from out-of-state liability. Washington remains a pro-choice state, and may serve as a model for other states to become similar sanctuaries for reproductive freedom.

Investments in housing and homelessness prevention are making a difference in King County

Gov. Jay Inslee visited two specially-focused housing and services facilities in King County on Thursday: the YMCA Arcadia in Auburn and the Chief Seattle Club in Seattle. The YMCA Arcadia is a supportive housing and shelter facility for youth, and the Chief Seattle Club’s soon-to-open “?al?al”, meaning “home”, will serve Native people.

The YMCA Arcadia opened in 2020, becoming the facility of its kind in South King County to serve youth specifically. By fulfilling basic necessities, the facility gives youth experiencing homelessness a stable foundation to set their own life trajectory.

“I can do laundry without scrounging for coins. I can take a shower with a door that locks. I no longer doubt that I’ll eat in a day,” one of the young residents told the governor at the facility. “The staff here have helped me feel like a person again, not just a list of needs.”

Chief Seattle Club hosts a variety of services for Native and Indigenous people, including legal assistance, employment training, food, and shelter. Native and Indigenous people constitute 2% of the state’s population yet represent 15% of its homeless population, highlighting the critical importance of Chief Seattle Club’s work. The organization is working on two additional housing projects.

On Wednesday, Inslee visited the groundbreaking of the Sunset Gardens affordable housing project in Renton. The development is just part of Renton’s new portfolio of affordable housing developments in the Sunset neighborhood, converting substandard WWII-era units into high-density, affordable, pleasant homes for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. The City of Renton, King County, the Washington State Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have all contributed to this revitalization.

Every Washingtonian wants to see the problem of homelessness solved, and these groups are doing the hard work of being the solution.

Supreme Court weakens federal climate efforts: Inslee and U.S. Climate Alliance partners emphasize importance of state actions

Thursday’s West Virginia v. EPA ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a major blow to the ability of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate power plants. In response, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee joined other representatives of the U.S. Climate Alliance to respond and decry the ruling.

“We are deeply disappointed in this regressive decision, but it only hardens our resolve to act with the boldness and urgency the climate crisis demands. At a time when we’re seeing devastating droughts, wildfires, and storms become the norm, the Supreme Court has sided with polluters at the expense of the American people,” said Alliance co-chairs Inslee, NY Gov. Kathy Hochul and CA Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Inslee hosted a media availability on Thursday morning to discuss the ruling.

“This decision essentially kneecapped the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to restrain pollution from coal-fired plants,” said Inslee. “This is a health danger that we are now exposed to, and all Americans are exposed to.”

Inslee and 23 other participating governors in the U.S. Climate Alliance have pledged to collectively achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest. Washington is among the leading states in the nation with major policies underway to cap carbon emissions and promote cleaner fuels, clean buildings and clean transportation.

A new class of wildland firefighters receives their “Red Card," braces for fire season

Gov. Jay Inslee visited Washington State Department of Natural Resources hand crews completing a practical exam on Tuesday. The exam brought the crews one step closer to attaining their “Red Cards” certifying them as wildlands firefighters.

"Don't be the spark," said DNR's Wildfire Communications Manager Thomas Kyle-Milward. "Roughly 90% of wildfires are human-caused. Take care when you're out recreating in natural spaces."

Once the weather heats up and fuels dry out, so begins another wildfire season. DNR provides wildfire prevention reminders including checking for burn restrictions before starting campfires, not parking hot vehicles in dry grassy areas, and using nylon or plastic weed whackers instead of metal ones.

WSDOT warns of delays during Independence Day weekend, urges travelers to plan ahead

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s plan to Revive I-5 is underway, and commuters might expect delays over the Independence Day weekend. The project is replacing expansion joints and strengthening bridges against earthquakes.

Rainouts have forced the reschedule of some expansion joint replacements. Typically, WSDOT strives to avoid disruptive work during holiday weekends, but this weekend’s essential work could not wait. Work will begin late Friday night and should conclude early on the morning of Monday, July 4. In the meantime, commuters along I-5 near Seattle may expect lane reductions and associated delays.

Beyond Seattle, travelers across Washington might anticipate traffic and plan ahead. Check out WSDOT’s real-time travel data site for information.

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State of Washington, nation of Japan sign memorandum of cooperation

Japanese Ambassador Koji Tomita and Gov. Jay Inslee met Wednesday to sign a memorandum of cooperation, renewing a productive agreement already in place. Each government will continue to facilitate economic and educational exchanges.

New statewide Missing Indigenous Person Alert system launches Friday

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) has launched a Missing Indigenous Person Alert (MIPA) system Friday. WSP will work with tribal, local, and federal law enforcement to improve response to missing persons, who are disproportionately Native or Indigenous.

Inslee meets with LGBTQ+ youth in honor of Pride Month

Gov. Jay Inslee met with a group of LGBTQ+ youth on Tuesday to discuss issues they face in school and among peers. June is Pride Month, an important occasion to embrace LGBTQ+ individuals and to acknowledge the intense discrimination many have faced.

Parque Padrinos helps local governments engage Hispanic populations

Gov. Jay Inslee visited Parque Padrinos in Wenatchee last week. The group has successfully advocated for local park improvements and connected municipalities in Chelan and Douglas counties to the Hispanic community.

Inslee issues directive for COVID-19 vaccination standards for state employees

Gov. Jay Inslee instructed cabinet agencies to require state employees to be vaccinated consistent with CDC recommendations by July 1, 2023.