QUICK LOOK

Ways and Means rams through bill creating state income tax

By Sen. Mark Schoesler

OLYMPIA–The Ways and Means passed Senate Bill 5096 on February 16, 2021, the Democrat-sponsored proposal requested by Gov. Jay Inslee that would create a state income tax on capital gains. All but one Democrat on the committee voted for it, while all Republicans voted no.

Another attempt to breach Snake River dams

By Sen. Mark Schoesler

OLYMPIA–Another attempt to breach four Snake River dams has been proposed by U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho. He wants to try improve salmon numbers on the Snake. Simpson’s plan appears to rely on alternative energy sources like wind power to replace the power generated by the Snake River dams.

Bills favor criminals at expense of public safety

By Sen. Mark Schoesler

OLYMPIA–This session several bills sponsored by Democrats clearly pose a threat to public safety in Washington. These proposals should worry anyone who cares about law and order. You may learn more about these “hug-a-thug” bills by reading my guest column in the East Washingtonian newspaper or by watching my most recent session update video.

VSP Cost Share available

POMEROY–The Conservation District in partnership with Garfield County is again offering cost-share for several Best Management Practices (BMP) through the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP). Information about the program and applications are available at the Pomeroy Conservation Office.

McMorris Rodgers Announces 2021 Congressional Art Competition

WASHINGTON D.C.–Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) invites students from Washington’s Fifth Congressional District to participate in the 2021 Congressional Art Competition. This annual competition serves to highlight talented students from all across the country, and Cathy encourages you to help spread the word in your community!

All initial and continued unemployment claims decreased during the week of

OLYMPIA–There were 13,607 initial regular unemployment claims (down 13.0 percent from the prior week) and 447,412 total claims for all unemployment benefit categories (down 7.3 percent from the prior week) filed by Washingtonians the week of February 7–13, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).

U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Key Staff Appointments

WASHINGTON D.C.–The U.S. Department of Agriculture names appointed individuals who will hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C. Maribel Duran, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in the Office of the Secretary. Mickeala Carter, Deputy Director of Communications in the Office of Communications. Lynn Overmann, Senior Advisor for Data and Technology in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration. Bidisha Bhattacharyya, Senior Policy Advisor in the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Valerie McMakin, Legislative Analyst in the Office of Congressional Relations.

Statement on Change to Definition of ‘Agricultural Products’ in Reporting Trade Data

WASHINGTON D.C.–United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Commerce decided in December 2020 to change the way they define “agricultural products” when reporting international trade data. Beginning with the release of the January 2021 monthly trade data on March 5, USDA will adopt the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) internationally recognized definition of “agricultural products,” which includes ethanol, distilled spirits and manufactured tobacco products, three product groups not included in the current USDA definition.

No COVID-19 transmission through food or packaging

WASHINGTON, D.C.–The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to declare there is no credible evidence of food or food packaging associated with or as a likely source of viral transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing COVID-19.

Attributed to Acting USDA Secretary Kevin Shea and Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D.