USDA Invests $266 Million to Improve Rural Community Facilities

WASHINGTON D. C.–The Secretary for Rural Development of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Justin Maxson announced an investment of $266 million to build and improve critical community facilities to benefit nearly three million rural residents in 16 states and Puerto Rico. This funding includes $156 million to support health-care-related improvements and emergency response services that will benefit nearly 1 million rural residents in nine states and Puerto Rico. In Washington, the North Olympic Healthcare Network will use a $4 million loan to purchase the building it currently leases to provide community health services. Ownership will enable the network to lower costs and provide more services to its clients, most of whom are low-income or lack health insurance. This project will benefit more than 19,000 rural residents.

D.C. Circuit Court’s Decision Regarding ABAWDs Rule

WASHINGTON D.C.–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke regarding the D.C. Circuit Court’s decision to allow USDA to withdraw its appeal on the previously vacated final rule, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents.

Adults ages 18-49, able to work, and do not have dependents are not able to receive SNAP benefits for more than three months within a three-year period unless they are working, enrolled in a work program, or participating in some combination of those two for 80 hours each month. The vacated rule limited states’ ability to request waivers of the time limit to certain restricted conditions.

Unemployment rate falls again

OLYMPIA–Washington’s economy added 24,500 jobs in February and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate decreased from 6.0 percent in January (revised) to 5.6 percent in February according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).

USDA Reopens Program Sign-Up to a Larger Share of Producers with Plans to Expand Outreach and New Programming

WASHINGTON D.C. –USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that. The new initiative—USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers—will reach a broader set of producers than in previous COVID-19 aid programs. USDA is dedicating at least $6 billion toward the new programs. (Full story page ?)

Advocates and Community Organizations help connect people

WASHINGTON D.C.–The Social Security Administration has a long history of outreach and coordination with advocates and community-based organizations across the nation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing to work with advocates and community-based organizations is essential to reaching the country’s most vulnerable populations, including individuals with low income, limited English proficiency, mental illness, or those facing homelessness. The agency is fully committed to assisting people in gaining access to the information and services they need with a specific emphasis on applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. (Full story page 3)

Small Businesses and Non-Profits in Need of Financial Relief

WASHINGTON D.C.–The U.S. Senate voted to extend the deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to May 31. Businesses and non-profit organizations have an additional two months to apply for a forgivable PPP loan.

State Senate proposes operating budget

By Sen. Mark Schoesler

OLYMPIA–Senate Democrats announced their new two-year $59.5 billion operating budget proposal, which is $7 billion more than the current budget, or equal to a 13% increase in spending. If this budget becomes reality, our state budget will have grown by over $20 billion, or over 50%, in just six years. This just underscores that we have a spending problem, not a revenue problem.

Senate transportation budget

By Sen. Mark Schoesler

OLYMPIA–Senate Transportation Committee leaders released their version of a new two-year state transportation budget which will fund construction and maintenance of Washington’s transportation system including highways, bridges and ferries. The budget also funds the stat agencies and commissions serving out transportation system, including the State Patrol, Department of Licensing and Department of Transpiration.

Senate capital budget

By Sen. Mark Schoesler

OLYMPIA–The Senate capital budget was released expressing that it will fund construction and maintenance of state buildings, public schools, higher education facilities, public lands, parks and other capital assets. Highlight are $490 million to increase access to broadband in rural parts of Washington; funding of the Odessa groundwater project, fair health and safety grants, fish hatcheries, K-12 education, higher education, public safety, community projects and infrastructure projects; $907.4 million in bond proceeds $40.2 million in other funds for K-12 school construction and modernization: $837.3 million for the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP), $781.7 million to fund 36 construction and renovation projects in 29 school districts; 47.2 million for modernization grants to small school districts; $14.2 million for skills centers; $10 million to the school district health and safety grants program to address health and safety issues, equal access and emergency repairs; and, $51.6 million for construction of new education facilities for those with disabilities; $1.51 billion in total appropriations and alternative financing authority for higher-education facilities which includes $1.06 billion in state bond proceeds. The budget provides $963 million for the four-year institutions, which includes Washington State University (WSU) and $551 million for the community and techmical college system.

Senate Democrats pass bill allowing felons to vote

By Sen. Mark Schoesler

OLYMPIA–The Senate Democrats passed House Bill 1078 which allows convicted felons the right to vote before they have completed their debt to society in a 27-22 vote. The bill is on it’s way to the Governor’s office.

New CBO report: Capital gains tax is an income tax

By Jason Mercier

Looks like we can add the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to the long list of tax professionals, including the IRS and every other state revenue department in the country, when it comes to calling a capital gains tax an income tax. This is from a March 22, 2021 CBO report: “Capital Income Taxes - Capital income taxes are taxes on the return on investment.”

Jason Mercier is Center for Government Reform Director, Washington Policy Center

Moratorium on Residential Evictions extended

WASHINGTON D.C.–The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended the eviction moratorium to affected multifamily housing residents through June 30, 2021. This halt in residential evictions allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to extend relief to the hundreds-of-thousands of Americans who rely on USDA-supported multifamily housing communities.

New title only bill scheduled for April 1 public hearing

By Jason Mercier

OLYMPIA–The first Title Only bill of the session - HB 1564: Concerning transportation spending. It was introduced on March 28 and has already been scheduled for a public hearing on April 1 (no fooling). This essentially blank bill is sponsored by seven Democratic members of the House Transportation Committee. Based on the limited text, it appears this bill will eventually transform into a major transportation tax increase proposal. Don’t worry though, the sponsors promise the real text will be made available for public review…the day before the public hearing.

-Mercier is Center for Government Reform Director, Washington Policy Center

Two free days at State Park in April

OLYMPIA–The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission celebrates the spring season and Earth Day with two free days at state parks on April 3 and April 22.