Archives
Councilmember Harrell’s Statement on President Obama’s New Fair Housing Rule
Councilmember Bruce Harrell,chair of theCouncil's Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee,issued the following statement regarding President Obama's newFair Housing ruleannounced on Wednesday
Sen. Murray Fights to Protect Services for Homeless Veterans
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced The Homeless Veterans Services Protection Act with cosponsor Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), which would prevent thousands of homeless veterans from losing access to housing services. VA’s proposed changes to the decades-old policy for homeless services would bar access for veterans who served less that than two years continuously, or who had an other than honorable discharge.
City’s water supply outlook changed from ‘good’ to ‘fair’
After the hottest June in recorded history, higher-than-usual water consumption, record-low stream flows into storage reservoirs and the onset of El Niño conditions, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) today changed its water supply outlook from good to fair
County manager appoints new member to Clean Water Commission
McDevitt is a member of the California State Bar Association and previously served on the Alameda County Civil Grand Jury. He also was a senior manager in information technology for DIRECTV and NorthPoint Communications, Inc. McDevitt is currently self-employed
Thousands of homes now eligible for rain garden rebates
RainWise, a joint program of Seattle and King County, is a popular and beautiful way to fight water pollution. The average rebate for the installation of an approved rain garden or cistern is $4,500. Collectively, more than 600 RainWise projects are reducing 9 million gallons of runoff annually. These functional systems also add curbside appeal to homes.
Inslee announces AmeriCorps grants to Washington organizations
"National service is an essential part of the solution to many of the challenges facing our state. These AmeriCorps members will meet pressing local needs as they develop civic and leadership skills to last a lifetime. I congratulate these outstanding organizations and thank all those who serve their communities through AmeriCorps."
Updating the construction stormwater permit
Although it’s summertime, the Washington Department of Ecology is preparing for the rain by updating a water quality permit to help construction sites prevent muddy runoff the next time it rains.
Mayor Murray recommends funding 22 projects to promote digital equity
Mayor Ed Murray today transmitted legislation recommending 22 recipients of the City’s 2015 Technology Matching Fund for projects that will assist more than 14,900 residents in need and help to further the City’s digital equity goals. Once approved by the Seattle City Council, a total of $470,000 will be distributed to community organizations throughout the city. The Council will discuss these recommendations on Wednesday, July 15.
Conservation program highlights river properties with public tours
Three upcoming events offer opportunities to enjoy river-based conservation properties and celebrate Legacy Lands’ 30th anniversary in Clark County. Anniversary activities for July include a volunteer effort and tours.
Washington Sleepy Hollow Fire: PCI & NWIC Urge Residents to Seek Safety and Contact...
Residents of Wenatchee, Washington in the path of the Sleepy Hollow Fire should carefully monitor and heed evacuation warnings. Once evacuated to a safe location, residents should save receipts for evacuation-related expenses and contact their insurance companies immediately through their toll free claims telephone numbers to begin receiving assistance if their home is damaged, said the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI)
McMorris Rodgers Joins Esperanza to Empower Hispanic-Americans
This month Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) met with community faith leaders from the group Esperanza to discuss the importance of religious freedom, educational opportunities, and the future of immigration reform. Esperanza, a nationwide faith-based community group, focuses on empowering Hispanic communities through education, economic development and advocacy.
Counseling for homeowners boosted with state grant
About 1,000 Washington State homeowners facing foreclosure will receive financial counseling to help resolve their mortgage issues, thanks to a grant awarded this week by Attorney General Bob Ferguson to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission
Early water restrictions for eastern Washington irrigators
A dramatic drop in streamflows caused by drought has several hundred irrigators in north-central and eastern Washington facing water cutoffs far earlier than normal this year. That’s because snowpack in Washington melted a month early, and 43 percent of rivers statewide are now running at record-low levels.
Newhouse, Herrera Beutler Amendment to Classify Hydropower Among Renewable Sources of Energy Passes House
Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) introduced an amendment to H.R. 2042, the Ratepayer Protection Act of 2015, which would direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize hydropower as a renewable energy source under the EPA’s carbon reduction regulations. The amendment was approved by a voice vote
NGBS Green Certified Homes Receive Interest Rate Reduction in Washington State
The Washington State Housing Finance Commission recognizes NGBS Green Certification (Silver level and higher) as one option for meeting the requirements of the Energy Spark Home Loan program. Energy Spark provides a .25 interest rate reduction for qualifying buyers of energy-efficient homes and home improvements. NGBS is recognized alongside Northwest Energy Star Homes, LEED, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home, Passive House, and Built Green.
FEMA Issues Grants for SR 530 Landslide Recovery
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell (WA) today applauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) announcement of an additional $7.6 million in grants for recovery efforts, including removal of debris deposited in the wake of flooding and mudslides that occurred in March and April last year
Murray Applauds Airport Improvement Program Investments Across Washington State
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, applauded the Federal Aviation Administration’s announcement that seven airports across Washington state will receive over $3 million in federal grants via the Airport Improvement Program. The grants will be used to make critical improvements to the airports in order to support air traffic and to promote economic growth in rural areas
Open houses for two key transportation projects
Open houses this week will give attendees an opportunity to see how two upcoming projects -- in the Bel-Red area and the Eastgate-Factoria area -- will help to reshape the city's transportation system.
Streamlined regulations encourage water reuse
Reclaimed water is water that is treated by sewer plants to ensure it is safe for other uses, such as irrigation, controlling dust or flushing toilets. Use of reclaimed water conserves our limited supplies of drinking water.
King Co. Delegation Urges Administration to Fix Inflation Formula in Housing Voucher Program
Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) led the congressional delegation representing Washington’s King County in urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to fix the inflation formula used in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which provides rental assistance to low-income households. The current formula has been particularly damaging in areas with rapidly escalating rental costs, such as the Puget Sound region.
