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AG wins summary judgment against company scamming homeowners
Attorney General Bob Ferguson prevailed today in his lawsuit against a California company that scammed new property owners into buying overpriced deeds
As Production Halts at Moses Lake Silicon Plant, Murray, Cantwell, Newhouse Call for End...
Following an announcement that the REC Silicon plant in Moses Lake will shut down production, U.S. Senators Murray and Cantwell, and U.S. Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), today called on trade representatives to end the solar trade war between the U.S. and China.
AG secures $1 million for Washington homeowners in legal action against HSBC for mortgage...
Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced Washington homeowners will recover $1 million, as part of a $470 million agreement secured for homeowners nationwide through a state-federal legal action against mortgage lender and servicer HSBC.
Councilmember Bagshaw to Convene Homeless Advocates for Roundtable Review
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw will host a roundtable discussion with homeless advocates on Friday morning to hear their experiences and reactions to the State of Civil Emergency relating to homelessness. Recently, the Council dedicated $7.5 million in one-time funds for homeless response, on top of the $40.5 million in ongoing funding
New state-led clean water rule proposed
The Department of Ecology today released a new draft clean water rule (also known as the fish consumption rule) that contains a more protective cancer risk rate, in keeping with the governor’s directive from October 2015.
Murray proposes to expand levy to support affordable housing
Continuing a 35-year history of public investment in affordable housing, today Mayor Ed Murray announced his proposal to replace and expand the expiring Seattle Housing Levy with a new 7-year ballot measure that would invest $290 million to preserve and produce affordable housing. The Mayor is seeking public input on the initial proposal and will transmit a recommendation to City Council in early March.
COMMISSION TO FOCUS ON HOUSING NEEDS, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE 50 AND OLDER
The Clark County Commission on Aging is focusing this year on housing, especially for people 50 and older. Research reveals that 87 percent of people prefer to retire in place and will need accessible, affordable housing. Whether housing is a multi- or single-family dwelling or in an urban, suburban or rural area, most homes will need to be retrofitted or remodeled for people’s changing needs. For some people, building a new home tailored to their evolving needs is an option.
Seattle, King County unsheltered homelessness continues to rise
Mayor Ed Murray and over 1,000 volunteers spent the early hours of Friday participating in the One Night Count to survey Seattle and King County, estimating how many people were sleeping outside, in tents and vehicles, without access to shelter.
Council moves towards funding two new affordable housing projects
The City Council was briefed Monday on two affordable housing projects being reviewed for funding by local cities through A Regional Coalition for Housing, or "ARCH," Trust Fund Process. During the presentation councilmembers voiced their support for two local projects; Imagine Housing Totem Lake senior apartments and Imagine Housing at St. Luke's in Bellevue. A vote on the $120,000 in funds requested by ARCH to support both projects is expected in February.
City Hall to host Cultural Conversations: ‘Feeling at Home’
On Feb. 3, 7-9 p.m., Bellevue's Cultural Conversations team will host a special community-wide presentation in City Hall's council chambers (450 110th Ave NE), exploring what it means for both newcomers and long-time residents to "feel at home" in our community. The evening will offer participants an opportunity to get fresh perspectives on living in Bellevue, build new community connections and increase their cultural understanding.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION TO SLOW TRAFFIC ON PADDEN PARKWAY NEXT WEEK
The project includes building acceleration lanes on Padden Parkway to improve safety by giving vehicles entering from Northeast 94th Avenue room to speed up before merging. Deceleration lanes also will be added or improved on Padden Parkway to provide room for vehicles to slow down before turning right onto Northeast 94th Avenue.
Councilmember Herbold’s Statement on Homelessness Emergency Order Ratification
Councilmember Lisa Herbold issued the following statement following Council's amending and ratification of Mayor Ed Murray's Order of Civil Emergency relating to creating safe parking lots for people using vehicles as residences
Seattle to open safe lots for homeless families and individuals living in vehicles
In response to the continued crisis of homelessness on the streets of Seattle, Mayor Ed Murray issued anemergency order to expedite the siting of two safe lots in Ballard and Delridge for homeless individuals and families living in recreational vehicles and cars.
Councilmember Herbold’s Statement on Homeless Encampment Removals
Councilmember Lisa Herbold issued the following statement following this morning's briefing on encampment removals from the Mayor's office, Human Services Department, and Office of Finance and Administrative Services
Murray seeks fair access to housing for those with criminal records
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray formed a Fair Chance Housing committee to reduce barriers to housing for people with criminal records. The committee will work to develop proposals that address rental housing discrimination, provide wider access to rental assistance and increase enforcement of Seattle fair housing ordinances
Jaime Herrera Beutler Helps Send Bipartisan Protection Against EPA’S Expansion of Control Over Individuals’,...
Jaime Herrera Beutler voted with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives today to put on President Obama’s desk a bill ending the "Waters of the United States” rule. This rule overturns 42 years of Clean Water Act protection and expands the power of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers’ to regulate water – no matter how little – on any land, public or private.
Bipartisan bill aims to preserve affordable housing statewide
Across the Puget Sound region, as real estate values and rents rise, cities large and small are struggling to preserve existing lower-cost, market-rate housing. A bipartisan plan to enact a local-option property tax exemption for existing rental homes aims to preserve lower rents and prevent the displacement of long-time tenants, even as landlords seek to make building improvements.
Ecology grants improve water supplies, support jobs
The Washington Department of Ecology is awarding grants to public utility, conservation and irrigation districts to help improve local and regional water supplies in river basins across the state.
Cashmere developer restores Mission Creek shoreline
Cashmere developer George Valison has successfully restored the shoreline of Mission Creek, resolving $20,000 in civil penalties and orders associated with unpermitted excavation work in Mission Creek conducted in 2012
Cantwell Applauds Long-term Extension of Wind and Solar Tax Credits
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, applauded the long-term extension of critical clean energy tax credits for wind and solar energy in the omnibus spending bill.
