Gov. Jay Inslee announced our state is on track to reopen fully by June 30.
By Tuesday [May 18], every county w+ther to move into Phase 3.
Inslee's announcement came after months of dragging his feet on reopening, and days after Washington Hospitality Association launched a public petition calling for him to fully reopen by June 15.
Following his announcement, Senate Republican Leader John Braun and House Republican J.T. Wilcox offered a statement pushing for an earlier reopening: "Now that our state is aligning with the new CDC guidance -- meaning the mask mandate and distancing guidance are lifted for fully vaccinated adults -- we believe June 15 is still a reasonable deadline."
Inslee's announcement also came after the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released new guidance on masks. The state is reviewing the new direction and plans to make updates reflecting the changes.
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WA schools to reopen for in-person classes in fall 2021 (The News Tribune)
Schools across Washington state must provide full-time, in-person education for students beginning in fall 2021. A mask mandate for staff and students will remain in place. The masking requirement comes even after the CDC eliminated the need for indoor mask-wearing for fully vaccinated people.
For months, Republicans have called for schools to reopen for in-person classes, given the very low risk of COVID-19 transmission. Children across our state are falling behind academically and facing severe mental health challenges because of social isolation. A fall reopening for in-person classes is far overdue. Sen. John Braun has consistently said that the lack of in-person learning is the equity issue of our time.
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Washingtonians must know opt-out rights for upcoming payroll tax (The Lens)
A state law passed in 2019 will take effect starting January 2022 – and Washingtonians must know their rights regarding opting-out. Workers' paychecks will soon feel the impact of a new payroll tax that costs 58 cents per $100 of income.
Revenue from the tax will be used to pay for a socialized entitlement program that many workers do not need or will never use. The program seeks to create a fund for long-term-care costs associated with Medicaid – however, benefits are not guaranteed for life.
Given increasing yearly expenses, it's also unlikely the tax will stay at 58 cents per $100 of income. Washington residents have the option to opt out of the tax and entitlement program. However, a new bill passed by Democrats during the 2021 legislative session gives people only until November 1, 2021.
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Inslee vetoed legislation that would outlaw gas-powered vehicles (My Northwest)
In a surprise to many, Gov. Jay Inslee vetoed a measure that would have ended the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2030. However, his decision was not a result of common-sense arguments against the legislation, including its overall lack of feasibility.
The bill included a contingency for phasing out gas-powered vehicles that Inslee disliked. The 2030 restriction would only kick in with "at least 75% of registered vehicles in the state participating in a yet-to-be-completed pay-per-mile road usage charge." Inslee only supports "phasing out gas powered vehicles, provided it's not tied to a pay-per-mile system that has yet to be fully realized."
The synthesis is that we get a pay-per-mile tax, then we get forced into using non-gasoline (read 'electric') powered vehicles. The alternate energy supply system has not been imagined, engineered,or constructed -- but these points have not attracted the politicians' interest.
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