OLYMPIA – During the week of March 15-21, 133,464 new claims for unemployment benefits were filed with the Employment Security Department (ESD) which was an increase of 119,310 new claims over the previous week. Tremendous increase in new unemployment claims due to COVID-19 related layoffs “This data shows the enormity of the situation unfolding in…
Category: State
Washington
Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave is Here
OLYMPIA – Washingtonians now have access to the most generous Paid Family and Medical Leave program in the U.S. Nearly all workers in this state, including part- and full-time, may be able to take up to 12 weeks to care for themselves or a family member through a serious illness or injury, to bond with…
Planning Commission considers huge land use changes in unincorporated areas
Controversial land use changes to the Frederickson, Parkland, Spanaway, Midland, South Hill and Mid-County (Summit, Waller, North Clover Creek Collins) areas are progressing through the formal process of adoption in Pierce County. These changes involve housing and business uses, but not an accompanying infrastructure plan. Therefore the communities, already overcrowded for urban growth that has…
Changes to Washington state’s election laws are now in effect
PIERCE COUNTY AUDITOR — As of July 1, 2019, new conveniences and increased accessibility to voting in Washington are now law. The State Legislature passed a number of bills during the 2018 and 2019 sessions that changed significant dates and deadlines for registration and voting. Those changes include: Pre-paid postage: Every ballot will now come…
Road Work near LaGrande – SR7 closures
State Route 7 slope stabilization work begins in July Travelers will see daytime closures of SR 7 near La Grande EATONVILLE – Travelers heading to Alder Lake and Mount Rainier National Park on State Route 7 this summer and fall will want to plan extra travel time into their adventures. As early as July 15,…
April 2 – Resource Fair
A Community Resource Fair will be held at WorkSource April 2, 2019, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at WorkSource Pierce, 2121 South State Street, Suite 300. Tacoma. They will be hosting this fair the first Tuesday of every month.
HB1233 tries to preempt science and experts
Sometimes there is a bill in the legislature that is so egregious that you hope no one is dumb or evil enough to let it leave committee. In the case of HB1233, all the sponsors are from the same party and the opposing party is in charge of the committee. At issues is this line,…
Sierra Pacific – 208th Street – Wetland
[Guest column on the Army Corps “decision” 2014 Sierra Pacific site on 208th St. in Spanaway] Letter To: Dennis Hanberg; Scott Sissons; Bruce Dammeier: I have contacted the USACE (United States Army Corps of Engineers) staff personnel now in charge of this area and am waiting for them to call back. Meantime, I am proceeding…
Citizens – Arm Yourself
The best citizens in a democracy are those who know what is happening around them. Here are links to legislation that is proposed and actions being taken… Pierce County Council Washington Legislature Congress
Conway: Working families will benefit from new paid family leave law
OLYMPIA – After months of tense negotiations, the Washington State Legislature passed legislation establishing a new statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program late Friday night. Senate Bill 5975 creates a paid family and medical leave insurance program that is funded by premiums paid by both employers and employees, and allows employer voluntary plans….
Next Lake Kapowsin Cleanup July 15
Hello All: We had a great work party last Saturday (5/20/17) at Lake Kapowsin boat launch with a total of 19 volunteers. Thanks to all that helped!! Fish and Wildlife access managers Derek Hacker and John Evans also came and worked on the parking area green spaces to increase visibility for security. We cleared about 740…
Growth – Is it managed in Pierce County?
Back in the early 1990’s the Washington State legislature passed the Growth Management Act. Since that time in Pierce County lot sizes have grown much smaller, there is more traffic congestion in unincorporated areas and now there are restrictions on who can get a well put on their property in rural areas. Did ‘we’ preserve our…
