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"Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery" reopening plan takes effect

Washington is now in the first phase of the state's new reopening plan, "Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery", which took effect Monday. The plan follows metrics in health systems across eight regions of the state, and each region's ability to move to the next phase of reopening will be based on data updated weekly.

As the state sees improvement in COVID activity, each of the eight regions, which are organized based on health system resources, will have the opportunity to open more activities that are currently restricted. 

The complete guidance for industries and activities in the new phases can be found here.

The state Department of Health will assess the health metrics for each region on a weekly basis to determine whether any regions are eligible to advance a phase forward. For the latest statewide report from the Department of Health where on each region currently stands, click here.

Inslee sworn in for historic third term

On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee took the oath of office to begin his third term in office. Inslee is only the second governor to be elected to three terms in Washington state. The governor delivered his inaugural address in a recorded video that highlighted the challenges facing Washington state in the next four years, as well as the governor's priorities for improving the lives of Washingtonians.

The state's health and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic topped the agenda.

"We have big challenges that demand we take big steps," Inslee said in his address. "We are not going back to normal. We are going forward toward a new normal. We are on a path in this legislative session to a more just normal, a healthier normal."

Watch the full address here. The full transcript of the speech can be found here.

Watch the governor take the oath of office administered by State Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven González t this link.

Watch a recap of the accomplishments from the governor's second term in office here.

Legislative Update: Clean fuels, capital gains legislation get hearings

The 2021 legislative session kicked off Monday. Legislators met in person in Olympia Monday to vote on new rules allowing for remote hearings and voting.

Legislators heard a variety of bills remotely this week, including several governor request bills. The Senate Ways & Means Committee heard testimony about a proposed capital gains tax supported by the governor. The legislation would place a 9% excise tax on gains from the sale or exchange of certain capital assets beginning Jan. 1, 2022, and would make progress toward improving the state's regressive tax system.

The House Committee on Environment and Energy heard a governor request bill aimed at establishing a low-carbon fuel standard, a priority for the governor in recent sessions, and is scheduled for executive session next week. Legislation also working to reduce emissions through decarbonizing residential and commercial buildings went through first readings in both the House and Senate, being scheduled for public hearing in the House on Jan. 22.

Other priorities heard in committees this week include two of the governor’s equity proposals. The joint legislation proposed by the governor and insurance commissioner to prohibit the use of credit scores in determining insurance rates was heard this week in the Senate Business and Finance Committee. A bill that would establish Juneteenth as a state holiday was heard in the House Committee on State Government and Tribal Relations, and is scheduled for executive session next week.

House and Senate both went through first readings of their respective versions of unemployment insurance and worker protections responding to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate also hearing the unemployment insurance legislation in committee and scheduling it for executive session.

The regular 2021 Legislative Session is set to run through April.