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Gov. Inslee raises the Pride Flag on the State Capitol grounds, with support from members of the LGBT+ community
Legislators, community members and LGBTQ+ leaders gathered at the Capitol this week to raise the Pride flag in front of the State Capitol. For the 10th year running, the state officially celebrated Pride Month. In 2015, Gov. Jay Inslee was the first governor to raise a Pride flag at the Capitol. While backlash against hard-won freedoms and civil rights for continues to mount across the country, the flag-raising telegraphed Washington state’s commitment to protecting civil rights and freedoms for all Washingtonians.
“I think the fact that you can be who you are and love who you will is one of the most beautiful things about the state of Washington,” said Inslee. “I was glad to be the first governor to raise the Pride flag at the state Capitol and I am glad to live in a time where we’ve made so much progress on this front.”
Gov. Inslee celebrates Juneteenth at an event on the Capitol grounds hosted by BUILD
The governor also attended a Juneteenth ceremony on Friday at the Capitol hosted by BUILD (Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity). Their annual Juneteenth celebration highlighted Washington's progress on diversity, equity and inclusion over the last decade.
That includes establishing the state Office of Equity, which is embedding principles of diversity, equity and inclusion throughout state agencies, and making the state contracting process more accessible to women-owned and minority-owned businesses. Inslee has also removed overly restrictive guidance on affirmative action policies, helped lower the prisoner recidivism rate by 20%, and reduced youth homelessness by 40%. Juneteenth is now an official state holiday, thanks to legislation passed in 2021.
A new $40 million Climate Commitment Act program will help thousands of Washingtonians discover the benefits of efficient electric appliances, including heat pumps, like the one on display here in Issaquah.
A new $40 million Climate Commitment Act program will help thousands of Washingtonians discover the benefits of efficient, pollution-reducing electric appliances. Heat pumps, induction cooktops, and heat pump water heaters mean a more comfortable home with improved indoor air quality and lower bills. Thousands more people using electric appliances means less pollution and cleaner air for us all.
The governor met a group of people in Issaquah this week who had a heat pump installed in their home completely free of charge, thanks to King County's new Energize Program. They were pleasantly surprised to learn that heat pumps don't just provide heat; heat pumps are also quite effective air conditioners and can keep homes and businesses cool and comfortable through a Pacific Northwest summer.
King County is installing heat pumps in more than 100 low- and moderate-income homes in Seattle’s Skyway and White Center neighborhoods. The initial pilot program launched in 2023 and covers up to 100% of the cost, giving more families access to the most efficient, environmentally friendly way to heat and cool their homes. This funding from the state will allow King County to expand the program to additional households and in-home daycare facilities.
Spokane County will also expand existing incentive programs and rebates with this funding.
“Spokane County’s Housing and Community Development Department is excited to receive Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program funding,” said Brittney Reed, a community planning specialist for Spokane County, said in a press release. “We have local organizations with successful, pre-existing programs to distribute rebates and incentives to eligible households and small businesses," prioritizing low-income households.
Other counties and public utility districts across the state are following suit, making additional rebates and incentives available for Washingtonians who would like to phase out the use of oil and gas in their homes.
Dr. Sarah Prager, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, speaks at a press conference regarding the governor’s directive to protect access to emergency abortion care in Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee issued a directive this week requiring the Department of Health to affirm that hospitals in Washington state have a legal requirement to provide emergency abortion services.
Inslee’s directive comes as the nation nears the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade.
“Ideological politicians are relentlessly interfering with the most private and crucial health care decisions a doctor and their patient will ever make, and now they’re doing so even when the life of a mother hangs in the balance,” Inslee said. “Fortunately, we’ve taken numerous steps in Washington to make sure patients in Washington are not subject to these horrors. Hospitals and clinics in Washington have become a haven for patients seeking the abortion care they can no longer access in other states. We will meet every challenge to women’s right of choice with an unwavering affirmation that Washington is and will remain a pro-choice state.”
Read the full story on Gov. Inslee's Medium.
DFI's new ad campaign is aimed at helping Washingtonians of all ages avoid costly scams
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) launched a statewide advertising campaign this week to encourage people to learn how to identify, prevent and report financial fraud.
They're calling the campaign “$10 Billion Reasons” because, according to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023. Investment scams alone accounted for nearly half of that total, more than $4.6 billion.
DFI’s website offers detailed information about the many forms of financial fraud, and instructions on reporting suspected fraud. It's the kind of valuable information that could help you or family member avoid a costly scam.
NOAA funds new Tribe-focused climate resiliency training initiative
Washington was named one of nine states this week to win grant funding from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to expand job training opportunities in careers that advance climate resilience. Community colleges across Washington are working together with Tribal governments to create the new Tribal Stewards Program. These educational programs will build on the generations of knowledge and environmental stewardship skills held by indigenous people, recruit Tribal members to train for jobs protecting forests, coastlines and waterways from the impacts of climate change.
You can find additional climate career training opportunities at https://climate.wa.gov/.
WA Workforce Board awards $1.6 million in scholarships
More than 100 high school seniors and community and technical college students in Washington have been awarded the 2024 Washington Award for Vocational Excellence. Many awardees are focused on careers that face ongoing labor shortages, including nursing, advanced manufacturing, education and information technology. Learn more about the program and how to apply for the next round at the Workforce Board website.
HearMeWA, a new, free mental health service for young Washingtonians
Attorney General Bob Ferguson launched a new program this week to help young Washingtonians get access to mental health care. Washingtonians up to 25 are eligible to use HearMeWA, a service that offers secure, free support to young people struggling with stress, anxiety, violent threats, bullying, abuse and other issues mental well-being.
Prepare for wildfire season during smoke ready week
Washington state is getting ready for what is likely to be a hotter and drier summer than normal. These conditions can lead to more wildfires, exposing millions of residents to wildfire smoke and worsening people’s health. The Washington State Department of Health joined a coalition of local and regional agencies and departments for this year’s Smoke Ready Week. Learn more about how you can protect yourself and loved ones from health impacts of wildfire smoke.
World Blood Donor Day
Did you know that the demand for blood donations increases in the summer but donations decrease? Counteracting that trend by donating blood is easy and appointments usually take between one and two hours. Anyone 18 years or older, in good health, and at least 110 pounds is eligible. With parental permission, 16- and 17-year-olds may also donate. Make an appointment to donate at organizations like Vitalant, Bloodworks Northwest and the American Red Cross.
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