QUICK LOOK

Mentor Washington

POMEROY–The Pomeroy Partners is working with the Garfield County Christian Youth Program to create a formalized mentoring program for local youth. The model from Mentor Washington to create an evidence-based mentoring program that will enrich students’ lives with a long-term adult mentor.

Schoesler blasts Senate for passing state income-tax proposal

OLYMPIA–The state Senate approved Senate Bill 5096, a 10-time rejected bill to impose a state income-tax on Washingtonians. “This bill approval is the first step toward the possibility of a state income tax on all Washingtonians, said “Sen. Mar Schoesler. The Senate passed the bill 25–24 which would impose a 7% state income tax on capital gains. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Fertilizer-fee hike legislation will hit farmers hard

RITZVILLE–Senate Bill 5318 which sharply increases fertilizer application, license, inspection, and late fees. According to a report on SB 5318 issued b y the state Office of Financial Management, the fertilizer-fee proposal would cost farms an average of more than $550,000 in fertilizer fees over the next 10 years.

Legislation to expedite restoration of wireless communications in wake of disaster

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) recently introduced the Wildfire Wireless Resiliency Act to speed up projects to replace or improve wireless communications facilities damaged during a wildfire.

Sara Jones named Washington State Librarian

OLYMPIA–Secretary of State Kim Wyman has appointed Sara Jones as the new Washington State Librarian. She will develop and lead strategies for public access to library materials, collections, and services; safeguarding the state library as a historical asset, and repository for government documents and publications; and working with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to meet the needs of the state’s libraries.

Money to help Forest Service

WASHINGTON D.C.–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reported the U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $285 million to help the Forest Service address critical deferred maintenance and improve transportation and recreation infrastructure on national forests and grasslands.

Bipartisan girls LEAD Act introduced

WASHINGTON D.C.–On International Women’s Day, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) and Congressman David Trone (MD-06) introduced the bipartisan Girls Leadership, Engagement, Agency, and Development (LEAD) Act to promote girls’ leadership and participation in civic and political processes through U.S. foreign assistance.

USDA seeks public comment on revised conservation practice standards

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2021 – The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to 23 national conservation practice standards through a posting in the Federal Register. The proposed revisions will publish March 9 with comments due April 8. Comments can be made through regulations.gov or by mail or hand delivery.

Forest Service invests $40 million in Great American Outdoors Act

PORTLAND, Ore.–The USDA Forest Service will put an investment of up to $40 million to fund Great American Outdoors Act projects addressing critical deferred maintenance and improve transportation and recreation infrastructure on national forests in the Pacific Northwest Region this fiscal year.

This investment will improve access to recreation on public lands, support small businesses, and enhance investments on National Forests by leveraging National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Funds provided by Congress.