136,000 Unemployed Washingtonians Eligible for Additional Unemployment Insurance
WASHINGTON, DC – As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) successfully secured an additional 33 weeks of unemployment benefits to certain workers in Washington state who have exhausted their rights to regular unemployment compensation benefits. Also, individuals receiving unemployment insurance could receive an additional $25 a week. Currently, there are more than 136,000 Washingtonians receiving unemployment benefits. More than 90,000 people applied for unemployment benefits in December of 2008, which is a 75 percent increase from a year ago.
“As companies such as Starbucks, Boeing, and Weyerheuser announce job cuts, the reality of our country’s economy crisis hits home,” said Cantwell. “More than 200,000 job cuts have been announced this year, and in Washington state, the unemployment rate has skyrocketed to 7.1 percent, the biggest one month increase in more than three decades. In December alone, 90,331 new unemployment applications were filed in Washington state. By increasing and extending unemployment compensation, struggling families can get the additional support they need to make it through these tough economic times.”
Washington’s current unemployment rate is 7.1 percent. Columbia, Stevens, Lewis, Cowlitz, and Grays Harbor Counties all had unemployment rates over 11.0 percent in December 2008.
In addition to extending the temporary emergency unemployment compensation program through December 31, 2009 and creating an additional, federally-funded $25 weekly benefit to individuals receiving unemployment compensation, the package provides incentive payments for states that modernize their programs.
The Special Transfers for Unemployment Compensation Modernization section of the stimulus package permits the transfer of up to $7 billion in funds from the federal unemployment account to state accounts. Funds will be distributed to states that qualify based on the percentage of a state’s share of federal unemployment taxes by state employers. For example, Washington state currently qualifies for $48 million in additional funding. Should Washington enact one additional reform, the state will qualify for the full $145 million in federal modernization funds.
The Special Transfers in Fiscal Year 2009 for Administration section transfers $500 million from the federal employment security administration to state accounts within 30 days of enactment. Washington state would receive $10.5 million.
Finally, a new, temporary emergency contingency fund is created under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. These funds will be available to states with increased cash welfare caseloads under TANF.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Washington State to Receive $2.2 Billion More In Medicaid Funding
Funding Increase Ensures More Than A Million Washingtonians Can Keep Health Care Coverage
WASHINGTON, DC – Washington state is poised to receive up to $2.2 billion in increased Medicaid funding to provide the most vulnerable with access to health care. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, successfully worked to ensure Washington state can continue providing care, and ultimately extend care, to eligible individuals and families with low-incomes. With this increase Washington state will be able to provide care to the more than one million people currently enrolled in the program. The increase is included as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, that the U.S. Senate is currently debating. Any difference between the Senate and House versions of the bills will need to be reconciled before signed into law by President Obama.
“Families across Washington state are struggling to make ends meet, and many simply cannot afford a medical emergency, let alone health care,” said Cantwell. “This $2.2 billion increase means that Washington state can provide health benefits to more than one million people state-wide. As we look for ways to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and invest in our country’s infrastructure, we must also support the most vulnerable in our communities.”
In addition to providing increased Medicaid funding for states, Cantwell also worked to secure the following in the American Recovery Reinvestment Act of 2009:
an additional six month extension of work related Transitional Medical Assistance which provides Medicaid benefits for low-income families who would lose coverage because of changes to income, such as increased child support or increased employment wages/hours.
An extension of the Qualified Individual Program. Certain low-income disabled or aged individuals are eligible to have their Medicare Part B premiums paid for by Medicaid under the Medicare Savings Plan. Qualified Individuals must have incomes no greater than 100 percent of the federal poverty level, and assets not greater than $4,000.
Promotion of Health Information Technology. Promote the development of a national health information technology infrastructure to improve health care quality. Incentives are also included for health professionals and hospitals who adopt a certified electronic health record system and related technologies.
Continuation of COBRA coverage for unemployed workers. Provide a 65 percent premium subsidy for individuals who lost their jobs after September 2008 to help cover the cost of COBRA premiums.
WASHINGTON, DC – Washington state is poised to receive up to $2.2 billion in increased Medicaid funding to provide the most vulnerable with access to health care. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, successfully worked to ensure Washington state can continue providing care, and ultimately extend care, to eligible individuals and families with low-incomes. With this increase Washington state will be able to provide care to the more than one million people currently enrolled in the program. The increase is included as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, that the U.S. Senate is currently debating. Any difference between the Senate and House versions of the bills will need to be reconciled before signed into law by President Obama.
“Families across Washington state are struggling to make ends meet, and many simply cannot afford a medical emergency, let alone health care,” said Cantwell. “This $2.2 billion increase means that Washington state can provide health benefits to more than one million people state-wide. As we look for ways to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and invest in our country’s infrastructure, we must also support the most vulnerable in our communities.”
In addition to providing increased Medicaid funding for states, Cantwell also worked to secure the following in the American Recovery Reinvestment Act of 2009:
an additional six month extension of work related Transitional Medical Assistance which provides Medicaid benefits for low-income families who would lose coverage because of changes to income, such as increased child support or increased employment wages/hours.
An extension of the Qualified Individual Program. Certain low-income disabled or aged individuals are eligible to have their Medicare Part B premiums paid for by Medicaid under the Medicare Savings Plan. Qualified Individuals must have incomes no greater than 100 percent of the federal poverty level, and assets not greater than $4,000.
Promotion of Health Information Technology. Promote the development of a national health information technology infrastructure to improve health care quality. Incentives are also included for health professionals and hospitals who adopt a certified electronic health record system and related technologies.
Continuation of COBRA coverage for unemployed workers. Provide a 65 percent premium subsidy for individuals who lost their jobs after September 2008 to help cover the cost of COBRA premiums.
Leadership Clark County Travels to Olympia
As part of its mission to grow future community leaders, Leadership Clark County took its annual Trip to Olympia on January 28, 2009. More than 35 people, including current class members, alumni of the program and LCC board members were treated to breakfast at The New Phoenix casino, where former state representative John McKibbin and current Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart gave a primer on the workings of the legislative process in Olympia.
The group toured the Capitol Building with behind the scenes access and stories provided by Clark PUD Governmental Affairs Director and former State Senator and Representative Dean Sutherland. The LCC group also met with several state officials, including State Auditor Brian Sonntag, Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen and Washington Supreme Court Justice Jim Johnson. Legislators from throughout Southwest Washington shared lunch with the LCC group, giving a brief update on the issues they are currently working on as well as answering questions.
The Trip to Olympia is part of the overall leadership training course offered by Leadership Clark County each year. The current class will present their community projects and graduate in June 2009. LCC has had more than 400 local residents graduate from the program in its 16 years of training new leaders for our community. Those seeking more information or interested in applying for the program should contact Kathy Scott at (360) 567-1085 or by email at director@leadershipclarkcounty.com
The group toured the Capitol Building with behind the scenes access and stories provided by Clark PUD Governmental Affairs Director and former State Senator and Representative Dean Sutherland. The LCC group also met with several state officials, including State Auditor Brian Sonntag, Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen and Washington Supreme Court Justice Jim Johnson. Legislators from throughout Southwest Washington shared lunch with the LCC group, giving a brief update on the issues they are currently working on as well as answering questions.
The Trip to Olympia is part of the overall leadership training course offered by Leadership Clark County each year. The current class will present their community projects and graduate in June 2009. LCC has had more than 400 local residents graduate from the program in its 16 years of training new leaders for our community. Those seeking more information or interested in applying for the program should contact Kathy Scott at (360) 567-1085 or by email at director@leadershipclarkcounty.com
Public hearings scheduled for Mill Creek sub-area plan
Vancouver, WA – Hearings have been scheduled for the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners regarding the proposed Mill Creek sub-area plan. The hearings are scheduled as follows:
Planning Commission: Thursday, Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m.
Commissioners: Tuesday, March 17, 10:00 a.m.
Both hearings will be held in the Public Service Center, sixth floor, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.
The proposed plan will guide the future development of an area north of Washington State University Vancouver between Northeast 163rd and 179th streets and between Northeast 34th and 50th avenues. The proposed plan includes changes to zoning, future road connections and measures to address neighborhood compatibility.
If adopted by the Board, the plan will become part of the county’s Comprehensive Growth Management Plan.
Planning Commission: Thursday, Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m.
Commissioners: Tuesday, March 17, 10:00 a.m.
Both hearings will be held in the Public Service Center, sixth floor, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.
The proposed plan will guide the future development of an area north of Washington State University Vancouver between Northeast 163rd and 179th streets and between Northeast 34th and 50th avenues. The proposed plan includes changes to zoning, future road connections and measures to address neighborhood compatibility.
If adopted by the Board, the plan will become part of the county’s Comprehensive Growth Management Plan.
Urban Livestock Task Force to meet Feb. 11 and 25
Vancouver, WA – The next two meetings of the Clark County Urban Livestock Task Force will be Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Wednesday, Feb. 25, in the sixth-floor training room at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver. The meetings are open to the public and begin at 6 p.m.
Convened by the Board of Clark County Commissioners, the task force is charged with reviewing standards for urban livestock and developing recommendations for any changes to current standards.
Task force members are Loren Carlson, Cheri Cornelius, Tom Meyer, Clarence Petty, Mary Ann Simonds, Denise Smee, Art Stubbs, and Norm Welsh.
Convened by the Board of Clark County Commissioners, the task force is charged with reviewing standards for urban livestock and developing recommendations for any changes to current standards.
Task force members are Loren Carlson, Cheri Cornelius, Tom Meyer, Clarence Petty, Mary Ann Simonds, Denise Smee, Art Stubbs, and Norm Welsh.
City Charter Review Committee announces meeting dates and locations.
The City of Vancouver Charter Review Committee has scheduled bi-monthly meetings, every other Tuesday, from February through June, 6 to 8 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.
Following are their meeting schedule and locations:
February 10 - Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way
February 24 - Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave.
March 10 - Marshall Community Center- Elm Room,1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.
March 24 – O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St.
April 14 - Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave.
April 28 - Marshall Community Center- Elm Room, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.
May 12 - Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave.
May 26 - C-TRAN Rose F. Besserman Room, 3510 SE 164th Ave.
June 9 - Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way
June 23 – O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St.
Meetings agendas and minutes will be posted on the city’s website at www.cityofvancouver.us.
The Charter Review Committee is a group of 15 volunteers selected by City Council to review the Vancouver City Charter. They held their first meeting on January 29. The Committee review is expected to take six months.
Per Section 11.17 of the City Charter the Charter Review Committee will review the City Charter and make recommendations to the City Council for changes or amendments that should be put up for a vote. The recommendations must be made in time for consideration on that year’s election ballot. If you have any proposed changes you would like the Charter Review Committee to discuss, please send them to the City Manager’s Office at jan.bader@ci.vancouver.wa.us.
Following are their meeting schedule and locations:
February 10 - Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way
February 24 - Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave.
March 10 - Marshall Community Center- Elm Room,1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.
March 24 – O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St.
April 14 - Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave.
April 28 - Marshall Community Center- Elm Room, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.
May 12 - Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave.
May 26 - C-TRAN Rose F. Besserman Room, 3510 SE 164th Ave.
June 9 - Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way
June 23 – O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St.
Meetings agendas and minutes will be posted on the city’s website at www.cityofvancouver.us.
The Charter Review Committee is a group of 15 volunteers selected by City Council to review the Vancouver City Charter. They held their first meeting on January 29. The Committee review is expected to take six months.
Per Section 11.17 of the City Charter the Charter Review Committee will review the City Charter and make recommendations to the City Council for changes or amendments that should be put up for a vote. The recommendations must be made in time for consideration on that year’s election ballot. If you have any proposed changes you would like the Charter Review Committee to discuss, please send them to the City Manager’s Office at jan.bader@ci.vancouver.wa.us.
Children’s Justice Center receives grant for child abuse prevention
Vancouver, WA – The Arthur D. Curtis Children’s Justice Center has gained support for a new child sex abuse prevention program in Clark County. The center has received a 2009 Children’s Trust Fund Grant Award from the Community Foundation in the amount of $15,000.
The center will partner with the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization in locating more than 500 single parents living in Clark County. To help these caretakers fully understand the danger, the center’s specially trained multidisciplinary team will provide information about child predator profiles and how to implement protections.
“We are very happy to have the support to begin this new work in our community,” says Director Mary Blanchette. “We believe this new parent outreach program will help protect children from harm and prevent incidents of child abuse before they occur. Our goal is to educate vulnerable single mothers who may become prey to manipulative child predators and unknowingly open their homes to this danger.”
Currently, there are 1,200 registered sex offenders in Clark County and many of them have targeted innocent children. Surveys of adults reveal that one in four girls and one out of six boys have been sexually molested, and that child sexual abuse is likely one of the most underreported crimes in the nation.
“The Children’s Justice Center works diligently every day to hold perpetrators of child abuse accountable,” says Blanchette. “For example, in 2007, the center received 1400 reports of suspected child abuse, fully investigated and provided services to 415 child victims and sentenced 187 perpetrators of felony child abuse through the county’s judicial system.”
The center will partner with the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization in locating more than 500 single parents living in Clark County. To help these caretakers fully understand the danger, the center’s specially trained multidisciplinary team will provide information about child predator profiles and how to implement protections.
“We are very happy to have the support to begin this new work in our community,” says Director Mary Blanchette. “We believe this new parent outreach program will help protect children from harm and prevent incidents of child abuse before they occur. Our goal is to educate vulnerable single mothers who may become prey to manipulative child predators and unknowingly open their homes to this danger.”
Currently, there are 1,200 registered sex offenders in Clark County and many of them have targeted innocent children. Surveys of adults reveal that one in four girls and one out of six boys have been sexually molested, and that child sexual abuse is likely one of the most underreported crimes in the nation.
“The Children’s Justice Center works diligently every day to hold perpetrators of child abuse accountable,” says Blanchette. “For example, in 2007, the center received 1400 reports of suspected child abuse, fully investigated and provided services to 415 child victims and sentenced 187 perpetrators of felony child abuse through the county’s judicial system.”
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