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Senate budget adds $5 million to help rural exporters hurt by coronavirus

Senate budget adds $5 million to help rural exporters hurt by coronavirus

The operating budget passed today by the Senate would add $5 million in assistance for local businesses whose trade has been decimated by international reactions to the coronavirus pandemic, at the request of state lawmakers representing the 19th and 24th legislative districts. Though the funds may be requested by a number ...

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Van De Wege bill would align timber industry with state carbon goals

Van De Wege bill would align timber industry with state carbon goals

State agencies would recognize and support efforts by timber companies to reduce carbon emissions through reforestation, afforestation, timber harvesting, and the planting of forested buffers in riparian areas, under legislation passed Thursday by the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee. “There’s a presumption out there that timber harvesting and ...

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Van De Wege staffed by new legislative assistant

Van De Wege staffed by new legislative assistant

The new legislative assistant to Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) brings strong familiarity and knowledge of the communities that make up the 24th Legislative District. Van De Wege’s office is now managed by Peter Steelquist, an experienced political staffer and native of Sequim. “I have had the very good fortune of ...

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Legislature funds study of state production of generic drugs

Legislature funds study of state production of generic drugs

The operating budget passed late today by the Legislature includes $20,000 to fund a study of the feasibility of the state producing certain generic drugs.

“The rising cost of prescription drugs is a strain on many households, even for longtime drugs like insulin that haven’t changed over the ...

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New laws designed to reduce wildfires, improve firefighter safety

New laws designed to reduce wildfires, improve firefighter safety

A pair of bills signed into law today by Gov. Jay Inslee focus on preventing wildfires near electric utilities and increasing firefighter safety.

Senate Bill 5305, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim), directs the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to create a task force to ...

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Senate passes legislation that could pursue dredging of Satsop River

Senate passes legislation that could pursue dredging of Satsop River

Several state agencies would work jointly to assess and recommend strategies to improve environmental health and reduce the threat of flooding along the Satsop River, under legislation passed late Wednesday by the Senate.

“This is a chance to address a growing flood threat while increasing the health of ...

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Senate budget funds study of state production of generic drugs

Senate budget funds study of state production of generic drugs

The operating budget passed today by the Senate includes $20,000 to fund a study of the feasibility of the state producing certain generic drugs.

“One of the biggest concerns in many households today is the high cost of prescription drugs,” said Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim), who ...

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Historic sailing vessel fully restored, ready for year-round operation

Historic sailing vessel fully restored, ready for year-round operation

The completed, 10-year restoration of the only active National Historic Landmark sailing vessel in Puget Sound will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. Friday with a public launch at the Port Townsend Boat Haven.

Like much of the earlier restoration projects, the final phase of restoration — the full replacement of ...

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Senate anti-flooding proposal would explore dredging of Satsop River

Senate anti-flooding proposal would explore dredging of Satsop River

Several state agencies would work jointly to assess and recommend strategies to reduce the threat of flooding along the Satsop River, under legislation recommended Tuesday by the Senate Water, Agriculture, Natural Resources & Parks Committee.

“The Satsop had a long history of dredging but, since the dredging stopped, ...

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Van De Wege’s wildfire prevention bill awaits action in House

Van De Wege’s wildfire prevention bill awaits action in House

A task force would be created to identify and recommend better methods for preventing wildfires in the vicinity of electric utilities, under legislation that passed the Senate and awaits action in the House Committee on Rural Development.

Senate Bill 5305, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van ...

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