Eviction Moratorium Extended and New Restrictions on Eateries, Bars, and Indoor FacilitiesA Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
Updated Restrictions on Indoor RecreationA Message from Jon Snyder, Senior Policy Advisor to Gov. Jay Inslee
Because of the ongoing pandemic and the sharp rise in virus transmission in our state, there are a number of areas where we will be announcing new restrictions on activities that previously had more latitude. The goal is to reduce interactions and mobility to slow the spread of transmission. One of these areas is indoor recreation. The changes are as follows:
A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
On Thursday, June 18, virtual meetings were held where both Senate Ways & Means Chair Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge Island/23rd Dist.) and House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan (D-Covington/47th Dist.) spoke. Both members made it pretty clear that early August to mid-August is what we should expect, and be preparing for, in terms of a Special Session of the Legislature. Based on comments—Sen. Rolfes as a guest speaker before an Association of Washington Cities’ (AWC) Legislative Committee, and Rep. Sullivan with a group of local government lobbyists—this will be a very brief and surgical Special Session to get at budget issues and make some dent in a 4-year, $8.8 billion shortfall.
A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
The legislation achieves two core conservation priorities. One is providing $900 million annually and permanently for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was created in 1964 and uses royalties from offshore oil and gas drilling to pay for a host of conservation projects on public lands.
A Message from the WRPA Administration Network
As follow-up to the discussion we had at last Thursday's, June 11, 2020, meeting regarding Phase 3 of the Governor’s “Safe start” re-opening plans, and the limitation of 50 people on events and gatherings, the WRPA continues to work with the Governor’s Office on a way to look at these not just with a number but by ensuring safe protocols and social distancing and other structural ways of keeping people separated.
A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
For this item, please review the Protecting Existing Resources Template and questions. I’m chairing – for an Outdoor Recreation Funding Roundtable spearheaded by State Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline/32nd Dist.) – a ‘Protect Existing Resources’ subcommittee that will assist Rep. Ryu and other participating legislators in understanding the magnitude of the COVID-19 impacts on the outdoor recreation sector, and hopefully provide these legislators with tools and data to protect against damaging cutbacks and reductions in 2020 Special Session and/or 2021 Regular Session deliberations on the state budgets.
A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
Friday, May 29, 2020
A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
A Message from Governor Jay Inslee
This memorandum serves to make further clarifications for Outdoor Recreation, Phase 1, and sets forth additional Phase 2 criteria. This memorandum is effective as of May 14, 2020.
A Message from Peter Mayer, Metro Parks Tacoma
Good morning! First of all, I hope this finds you healthy and rested. I wanted to send a “shout out” of thanks and share a few developments.
I hope this email finds you healthy and well during this difficult time. We have heard from many of you about the extraordinary work you are doing on behalf of your community. We know that special park districts are in a difficult place with respect to the ability to receive funding while still facing the challenges that COVID-19 has brought.
NRPA has drafted a memo that will provide you additional information about the federal response along with a letter that we plan to send to federal leaders on behalf of special park districts. This letter asks for equitable treatment when funding is provided.
Hiking and Other Outdoor Activities Restart COVID-19 Requesremts and Recommendations.This week an amendment was made to Proclamation 20-25.2. Read the full proclamation from Governor Jay Inslee and view the quick guide banner.
Gov. Jay Inslee will address media Monday via streaming video and telephone to provide an update on the state's COVID-19 response.
The governor will be joined by Hilary Franz, commissioner of public lands, Kelly Susewind, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Don Hoch, director of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
WRPA & Other Western Associations Are Advocating for Park & Rec Safety During COVIDA Message from WRPA's Lobbyist Doug Levy
On April 23, 2020, WRPA sent out a proposal outlining a framework on how public parks and recreation service providers can serve a vital role in assisting you to safely return Washingtonians to public life. On Tuesday, May 21, 2020, the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board (RCFB) voted unanimously to support an RCO staff proposal to reduce the local match requirements during the COVID-19 period. Read more below
Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) Votes to Reduces Local Match Requirements
A Message from WRPA Lobbyist Doug Levy
On a wet day in early February, 130 advocates descended on Olympia to speak up for our outdoors. Folks from Manson near Lake Chelan to Longview on the Columbia River committed their time and energy to tell lawmakers why the outdoors matters. Their voices made an impact with legislators, and we’re so thankful for the support of so many passionate outdoor advocates from across the state.
We’ve done the research so you don’t have to, endorsing the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) as our preferred background screening provider. NCSI is a youth safety advocacy group and leading background screening provider. Their comprehensive background screenings uncover pivotal information other screening services may miss.
The one-month Stay at Home extension to May 4th the big thing by far. Also covered:
On other fronts, during Q&A the Governor made it clear he will:
Learn more about the following:
Relief to Citizens – Direct Income Assistance Payments
I wish I wasn’t writing this e-mail, but I need to. Barring some unforeseen circumstances, our WRPA priority local parks funding options bill (ES HB 2625), which was tantalizingly close to passage this Session, is not going to make it up for a Floor vote by the Friday COB deadline. The bill is in the Rules Committee – and were it to get to the Floor, the votes are there to pass it. But we are doubtful it will get there.
What I can tell you is that we worked very hard to get this bill out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee last Friday, and had “pulls” lined up for the Senate Rules Committee both Wednesday and today to get 2625 to the Floor Calendar. We also had strong support from the Senate Floor Leader (Sen. Liias) who spoke to the bill in the Ways & Means Caucus – and had support in that Caucus discussion from Sens. Keiser and Conway.
