Washington governor extends eviction moratorium to Sept. 30
By RACHEL LA CORTEJune 24, 2021 GMT
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday he was extending the state’s eviction moratorium to Sept. 30, with some modifications, to ensure that federal COVID-19 relief funds intended for rental assistance are able to be accessed in time.
Inslee’s announcement came hours after the Biden administration extended the nationwide ban on evictions for a month, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this latest federal extension is intended to be the final one. Last week, Seattle extended its city moratorium until Sept. 30.
Inslee said he also wanted to make sure that programs approved by state lawmakers including a tenant protection bill and a “right to counsel” measure that ensures low-income tenants have legal representation when faced with an eviction are up and running before moratorium protections were fully lifted.
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OLYMPIA A bill approved by state lawmakers that would prohibit hospitals from denying procedures in cases of miscarriage and pregnancy complications where a mother s life is at risk of injury or death is now awaiting a signature by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Proponents of the bill say patients across the state, when faced with life-threatening conditions such as ectopic pregnancies or sepsis, are sometimes put at risk if providers refuse care on religious or other grounds. Quite frankly . this is an issue of life and death, Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, Substitute Senate Bill 5140 s prime sponsor, told members of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee.
WA Democratic lawmakers decry pause of Pierce County
RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press
May 6, 2021
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OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is receiving criticism from lawmakers in his own party over his shifting economic reopening plan, with a group of Pierce County Democrats threatening the possibility of a special legislative session following the governor’s recent implementation of a pause that left their county stuck in a phase with tighter COVID-19 restrictions.
The letter, sent Thursday afternoon, was signed by eight Democrats in the House and Senate and four House Republicans. It comes the same day that the Washington Hospitality Association launched a petition to follow California’s lead and fully reopen the state on June 15. Dozens of other states have already set plans to fully reopen their economies, include including New York and New Jersey, which have set a May 19 goal.
It s poison pill season. by Rich Smith • Apr 15, 2021 at 9:00 am
On Wednesday morning, tenant advocates threatened to evict lawmakers who don t prioritize renters well-being. Washington Community Action Network
A few years ago Washington had some of the worst protections for renters in the country. While the state has made progress, its laws still overwhelmingly tip the balance of power toward landlords. Outside of Seattle, Auburn, Federal Way, and Burien, for instance, landlords can boot month-to-month tenants for no reason with only 20 days notice. And even within Seattle, landlords can kick you out at the end of any lease without giving a reason (for now).
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The bill will go back to the State Senate, to see if they approve of an amendment to the legislation.
Senate Bill 5160 would create what are called Dispute Resolution Centers. Gov. Inslee had spoken of these a few weeks ago. Essentially, they would guarantee low income renters would have some sort of representation concerning eviction notices with landlords.
Since the COVID Pandemic began, Gov. Inslee has been continually extending the eviction moratorium (delay) 3 months at a time; but now that the state is in Phase 3 and showing signs of climbing out of the hole, pressure has mounted from both side of the aisle to end them.