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#pattymurray

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Nonilex<p>On Monday, <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/BillCassidy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>BillCassidy</span></a>, who heads the US <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Senate" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Senate</span></a> Cmte on <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Health" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Health</span></a>, <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Education" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Education</span></a>, <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Labor" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Labor</span></a> &amp; Pensions, called for the meeting to be delayed, saying it should not take place with a relatively small panel &amp; without a <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/CDC" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CDC</span></a> director in place.</p><p><a href="https://masto.ai/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a>, a senior member &amp; fmr chair of the HELP Cmte, has also called for the fired panel members to be reinstated or the meeting be delayed until new members are appropriately vetted.</p><p><a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Trump" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Trump</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/RFKJr" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>RFKJr</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/AI" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>AI</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/HHS" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>HHS</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/science" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>science</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/medicine" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>medicine</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/idiocracy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>idiocracy</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/kakistocracy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>kakistocracy</span></a></p>
Nonilex<p>Both <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Republican" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Republican</span></a> US Senator <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/BillCassidy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>BillCassidy</span></a> of Louisiana &amp; <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Democratic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Democratic</span></a> US Senator <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a> of Washington said the June 25 &amp; 26 meeting should be postponed.</p><p>The summary of the presentation suggested that there are enough thimerosal-free <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/flu" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>flu</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/vaccines" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>vaccines</span></a> &amp; that all <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/pregnant" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>pregnant</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/women" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>women</span></a>, <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/infants" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>infants</span></a> &amp; <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/children" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>children</span></a> should receive only those shots. It was not clear if the new advisory panel would be asked to vote on such a move.</p><p><a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Trump" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Trump</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/RFKJr" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>RFKJr</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/AI" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>AI</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/HHS" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>HHS</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/science" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>science</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/medicine" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>medicine</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/idiocracy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>idiocracy</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/kakistocracy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>kakistocracy</span></a></p>
KSev 🇳🇴🌻🚲 :donor:<p>Sounds like Maria Cantwell is present. Good. <a href="https://infosec.exchange/tags/MariaCantwell" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MariaCantwell</span></a> <a href="https://infosec.exchange/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a></p>
KSev 🇳🇴🌻🚲 :donor:<p>Have either of my Washington state senators assisted Senator Cory Booker in this filibuster?<br><a href="https://infosec.exchange/tags/MariaCantwell" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MariaCantwell</span></a> <a href="https://infosec.exchange/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a></p>
Nonilex<p>In a social media post, Sen <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a>, D-WA, called the potential changes "a clear violation of <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/education" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>education</span></a> &amp; <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/appropriations" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>appropriations</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/law" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>law</span></a>."</p><p>The Education Dept has a dedicated Office of <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/SpecialEducation" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>SpecialEducation</span></a> &amp; Rehabilitative Services, &amp;, as w/the federal <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/StudentLoan" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>StudentLoan</span></a> portfolio, it's unclear how these collective responsibilities on behalf of <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/children" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>children</span></a> w/ <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/disabilities" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>disabilities</span></a> could be moved legally w/o a vote of <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Congress" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Congress</span></a>.</p><p><a href="https://masto.ai/tags/kakistocracy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>kakistocracy</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/USpol" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>USpol</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Trump" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Trump</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/RFKJr" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>RFKJr</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Musk" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Musk</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/DOGE" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>DOGE</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/regulation" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>regulation</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/kleptocracy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>kleptocracy</span></a> <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/corruption" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>corruption</span></a></p>
FinchHaven sfba<p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://journa.host/@samlitzinger" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@<span>samlitzinger</span></a></span> </p><p>My current boilerplate:</p><p>So <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/ChuckSchumer" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ChuckSchumer</span></a> has -- what's the word I need to choose carefully here? -- capitulated</p><p>I knew he would</p><p>The <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/DemocraticParty" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>DemocraticParty</span></a> is old and senile and preparing their Golden Parachutes to gently glide down into the Golden Years of their retirements</p><p>They've all got what they want</p><p>America can go suck eggs</p><p>Then: I've called <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a> and <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/MariaCantwell" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MariaCantwell</span></a> repeatedly and got nothing but voicemail after long waits</p><p>Last time *I* replied to one of Patty Murray's fund raising emails it was immediately bounced back to *me* with a "User Unknown" error </p><p>This, me replying *to* Murray's email list, from an email address I've had since 1998</p><p>The Democrats don't want to hear from Americans</p><p>The Democrats have checked out and left us all on our own</p><p><a href="https://sfba.social/tags/ContinuingResolution" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ContinuingResolution</span></a> <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/CR" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CR</span></a></p>
FinchHaven sfba<p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://masto.ai/@Nonilex" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@<span>Nonilex</span></a></span> </p><p>My current boilerplate:</p><p>So <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/ChuckSchumer" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ChuckSchumer</span></a> has -- what's the word I need to choose carefully here? -- capitulated</p><p>I knew he would</p><p>The <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/DemocraticParty" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>DemocraticParty</span></a> is old and preparing their Golden Parachutes to gently glide down into the Golden Years of their retirements</p><p>They've all got what they want</p><p>America can go suck eggs</p><p>Then: I've called <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a> and <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/MariaCantwell" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MariaCantwell</span></a> repeatedly and got nothing but voicemail after long waits</p><p>Last time *I* replied to one of Patty Murray's fund raising emails it was immediately bounced back to *me* with a "User Unknown" error </p><p>This, me replying *to* Murray's email list, from an email address I've had since 1998</p><p>The Democrats don't want to hear from Americans</p><p>The Democrats have checked out and left us all on our own</p><p><a href="https://sfba.social/tags/ContinuingResolution" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ContinuingResolution</span></a> <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/CR" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CR</span></a></p>
FinchHaven sfba<p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://journa.host/@samlitzinger" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@<span>samlitzinger</span></a></span> </p><p>My current boilerplate:</p><p>So <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/ChuckSchumer" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ChuckSchumer</span></a> has -- what's the word I need to choose carefully here? -- capitulated</p><p>I knew he would</p><p>The <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/DemocraticParty" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>DemocraticParty</span></a> is old and preparing their Golden Parachutes to gently glide down into the Golden Years of their retirements</p><p>They've all got what they want</p><p>America can go suck eggs</p><p>Then: I've called <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a> and <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/MariaCantwell" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MariaCantwell</span></a> repeatedly and got nothing but voicemail after long waits</p><p>Last time *I* replied to one of Patty Murray's fund raising emails it was immediately bounced back to *me* with a "User Unknown" error </p><p>This, me replying *to* Murray's email list, from an email address I've had since 1998</p><p>The Democrats don't want to hear from Americans</p><p>The Democrats have checked out and left us all on our own</p><p><a href="https://sfba.social/tags/ContinuingResolution" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ContinuingResolution</span></a> <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/CR" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CR</span></a></p>
FinchHaven sfba<p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://mastodon.social/@heidilifeldman" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@<span>heidilifeldman</span></a></span> </p><p>My current boilerplate:</p><p>So <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/ChuckSchumer" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ChuckSchumer</span></a> has -- what's the word I need to choose carefully here? -- capitulated</p><p>I knew he would</p><p>The <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/DemocraticParty" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>DemocraticParty</span></a> is old and preparing their Golden Parachutes to gently glide down into the Golden Years of their retirements</p><p>They've all got what they want</p><p>America can go suck eggs</p><p>Then: I've called <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a> and <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/MariaCantwell" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MariaCantwell</span></a> repeatedly and got nothing but voicemail after long waits</p><p>Last time *I* replied to one of Patty Murray's fund raising emails it was immediately bounced back to *me* with a "User Unknown" error </p><p>This, me replying *to* Murray's email list, from an email address I've had since 1998</p><p>The Democrats don't want to hear from Americans</p><p>The Democrats have checked out and left us all on our own</p><p><a href="https://sfba.social/tags/ContinuingResolution" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ContinuingResolution</span></a> <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/CR" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CR</span></a></p>
FinchHaven sfba<p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://mstdn.social/@GottaLaff" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@<span>GottaLaff</span></a></span> </p><p>So <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/ChuckSchumer" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ChuckSchumer</span></a> has -- what's the word I need to choose carefully here? -- capitulated</p><p>I knew he would</p><p>The <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/DemocraticParty" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>DemocraticParty</span></a> is old and preparing their Golden Parachutes to gently glide down into the Golden Years of their retirements</p><p>They've all got what they want</p><p>America can go suck eggs</p><p>Then: I've called <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a> and <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/MariaCantwell" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MariaCantwell</span></a> repeatedly and got nothing but voicemail after long waits</p><p>Last time *I* replied to one of Patty Murray's fund raising emails it was immediately bounced back to *me* with a "User Unknown" error </p><p>This, me replying *to* Murray's email list, from an email address I've had since 1998</p><p>The Democrats don't want to hear from Americans</p><p>The Democrats have checked out and left us all on our own</p><p><a href="https://sfba.social/tags/ContinuingResolution" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ContinuingResolution</span></a> <a href="https://sfba.social/tags/CR" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CR</span></a></p>
Alice Dubiel 🔬💉🦠😷🌬☮️<p>I sure expect and hope our Washington state attorney general, Nick Brown, joins this lawsuit to stop DOGE boys’ actions in hacking IRS, social security and Medicare/medicaid records to gain access to identities, banking accounts and other personal information of US residents. <br><a href="https://mastodon.green/tags/NickBrown" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>NickBrown</span></a> <a href="https://mastodon.green/tags/AGOWA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>AGOWA</span></a> <a href="https://mastodon.green/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a> <a href="https://mastodon.green/tags/MariaCantwell" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MariaCantwell</span></a> <a href="https://mastodon.green/tags/WashingtonState" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>WashingtonState</span></a> </p><p><a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-and-coalition-14-attorneys-general-release-statement-doge" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases</span><span class="invisible">/attorney-general-bonta-and-coalition-14-attorneys-general-release-statement-doge</span></a></p>
Tom Fucoloro<p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2025/01/30/wa-senators-split-vote-on-trumps-transportation-secretary/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>WA Senators split vote on Trump’s Transportation Secretary</strong></a></p><p></p><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/murray.senate.gov/post/3lgtbcz3ubs2n" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><p>Sean Duffy sailed through the US Senate nomination process to become the new Transportation Secretary this week. His first acts were to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-mpg-fuel-economy-standards-automakers-0ef9147a0c3874a50a194e439f604261" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">order a rewrite of the Federal fuel economy standards</a> for pickups and SUVs (rolling back climate initiatives is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/27/trump-cabinet-picks-climate-change" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a common theme among Trump’s nominees</a>, and Duffy has <a href="https://www.mediamatters.org/sean-duffy/fox-business-host-suggests-sun-causing-climate-change-says-left-should-make-room" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a history of denying human-caused climate change</a>), execute <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/signed-secretarial-memo-re-implementation-executive-orders-addressing-energy-climate" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a series of anti-diversity and anti-trans executive orders</a>, and <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/signed-dot-order-re-ensuring-reliance-upon-sound-economic-analysis-department" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">order that USDOT funds should prioritize places with high marriage and birth rates that obey the Trump administration’s deportation squads</a>. </p><p>Washington’s senators took different tacks on how to respond to Duffy’s nomination. Patty Murray was one of only 22 Senators to vote NO on his nomination, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/murray.senate.gov/post/3lgtbcz3ubs2n" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">writing on Bluesky</a>, “I voted NO to confirm Sean Duffy as Secretary of Transportation to register my firm opposition to a lawless administration that is right now illegally ripping away funding that communities and families across America are counting on.”</p><p>As the ranking member for the Senate Commerce Committee, Maria Cantwell questioned Duffy directly earlier in the nomination process. She <a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/1/out-of-the-gate-cantwell-presses-duffy-for-his-commitments-to-bipartisan-transportation-infrastructure-investments-aviation-safety-traveling-public" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">pressed him earlier this month</a> on whether he would “commit to helping complete [projects already planned and funded] and continue the funding.” Duffy answered, “That are underway? Yes.” She also asked him about whether he would honor commitments made in the <a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2024/11/after-three-years-historic-infrastructure-law-delivers-nearly-10b-for-wa-roads-bridges-ports-airports" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law</a>. “I would anticipate honoring those commitments, especially if the law has been followed and the agreements are being met,” he said. “I think I might get some backlash from this Committee if you’re halfway through a project and there’s an effort to pull funding.”</p><p>After she “<a href="https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-secures-commitment-from-trump-dot-nominee-to-continue-funding-major-infrastructure-projects-like-i-5-bridge-replacement" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">secured a commitment</a>” from Duffy to honor previously-approved Federal funding for transportation projects, Cantwell voted YES on his nomination. That final YES vote this week came as the Trump Administration ordered a pause to all Federal grants, directly undercutting Duffy’s promises to Cantwell before he was even confirmed. This was why Murray said she voted NO on Duffy’s nomination. Trump rescinded the order after a couple days of chaos, backlash and lawsuits, but the message has been received: Even previously allocated Federal funding is at risk.</p><p></p><p>The Trump order was rescinded before it became clear what the full impact would have been. For example (and these are <strong>not</strong> the most important examples, just ones we’ve covered previously), would the checks keep clearing for SDOT’s under-construction E Marginal Way and Rapidride J projects? That money has been allocated for those projects, but Trump seemed to be testing the limits of what “secured” Federal funding means (or they are morons, which is also a distinct possibility). The executive branch is not supposed to be able to reverse laws and funding allocations passed by the legislative branch and signed into law. This is one of those vital separations of power that hold a democracy together. But we are in uncharted territory with a lot of this stuff, and many government guardrails against authoritarianism are going to face their first real tests.</p><p>Cantwell voting in favor of Trump’s pick is not a good look, but there may be merit to the argument that there is more to be gained from having a working relationship with the Transportation Secretary than from a symbolic NO vote on his guaranteed nomination. I won’t claim to know which was the better strategy here. The Democrats as a party also don’t seem to know which strategy to take, so they are sort of doing both. Or maybe neither.</p><p>Seattle Bike Blog obviously has very limited influence or expertise on federal politics. But we do closely follow transportation issues, including the impact of federal transportation funding and policy. The first Trump administration reduced federal funding for Seattle in response to the city declaring itself a sanctuary city for immigrants. Getting less funding than expected from the feds <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2019/04/02/sdot-and-mayor-durkan-release-more-transparent-less-visionary-bike-plan/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">helped blow a hole in the Move Seattle list of promises to levy voters</a>, which passed in 2015 and did not anticipate a Trump presidency run on spite and hatred. One of Duffy’s first acts after confirmation was to issue a memo (PDF) calling for grants to bizarrely prioritize “communities with marriage and birth rates higher than the national average,” and I’m sure it’s just a total coincidence that <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mariposaeldridge.bsky.social/post/3lgyh2vvwak2t" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">states that voted for Trump are at the top of the list and states that didn’t (including Washington) are at the bottom</a>. The memo also states that USDOT support should “require local compliance or cooperation with Federal immigration enforcement and with other goals and objectives specified by the President of the United States or the Secretary.” So that’s strike two for Washington and especially Seattle.</p><p>As the Trump Administration mounts attacks on our immigrant and refugee neighbors, our trans neighbors, our vulnerable trans and gender-questioning youth, and so many more, Seattle Bike Blog wants to make it clear that we expect our local elected leaders to fight as hard as possible to protect our communities. There will be consequences for standing up to Trump, but there are going to be consequences either way. Standing against fascism and protecting our community members are paramount.</p><p>Insecure racists, transphobes and fascists can get wrecked.</p><p></p><p>#SEAbikes #Seattle</p>
AccordionBruce<p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://mastodon.social/@indivisibleteam" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@<span>indivisibleteam</span></a></span> <br>That’s my Senator kickin ass!👟 <br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a><br><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/WashingtonState" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>WashingtonState</span></a></p>
Nonilex<p>The EO will disrupt <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/education" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>education</span></a> &amp; <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/healthcare" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>healthcare</span></a> programs, <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/housing" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>housing</span></a> assistance, <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/disaster" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>disaster</span></a> relief &amp; a host of other initiatives that depend on billions of federal dollars.</p><p><a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Democrats" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Democrats</span></a> immediately challenged <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/Trump" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Trump</span></a>'s action as unlawful &amp; dangerous.</p><p>In a letter to <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/OMB" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>OMB</span></a>, US Senator <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a> &amp; US Representative <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/RoseDeLauro" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>RoseDeLauro</span></a>, the top Democrats on the congressional <a href="https://masto.ai/tags/appropriation" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>appropriation</span></a> cmtes, said the order was "breathtaking, unprecedented, &amp; will have devastating consequences across the country."</p><p><a href="https://masto.ai/tags/law" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>law</span></a></p>
Olympia Indivisible<p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://mastodon.social/@tusk81" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@<span>tusk81</span></a></span> <a href="https://pnw.zone/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a> from <a href="https://pnw.zone/tags/WA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>WA</span></a> is one of the 14 co-sponsors of the ammendment to remove the trans health provision from the defense bill.</p>
nullagent<p>Heading to the pre-trial hearing for pro-Palestinians activists accused of blocking traffic and abandoning their vehicles on I-5 earlier this year.</p><p>Today's hearing is fairly procedural so not expecting many developments but I'll update if anything interesting happens.</p><p>Read my otg reporting from the day of the I-5 protest below 👇🏿 </p><p><a href="https://partyon.xyz/@nullagent/111711136777728141" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">partyon.xyz/@nullagent/1117111</span><span class="invisible">36777728141</span></a></p><p><a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/CourtSupport" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CourtSupport</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/CourtWatch" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CourtWatch</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/Seattle" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Seattle</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/FreePalestine" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>FreePalestine</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/pattymurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>pattymurray</span></a></p>
Tom Fucoloro<p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/25/25m-federal-grant-will-help-cross-final-major-eastrail-hurdle-i-90/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>$25M federal grant will help cross final major Eastrail hurdle: I-90</strong></a></p><p></p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/06-24-eastrail-oblique-aerial-project-banner.png" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/about-king-county/about-dnrp/newsroom/news-releases/06-24-eastrail-i90-bridge-raise-grant" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">From King County.</a><p>King County <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/about-king-county/about-dnrp/newsroom/news-releases/06-24-eastrail-i90-bridge-raise-grant" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">has secured a $25 million federal RAISE grant</a> to rehab an old railroad bridge over I-90 that had been one of the few major pieces still missing from the Eastrail route. The funds will also build and pave 1.7 miles of the trail in the I-90 area and “create safe connections” to the I-90 Trail that passes underneath the rail bridge. $25 million is about half of the total project cost, and the grant application notes that there is still a $10 million funding gap.</p><p>With the NE 8th Street bridge open as of Sunday and the Wilburton Trestle and I-405 crossings already in construction, the I-90 crossing was the final remaining unfunded Eastrail gap between Renton and Woodinville. Once complete, this trail has the potential to rival the Burke-Gilman Trail in Seattle. It will revolutionize the role of biking and walking on the Eastside and reorient neighborhoods.</p><p>Don’t expect to bike on the I-90 crossing in the near future, however. First, King County voters will need to approve <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/04/22/support-trail-funding-in-the-next-king-county-parks-levy/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the King County Parks levy renewal next year</a>, which will provide necessary local funding. Then a nearby sewer project will use the trail right of way until 2027. After years of planning and dealing with encroachments, <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/parks-recreation/king-county-parks/capital-projects/eastrail/raise-grant" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the grant application</a> anticipated a 2031 opening. There’s gotta be a way to speed up that timeline. </p><p></p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/i-90-crossing-schedule.png" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>From <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/parks-recreation/king-county-parks/capital-projects/eastrail/raise-grant" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the RAISE grant application</a>.<a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/eastrail-map-with-i-90-highlight.png" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><p>For the years between the Wilburton Trestle opening in 2026 and the I-90 crossing opening (hopefully sooner than 2031), people will be able to get through the area via 118th Ave SE (AKA Lake Washington Blvd SE). So it’s not like the trail will be unusable in the meantime, but the route won’t be as seamless and separated from traffic.</p><p>The recent news that <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/12/people-riding-e-bikes-and-scooters-on-king-county-trails-are-no-longer-unknowingly-breaking-the-rules/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">King County has officially allowed e-bikes on trails</a> (a restriction many people did not know existed) is also pertinent because e-bike riders tend to ride longer distances more often. This trail will be coming online as more and more people buy e-bikes and are willing to bike longer distances for more trips. With connections to the Sammamish River and Burke-Gilman Trails to the north, the 520 and I-90 Trails in the middle, and the Lake Washington Loop, Cedar River Trail and Lake to Sound Trail to the south, the Eastrail will be the primary backbone of the region’s trail network. </p><p>This work also puts the onus on Seattle to invest in its part of the Lake Washington trail loop. The Seward Park Ave and Lake Washington Blvd sections in Seattle will be the only segments that are not friendly to riders of all ages and abilities. </p><p>In addition to the I-90 crossing funding, Woodinville won a $5 million federal RAISE grant to plan its section of the rail corridor trail that could someday connect the Eastrail to the Centennial Trail in Snohomish County. </p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/06-24-eastrail-bridge-over-I-90.png" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>The existing rail bridge. Photo from King County.<a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-25-at-10.33.50 AM.png" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>Still from <a href="https://vimeo.com/967090131/297c2ba133" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a King County video</a>.<p>More details from the King County press release:</p><blockquote><p>King County Executive Dow Constantine today thanked U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell for securing a $25 million federal grant administrated by the U.S. Department of Transportation that will help King County Parks close the final gap of the southern segment of Eastrail by crossing Interstate 90.</p><p>King County Parks will use the funds to retrofit a steel bridge that spans 16 lanes of Interstate 90. It is the latest progress for <a href="https://eastrail.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Eastrail</a>, an emerging 42-mile trail that will ultimately connect South and East King County communities to Snohomish County with a spur to Redmond. Executive Constantine and partners recently kicked off a project that will add the 1,000-foot-long <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/about-king-county/about-dnrp/newsroom/news-releases/05-31-wilburton-trestle" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Wilburton Trestle</a>&nbsp;to the former rail corridor and on Sunday opened a <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/about-king-county/about-dnrp/newsroom/news-releases/07-01-eastrail-trail-bridge" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">new trail bridge</a>&nbsp;that connects Eastrail to Sound Transit’s Wilburton Station.</p><p>“Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell have delivered a victory for regional trails, climate, mobility, and opportunity,” said Executive Constantine. “The Biden administration appreciates that investing in regional trails creates and connects sustainable, healthy communities with new access to high-capacity transit – and that’s what we will achieve with the RAISE Grant.”</p><p>The federal RAISE Grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, will cover nearly half the total project cost of $49 million, which will build 1.7 miles of new paved trail and create safe connections to the 20-mile Mountains to Sound Greenway trail. Closing the Eastrail gap will provide access to 16 miles of non-motorized trails north through Bellevue and 5 miles south to Renton.</p><p>“This major federal investment will help King County close the Eastrail I-90 gap while building out a shared use path that everyone can enjoy,” said Senator Murray. “Every inch of progress so far has been thanks to the partnership of so many: nonprofits, local government, local businesses, and — now — the federal government. Expanding these kinds of trails does so much good for our quality of life while also connecting and strengthening local economies—being able to support these important projects is exactly why I created the RAISE grant program in the first place.”</p><p>“The funds announced today are the final link connecting the north and south segments of this beautiful trail, giving Eastside residents a 42-mile pathway to walk and enjoy,” said Senator Cantwell.</p><p>U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene and Adam Smith were also instrumental in advocating for this funding and delivering this grant for King County.</p><p>Eastrail will provide direct connections to four of Sound Transit’s 2 Line stations and will be the north-south spine of <a href="https://leaflinetrailscoalition.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Leafline</a>, a Central Puget Sound regional trail network that connects King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties.</p><p>“With the help of our federal partners, we’re making yet another stride in creating a region-wide, climate-friendly transportation network,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “And the timing couldn’t be more fortuitous as we have just opened light rail on the Eastside and the Eastrail NE 8th Street Bridge, recently broken ground on the Wilburton Trestle and will now be able to start work to safely cross I-90, bringing our longtime vision for this 42-mile trail from Woodinville to Renton close to completion. Deepest thanks to the US Department of Transportation for seeing how valuable this trail is to our region and to Eastrail Partners for their help in securing this funding.”</p><p>“Throughout my tenure as Co-Chair of the Eastrail Regional Advisory Council we’ve been working hard to close the final gap in the trail network, and with this monumental funding award from USDOT, we are finally able to realize our vision of an uninterrupted 42-mile trail system,” said King County Councilmember Sarah Perry. “This will allow us to continue to connect our vibrant communities across East King County and expand access to our regional parks and open spaces, including King County Conservation Futures acquisitions and partnership on the Mountains to Sound Greenway corridor.”</p><p>The nonprofit group Eastrail Partners helps secure public and private funding for the regional trail, which is owned and managed by King County Parks, the cities of Kirkland, Redmond, and Woodinville, Snohomish County, Sound Transit, and Puget Sound Energy.</p><p>The City of Woodinville received $5 million in RAISE Grant funding to complete the design, planning, and permitting for its 2-mile segment of Eastrail.</p><p>“This exceptional trail requires exceptional community support and partnership to complete,” said Katherine Hollis, Eastrail Partners Executive Director. “This RAISE grant funding for two Eastrail projects – planning funding for the Woodinville section of trail, and capital funding for the I-90 gap project – reflects the exemplary partnerships, enthusiasm, and support that Eastrail Partners has been honored to help build.”</p><p>The Interstate 90 trail bridge <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/parks-recreation/king-county-parks/capital-projects/eastrail/raise-grant" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">project</a>&nbsp;will be led by King County Parks, one of four divisions in the <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp" target="_blank">Department of Natural Resources and Parks</a>.</p></blockquote> <p><strong>Share</strong></p> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/25/25m-federal-grant-will-help-cross-final-major-eastrail-hurdle-i-90/?share=mastodon" target="_blank"><span>Mastodon</span></a></li><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/25/25m-federal-grant-will-help-cross-final-major-eastrail-hurdle-i-90/?share=twitter" target="_blank"><span>Twitter</span></a></li><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/25/25m-federal-grant-will-help-cross-final-major-eastrail-hurdle-i-90/?share=facebook" target="_blank"><span>Facebook</span></a></li><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/06/25/25m-federal-grant-will-help-cross-final-major-eastrail-hurdle-i-90/?share=reddit" target="_blank"><span>Reddit</span></a></li><li>Email</li><li></li></ul> <p>#SEAbikes #Seattle</p>
Tom Fucoloro<p><strong>After 39 years, Mt Rainier National Park shuts out iconic RAMROD bike event</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/03/01/after-39-years-mt-rainier-national-park-shuts-out-iconic-ramrod-bike-event/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/03/01/after-39-years-mt-rainier-national-park-shuts-out-iconic-ramrod-bike-event/</a></p><p>#SEAbikes #Seattle</p>
Tom Fucoloro<p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/01/30/mayor-sen-murray-celebrate-full-funding-for-rapidride-j-and-eastlake-bike-lanes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Mayor, Sen. Murray celebrate full funding for RapidRide J and Eastlake bike lanes</strong></a></p><p></p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/53496091903_bb0c63ed08_o.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>Photo from SDOT.<p>If there were any concerns that <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/08/31/eastlake-community-council-ousts-40-of-their-board-members-for-supporting-a-bike-lanes-and-transit-project/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a controversial push</a> to kill the planned protected bike lanes on Eastlake Ave might succeed, Senator Patty Murray and Mayor Bruce Harrell just put that idea to bed for good.</p><p>“When we’re done here, we will new and upgraded stations, miles of new transit-only lanes, as well as new protected bike lanes, which will all help connect the U District with Eastlake and South Lake Union neighborhoods all the way to downtown,” said Senator Murray during a press event Friday. “And when we’re done, this won’t just mean fewer cars on the road and less time spent in traffic, it is also going to help us lower greenhouse emissions while creating 250 jobs.”</p><p>Construction is scheduled to start “as soon as” this year. Bus service should begin in 2027, though the bike lanes will hopefully be operational before then. A more detailed construction schedule is not yet available. </p><p>The joint press conference between Seattle and federal officials celebrated the $64.2 million in Federal Transit Administration funds that will go to the project, which will also replace a water main under Eastlake Ave and repave roadways. The budget for everything, including the water main and King County Metro station services, is about $167 million from seven sources, <a href="https://harrell.seattle.gov/2024/01/26/seattle-receives-64-2-million-in-federal-funds-for-rapidride-j-project/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">according to the Mayor’s Office</a>: </p><p>“$64.2 million from the FTA Small Starts Grant and an additional $9.6 million from the Federal Highway Administration. In addition to the federal funding, the Washington State Department of Transportation and the University of Washington will each contribute $6 million to the project. The City will provide $43 million, mostly from the Levy to Move Seattle. Seattle Public Utilities also plans to invest an additional $28 million to build a new water main, which will be completed at the same time but is considered a separate project. In addition to providing daily bus service, Metro is contributing over $10 million toward station amenities and staff resources.” </p><p></p><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2015vs2024.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><p>Since its inception, the RapidRide J project both shrunk in length and ballooned in scope. While it was once envisioned as a rapid bus line from downtown to Northgate Station, the northern terminus was cut back to U District Station as costs came into focus. But the scope of work, including the water main and roadway rebuild work, dramatically increased the full project cost. Cost increases like these (as well as the RapidRide G project on E Madison Street) threw a wrench in Seattle’s plans for build so-called “multimodal corridor” projects in nearly every neighborhood using funds from the 2015 Move Seattle Levy. </p><p>The project has also been heavily delayed. <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2015/12/07/its-well-past-time-to-build-safe-bike-lanes-on-eastlake-ave/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Our first story</a> about the project (known then as the <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/roosevelt-to-downtown-hct/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Roosevelt to Downtown High Capacity Transit project</a>) was published nine years ago, and the target opening was 2021. A 2017 cost estimate pegged the downtown to 45th Street segment at $42.4 million in 2016 dollars, but did not include the pricey water main or roadway rebuild work. By 2017, the project was trimmed back to only reach Roosevelt Station and was estimated to cost $70 million. In 2019, the cost estimate had increased to $85.7 million, and the team added the roadway rebuild work for another $29.8 million just for Eastlake Ave. They were still targeting a 2024 completion and service start as recently as 2019. In 2020, the city officially cut the length back to its current scope and started a years-long environmental review and final design process, all of which was made more difficult due to the pandemic. By the end of all that, the project emerged in its current state with construction slated to begin this year and open for service in 2027.</p><p>Though the negatives of “scope creep” are clear, including increased costs and delays, there are also benefits. If water main and road rebuilding work are needed anyway, it makes sense to do that work at the same time as the transit and bike project so that crews don’t need to tear up the same street twice. But if Seattle wants to reach its transit and bike route improvement goals, the city needs to find ways to do so on a faster timeline and lower budget. Deciding when to go for the all-out rebuild versus targeted discrete improvements is difficult. The city cannot afford to use the RapidRide J/G method on every street. The next transportation levy will need to do a better job accounting for all these costs while also helping the city decide where faster and lower-cost options are more appropriate.</p><p>Video of the press event:</p><p></p><p>#SEAbikes #Seattle</p>
nullagent<p>I sat down and edited some video from this past weekend.</p><p>📸 <span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://partyon.xyz/@nullagent" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@<span>nullagent</span></a></span> </p><p>✈️ @sameervd@twitter.com</p><p>🎶 @BlackB17@youtube.com</p><p><a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/Seattle" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Seattle</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/FreePalestine" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>FreePalestine</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/CeasefireNow" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CeasefireNow</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/PattyMurray" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PattyMurray</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/JoeBiden" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>JoeBiden</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/Protest" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Protest</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/PNW" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PNW</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/I5" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>I5</span></a> <a href="https://partyon.xyz/tags/Music" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Music</span></a></p>