OCVA would like to update you on opportunities and resources, convey our understanding of the work we do and welcome your perspective as we continue toward an end to violence and oppression.
Once again, Washington posted top GDP numbers of all U.S. states: 3.6% for the first quarter of 2018 against 1.8% nationwide. This comes after our leading annual GDP growth in both 2016 and 2017. A soaring information communication tech (ICT) sector contributed more than half of our overall growth at 1.9 percentage points. Washington’s tech industry is still hiring as fast as companies can find qualified workers, according to Dr.…
Washington state’s Landlord Mitigation Law (RCW 43.31.605) became effective on June 7, of 2018 to provide landlords with an incentive and added security to work with tenants receiving rental assistance. The program offers up to $1,000 to the landlord in reimbursement for some potentially required move-in upgrades, up to fourteen days’ rent loss and up to $5,000 in qualifying damages caused by a tenant during tenancy.
A new Washington State Tourism Marketing Authority (TMA) was established by the legislature (ESSB 5251) to contract for statewide marketing services that promote tourism on behalf of the citizens of the state, and for managing the authority’s financial resources. The first TMA Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Conference Center at SeaTac International Airport Beijing Room The meeting is open to the public. Business on the inaugural agenda includes:…
This project represents new technology and an approach that offers grid resiliency and renewable energy integration. The project will include a 500-kilowatt solar array with smart inverters, a 1,000 kW/1,000 kWh lithium-ion battery storage system and several vehicle-to-grid charging stations for use with the PUD’s electric fleet vehicles. Grants from the Washington Clean Energy Fund Grid Modernization Program helped deliver the energy storage elements that enable these and other exciting…
I was honored to speak on behalf of Gov. Inslee at last week’s groundbreaking ceremony for the $180 million Summit Addition to the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle. We need this addition to handle all the potential events that choose Washington state as a destination. As I tweeted that day, it’s time the size of our convention center caught up with our economy – the fastest growing in…
When Congress passed and President Obama signed the Stephen Beck Jr. ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act in 2014, people with eligible disabilities could finally save for their everyday needs, invest in a tax-free account, and prepare for the future without losing their state or federal benefits. Last month, after years of hard work with advocates and stakeholders across the state, Commerce hosted a celebration of the new Washington…
In recent weeks, trade policies, tariffs and retaliatory actions are in the news almost daily. Washington state’s economy is more focused on international trade than any other U.S. state – nearly 40 percent of jobs here are tied to trade. That has drawn the attention of local, national and international media seeking to understand what the Trump Administration’s policies and actions mean for American businesses and workers. The latest round…
Sharing some great news from one of our energy storage project grant recipients. Congratulations to Snohomish PUD on another exciting milestone for grid modernization in Washington!
The Interagency Workgroup on Youth Homelessness is preparing to re-organize our committee structure to align with the publicly funded systems of care.