Latest news with #SteveHobbs
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Washington State Library closing to the public, 12 jobs getting axed
Washington State Library in Tumwater, Wash. (Courtesy of the Office of Secretary of State) The Washington State Library in Tumwater and the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library in Seattle will close to the public on July 1 due to a lack of state funding. State libraries will also eliminate 12 jobs due to the financial pressure. Shuttering the facilities will curb access to the state's trove of historical and governmental collections and force cancellation of an array of services and programs, the secretary of state's office announced Friday. 'Libraries are cornerstones of civic life and education in many areas of our state. The impact of the closures will risk denying communities access to the information, literacy tools, and resources they depend on,' Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said in a statement. The move comes after lawmakers and Gov. Bob Ferguson didn't provide $6.7 million in the budget to cover a shortfall created largely by a decline in revenue from fees paid on real estate transactions. At the Tumwater library, those who dial up Ask A Librarian or the main switchboard, or send an inquiry by email, can expect to wait up to a week for a response. Additionally, subscriptions to newspaper and genealogy databases will be discontinued, and the acquisition of new materials will be drastically limited. When the Talking Book and Braille Library closes to the public, responses to voicemail messages will take longer. Circulation and registration services will be slowed as well. Programming such as multisensory story time and the Low Vision and Touch of Braille workshops will be canceled. Production of braille and audio materials could also be reduced at the state's only accessible library service for people who are blind or have other disabilities. 'These disruptions jeopardize equitable access to information for some of Washington's most underserved residents unable to read standard print,' said Washington State Librarian Sara Jones. 'While a newly signed bill will provide some funds in the future, the current funding gap is affecting our employees and important services now.' A bill signed by Ferguson on May 19 will impose a new $50 surcharge on all filings handled by superior court clerks, of which $20 would go to the secretary of state's office for the library, archives and state legacy projects. This would generate up to $6 million in a full biennium, according to a fiscal analysis. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WA library programs, services at risk due to grant terminations
The Brief The Washington Secretary of State says grant terminations by the Trump administration puts the Washington State Library at risk of losing personnel, statewide programs, resources and more. A presidential executive order canceled a $3.9 million grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), along with a leadership grant to support libraries in state prisons. OLYMPIA, Wash. - After several federal grants were terminated by the Trump administration, the Washington Secretary of State is sounding the alarm about the long-term impacts it could cause for Washington libraries. A presidential executive order has canceled a $3.9 million grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), along with a leadership grant that funds a pilot to support libraries in state prisons. What they're saying Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs says these grant terminations put the Washington State Library at risk of losing personnel, statewide programs, resources for local libraries, and community opportunities. "Washington's library system ensures people have unfettered access to information at hundreds of public, school, academic, and institutional libraries across the state," Hobbs said. "This commitment is rooted in the fundamental principle that an educated and informed citizenry is critical to a free society. That goal for libraries is not a partisan issue. They represent a critical 'third place' in communities across the state – a social environment that is not home or work and is for everyone." Washington has joined 20 other states that filed suit against the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of IMLS, which has provided Washington with $3.9 million from their Grants to States program. According to the Sec. of State, losing funds from the IMLS would result in: Potential loss of the Washington Digital Library Consortium, which serves 40 library systems and lends more than 1 million eBooks and audiobooks to Washingtonians annually. Ending research database subscriptions for Washington libraries Rural libraries losing access to broadband equipment and internet access Funding for tribal libraries to update technology and improve services Losing professional training and consulting for public libraries across the state Cutting funding for the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library service, and Institutional Library Services Stopping programs like tabletop gaming grants and digital newspaper pilots "Libraries are essential to Washington communities. They provide free internet, job training, and access to books and resources for people of all backgrounds," said Washington State Librarian Sara Jones. "Without the federal funds making this possible, countless programs and services would disappear, leaving many communities without access to the resources on which they rely." Diminished state funding could also severely impact other services, like public access to the Central Library, newspaper publications on microfilm, state publications, the federal repository, and services for the public, including Ask a Librarian. The Source Information in this story is from a press release by the office of Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. Teen facing new charges for playground shooting in Federal Way 1997 WA cold case victim identified; Gary Ridgway not ruled out Family and neighbors of missing Arlington man rally and call for action Everett police arrest 23-year-old bikini barista assault suspect Seattle ranked 5th 'coolest' city in US Pacific Northwest ports brace for impact as China tariffs soar to 145% To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local Rock-n-Roll Hall of Famer Jimi Hendrix receives state's highest medal
This story was originally published on From a young boy raised in poverty in Seattle to close out the original Woodstock Music Festival in 1969 to landing in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, 2025 marks the year Jimi Hendrix receives the Washington State Medal of Merit and Valor. According to a press release from Washington State's Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, the posthumous honor was awarded to Hendrix as a 'national and international recognition.' Hendrix started playing guitar at 15 after finding a discarded ukulele with only one string. He taught himself how to play by ear, and one of the first songs he learned was Elvis Presley's 'Hound Dog.' Twelve years later, at the age of 27, Hendrix passed away after a night of partying. In his short time performing, he rose to be one of the greatest and most influential guitarists in history and has accumulated a library of awards and recognitions, including a nUSPS commemorative postage stamp. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, Governor Bob Ferguson, Lt. Governor Denny Heck, and State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos presented the awards to Hendrix and four members of the Department of Ecology. 'These five worthy recipients are the best of Washington and well deserving of our highest awards,' Hobbs said. 'They represent the good people of our state through their actions, their impact, and their inspiration for Washington, the nation, and the world. We are forever grateful for their contributions.' Hendrix was posthumously awarded the Medal of Merit for his outstanding service to Washington. Alex Hernandez, Lisa Stingley, Dave Thompson, and Jon Tollstrup received the Medal of Valor for their courageous actions on October 3, 2024. While working on a litter crew for the Department of Ecology, they rescued a woman from a burning vehicle after she crashed on the side of the highway. Despite the risk to their own safety, they extinguished the flames and forced open the driver's door, pulling her to safety just before the fire engulfed the car. The Medal of Merit honors those who have given a lifetime of service to the people of Washington, while the Medal of Valor recognizes individuals who have risked their lives to save another person. The Medal of Valor cannot be awarded to first responders whose actions are part of their public duties. Contributing: Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WA Secretary of State concerned over declining federal support in election security efforts
The Brief Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said uncertainty is growing as key federal programs to support government cybersecurity face funding cuts. At the same time, the state's multi-billion dollar budget shortfall could impact his ability to fill the gaps. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington's secretary of state is sounding an alarm, saying federal cuts are creating uncertainty around election security and the state's multi-billion dollar budget shortfall could further complicate the situation. What they're saying Secretary Steve Hobbs (D) said he and his counterparts on both sides of the aisle from across the country are concerned about cuts to services and programs for elections management and government cybersecurity, provided by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). "This is not good for our state, or for any of the states," Hobbs told members of the House State Government and Tribal Relations committee Friday morning. State elections staff said the federal support is crucial to helping state and local officials track and respond to threats against the voting process. "In the lead up to the 2024 elections, CISA was a key partner for elections across the country," said Kylee Zabel with the Information Security and Response division of the secretary of state's office. "With the Vancouver drop box incident. They also helped elections offices across the country with bomb threats on Election Day. the many white powder incidents that we've seen both in Washington state and across the country. And also debunking fabricated videos from Russian influence actors in Georgia and Pennsylvania." The secretary of state's office said within the past few weeks, there have been firings of federal cybersecurity advisors, defunding of information partnerships between local, federal and private sector groups and cancelled briefings on election security. Local perspective While other federal supports have not been cut, officials argue what is being done is creating uncertainty and confusion about what changes could come next, what exact impacts that would have, and what could be done locally in response. "No secretary of state's office is going to be equipped to gather information and intelligence at a national or global scale on the threat vectors that exist that we have to be prepared for and combat against," Zabel told the committee. The uncertainty of federal support comes at a bad time for the secretary's office, as Hobbs said he is at risk of losing funding for staff that could fill federal gaps because of the state's projected multi-billion-dollar deficit over the next four years. "My hope is that the federal government will restore these services – at least give us clarity on what's going on," Hobbs said. "And that you all, if you are on a fiscal committee, to please fund these programs. So that we can at least defend it on our end, even though we'll be very squeezed to do so." Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, asked if the federal government's work was more geared toward streamlining processes, rather than cutting them outright. He also questioned if the changes would ultimately have any defined, adverse impacts on Washington's election security efforts. Hobbs said it is just too unclear at this point what the government is looking to do with the support programs and what the end result would be. Attacks on government cyber infrastructure happen all the time and will only benefit from opportunities of confusion, he argued. "These attacks don't stop," Hobbs said. "Russia and China are not going to pause as this transition is going on and we're trying to figure out what we're doing." The Source Information in this story is from Albert James, a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. Fire destroys, damages multiple Cybertrucks in Seattle lot Family wants justice years after Graham, WA man's death Bryan Kohberger defense ramps up legal maneuvers in bid to keep Idaho murders suspect off death row Major TSA change to shorten airport security wait times, DHS says: What to know Seattle Seahawks trade DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh Steelers To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WA Supreme Court affirms constitutionality of vote-by-mail signature verification process
Washington state's high court issued a ruling Thursday upholding the signature-verification process used on mail-in ballots. State Supreme Court justices unanimously affirmed that the procedure is constitutional. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, a Democrat, was named as a defendant in the 2022 case, Vet Voice Foundation v. Hobbs. 'We are pleased with the court's ruling, which affirms our commitment to secure, accessible, and transparent elections in Washington,' Hobbs said in a statement. 'Signature verification has been a fundamental part of our state's vote-by-mail system for decades, helping to protect against fraud while ensuring that every eligible voter's ballot is counted.' Vet Voice Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to empower veterans, and two other civic organizations argued that the state's way of verifying such signatures has disenfranchised tens of thousands of lawful voters. McClatchy emailed Vet Voice Foundation seeking comment on the ruling, but did not immediately hear back. The foundation was joined in the lawsuit by The Washington Bus, El Centro de la Raza and four individual plaintiffs. Aside from Hobbs, other defendants included the King County elections director and two members of that county's canvassing board. Washington is one of eight states that hold 'universal vote by mail' or 'all-mail' elections in which registered voters are sent mail-in ballots automatically, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy institute. One of the election-security methods that the state uses to confirm someone's identity is signature verification. Plaintiffs in the case claimed that signature verification is an 'unconstitutional burden' falling disproportionately on the shoulders of voters of color, non-English speakers, young voters, uniformed service members and others. They argued that voting fraud is quite rare, and that roughly 40 possible cases of such fraud had happened statewide in recent years — none of which involved mail-ballot signatures. Defendants, meanwhile, countered that signature verification is necessary amid threats to the state's election security. Hobbs has previously warned that hostile foreign actors aim to compromise trust in Washington's election system. In addition, defendants contended that in a vote-by-mail system such as Washington's, officials must have a solid way of verifying voter identity and preventing people from casting ballots multiple times. The signature verification system, they said, is a reasonable way to accomplish that — more so than other identification methods that could possibly squelch turnout. In a 2022 nonpartisan study, Washington ranked second in the nation for voting accessibility. Oregon came in first place. The Washington Supreme Court's March 6 ruling ensures that counties can continue using signature verification to confirm ballots. Voters can also still correct any signature problems so that their ballot will count. Justice Steven C. González noted in the court's ruling that 'all too many ballots are not counted because election workers cannot verify the voter's signatures and the voter does not or cannot cure their ballot in time.' Plaintiffs argued that this infringes on the state Constitution's due process, freedom of elections and privileges and immunities clauses. But the court ultimately sided with Hobbs. 'We conclude that the defendants have shown that signature verification is narrowly tailored and designed to promote the compelling purposes of election security and integrity,' González wrote. Other critics have taken issue with Washington's vote-by-mail system, albeit for different reasons. Washington Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh, for instance, has cast doubt on the efficacy of the process and advocated for returning to same-day, in-person voting.
