Politics

Sen. Murray probes officials over PTSD diagnoses

Sen. Murray probes officials over PTSD diagnoses

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray is questioning military and Veterans' Affairs officials over concerns that cost has been a factor in reversing diagnoses of soldiers found to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Murray's questioning came Wednesday at a Tacoma field hearing of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, which she chairs.

The concerns arose over recent disclosures that medical screeners at the Madigan Army Medical Center have since 2007 reversed hundreds of diagnoses of PTSD for soldiers up for medical retirement.

Murray last week launched an investigation into the prevalence of the practice nationwide. She sought assurances from military and VA officials that the problem is being addressed.

"Our soldiers deserve to have their mental health care needs properly diagnosed and treated, not forsaken by doctors and administrators who take the military's bottom line into consideration when making their decisions," Murray said.

The military officials pointed out that it is not U.S. policy to deny soldiers and veterans necessary medical care or benefits for financial reasons.

Proposed bill keeping family from collecting Tacoma killer’s pension

The family of  man who was murdered by a Tacoma police officer says Gov. Chris Gregoire is their only hope, asking her to veto a bill that prevents them from collecting on the killer’s pension.

The bill is an amendment that rewrites the garnishment law, which insulates retirement funds or pensions from garnishment.

Rep. Roger Goodman worked on it and says the amendment only clarified some parts of what was already state law. But, he does have compassion for the widow who’s already been victimized.

Al Anthis, 64, was shot and killed by retired longtime Tacoma cop Walter Copland.

Anthis’ widow should get the officer’s pension, according to the State Supreme Court. But, the pension protection bill doesn’t allow for that.

Goodman says he’s meeting with the Gregoire on this today to see if there’s anything they can do for Anthis’ family.

Lawmakers vow to push abortion insurance bill

Democratic lawmakers said Tuesday that they will try to pass a bill during the current special session requiring insurers who cover maternity care to also pay for abortions.

The measure passed out of the House during the legislative session that ended March 8 but failed in the Senate after a dramatic attempt to bring it to the floor during a Republican budget coup failed by three votes.

"We need to get the bill to the floor of the Senate," said Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma. "There are the votes on the floor of the Senate to pass this bill."

One key vote is that of Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, who says he supports the bill but who voted to keep it from coming to the floor during the budget debate earlier this month.

He says that whether he votes for the bill to come to the floor during the special session depends on the circumstances.

"If it's going to blow up a budget deal, then I won't vote for it" to come to the floor, Tom said.

Proposed sales tax would fund mental health services

A proposed sales tax increase of one-tenth of one percent is one step closer to becoming a reality for the City of Tacoma.

The Tacoma City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance at its Tuesday meeting that would impose the additional sales tax to help fund mental health services.

The increase is a necessary one, argued mental health providers and others who work with those who most need mental health services, but some council members worry that a higher sales tax will hit the local business community hardest.

"I’m really also frustrated to have this coming forth," said Councilman Marty Campbell, first thanking state Rep. Jeannie Darneille for her work on the proposal. :Sales tax is very regressive and can be impactful, but more than that I”m frustrated with the fact that we’ve had the ability to pass this ... at our county level and it just hasn’t been done and it’s falling back."

Councilman Joe Lonergan also said he'd like to hear more feedback from the business community, and that while the increase would not make much of a difference on a $10 purchase, the perception could hurt businesses that sell larger ticket items like furniture.

Sen. Derek Kilmer announces run for seat vacated by Norm Dicks

The news has only been out since Friday, but already contenders are stepping up for the spot that will be vacated by 6th District U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks when he retires 

The first to announce is State Senator and Pierce County Economic Development Board Vice-President Derek Kilmer, who says nobody can fill Dicks' shoes, but that he'll do his best to follow in his footsteps by "fighting for jobs and standing up for the little guy."

"My job is creating jobs," Kilmer said in a prepared statement Monday.  "When I'm not in Olympia, my job is to work with businesses in Pierce County to help them grow and thrive.  We could use more folks in Washington who are focused on creating more jobs with better pay, and that's what I'll do in the U.S. House of Representatives."

Kilmer was born and raised in Port Angeles and now lives in Gig Harbor with his wife Jennifer, director of the Washington State History Museum, and their two daughters.

 

Local clergy pulling together in support of same-sex marriage

Local clergy pulling together in support of same-sex marriage

It’s been three weeks since Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage into law.

Gay marriage won’t be legal in Washington until later this year, and even then only if all goes according to supporters’ plans.

But for some in the South Sound support has long been available, from places that many would least expect: area churches. 

Tired of media coverage of anti-gay churches and clergy, a group of local religious leaders have started to organize.

They plan to create a group that will present a united front of churches that publicly and openly support gay rights and same-sex marriage - and have for years, in some cases.

Over the next few months, this “faith-based movement for marriage equality” will pull clergy in the Tacoma area to organize them in support of same-sex marriage legislation.

“Especially gay and lesbian young people need to know that there’s a religious community that’s open to them and that’s encouraging,” says Bob Anderson, a member of Tacoma’s First Congregational Church and the man pushing for the group’s foundation.

Postal processing and distribution centers to close in Olympia, Tacoma and Everett

The US Postal Service processing and distribution facilities in Olympia, Tacoma and Everett will be closed by mid May.

USPS officials have been studying the possibility of closing the processing operations and consolidating the operations at the Seattle facility.

We’re told there will be no change to retail or business mail units at those locations.

The USPS made the decision because there has been a 25% decline in First-Class Mail volumne since 2006.

“The decision to consolidate mail processing facilities recognizes the urgent need to reduce the size of the national mail processing network to eliminate costly underutilized infrastructure,” said Chief Operating Officer Megan Brennan in a written statement. “Consolidating operations is necessary if the Postal Service is to remain viable to provide mail service to the nation.”