WASHINGTON, D.C. – A week before leaving office, President Donald Trump became the first American president impeached by the House twice. The U.S. House of Representatives charged the nation’s 45th president with high crimes and misdemeanors for inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week.

The chamber charged Trump in a 232-197 vote, as all Democrats and 10 Republicans backed the measure, including Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, who represents Washington’s 3rd District.

“I rise today to stand against our enemy. And to clarify, our enemy isn’t the president, or the president-elect. Fear is our enemy. It tells us what we want to hear, it incites anger and violence and fire, but it also haunts us into silence and inaction. What are you afraid of?” she asked.

“The President of the United States incited a riot aiming to halt the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next. That riot led to five deaths. People everywhere watched in disbelief as the center of American democracy was assaulted. The violent mob bludgeoned to death a Capitol police officer as they defaced symbols of our freedom. These terrorists roamed the Capitol, hunting the Vice President and Speaker of the House,” Herrera Beutler said.

“Hours went by before the President did anything meaningful to stop the attack. Instead, he and his lawyer were busy making calls to senators who were still in lockdown, seeking their support to further delay the Electoral College certification.”

“My vote to impeach our sitting president is not a fear-based decision. I am not choosing a side, I’m choosing truth. It’s the only way to defeat fear,” Herrera Beutler concluded.

Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) released the following statement Tuesday regarding the Article of Impeachment vote against President Donald Trump:

“The President of the United States incited a riot aiming to halt the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next. That riot led to five deaths. People everywhere watched in disbelief as the center of American democracy was assaulted. The violent mob bludgeoned to death a Capitol police officer as they defaced symbols of our freedom. These terrorists roamed the Capitol, hunting the Vice President and the Speaker of the House. 

“Hours went by before the President did anything meaningful to stop the attack. Instead, he and his lawyer were busy making calls to senators who were still in lockdown, seeking their support to further delay the Electoral College certification. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy describes pleading with the President to go on television and call for an end to the mayhem, to no avail. The President attacked Vice President Mike Pence on Twitter while Pence was in a secure room having fled from the mob that had breached the Senate floor threatening to hang him. Finally, the President released a pathetic denouncement of the violence that also served as a wink and a nod to those who perpetrated it: “I love you,” he said to them, “you are special.” More hours of destruction and violence ensued before law enforcement officials were finally able to clear the Capitol.

“The President’s offenses, in my reading of the Constitution, were impeachable based on the indisputable evidence we already have. I understand the argument that the best course is not to further inflame the country or alienate Republican voters. But I am also a Republican voter. I believe in our Constitution, individual liberty, free markets, charity, life, justice, peace and this exceptional country. I see that my own party will be best served when those among us choose truth. 

“I believe President Trump acted against his oath of office, so I will vote to impeach him.”

Vancouver, WA — Under Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington reopening plan the state is divided into eight regions. Clark County, which is joined by Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties forms the new Southwest Region.

Based on the latest Washington Department of Health (DOH) data, the Southwest Region is in COVID-19 Phase 1 and is meeting two of the four metrics necessary for moving to Phase 2. The state will update the data again this Friday.

According to Clark County Public Health, the Southwest Region is meeting the metrics for decreasing trend in COVID-19 case rate and ICU occupancy. And in a statement on Friday, the health department said: “We are not meeting the metrics for decreasing trend in COVID-19 hospital admissions or percentage of COVID tests coming back positive.”

The table below for shows Clark County’s current metrics. The data is also posted on this COVID-19 data page: https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/covid-19-data

COVID-19
Southwest Washington Region.

The complete state report for Jan. 8 is available on the Washington State Department of Health website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/data-tables/421-006-RoadmapToRecovery1-8-2021.pdf 

You may also visit the governor’s website for more information about the reopening plan: https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-announces-healthy-washington-roadmap-to-recovery-229b880a6859

COVID-19
www.acreativetwistcorp.com

Vancouver, WA — Clark County Public Health announced a new community testing site, which is available at no cost to the public. The health department also provided an update today on COVID-19 cases as the state enters its first week of the governor’s new Healthy Washington re-opening plan. 

The Tower Mall COVID-19 Community Testing Site will open at 9 am Tuesday in the Tower Mall parking lot, 5403 E Mill Plain Blvd. The site offers free drive-thru and walk-up testing 9 am to 3:30 pm Tuesday – Saturday. The site will operate for several months.

Testing is available at no cost to everyone, regardless of income level, health insurance coverage or immigration status. 

Testing at the site is recommended for people ages 4 and older who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. 

Visitors are encouraged to pre-register for testing and sign-up for an arrival time at www.ClarkCountyCOVIDTesting.org, but on-site registration will also be available.

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Monday COVID-19 update: 

  • 523 new cases over the weekend (avg 174 cases/day)
  • 14,876 cases to date
  • 4 new deaths (3 confirmed, 1 suspect)
  • 154 total deaths to date (141 confirmed, 13 suspect)
  • 1,076 active cases (in isolation period)
  • 78 COVID-19 patients hospitalized
  • 5 people hospitalized awaiting COVID-19 test results

Here is additional information about the four new deaths:

  • Confirmed: Man in his 70s with underlying conditions
  • Confirmed: Man 80+ years old with underlying conditions 
  • Confirmed: Man 80+ years old with underlying conditions 
  • Suspect: Man 80+ years old with underlying conditions 

A confirmed death means COVID is listed as cause of death or contributing factor on the death certificate and the case has a positive COVID test. A suspect death means COVID is not listed as a contributing factor on the death certificate (but wasn’t ruled out as cause of death) and the person died after testing positive for COVID within 28 days.

You may learn more at the COVID-19 data webpage: https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/covid-19-data

Washougal, WA — Remote learning has been a challenge to navigate for all students, teachers and administrator, but for two first-year teachers at Washougal High School, the challenge comes as they begin their careers in education.  

Jered Barker, WHS 9th and 10th Grade Algebra/Geometry teacher said his biggest challenge has been to build a relationship with students.

“Relationships are the key to any successful classroom and in the virtual world it has become increasingly difficult,” he said. “Students rarely have their cameras on, so I don’t even know what some of my students look like outside of one picture in their Skyward account. I love building relationships with my students so I have done the best I can with what they will give me.”

Elise Piet, WHS 9th Grade English and 10th Grade World History agrees. 

“It is difficult to get to know my students and their needs,” she said. “I have to help my Freshmen navigate high school and the demands of it, without them ever having set foot in the building.”

Both Barker and Piet use conversation starters in their ZOOM classrooms to help develop connections.

“I spend time every class talking with the students about their interests, things that have happened to them,” explained Piet. “The time I spend getting to know the students has paid off ten-fold as they are more likely to come to class, engage, and feel valued in my classroom.”

Barker starts his class with a silly question that has nothing to do with academics.

“The goal is to get the students talking to me and to each other,” he said. “This has built a sense of community in our classroom. I get to learn what they like and dislike and interesting facts about each student.”

Barker came prepared for the distance teaching having attended Western Governors University, which is a completely online University.

“All my classes were taught using a webcam with a teacher sometimes I never even saw,” he said. “All the work was left up to me to complete at my own leisure, so I know how the students are feeling because this type of learning involves a lot of self-motivation to get work done.”

Piet attended Washington State University Vancouver, and her program focused a great deal on restorative practices. 

“That relationship building aspect has helped me navigate classroom management and community and culture,” she explained.  “I also took a Technology in the Classroom course that has helped me navigate online learning, so I am able to better help my students when they have questions with tech.”

“For both of these educators; the first year of teaching is a scary and tumultuous time,” said Sheree Clark, WHS Principal. “The fact that they were not only willing but excited to start their first year of teaching during a pandemic, speaks to their dedication as educators.” 

Clark has heard feedback from both parents and students that Piet’s class is engaging and the students feel truly cared for.

“Elise also has a way of making history come alive and connect it to current world issues,” said Clark. “And Jered brings with him an energy that engages students yet challenges their math thinking skills. He has taken bold technical steps by using multiple platforms to help students engage during remote learning.  We are delighted Jared and Elise are both Panthers!”

Piet said she feels students are much kinder to not only their peers, but to themselves, which is a positive result of remote learning.

“They have really stepped up to the plate and are trying to help each other get through this,” she said. “Not just in my classroom, but district-wide students are volunteering, helping out, sending virtual hugs, and checking in with each other.”

An unexpected positive for Barker has been having more time at home with his newborn daughter. 

“It has been a blessing to get to work from home and see my daughter all day and help my wife out by changing diapers in between lessons,” he said. “It has not been easy or the first year that I expected but I am grateful to have a job and work with an amazing staff,” Barker admits. “I know going forward this will only make me a better teacher because I have learned new ways of teaching that I never would have thought of without the distance learning. I cannot wait to get into my classroom and see my students, some for the first time!”

Washougal
Jered Barker, WHS 9th and 10th Grade Algebra/Geometry teacher.

Washington, DC — Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-3rd District) was on the U.S. House of Representatives today as the Capitol building was raided by protestors, and issued this statement:

“I was on the House floor as the protestors overran police and pounded on the doors. The Capitol Police barricaded us in. We were told to get down and to get our gas masks. Eventually, we were ushered out. Capitol police who were escorting me told me they had found and detonated four bombs just off the Capitol campus. I am currently safe and sheltered in place. We are locked down because the Capitol is not secure.

”The reports you are hearing about the chaos, panic and dangerous actions by protestors are not exaggerations. I witnessed them. Is this the America we want to give to our children? A country of lawlessness and mob rule? Previous generations of Americans have laid down their lives to answer “no” to that question. Do we want to be the first generation selfish enough to say “yes”? If we do, then what makes us a better nation than Iran or Russia?

”Though this feels very much like a secondary issue today, I wrote the below statement yesterday to post on social media explaining the Constitutional reasons why I won’t vote to overturn the Electoral College results. But frankly, the important thing is this; we cannot be a nation of lawlessness and anarchy. That’s the road we’re headed down with this disrespect for our popular elections and our Constitution, and the neverending conspiracy theories and misinformation. Please, be peaceful and stand down. Nothing is more important to me as a Representative than the preservation of our Constitutional republic.”

Article II of the Constitution states “Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, […]” meaning that it is the duty of State Legislatures to select electors in the manner they stipulate. The founders of our Republic did not want to federalize elections, which is why they reserve the selection of electors to the states.

Historically, when Congress intervened in the Electoral College process, as in the Civil War, there were multiple slates of electors sent and it was truly an issue of deciding who had the authority within a state to send electors. That’s not the case today. Of the six states being actively contested in this election, five have Republican legislatures. Yet not one legislative body has voted to withhold, object to, or change certification of their electors. Every single one of the states in question has certified and sent one slate of electors officially to Congress. Not a secondary slate. Not a contested slate. Not multiple slates. One slate. Not one of these legislatures has met as a body and voted to send Congress a bill, a resolution of disapproval, or a plea for help due to injustice. Nothing.

If there are no conflicting slates of electors, the Constitution’s 12th Amendment confines the role of Congress to counting the votes cast. It does not give Congress the power to disqualify electoral votes cast by the states. The Founders were wise to divide power this way. If Congress could disqualify electoral votes, then each president would be selected not by the states or the people, but by Congress.

Herrera
Armed guards protect U.S. Representatives in the Capitol building.

Recall that four years ago, there were Democrat Representatives in Congress who would not acknowledge President Trump’s victory based on their beliefs that Russians had delivered him the election. Other prominent Democrats, from Jimmy Carter to Hillary Clinton, called President Trump’s election “illegitimate” because of “voter suppression,” “hacking,” and “false stories.” Some Representatives tried – unsuccessfully – to object to President Trump’s election in the very manner being suggested now. We must be careful not to create a precedent that would allow every future presidential election to be nullified by the political party that controls Congress. In politics, what goes around comes around.

Several members of Congress state that objecting today is the only way to ensure that “the people’s voices are heard,” but they overlook the responsibility of the people in those states in question to hold their own elected officials accountable. I find it difficult to assert that I, a member of Congress from Washington state, know better than the people of Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada whom they should elect to be responsible for their Electoral College selection process. We may not like who they elected, or how their process works, or what electors their states sent us, but the Constitution does not give us the authority to substitute our ideas for theirs.

I will not vote to undermine the entire Electoral College because my choice for president did not win. I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States above all else. I will not violate this oath. Instead, my vote will be to uphold the Constitution and ensure the power remains placed with the people – not just a few in Congress – as the founders of our nation intended.

Herrera
Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler.
Herrera
Assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Olympia, WA — Governor Jay Inslee announced today a new statewide reopening plan for 2021.

“Today we are announcing a new plan — called Healthy Washington — to move forward in 2021 once we see COVID activity reduce, hospitals that aren’t overrun with COVID patients, people continuing to mask, and all the other personal steps we know work to prevent infection,” Inslee said.

Inslee made it clear the state is not moving forward in a big way today, but he said that a new plan is needed. This new reopening plan goes into effect Jan. 11, 2021, and includes a “small resumption” of some activities across the state.

In contrast to last year’s Safe Start program, this plan has two phases at inception. More phases will be added when COVID activity is significantly reduced, Inslee said. Another big change is that Healthy Washington will also be governed by region, not by county.

“Because we know that health care systems are regional and we know that the virus does not respect county boundaries,” Inslee said. He added that this makes sense from both a public health perspective and a “health care delivery” one, as well.

Counties will be grouped into eight regions based on health system resources over a geographic area, the governor explained. The four metrics to track progress will be COVID-19 hospitalizations, ICU capacity, case data, and test positivity.

“All four targets have to be met for a region to reopen more activities,” Inslee said.

All regions will start in Phase 1, according to Inslee. There is no application for moving to Phase 2, but rather will be decided based on information regularly collected by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). In order to advance, regions must show a 10 percent decreasing trend in case rates; a 10 percent decrease in COVID hospital admission rates; an ICU occupancy rate that’s less than 90 percent; and a test positivity rate of less than 10 percent.

In Phase 2, restaurants may open indoor dining at 25 percent capacity; this also applies to indoor fitness centers. Sports competitions may also resume in Phase 2 with audience limits. Wedding and funeral ceremonies will be able to increase their capacities from current limits, as well.

“It allows us to now see a path forward,” said Dr. Umair Shah, the state Secretary of Health, who joined today’s conference call. “We are not there yet as a state, we are all committed to getting there, though, as a state.”

Shah did say the possibility exists that regions could move backward from Phase 2 to Phase 1. The DOH will closely monitor the data, and Shah said DOH will start posting the most recent analyses each Friday, beginning this week. Phase upgrades will be announced on Mondays.

Inslee
www.acreativetwistcorp.com

To remain in Phase 2, regions must meet at least 3 metrics:

  • Decreasing or flat trend in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100K population
  • Decreasing or flat trend in two-week rate new COVID-19 hospital admission rates per 100K population
  • ICU occupancy (total — COVID-19 and non-COVID-19) of less than 90%
  • COVID-19 test positivity rate of <10%.

“We do not want to fear COVID-19, but we have to respect COVID-19,” Shah said. “It has been a formidable foe throughout this last year, and we have to do everything we can to move forward.”

The eight regions are as follows:

  • Central: King, Pierce, Snohomish
  • East: Adams, Asotin, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman
  • North: Island, San Juan, Skagit, Whatcom
  • North Central: Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan
  • Northwest: Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason
  • South Central: Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Kittitas, Walla Walla, Yakima
  • Southwest: Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania, Wahkiakum
  • West: Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific, Thurston
Inslee
Inslee divided the state into eight new regions.

Inslee said Washington has avoided overwhelming the state’s health care systems throughout this pandemic so far through rigorous safety measures, such as physical distancing and masking, as well as social and economic restrictions. This new recovery system aims to safely ease some restrictions while also maintaining crucial hospital capacity, ensuring care for Washingtonians that need it and paving the way for economic recovery.

“No one was untouched by the effects of the pandemic in 2020; many have and continue to suffer through no fault of their own,” Inslee said during a press conference Tuesday. “We aren’t out of this yet, but we are close to turning the corner on COVID-19 and this third wave of infection.”

Vancouver, WA — The Building Industry Association of Clark County (BIA) reports an increase of 66 percent in townhome permit issuance from 2019 to 2020 in Clark County. In 2019, the total number of permits issued was 62 whereas in 2020 the number of townhome permits was 103. While townhome permits rose, single-family home permit activity saw a slight dip of about 12.8 percent between 2019 and 2020.

This could signal an emphasis on building to meet the “missing middle” (a range of multi-unit or clustered housing types, compatible in scale with detached single-family homes) and tackle the crisis of housing affordability. According to the National Association of Home Builders, it is called the “missing middle” for two reasons: 1) due to its scalability; and 2) its ability to deliver affordable housing options to middle-income households.

While an increase in rents charged remain unchanged for a majority of 2020 due to the COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium, no protections are offered for those moving into the area or switching housing options. Though landlords cannot raise rents on existing tenants, they can raise the price per unit when advertising a vacancy. With the current state of interest rates, mortgages are often in-line with, or less than the cost of renting. The BIA commends the builders building to meet the “missing middle” so that homeownership can become a reality for more Clark County residents.

While the BIA is ecstatic to report the great news on the housing affordability front, seeing a slight decline in the number of permits issued in the single-family segment of the home building market is disappointing considering the demand for such dwellings. Clark County is experiencing a housing inventory shortage across price-points, with less than a one month supply available. It is not surprising that home prices increase with a historically low supply and high demand. Therefore, the BIA recommends an emphasis on building homes at all price-points in 2021 so as not to contradict the efforts made on the housing affordability front.

Clark County
www.clarkcountyrelocations.com

Camas, WA — To assist longtime Camas resident, Mariah Corbin, who is fighting a rare form of brain cancer, locally owned and operated Champ Pizza is donating 20 percent of their sales on Tuesday, January 12.

“We will donate 20 percent of all revenue on January 12 at all three of our locations — Camas, East Vancouver, and Salmon Creek,” said Champ Pizza’s managing partner, Tyson Cook. “We hope everyone orders a pizza, some wings, and desserts so we can raise as much money as possible for this Mariah and her family.”

You can order by phone (see the list of phone numbers) or at www.champpizza.com

Champ Pizza phone numbers:

  • Camas: 360.210.5262
  • East Vancouver: 360.828.7029
  • Salmon Creek: 360.573.8569

Update on Mariah

“Mariah has been recovering super well from her second brain surgery which took place just over 3 weeks ago,” said her father, Derrill. “She’s more tired than she was in her recovery from the first surgery. However, with all she’s been through over these months, it’s completely understandable.”

“She’s been relatively pain-free for more than 2 weeks, only needing Tylenol, which is nothing short of miraculous! One significant point to note is that this last surgery caused a permanent field cut in her right eye. This means that she lost a major part of her sight on the right side. And while we knew it was probable, it is disappointing and something we’re praying for recovery from.”

Champ Pizza West

(Serving NW Vancouver/Salmon Creek) 

13317 NE 12th Ave Vancouver, WA 98685

(360) 573-8569


Champ Pizza East

(Serving East Vancouver)

1900 NE 162nd Ave Vancouver

(360) 828-7029

Champ Pizza Camas/Washougal

3252 NE 3rd Ave

Camas WA 98607

(360) 210-5262 

Corbin
Champ Pizza.

Olympia, WA — Governor Jay Inslee today announced a one-week extension of the current “Stay Safe–Stay Healthy” proclamation, along with the statewide restrictions imposed, according to a statement from his office. The extension of the statewide restrictions will now expire on January 11, 2021. No changes were made in the proclamation aside from the expiration date.

“Our consistent mission has been keeping Washingtonians safe and ensuring health care system and hospital capacity,” Inslee said. “We understand the profound impact COVID is having on our healthcare system, families, and businesses, but I am heartened by the number of Washingtonians who continue to do the right thing. If we continue distancing from others, wearing facial coverings and avoiding social gatherings, we will make it to the other side of this pandemic together.”

The restrictions, set in place due to the statewide rise in COVID-19 cases, was set to expire on January 4, which includes a ban on indoor dining and indoor gyms.

Inslee announced these activity in mid-November after record-breaking levels of COVID-19 spread across the Evergreen state. Those rules were set to expire Dec. 14, but that was pushed to January 4.

Washington’s Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah sees “some improvement” with the restrictions in place, but cautions that the state is “not out of the woods.”

“We want to continue to see those numbers come down,” said Shah. He also said the week extension gives business owners some certainty of what they can expect after the upcoming holiday weekend. He did not say what might happen after January 11.

The Governor’s office said an updated reopening plan is currently being developed to provide a pathway for businesses and workers impacted by this order to reopen safely. The updated plan will be released next week. 

Here is a link to the full proclamation: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/20-25.11%20-%20COVID-19%20Stay%20Safe-Stay%20Healthy%20%28tmp%29.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Olympia, WA — Washington State House Republicans recently announced ranking member and House committee assignments for the 2021-22 biennium. Eighteenth District Reps. Larry Hoff and Brandon Vick will both serve in leadership roles.

Hoff, R-Vancouver, has been promoted to ranking member of the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee. The committee reviews all legislation related to industrial insurance, unemployment compensation, collective bargaining, family leave, safety and health standards, occupational health, and employment standards.

“After the disastrous performance of the state’s Employment Security Department this year, I look forward to working with my friends in the majority to ensure these mistakes never happen again,” said Hoff. “In order to restore Washingtonians’ trust and ensure the agency is performing as expected, we must enact stricter accountability and transparency measures. The status quo simply cannot continue. The committee will also be tackling a number of other issues important to Washington families and workers. I’m optimistic we’ll be able to work in a bipartisan manner to deliver positive results for those in the 18th District and across the state.”

Hoff will continue serving on the House Appropriations Committee, and is set to join the House College and Workforce Development Committee.

Vick, R-Vancouver, will continue in his role as ranking member of the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee. The committee considers an array of consumer protection issues, as well as the safety and soundness of state banks and credit unions, the regulation of consumer credit and lending, and the regulation of securities and investments.

“I am honored to continue in my role as ranking member of the Consumer Protection and Business Committee,” said Vick. “We have a lot of work ahead of us to rectify the tragic impacts of the coronavirus and the associated lockdown orders placed on our small business community. My team and I will work tirelessly to make sure Washington’s business climate is friendly and advantageous, while simultaneously working to support the many small business owners who have struggled so mightily this year.

“I am also eager to continue working on occupational licensing reform. Washington state should be a partner, not an obstacle, when it comes to our neighbors having the opportunity to work in their chosen career path. In order to achieve this goal, I have been working on a slate of bills that will be ready to go on day one of session. I look forward to continued bipartisan support for these efforts.”

Vick will continue serving on the House Finance and Commerce and Gaming committees.

The remote 2021 legislative session will begin Monday, Jan. 11.