Lately, it feels like there is so much going on: in the world, in the news, in our lives. Keeping up with current events was hard enough already, and now we’ve got a lot of information getting thrown at us at all times. Use this breakdown of some current topics to get the basic understanding and what you need to know. 

• Vaccine update
  • Gov. Inslee announced that effective April 15, all Washington citizens age 16 and up will be eligible for vaccination. This is several weeks ahead of the proposed schedule. 
  • Over three million doses of the vaccine have been given in Washington so far. 
  • Washingtonians are encouraged to make appointments here. 
• President Biden’s infrastructure 
  • Biden unveiled his latest proposal, a huge infrastructure layout costing an estimated $2 trillion.
  • It would be paid for by corporation’s taxes, as those increase. The corporate tax rate would be 28%, still significantly lower than it has been in the past. 
  • It would take around 15 years to fully pay off the proposal.
  • The proposal includes rebuilding roads and bridges, modernizing water systems, providing affordable housing and expanding scientific research.
  • It also allocates $400 billion to the expansion of home and community care. 
  • $174 billion would be invested in electric vehicle accommodations and support.
  • $100 billion would go towards clean energy. 
  • Some legislators have commented on the proposal but it has not gone to Congress yet. 

Trigger warning: This section refers to sex trafficking and a powerful adult having relations with a minor. This could be triggering to some readers. Please continue at your own discretion. 

• More legislators under investigation 
• • U.S. Representative Republican Matt Gaetz is being investigated after allegations of a sexual relationship with a minor. 
  • The investigation has gone to the highest degree of the U.S. Justice Department. They are looking into Gaetz’ financials, travel history and more. 
  • Officials say that the Justice Department is trying to determine if sex trafficking laws were violated. Gaetz could’ve done this by transporting a minor across state lines for sex.
  • The House Minority Leader said if the allegations are proven, Gaetz would be removed from all committees. 
  • The allegations continued on to suggest that Gaetz had been showing off nude photos of women he was with, even to other legislators and in House. 
  • Gaetz has withheld that none of the allegations are true, and claims they are connected to an elaborate extortion scheme from a former justice official. 
  • That story is also being denied by those involved and investigated by the U.S. Justice Department. 

Trigger warning: This section refers to hate crimes and homicide. This could be triggering to some readers. Please continue at your own discretion. 

• Derek Chauvin’s trial
• • The trial of former officer Derek Chauvin regarding the homicide of George Floyd in 2020 began at the end of March. 
  • Prosecutors are holding that Chauvin’s excessive force is what killed Floyd, but the defense is citing drug use that could’ve caused cardiac arrhythmia. 
  • The focus of the trial will be to determine the cause of death and evaluate Chauvin’s use of force. 
  • The trial showed the nearly ten minute video of the incident, as well as bringing in several witnesses from that day. 
  • Paramedics who attempted to revive Floyd on scene also testified, followed by Floyd’s girlfriend. 
  • Multiple current and former police officers testified as well, generally citing the policy that force is supposed to be removed when the suspect stops resisting. 
  • The trial is still in progress. 

• Goodbye, for-profit prisons
  • Washington House Bill 1090 has been approved by the state House and Senate, now needing only Gov. Inslee’s signature. 
  • The bill would ban private prisons and similar institutions, with exceptions, in the state. The full bill can be found here. 
  • There is only one private prison in Washington currently, Northwest Detention Center, which works in accordance with ICE. Their contract expires in 2025. 
  • This bill would prohibit the Northwest Detention Center from renewing their contract. Further, no for-profit prisons could exist in the state. 
  • It is estimated that Inslee will sign the bill before May.