Washington state Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson on Thursday named a veteran budget writer and policy analyst to serve as his director of the Office of Financial Management. K.D. Chapman-See, the agency’s current legislative affairs liaison, will be the point person helping Ferguson fashion his first state spending plan in the shadow of a potential multi-billion dollar budget deficit. Also Thursday, Ferguson started his search for new leaders of nine state agencies, including the departments of transportation, corrections, social and health services and ecology. Current directors of most of those agencies have already announced plans to step down or retire. With Chapman-See, Ferguson tapped a skilled and respected analyst with experience in the executive and legislative branches of Washington state government. Before joining Gov. Jay Inslee’s budget office, she worked more than a decade in the state House of Representatives as a policy director and as a senior analyst for operating budget and tax policy for the House Democratic Caucus, according to Ferguson’s transition team. “K.D. brings tremendous talent and expertise to this critical position in state government,” Ferguson said in a statement. “She understands the budget challenges facing the state, and I look forward to working with her to deliver efficient, effective government.” Those budget challenges will be significant as Ferguson begins his term. State tax revenues are not keeping pace with the rising costs of current and promised programs. Inslee and his budget director, Pat Sullivan, have warned the gap is around $12 billion over the next four-plus fiscal years and directed state agencies to identify potential cuts . Some ideas for what to trim may wind up in Inslee’s proposed budget for the 2025-27 biennium. So too may some ideas for raising additional revenue. The budget proposal is due out in mid-December and will be a template for Ferguson and state lawmakers when they craft final budgets in the 2025 legislative session. While Ferguson has not commented publicly about the state’s budget situation, Democratic legislators have said they expect to consider spending reductions and new revenue sources to erase the shortfall. Chapman-See will assume her new role on Jan. 15 and be part of Ferguson’s executive leadership team . She will succeed Sullivan, a former state lawmaker who was appointed director of the Office of Financial Management in July when David Schumacher, Inslee’s longtime budget director, departed. “I am deeply grateful to Pat Sullivan for his leadership during this challenging time as he develops Governor Inslee’s final budget,” Ferguson said. “He is an outstanding public servant who puts the needs of Washingtonians first.” Other agencies where Ferguson said he intends to hire new leaders include the Department of Children, Youth and Families, Department of Enterprise Services, the Health Care Authority, and Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs. Directors of all but transportation and enterprise services had previously said they would be leaving. Enterprise services manages state buildings and vehicle fleets, among other responsibilities. Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar told the Washington State Standard in a recent interview that he hoped to stay on in the new administration. He informed Department of Transportation employees Thursday afternoon that his last day will be Jan. 15. “Leading this agency has been a true highlight of my life personally and professionally,” he wrote in an email. “Because of you WSDOT is one of the most innovative, effective and consequential departments of transportation in the world.” In the release, Ferguson said he is evaluating the leadership of other cabinet agencies and will provide an update next week. Those interested in applying for a leadership position or serving on a board or commission can do so online through a newly launched web portal . The Washington State Standard is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet that provides original reporting, analysis and commentary on Washington state government and politics. We seek to keep you informed about Washington’s most pressing issues, the decisions elected leaders are making, how they are spending tax dollars and who is influencing public policy. We’re part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.AI Frenzy or Smart Picks? Meet Top Stock Picks
TORONTO, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. (“ PIMCO Canada ”) announced today that at special meetings of the unitholders of PIMCO Tactical Income Fund (TSX: PTI), PIMCO Tactical Income Opportunities Fund (TSX: PTO) and PIMCO Multi-Sector Income Fund (TSX: PIX) (collectively, the “ Funds ”) held on December 4, 2024, unitholders of the Funds approved all matters relating to the reorganization of each Fund (the “ Mergers ”), each currently structured as a trust, whereby holders of units of the Funds will become holders of the same class of units of PIMCO Monthly Enhanced Income Fund (TSX: PMEI), a new non-redeemable investment fund structured as a trust managed by PIMCO Canada, all as more particularly described in the Management Information Circular of the Funds dated October 18, 2024. The necessary regulatory and independent review committee approvals have also been received. Accordingly, PIMCO Canada expects to proceed with the Mergers on December 20, 2024. 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'This is outrageous!' Republicans furious as Biden official can't answer questionNone
Brown: Indian diplomat pushed back when he used the words "Sikh nation"It was the fourth time this season they had conceded four or more and the performance showed why they have the Premier League’s worst defence. When O’Neil and the players went over to acknowledge the visiting supporters there were boos for a run of two wins in 14 league matches. “Whatever the fans think of me, there is definitely no-none working harder than me and I will continue to do so until someone tells me not to,” said O’Neil, who is under increasing pressure with his side second bottom of the table. “I go over there to see them because I appreciate every one of the Wolves fans. They have given me unbelievable support since I arrived at the football club,” he said. “We managed to produce some unbelievable stuff last season with a team that was heavily tipped by most of the nation for relegation. We managed to enjoy it together. “Now it is tough. I was happy to go over there and look them right in the face and take any criticism they want to throw at me. “I accept responsibility for my part in that. Whatever criticism they want to throw at me will not change how I feel about them. “Everyone at this football club needs to do more. We will get back to be ready to fight again on Monday (another crucial game against West Ham, whose manager Julen Lopetegui’s tenure is hanging by a thread). “I will work with everything I have. I will back myself to get the most out of the group. I understand the drive for change (but) you never know how much of a percentage of supporters it is.” Veteran Ashley Young ended Everton’s 370-minute wait for a goal with a 10th-minute free-kick, his first league goal for more than two years, and on-loan Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala blasted home his first for the club to establish a 2-0 half-time lead. Two Craig Dawson own goals secured Everton’s biggest home league win since April 2019, but manager Sean Dyche insisted their issues up front were far from sorted. He said: “It’s our fifth clean sheet in the last eight so the consistency has been there in one degree, we just haven’t been scoring goals. That’s been the hardest thing to find consistently and we haven’t solved it yet. “Goals change everything, they change opinions. That’s what football is like.” The victory was hugely important in a month in which, having been hammered 4-0 at Manchester United, they face top-six sides Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest and undoubtedly eased some of the pressure on Dyche and his players. “I’ve told them how proud I am of them,” he added. “The challenges come thick and fast on and off the pitch and they just keep going. “It’s only a step and there are many more to go but it’s a good step and a positive step. “It’s a temporary moment in time because the next one is a big one (Saturday’s Merseyside derby).”
Downing throws for 2 TDs, runs for another, Elon tops North Carolina A&T 31-21Thailand is committed to advancing global trust in artificial intelligence (AI) governance and positioning the nation as a learning hub for AI governance through collaboration with Unesco, says Prasert Jantararuangthong, digital economy and society (DES) minister. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) also wants more AI-skilled workers and plans to add 30,000 at the engineering level in three years, generating 100 AI innovations worth 40 billion baht, as well as promoting AI adoption via 600 agencies nationwide. Mr Prasert said the Thai government has been leveraging digital technologies to enhance national capabilities, with a strong focus on the ethical application of AI. In 2024, AI adoption plans among Thai organisations reached 73.3%, up nearly 20 percentage points year-on-year, according to the AI Readiness Measurement 2024 report by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency and the National Science and Technology Development Agency. The DES Ministry, MHESI, the Education Ministry and Unesco yesterday announced their partnership in hosting the 3rd Unesco Global Forum on the Ethics of AI 2025, dubbed "Ethical Governance of AI in Motion". The forum is scheduled for June 24-27, 2025 in Bangkok, marking the first international conference on the subject in Asia-Pacific. The event is expected to attract more than 800 participants, including leaders and experts from Unesco's 194 member countries. Mr Prasert said the event reinforces Thailand's readiness to put global AI ethical governance into practice. "Thailand's commitment is aligned with the Unesco AI Readiness Assessment framework, a globally recognised standard, reflecting the nation's capability to develop and implement AI solutions that are responsible, transparent and equitable," he said. Mr Prasert said Thailand recently introduced key frameworks such as the AI Governance Guideline for Executives and the Generative AI Governance Guideline for Organisations. These resources aim to ensure responsible and transparent implementation of AI at the organisational level. With this solid foundation, Thailand is prepared to host the Global Forum on the Ethics of AI 2025, he said. The event should serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, fostering multilateral collaboration and building AI governance capacity in developing countries. "This forum underscores Thailand's commitment to global trust in AI governance as it seeks to become a learning hub for AI governance," said Mr Prasert. Suphachai Jaismut, vice-minister for MHESI, said Thailand is ready to integrate AI technologies across various industries, driven by MHESI's commitment to advancing R&D. Xing Qu, deputy director-general for Unesco, said its mission is to build peace through education, science and culture, which is vital in an era where AI significantly shapes societies, economies and individual lives. Southeast Asia's digital economy is growing rapidly, with advancements in AI infrastructure, though he said there are challenges such as the digital divide and job displacement caused by automation.