Gov. Jay Inslee

– “Inslee directs state agencies to get ready for military downsizing”
By Adam Ashton. The Olympian:
“Bracing for more cuts to military facilities in Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday [June 4] that he’s directing 11 state agencies to begin making plans for how they’ll respond to potential force reductions that could hurt communities from Lakewood to Spokane.

Inslee’s subcabinet on military downsizing is expected to have its first meeting June 17. It brings together government agencies responsible for education, workforce development, labor issues and finances.

The group will look at ways to help people find new employment, and try to prepare local governments and school districts for significant cuts to major employers in their communities.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord has shed about 7,000 active-duty Army positions from its peak strength in 2011 because of rapid military downsizing since the end of the Iraq War. Army officials are considering a plan for further force reductions that could take another 11,000 Army positions from JBLM.

Inslee, in a news release, said he was primarily concerned with assisting troops whose military careers may end earlier than they had planned.
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Recommendation:
Mayor Harding should immediately establish an ad hoc committee comprised of 7-10 residents from a broad cross-section of our military community. With the city and Yelm school’s comprised of 35% military families, Yelm needs leadership and the implementation of a plan to deal with the effects of military reductions on this community.