In The News
Lawmakers unveil bill to thwart Russian election ads on social media
by Steven Overly
A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Thursday unveiled a bill to make it harder for Russia to secretly interfere with future U.S. elections, by forcing social media companies to disclose the buyers of online political ads. The measure from Sens. Amy Klobuchar, (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), and Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) and Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), would expand political ad disclosure rules beyond print, radio, and television to the internet. It would include not only… Continue Reading
10.19.17
Senators unveil bipartisan bill to reveal who is buying political ads on social media
by Erin Kelly
Senators introduced a bipartisan bill Thursday that would require Facebook, Twitter, Google and other social media companies to disclose who is paying for political ads that appear on their online platforms. The legislation by Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and John McCain, R-Ariz., comes in the wake of recent revelations that Kremlin-linked groups exploited American social media to try to influence the 2016 presidential election. Those Russian efforts have been continuing a… Continue Reading
10.19.17
What's new in civic tech: Bipartisan Honest Ads Act targets online political ads
by Zack Quaintance, Theo Douglas
The U.S. Senate has introduced legislation that if passed would mark the federal government's first major effort to increase transparency for online political advertising. The bill is called the Honest Ads Act, and it is a bi-partisan effort introduced by Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and John McCain, R-Ariz. A press release from Sen. Warner's office said the lawmakers introduced the bill in order to "help prevent foreign interference in future elections and improve the tran… Continue Reading
10.19.17
Lawmakers introduce ‘Honest Ads Act’ to govern online political advertising
by Kate Conger, Dell Cameron
Senate lawmakers on Thursday unveiled their first major legislative effort to increase transparency in online political advertising, called the Honest Ads Act. Sponsored by Senators Mark Warner, Amy Klobuchar, and John McCain, the bill attempts to align rules for online advertising with those broadcast on television and radio airwaves. "We understand that election security is national security," Klobuchar said today at a press conference. The Honest Ads Act would require online platforms like … Continue Reading
10.19.17
Bipartisan group of lawmakers pushes job training tax credits
by Sean Higgins
A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation Thursday that would provide tax credits to business to offset expenses related to employee training and education. The bill, dubbed the Career Advancement Through New Skills Act, would offer a tax credit covering 25 percent of the first $5,000 that an employer spends on education and training expenses. Qualified deductions would include the cost of training programs that allow workers to meet or update skills the employer needs. "One the g… Continue Reading
10.19.17
U.S. lawmakers want crackdown on Facebook, Twitter political ads
by Patricia Zengerle
U.S. lawmakers, alarmed that foreign entities used the internet to influence last year's election, introduced legislation on Thursday to extend rules governing political advertising on television, print and radio to also cover social media like Facebook Inc (FB.O). Democratic Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mark Warner and Republican John McCain introduced the "Honest Ads Act," one of the strongest efforts in Congress yet to address allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign. … Continue Reading
09.01.17
Legislators Work Out, and Work Together, to Get Bills Passed
by Richard Walker
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-WA, tells a story about the advice he received when he was a rookie state senator. A veteran legislator, a Republican, advised him to always reach across the aisle-always get a sponsor from the other party for each bill. And always do what you think is right-vote for the good bills, vote against the bad ones. Kilmer took that advice with him to Congress, where he co-chairs the House Bipartisan Working Group. Members of the working group identify issues on which they agr… Continue Reading
08.31.17
The Future of Work
In the Spring of 2017, T4A convened several members from the New Democrat coalition in the House of Representatives, and the Mayors of San Jose and Stockton…Other groups found potential solutions to the the urban/rural divide. In the group moderated by Kate Gordon (T4A) with Rep. Scott Peters (CA), and Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA), a representative from Upwork noted that the company sees a lot of urban-based companies outsource tele-jobs to rural areas (such as virtual assistants).… Continue Reading
08.31.17
Treaty Tribes Upset with Appeal in Major Case Amid Salmon Disaster in Washington
The release of thousands of farmed salmon into treaty fishing grounds isn't the only crisis facing tribes in Washington. Just two days before the spill at a commercial operation prompted declarations of a disaster, the state asked the nation's highest court to overturn a ruling in a key case…Rep. Derek…and Chairman Tim Ballew II of the Lummi Nation surveyed the spill of farmed Atlantic salmon into treaty waters in Washington. Kilmer pledged to help address the situation, according … Continue Reading
08.25.17
NWN Digital First Apprenticeship
Within any given 90 day period over 500,000 jobs open up in the tech industry. But this influx of jobs has hit a roadblock: there aren't enough people with the appropriate qualifications to fill those jobs. Rep. Derek Kilmer of Washington's 6th district has cosponsored a bill designed to help close the gap between available jobs and available workers. Some of the jobs require degrees in computer science but many simply require on the job training.… Continue Reading
08.25.17
Climate Solutions Caucus Up To 52 Members
The bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in the House of Representatives now boasts 52 members. That is 26 Republicans and 26 Democrats who have set aside partisan scuffles to focus on combatting climate change together. The caucus, first formed in 2016 by Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), recently welcomed its newest members, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA). Rep. Tom Reed, who represents New York's 23rd district, is also a member… Continue Reading
08.23.17
‘A fitting tribute’: Olympic Wilderness renamed for longtime outdoors advocate, former Gov. Dan Evans
by Lynda V. Mapes
"When it came to protecting our most precious outdoor spaces, it wasn't about Democrats or Republicans," said Congressman Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor. "But about Washingtonians." For many, Evans is that rare thing - a beloved politician whose stature transcends party or generation. Naming the wilderness for Evans "puts an iconic name next to an iconic place," said U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.… Continue Reading
08.16.17
Signs of bipartisan progress on climate change
The House Climate Solutions Caucus was created in 2016 by Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo and Democratic Rep.Ted Deutch. Both represent Florida. From the beginning, the Congressmen decided that membership in the caucus would come in pairs - one Republican and one Democrat at a time. Their aim is to create a bipartisan group to engage in constructive dialogue to propose climate solutions ("Leading on climate change," Aug. 14). Recently, Rep. Ed Royce, a Republican from California, and Rep. Derek K… Continue Reading
08.16.17
Feds award money to boost quake warnings
SEATTLE (AP) - The U.S. Geological Survey has awarded $4.9 million to six universities and a nonprofit to help advance an early warning system for earthquakes along the West Coast. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer of Washington state pushed for funding, saying such the early warning system is critical.… Continue Reading
08.16.17
Highway 3 widening in Belfair now complete
by Ed Friedrich
BELFAIR - After two years of dust, dips and delays, smooth, wide blacktop bisects Belfair. Ceccanti, Inc., began construction on the $26.5 million project in July 2015. Over the past 25 months, the Tacoma company extended the center turn lane all the way through town and added paved shoulders and sidewalks on both sides. The North Mason community will celebrate the completion of the Highway 3 widening project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony 10 a.m. Thursday at Kitsap Bank. Speakers will include … Continue Reading
08.15.17
Feds award money to boost warnings for West Coast quakes
SEATTLE - The U.S. Geological Survey has awarded $4.9 million to six universities and a nonprofit to help advance an early warning system for earthquakes along the West Coast. The federal agency says the ShakeAlert system could give people seconds or up to a minute of warning before strong shaking begins. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer pushed for funding, saying such the early warning system is critical for Washington state.… Continue Reading
08.15.17
PLU nets grant to bolster workforce with nursing grads
"These students represent critical support that is needed in our region," said U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, the representative for Washington's 6th Congressional District, in a letter of support for the grant co-signed by U.S. Rep. Denny Heck. "Supporting them will help create leaders and role models for future generations across the Pacific Northwest."… Continue Reading
08.15.17
Healthcare talk dominates Congressman’s town hall meeting
by DAN HAMMOCK
Congressman Derek Kilmer held a town hall meeting in the Aberdeen High School auditorium Sunday afternoon and spent a great deal of time talking about how fixes to the current Affordable Care Act were preferable to the current administration's plan of a total repeal. Kilmer, a Democrat representing the 6th District, including the Olympic Peninsula, said fixes to the Affordable Care Act can be made. The individual market could be stabilized by guaranteeing cost sharing reductions and creating a p… Continue Reading
08.14.17
Bi-partisan efforts to improve rural medical services
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA), along with Reps. Jeff Denham (R-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), and Derek Kilmer (D-WA), introduced the Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act of 2017 to reauthorize the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program for three years. This legislation will also allow for the expansion of new programs within existing centers and the creati… Continue Reading
08.14.17
Rep. Kilmer announces town hall tours in August
Congressman Kilmer to hold town hall in Aberdeen on Sunday. In an effort to hear directly from residents of Washington's 6th Congressional District, Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., has announced he will hold a series of town halls throughout the region. Town halls are open to the public. Participants will have the opportunity to hear an update on Congress and ask questions.… Continue Reading