In The News
Trump's budget would kill a crucial piece of a global tsunami warning system, sparking alarm in California and beyond
by Rong-Gong Lin II
President Trump's proposed budget for the next fiscal year would end funding to operate the network, which would eventually shut it down. A House of Representatives subcommittee is expected to release details of its own version of the budget this week. "It's an absolutely reckless proposal," said Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), whose coastal district is at grave risk of a catastrophic tsunami. "These buoys are critical at keeping our coastal communities safe."… Continue Reading
07.11.17
Tech companies get jumpstart on net neutrality 'action'
by Li Zhou
BILLS, BILLS, BILLS - Reps. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) and Mia Love (R-Utah) have introduced the CHANCE in Tech Act, aimed at bolstering public-private partnerships that help support IT apprenticeships dedicated to closing the tech skills gap. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) have also thrown their support to a companion bill.… Continue Reading
07.10.17
On Capitol Hill, Weiner Advocates For Investments In Cancer Research
by Kat Zambon
The future of cancer care depends on continued federal funding for medical research, Louis M. Weiner, MD, director of Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, said during a panel discussion in front of a crowded room on Capitol Hill. "When we make investments in research, we're making investments in cures and we're making investments in hope for every one of our families that is touched by cancer," said Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., House Cancer Caucus co-chair.… Continue Reading
07.10.17
What's Happening in Space Policy July 10-14, 2017
by Marcia S. Smith
The House plans to take up the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) towards the end of the week. The House Rules Committee meets on Wednesday to consider which amendments will be allowed to be considered during floor debate. As shown on the committee's website, 394 have been filed as of today. Five are related to space activities. Now, if Congress funds the requested level for FY2018, it will mean a $2 million cut. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), a member of the full Appropriations Comm… Continue Reading
07.10.17
FAA Space Office To Get Budget Boost from House Appropriator
by Marcia S. Smith
House appropriators are recommending a budget boost for FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST). The office received $19.8 million for FY2017, but the Trump budget proposal for FY2018 is $2 million less. By contrast, the House appropriations subcommittee that funds the office is proposing $21.587 million. Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) were particularly influential in convincing House appropriators to provide that level of funding last year.… Continue Reading
07.07.17
VA selects Silverdale site for new veterans clinic
by Larry Steagall
The site chosen for a new Kitsap veterans outpatient clinic couldn't be more centrally located. At 9177 Ridgetop Boulevard, it's at the county's geographic and commercial hub. "A new community-based outpatient clinic is long overdue for veterans in Kitsap County," said U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor. "If you serve your country, we should have your back. That's the ethic of this community. We've seen too many setbacks on this. Over the past year, I've kept on the VA to move this forward. I'… Continue Reading
07.05.17
Bremerton fast ferry officially begins service Monday
by Bryce Newberry
Wednesday marked the grand opening of Kitsap Transit's new fast ferry service from Bremerton to Seattle."This is the heart of maritime innovation in Kitsap County and we are so excited that the citizens of Kitsap County are taking another step forward in uniting our great state," Governor Jay Inslee said at the ceremony Wednesday. The official start of service is July 10, running weekdays and Saturdays. A round trip on the ferry will cost $12. Passengers can ride for free throughout July. "This … Continue Reading
07.05.17
Foot ferries almost ready to launch
by Ed Friedrich
BREMERTON - "Buckle up. You're going to have the ride of a lifetime, and it's just the beginning," Patty Lent told a crowd celebrating the kickoff of fast ferry service Wednesday morning on the boardwalk. Besides the demonstration trip on the Rich Passage 1 after the boardwalk event, the mayor's words could describe the decade-long trek to Monday's start of service. "There's a whole lot of folks who need to be recognized for their efforts and years of pulling this together," said Kitsap Trans… Continue Reading
07.05.17
Interior chief: New offshore drilling funds should pay for parks
by Timothy Cama
SHARPSBURG, Md. - Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said that he wants the federal government to increase its income from offshore oil and natural gas drilling to pay for budget gaps in national parks. Zinke told reporters Wednesday that new royalty and fee payments from drilling can go a long way toward solving the more than $11 billion maintenance backlog at the National Park Service (NPS), as well as mitigate the effects of the $360 million the Trump administration is proposing to slash from the… Continue Reading
07.05.17
Budget cuts may force private operation of federal campgrounds
by Kery Murakami
WASHINGTON - America's national parks have breathtaking vistas and iconic attractions like Yellowstone's Old Faithful geyser in Wyoming. But recreational vehicle owners and outdoor enthusiasts say maintenance and improvement of the parks' campgrounds are sadly lacking and have not kept up with digital-era needs such as wi-fi service. "Especially with younger people," said Kevin Broom, a spokesman for the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. "They want to share" their experiences and scen… Continue Reading
07.05.17
States Lack Resources to Secure Election Systems
by Jessie Bur
Many states and localities don't have the resources to upgrade and protect their election systems from malicious cyber intrusion, and the Federal government should work to provide them with those resources, according to a recent Brennan Center report on election cybersecurity. "Election officials in the majority of states have told the Brennan Center that they would like to replace this equipment soon, but most do not have the money to do so. Finding the money is crucial, as is adequately fundi… Continue Reading
07.04.17
Sen. Maria Cantwell bows to pressure, sets town-hall events in Seattle area
by Jim Brunner
Under pressure from constituents after years of avoiding town halls, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell has finally scheduled three of the open meetings in the Seattle area this week. The third-term Democratic senator's first town hall, focused on health care, will take place Wednesday at the University of Washington's Kane Hall, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cantwell will be joined for that event by Dr. Paul Ramsey, CEO of Harborview Medical Center and dean of the University of Washington School of Medicine, "to… Continue Reading
07.03.17
Connelly: Cantwell to hold three town halls, a first for Washington's senators
by Joel Connelly
Despite much grousing about the insularity of Washington's Republican members of Congress, neither of the Evergreen State's Democratic U.S. Senators has staged a town hall during early tumultuous months of the Trump Administration. Change is coming. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., will stage three town halls -- all in Seattle -- over during Congress' the Fourth of July recess. She will be joined Wednesday, July 5, by Dr. Paul Ramsey, CEO of Harborview Hospital, to answer questions a… Continue Reading
07.03.17
Hundreds crowd downtown Aberdeen for Founders Day Parade
by Dan Hammock
Hundreds of revelers lined Aberdeen's North Broadway Street Saturday morning and watched dozens of parade entries march by at the fourth annual Founders Day celebration. There were many participants in this year's parade, including the Aberdeen High School marching band, Elma Youth Cheerleaders, Aberdeen Councilman Alan Richrod and some of the sprintboats he's been touting, a number of pride entries including the Aberdeen High School Gay Straight Alliance, 2017 Miss Grays Harbor Outstanding Tee… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Shuptrine: Invest in our national parks
by Dick Shuptrine
As a Vietnam war veteran, I am grateful that national parks exist to tell the stories of our country's wars so that younger generations understand the sacrifices that America's veterans have made for their country. These sites are important memorials and I am worried that with the severe federal budget cuts being considered in Congress that the National Park Service will not receive sufficient funding to adequately maintain our parks and monuments, including several in Wyoming. I was recently in… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Greywolf celebrates project to house four kindergarten classes
by Michael Dashiell
SEQUIM - The addition of four classrooms using innovative building material at Greywolf Elementary School in Carlsborg is a welcome sight, Sequim School District officials say. But Greywolf Principal Donna Hudson noted last week, "This doesn't give us extra room; it gives us just the right amount of room." Community members and school staffers celebrated Thursday the official opening of a four-classroom structure on the Greywolf campus made of cross-laminated timber (CLT), one of five school d… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Infrastructure requests recall park needs
by Jim Adams
Gov. Bill Walker's recent list of infrastructure requests for President Donald Trump highlighted the state's struggles to build and maintain infrastructure. As the state pushes for infrastructure money, it is important to remember the national parks in Alaska and their infrastructure needs as well. Alaska's national parks are among America's favorite places. They are unique pieces of our nation's natural and cultural heritage set aside for visitors now and in the future to explore. They are als… Continue Reading
06.30.17
What will Democrats' election security task force recommend?
by Cory Bennett, Martin Matishak, and Eric Geller
PROGRAMMING NOTE - Due to the July Fourth holiday, Morning Cybersecurity will not publish on Monday July 3 and Tuesday July 4. Our next Morning Cybersecurity will publish on Wednesday July 5. TASKING A TASK FORCE - House Democrats on Thursday vowed that a new election security task force would develop recommendations to help harden the country's election systems before Russia's cyber agents return in 2018. The new panel - which will hold hearings, collect data on state-level election hacks, an… Continue Reading
06.29.17
US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to "Open our Democracy"
by Shaqwn M. Griffiths
A new bill introduced in the US House wants to open the electoral process for non-presidential federal elections, give voters more opportunities to vote, and reform the way electoral districts are redrawn. The bill is called the Open Our Democracy Act of 2017 (HR2981). It was introduced by US Rep John Delaney (D-Md.), and is co-sponsored by US Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.), and John Yarmuth (D-Ky.). The bill would do 3 main things: 1. It requires… Continue Reading
06.29.17
Cutler: Fix up our national parks
With Independence Day coming soon, I'm thinking about how America's national parks tell our remarkable American story. For example, in Yorktown, Colonial National Historical Park protects the river's edge where British General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington, ending the American Revolution. At Appomattox Court House, where the Civil War ended in Virginia, another national park preserves that important historic site. Other national parks like Shenandoah and the Great Smokies pre… Continue Reading