A big week for our family!
This is a week of big milestones in our family. My oldest daughter, Sophie, turns 10 today (yes ? I’ve talked her into birthday pie rather than cake? that’s my girl!). And at the end of last week, my grandmother ? aka Oma ? turned 106 years old! Many of you might have heard me talk about how I hope to have inherited her genes. I’ve continued to eat my vegetables and hit the gym ? but Oma has yet to reveal the secret sauce for how she does it.
Oma has seen a lot during her lifetime. She’s witnessed world wars, came to America with the clothes on her back, and got to spend her Golden Years living in dignity because of the two greatest public policy programs America created ? Social Security and Medicare.
Thanks to everybody who sent Oma a happy birthday note on my Facebook page.
Another Bump in the Budget Road
Some of you may recall that back in October, Congress passed a two-year budget agreement. While it wasn’t a perfect agreement, it set aside the across-the-board cuts known as “sequestration” and averted another government shutdown. Perhaps most importantly, it was bipartisan. I was pleased that Democrats and Republicans came together to pass a budget and avert more chaos.
Sadly, Congress now seems on the verge of snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory. To my chagrin, Congress has reached yet another budget impasse. Despite the fact that there was a bipartisan deal just a few months ago, some want to set that agreement aside. Now, a couple of weeks ago, the House Budget Committee passed an alternative budget that completely runs rough-shod over last year’s agreement. It brings back the across-the-board cuts Congress did away with. What’s more, the proposed budget would end the Medicare Guarantee as we know it.
I don’t think that’s right ? and neither do a majority of my colleagues. Interestingly, this proposed budget hasn’t been brought to the House floor for a vote because it doesn’t have enough votes to pass. So, what does that mean? Well, Congress either needs to stick with the deal from just a few months ago or it needs to find an alternative plan that can actually get enough votes to pass. My sincere hope is that Congress sets aside the partisan games and focuses on making progress. I’m going to keep working for a better solution.
Appropriations Corner
The dysfunction on the budget front makes it more challenging to see the appropriations process move forward.
That said, though the appropriations bills may be at risk of getting stuck in budget purgatory, the committee continues to work through the process. On the Appropriations Committee we continue to hear from agency heads about the budgets they are working with. Recently, I got to ask Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, some questions.
You may remember that back in 2014, Denny Heck (my fellow co-chair of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus) and I were honored to welcome Administrator McCarthy to our neck of the woods so she could see up close why saving Puget Sound for future generations is so important. She was impressed with what she saw in Commencement Bay and pledged to join us in cleaning up one of our natural treasures.
During the hearing we continued that conversation as I spoke with Administrator McCarthy about the importance of investing in the recovery of our Sound so we can deal with problems like stormwater runoff and habitat loss.
I’ll keep on working with the EPA to make sure our region has the resources we need to protect our most majestic body of water.
Check out the exchange here.
Hand in Hand
It’s no secret that our neck of the woods has continued to be impacted by the decades-long decline in jobs in the forestry industry. Having grown up in Port Angeles, those challenges ? and the impacts they had in our region ? are what led me to work in economic development professionally before entering public service.
Unfortunately, late last year, news came that the Allen Logging Company’s mill in Jefferson County was closing.
Thankfully, our office was successful in fighting to get Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) approved for the workers who lost their jobs. TAA will provide quality job training and support for these folks as they look for new work.
That’s good news but we still have a lot to do to grow jobs in our communities.
That’s why I’ve continued to work to support economic development strategies for our region. And it’s why we’ve worked so hard to stand up the Olympic Peninsula Forest Collaborative. I’m happy to report that we are continuing to make progress on this front and have kept moving forward with our series of public meetings.
Two weeks ago, we had a meeting of the collaborative in Shelton. It was great to see everyone who came out. We had a discussion about the goals and desired outcomes for this group, and how industry, environmental, and community interests are finding common ground on historically challenging issues. It’s been encouraging to see folks who have been on opposite sides come together and reach common ground to help create opportunities in our region.
I’m proud that the Collaborative is moving forward on its first pilot project in the Olympic National Forest and engaging the public in its work.
Our next public meeting will take place soon in Grays Harbor County - stay tuned for details and we hope to see you there!
#Ask Derek
If you haven’t had a chance, I invite you to check out my last edition of ‘Ask Derek’, where I open up my mail and answer a question or two from folks back home.
Last month, I answered a question from Port Orchard about something that’s been a lot of people’s minds: “What’s going to happen with the Supreme Court vacancy?” I always enjoy hearing from folks, especially when I can talk to you directly. Please keep the comments coming!
A Conersation with You
If you’re lucky enough to call the Olympic Peninsula home you may have gotten a call from me recently. That’s because earlier this month I held a special Peninsula focused telephone town hall.
It was actually my 12th telephone town hall and it remains a great way for me to connect with you. Over the course of an hour we took some really good questions and I spent some time discussing a variety of issues.
One caller asked about the importance of tackling our mental health problems in rural communities. We also discussed the work I’m doing to get additional resources to communities struggling with opioid addiction. I also took some questions regarding efforts to strengthen education and to reduce student debt. As things wrapped up, I focused a bit on how we can get Congress working again.
I hope you had a chance to join in! If not, we will have another one in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for more details.
Working for You
I had a great time at the Kitsap Chapter's Military Officers Association of America monthly luncheon. It's always inspiring to see how the influence of our military retirees benefits our community.
I hit the streets with SGT Billie Renfro of the Bremerton Police Department to see firsthand how the heroin epidemic is impacting our community. Opioid use shows no boundaries. The stories SGT Renfro and Capt. Burchett shared with me are a call to action for our community and policymakers to work together to solve this epidemic. Our region is fortunate to have strong advocates fighting for a solution. I’m working to ensure that the federal government is a partner in these efforts.
I was glad to be home for the Key Peninsula Citizens of the Year Awards! What a great group of difference makers that inspire us all. A huge shout out to the Key Peninsula Lions Club for another great event and for putting me to work serving food.
What do Lego robotics, ROV underwater vehicles, ukulele clubs, and outdoor learning centers have in common? They're all enrichment options for students at West Hills STEM Academy in Bremerton. Thanks to Superintendent Leavell, Principal Heaman, and members of the school board for showing me around. I’m proud to have one of Washington's only STEM academies in my district.
That’s it for this time. Thanks for reading. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or to my office if I can ever lend a hand.
As always, I’m honored to work for you.
Sincerely,
Derek Kilmer