Updates on My Bill to Save Taxpayers Money - and Securing New Investments for Our Region
Hello, Folks –
It’s been a busy few weeks – so let’s dive right in!
Saving Taxpayers Money & Improving Government Efficiency
Tomorrow, I’m heading back to DC with a full slate of items to tackle. There’s a lot on the docket for the week…
- Legislation to protect reproductive freedom in light of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision;
- The National Defense Authorization Act, which is comprehensive legislation to support our servicemembers and their families (and which includes provisions to strengthen the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard);
- The Active Shooter Alert Act to send out AMBER-style alert warnings when there is an active shooting incident; and
- Legislation – that I introduced – to get the federal government working better for the American people.
As many readers of this newsletter know, one of my main goals in this job is to get government working better for folks. As part of that effort, I’ve been leading the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (aka the “Fix Congress” Committee) – a bipartisan effort to improve government efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency.
I’m excited that this week, one of the first items up is a bill I sponsored to save taxpayers money and improve government efficiency: the Improving Government for America’s Taxpayers Act.
Over the last few years, the Fix Congress Committee looked at how to strengthen government oversight. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) provides Congress, the heads of executive agencies, and the public with fact-based, non-partisan information that can be used to improve government and save taxpayers billions of dollars. In 2020, GAO’s work generated over $77 billion in benefits for Congress and the American people—a return of about $114 for every dollar invested in GAO. In fact, just this past year, the GAO found 112 additional actions that could make a difference for taxpayers. But that will only happen if Congress acts on those recommendations.
Unfortunately, too many of GAO’s recommendations are going unimplemented by Congress and relevant agencies – and there’s lots of room for improvement.
That’s why I worked with the Republican Vice Chair of the Fix Congress Committee and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including leading Democrats and Republicans on the House Oversight Committee, to introduce the Improving Government for America’s Taxpayers Act. The legislation, which is set to receive a vote tomorrow in the U.S. House, will push for the implementation of GAO recommendations, help improve government efficiency, and save taxpayers money. I’m excited that this bill is set to pass the House and move on to the Senate – a big step closer to getting signed into law. I’ll keep at it!
Read more about the legislation and its potential impact in The Hill.
Securing Investments for Our Region
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have the opportunity to play a meaningful role in helping to shape the investments our government makes. It’s an opportunity to support investments for our region that will create jobs and support the communities I serve. Last month, the Appropriations Committee passed 12 spending bills out of Committee. That legislation will be considered by the full U.S. House later in July. As a member of the Committee, I was able to secure some important wins for our region! Here’s an overview of some of the most important ones:
Supporting New Affordable Housing and Community Facilities in Jefferson County
Across our region, we need more affordable housing. But that's only going to get built if we have the infrastructure needed to support it. That’s why I’m proud that the Appropriations bills that just passed out of committee included funding for two important infrastructure projects in Jefferson County that can help us provide the services needed to build new housing and service residents at essential community locations.
The Appropriations Committee advanced new funding I advocated for to help build a new sewer pump station to service the Evans Vista neighborhood in Port Townsend. That investment will support the community-based development of 100-150 mixed income affordable and workforce housing units. In addition, I secured funding to help construct pressure sewer collection lines and publicly owned grinder pump connections on several key streets in Port Hadlock – enabling connections to the Chimacum Primary School, the Public Library, affordable, multi-family housing, senior housing, small businesses, and a supermarket.
It's good progress that can help our region build much-needed housing in Jefferson County!
Assisting Folks in Need in the South Sound
There are far too many folks in our region who are experiencing homelessness. Not only do we need to increase housing affordability and accessibility, but we also need to help folks get back on their feet and make ends meet. That means we’ve got to ensure that the shelter and services people need are readily available. That’s why I’ve been pushing to get the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Rescue Mission more funding to help them expand. I’m thrilled that the Appropriations Committee advanced new funding I advocated for to help expand the Tacoma Rescue Mission – which will increase permanent shelter capacity, inclement weather shelter capacity, addiction recovery services, and day-use space to provide critical wellness services such as workforce development, mental health services, and substance use counseling. I’ll keep pushing to get this funding signed into law.
Modernizing the Port of Grays Harbor & Supporting Local Fishermen
Our coastal fisheries and seafood industry are an essential part of our region’s economy. In fact, Westport Marina in Grays Harbor is the state’s largest commercial seafood landing port – and is considered a port of “national significance” due to the volume and value of the catch that comes through it. That means it’s a critical economic hub for tribal, commercial, charter, and recreational fishing on our coast – supporting nearly 2,300 jobs in its uplands.
That’s why I’m proud that the House Appropriations Committee has advanced new funding that I fought for to help modernize the Westport Marina and support jobs and local economic opportunity. The funding will support the Marina’s effort to modernize and reconfigure its floating dock so that it can adequately support the needs of the region’s robust fishing fleet now - and serve the needs of our region long into the future. I’ll keep working to ensure that our ports and our fishermen have the resources they need to remain competitive in the Pacific Northwest.
Creating Economic Growth in Mason and Kitsap Counties
As we work to recover from this pandemic, we’ve got to ensure that communities have the resources they need to attract new investment, create new jobs, and build local economies. That’s why I was thrilled to secure funding for projects to help make that happen.
In Mason County, the lack of electric capacity and reliability issues continue to be a primary inhibitor to creating economic growth and attracting new businesses to the region. In fact, in 2021, the Economic Development Council of Mason County had to turn away multiple recruitment opportunities due to lack of electrical infrastructure capacity—resulting in an estimated loss of hundreds of potential new jobs. That’s why I’m thrilled that the Appropriations Committee advanced new federal funding that I advocated for to help Mason County build out the essential electrical infrastructure they need to help attract new businesses and investment and increase regional grid resilience for existing customers. It’s great news!
In Kitsap County, downtown Port Orchard’s Bay Street Corridor (Port Orchard’s “main street”) faces persistent flooding. So, as part of the city’s master plan, they’re working to redevelop the west end of downtown to include a Community Center, new Kitsap Bank facility, Kitsap Regional Library, and Mixed-Use Housing projects. As part of that redesign, they’re hoping to build a more resilient Bay Street that can better provide safe accommodation and efficiency in the downtown area (for all modes of transportation!). That’s why I’m excited that the Appropriations Committee advanced funding to advance the reconstruction of this area at a raised elevation that will account for persistent flooding and rising sea levels. It’s an important piece of the effort to revitalize downtown Port Orchard – and will help serve as a catalyst for growth and vitality for the local economy.
Improving Health Care and Increasing Affordable Housing for Tribal Communities
Across our region, we need more affordable housing – including for Native communities. That’s why I’m thrilled that the House Appropriations Committee has advanced new federal funding to build new affordable housing on the Suquamish Tribe’s Port Madison Indian Reservation and on the Skokomish Indian Tribe’s Reservation. These projects will not only help ensure more Tribal members can return to their ancestral homelands, but also help ease housing challenges for non-Tribal citizens that live nearby these reservations. These investments are win-wins for our region.
In addition, we know that Native communities in our region and across our country have consistently struggled to deliver essential health services and programs to support reservation residents. The federal government has an obligation to fulfill its trust and treaty responsibilities and to make sure that people have the resources they need to live healthy lives.
That’s why I’m proud that the Appropriations Committee advanced funding that I advocated for to help two Native American Tribes on the North Olympic Peninsula improve health care options for community members and ultimately strengthen health outcomes. The funding for the Makah Indian Tribe will help the Tribe expand and relocate the critical medical services of the Sophie Trettevick Indian Health Center out of the Tsunami Inundation Zone and meet the needs of their growing population. And the funding for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will help the Tribe advance the planning and development phases of the Lower Elwha Klallam Health and Wellness Complex, which will provide access to a wide range of high-quality, culturally sensitive services for Tribal members, and additional health and social services to the broader community.
Supporting Families and Children in Grays Harbor
It’s important to give kids a good start in school – and in life. That’s why I’m thrilled that the House Appropriations Committee has advanced new federal funding I advocated for to assist critical programming that helps rural communities make school readiness programs and parent education opportunities accessible for all. The funding will support Save the Children’s effort to accelerate academic achievement among the most marginalized children in rural Washington communities through early childhood home visiting programs, parent engagement workshops, home library builds to help build a culture of literacy, and mobile outreach providing nutritious meals to families in need. It’s a big deal for families across our region!
Working for You
Celebrating Equality
Since 2008, the LGBTQ+ community in Tacoma & Pierce County have been recognizing stand-outs for their service to our community. On Friday, I had the opportunity to help recognize these amazing leaders. Awards were presented for categories including youth, ally, business/organization, adult and lifetime achievement. Special shoutout to Troy Christensen of Tacoma Rainbow Center and the City of Tacoma for recognizing Pride month!
Supporting Local Employers
It was great to visit with the team at Vaughan Company, which was been on the cutting edge of manufacturing and innovation in Montesano since 1960. Today, they sell products in 92 countries—just part of the reason they were named Association of Washington Business 2021 Manufacturer of the Year! Big thanks to Derek and Stacie, fourth-generation owners, for having me out to get an inside look at their operations, meet the team, and talk about how we can work to make sure the federal government is a better partner. Thanks for doing business in our region - and count me on the home team!
Having the Backs of Retirees
Thanks so much to the Retired Public Employees Council of WA for the kind welcome to a recent meeting! We discussed the importance of protecting and expanding Medicare as well as my sponsorship of the Social Security 2100 Act, which would increase benefits and improve the cost-of-living adjustments to help seniors make ends meet. I enjoyed visiting with these terrific public servants.
OK – that’s it for now folks. As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Derek