Big Wins for Local Economies... and for Taxpayers!
Hello Folks –
Happy Halloween! The Kilmer family is well-prepared for a lot of Trick-or-Treaters... though I’m hoping to have some leftover candy when the night is over! I’m all in on Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (but I’ll happily take some Twix and Kit-Kats... or any of it, really).
Speaking of treats - let me kick this newsletter off with some big news! Our region got some amazing treats announced late last week by the U.S. Maritime Administration. Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell and I announced that we helped secure a $8,608,000 federal grant for the Port of Port Angeles and a $25,500,000 federal grant for the Port of Grays Harbor. The grants were awarded through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) - a program that was expanded as a result of the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which I supported earlier this year.
The grant for the Port of Port Angeles will support improvements to the Port’s Intermodal Handling and Transfer facility. As someone who grew up in Port Angeles, I know how much we can benefit from federal infrastructure investments to strengthen economic opportunity here. That’s why I’ve been advocating for the federal government to invest in Port Angeles and in the future of this region’s economy.
The grant for the Port of Grays Harbor aims to help the port expand its rail infrastructure to support a significant expansion and enhancement of one of the port’s export terminals. In addition to ensuring the Port can efficiently handle an increased volume of rail traffic, the grant will help ensure the Port can mitigate potential surface traffic impacts to the local community.
These announcements are about creating jobs and about creating economic opportunity. Our ports are amazing engines of economic development! Improving our ports’ infrastructure shouldn’t fall on the backs of local taxpayers. That’s why I fought to help secure these investments. It’s a big deal for our region!
OK – let’s dive into other news.
Rebuilding Local Economies
Speaking of investments to create economic opportunity... Last week, Senator Maria Cantwell and I met with state, county, and local officials – along with economic development leaders – in Mason County to talk about provisions of a new law that I authored focused on creating more economic opportunity for more people in more places.
A pilot version of my bipartisan Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People Everywhere to Excel Act (RECOMPETE Act) was signed into law as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The RECOMPETE pilot is focused on providing flexible, long-term support to help communities grow jobs – so that nobody gets left behind in our economy.
In looking at the challenges facing communities like those in our region, there are three problems that should shape the federal government’s response.
First, communities that are struggling often do not have the capacity to navigate the complex systems of grants and loans that exist across a multitude of federal agencies. Many cannot afford an army of grant writers. Second, while one-year grants are helpful, it’s worth recognizing that the struggles facing these communities didn’t arise in one year and can’t be solved in one year. A sustained approach is needed. And third, a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t work. Different communities have different needs. In our region alone, there are communities for whom the primary issue is the need for training for their workforce, others that needs help with infrastructure needs, broadband access, flooding, housing… the challenges are diverse – and different in every community.
That’s why the RECOMPETE Act would provide flexible, long-term grant assistance to communities that have faced persistent economic challenges. Communities could use these grants to invest in workforce, infrastructure, or other priorities to help turn things around. It’s about ensuring people have economic opportunity – regardless of what zip code they live in.
Senator Cantwell – who was a terrific partner to me in getting this bill passed – joined me in looking at a number of areas in Mason County that could really benefit from federal investment.
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Fighting to Lower Costs
Across the globe, we’ve seen real concerns around inflation – including right here at home in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a problem for folks everywhere if the costs of the things we depend on rise to the point where we cannot afford them. That’s why it’s important to me that we give the folks who are sitting at their kitchen tables trying to figure out how to make ends meet a break.
That’s why earlier this year I voted for the Inflation Reduction Act. This new law is aimed at addressing rising costs and supporting American families. Among other things, the Inflation Reduction Act will lower health care costs for millions of Americans and address the cost of prescription drugs and cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors. Specifically, the bill will limit out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries to $2,000 annually, cap insulin prices for Medicare beneficiaries at $35 monthly, and allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors (starting with some of the highest-cost prescription drugs in 2023). Additionally, this bill will extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies implemented in COVID-19 relief legislation through 2025. It has been estimated that extending this subsidy will prevent 3 million people from becoming uninsured and will lower costs for millions more. This new law also includes provisions designed to lower energy prices over time – including new tax credits, support for energy efficiency, and other steps that will provide real relief for people.
In addition, I’ve introduced legislation designed to lower housing costs. We need more workforce housing, more senior housing, and more affordable housing. We need more housing units, period. According to Up for Growth, a leading national non-profit that focuses on housing affordability, from 2000 to 2015, the United States underproduced housing by 7.3 million homes. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Yes in My Backyard Act (aka the YIMBY Act) – which I discussed last week with state, local, and regional partners. The bill aims to eliminate barriers to home construction and to encourage the development of more housing that people can afford.
I’m working on several other efforts to lower costs, so people can afford the things they need.
Supporting Youth Mental Health
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2019, 1 in 3 students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 1 in 5 high school students seriously considered attempting suicide. And the pandemic exacerbated these problems significantly, with many families reporting deteriorating mental health conditions for their kids. In fact, youth emergency room visits for mental health reasons have increased significantly, while access to mental health services – despite advances in telehealth – became more limited.
That’s why I am rolling up my sleeves, both here in the district and back in DC, to support the work of our mental health providers, teachers, and parents. I supported the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – a new law which included significant investments in youth and family mental health services, enhancing community-based mental health services, supporting the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and providing funding for school-based mental health services.
With this historic piece of legislation, we can prioritize youth mental health in a meaningful and supportive way. Last week, I helped convene a roundtable of youth mental health leaders and organizations to hear how things are going locally – and to talk about how these legislative efforts could help kids.
I’ll continue standing up for the mental health of our youth.
Working for You
Building More Affordable Communities
For over 55 years, OlyCAP has provided essential services – including housing – to the most vulnerable members of our communities on the Olympic Peninsula. I joined the Olympic Community Action Programs team and Clark Construction Inc. to tour their new 43-unit affordable housing complex in Port Townsend, which will include an on-site Early Learning Facility and on-site supportive services from OlyCAP and its partners. This will be the first affordable multi-family housing to be constructed in Jefferson County in over 14 years! I'll keep working to make sure folks can afford housing.
Supporting the Arts
We know the arts build community, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth in our region. That's why it was so exciting to check-in with the team at Northwind Art to hear about their big plans for newly leased buildings and the future of arts programming at Fort Worden! In addition to touring the terrific facilities, I spoke with Executive Director Teresa Verraes about the Fort Worden Creative Alliance - a unique collective of independent arts, craft, and cultural organizations working to maintain Port Townsend's creative culture for generations to come!
Recognizing Our Veterans
One of the best parts of my job is paying tribute to the men and women who serve or have served our nation. I was honored to say thank you, on behalf of a grateful community and nation, to 70+ Vietnam veterans recently at a congressional pinning ceremony in Port Orchard! I’m grateful to the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners and the Kitsap County Veterans Advisory Board for their partnership in putting together this terrific ceremony - and to the Kitsap community for coming out to support our veterans!
OK – that’s it for now, folks. As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Derek