Southwest WA officials reach out to WSDOT to ensure safety on I-5 bridge across the Columbia River
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I joined a bipartisan group of federal and state legislators who reached out to WSDOT this week asking for options for immediate safety upgrades for the current I-5 bridge. It is our hope that those interested in improving the I-5 corridor can come back to the table and put forward a plan that meets both the needs of the region and has the support of our constituents.
Joining me on this letter were Washington State Senators Don Benton (R-17th LD) and Ann Rivers (R-18th LD), and Washington State Representatives Paul Harris (R-17th LD), Jim Moeller (D-49th LD), Liz Pike (R-18th LD), Monica Stonier (D-17th LD), Brandon Vick (R-18th LD) and Sharon Wylie (D-49th LD)
Read the full press release here
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Appropriations Victories
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As a Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, it’s my job to make sure we save taxpayer dollars wherever possible, but also to ensure funding is going where we need it most. Recently, I helped the U.S. House pass legislation that addressed some big priorities for our region:
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Small Ports Dredging –The House Energy and Water Appropriations bill that was approved by the U.S. House designates $30 million for the purpose of small port dredging – an urgent priority for our coastal communities. Our small ports and channels are as important to ports and towns throughout Southwest Washington as our highways or rail system – these waterways are their economic lifelines. Click here for more info.
- Hanford cleanup- This same bill also included strengthened funding for cleanup efforts at Hanford. The cleanup of the Hanford nuclear site is not only a legal obligation of the federal government; it’s a moral obligation to keep our citizens, wildlife and environment safe. Click here for more info.
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Supporting west coast fishing jobs
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Many fishing businesses in the West Coast groundfish fishery have struggled to pay high interest rates on federal loans and fees on their catch. Working in tandem with U.S. Senator Cantwell, I introduced The Revitalizing the Economy of Fisheries in the Pacific Act that ensures these fishermen receive the same interest rates on federal loans as other businesses. It also extends the length of these loans from 30 to 45 years and provides other relief measures to our region’s fishermen.
Too many small fishing businesses up and down our coast are struggling to keep afloat financially. Senator Cantwell has introduced the same version of this bill in the U.S. Senate, and we are building a bipartisan group of officials who want to help save fishing jobs and reduce the squeeze on fishermen’s bottom lines. Read more about this bill here.
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| TOP NEWS |
Longview Daily News: Small ports fund approved by U.S. House
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Columbian: Herrera Beutler discusses her stance on immigration reform
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Longview Daily News: Rep. Herrera Beutler, Sen. Cantwell, Introduce Bill to Support Fishing Jobs
READ MORE HERE
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Are you a small business with questions, concerns about the health care law?
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The Small Business Administration is offering an upcoming webinar series to try and help small businesses with their questions and concerns about how the new health care law will impact them.
Click here for more info.
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