| Permit and funding problems persist with Oregon-led CRC proposal |
Our need to modernize and upgrade the I-5 corridor over the Columbia River has not changed. However, the current Oregon-led proposal continues to face serious permitting and funding flaws.
If a flawed process is used to issue a permit for the CRC, it will expose the project to multiple lawsuits that the government could easily lose, potentially tying up or stopping the project altogether and wasting even more time and money.
At this point, neither the Washington or Oregon state legislatures have approved funding for the CRC project as required by federal law. There also is no funding in place for maintenance and operation of light rail – another costly component of the proposed project. On behalf of Southwest Washington citizens, I’m deeply concerned that this project becomes “light rail to nowhere.”
Last week, I sent letters to the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary and the U.S. Coast Guard to inject transparency into the bridge replacement process and gain information to confront these concerns.
Read more about my letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx HERE.
Read more about my letter to U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr HERE.
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Clark residents deserve more health care options
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When it was announced last month that Clark County residents would only have one insurance provider for health care plans, I joined local Republican and Democrat lawmakers to confront the problem.
The Washington Health Benefit Exchange was created by the massive 2010 federal health care overhaul, and was promised to increase choices for families and individuals. The exchange was supposed to offer folks the chance to compare benefits and prices among multiple providers and choose insurance plans that best fit their needs and budgets. Unfortunately, in early August, a monopoly was granted to a single provider.
Three weeks ago, I joined 15 of Clark County’s elected legislators in a letter to Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, calling on him to expand health insurance provider options for Clark County residents participating in the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Read the letter here).
While there are now two more insurance providers allowed to offer plans in Clark County, residents of Clark still have the fewest health care plan choices of any county in Washington state. Additionally, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Skamania, and Klickitat Counties will only have plans from two insurance providers. It's disappointing that the federal health care overhaul has resulted in fewer choices and rising costs for folks in our region. I remain committed to providing better patient-centered health care reforms that will deliver quality, affordable health care options to families and individuals in Southwest Washington.
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| TOP NEWS |
COLUMBIAN: Herrera Beutler seeks CRC info
READ MORE HERE
COLUMBIAN: Herrera Beutler says revived CRC plan doesn't qualify for federal money
READ MORE HERE
LONGVIEW DAILY NEWS: Herrera Beutler hoping family's story sparks further study of Potter's Syndrome
READ MORE HERE
CHRONICLE: County Commission Reviews Floodplain Ordinance Update
READ MORE HERE
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| Resident Spotlight: With help, wedding able to proceed |
Brian Sherbahn, a disabled veteran from Vancouver, came to my office because he was having issues with withheld Social Security payments. We were happy to help and contact the Social Security department on his behalf. He was thrilled when the agency responded to us that it would restore his payments quickly. From Brian’s thank you note:
"I am getting married to my sweetheart on Saturday and due to your efforts I have had my money returned and there will be a beautiful wedding. Thank you again."
If you are in need of assistance with a federal agency, please go to my website or call my office at (360) 695-6292. |
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