INVESTMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENT - 10/2
A bill to fund the U.S. Department of the Interior
and numerous conservation programs passed the U.S. House of
Representatives by a vote OF 348-69. This bill contains landmark
funding for conservation projects that will benefit environmental
programs in Washington State. This new conservation fund will
provide $12 billion over the next 6 years to help with park
maintenance back logs, build and refurbish urban parks, and
provide steady funding for salmon restoration projects. Also,
there are several projects within the Eighth Congressional
District that will receive direct support from this bill. They
include $8.6 million for the new Cascades Conservation
Partnership, $5 million for the Mountains to Sound Greenway, $4
million for the Bellevue-based company, Ramgen, for an engine that
uses methane gas to generate electricity, and $150,000 for the new
Henry M. Jackson visitors center on Mt. Rainier. Overall, this
bill provides $18.8 billion for Interior programs with $1.4
billion of the total dedicated to our national parks.
PROVIDING CARE FOR THOSE WITH HIV AND AIDS -
10/5
I supported S. 2322, the Ryan White CARE Act,
because it is a vital federal program for the prevention and
treatment of HIV and AIDS in our communities. This legislation
provides funding to help reduce HIV transmission from mothers to
their babies, improve tracking of the disease, and encourage
people to notify their partners about their HIV status. By
identifying and treating HIV at an earlier stage of infection, we
can reduce the transmission of the disease and save lives.
Most HIV and AIDS patients use a combination of
drugs for their treatment. I am pleased that this bill continues
our commitment to help pay the drug costs for individuals with HIV
and AIDS who have limited or no coverage from private insurance or
Medicaid.
EASING TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE NORTHWEST -
10/6
Reducing congestion on our freeways is vital for
continuing our economic growth and preserving our quality of life.
Over the past several years, I have worked to ensure that our
transportation needs in the 8th Congressional District are
adequately funded. This year, I was able to secure $3 million for
the Eastgate Park and Ride facility so that we can reduce
congestion on I-90 during peak traveling hours. I was also able to
obtain $2 million to purchase more buses for Sound Transit's
express bus service. Earlier this year, three new express routes
began service to Eastside communities.
Improving bus service cannot be possible unless we
can improve our highways by expanding HOV lanes. As such, I was
pleased to direct $500,000 for the City of Renton to improve the
NE 44th Interchange as part of the Port Quendall project. This
public-private partnership will clean up a contaminated site and
develope it for public use. This funding will help complete
predesign and design of HOV ramps to help expedite bus
service.
Lastly, I obtained $55 million for both the Sounder
commuter rail service and the Link light rail systems. Earlier
this year, Sounder commuter rail began providing services to
commuters in Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn and Pierce County. With
heavy congestion on I-5, commuter rail service is an effective
alternative for those who need to get to work without long traffic
delays.
