Economy & Jobs
As your representative, I work every day to support our local economy and help Northwest Washington businesses thrive and create family-wage jobs. I am working to invest in small and medium-sized businesses so they can succeed in global economy, secure transportation investments to will keep our economy moving, keep electricity rates reliable and affordable and support our community colleges as they train workers for highly-skilled jobs in our region.
Investing in Transportation
Sound investments in transportation keep our economy moving. Every $1 billion we spend on highways and road projects creates 47,000 new jobs in our communities. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I was able to secure over $52 million dollars in transportation projects for the Second Congressional District in the 2005 bill to reauthorize surface transportation spending. These projects will relieve congestion, improve safety and spur economic growth in our communities. As we move to reauthorize this legislation in 2009, I will continue working to invest in transportation to keep our families safe and our economy on track.
Helping Small Businesses Thrive
Small businesses are the heart and soul of our Northwest economy. They account for half of our gross domestic product and more than half of jobs nationwide. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I work to support small businesses by increasing access to capital, ensuring fair access to federal contracts and reducing burdensome paperwork and regulations. We need to strengthen federal investments in initiatives that work, like Small Businesses Development Centers. Our Small Business Development Centers in Bellingham, Everett and Mount Vernon serve as important resources for small businesses and local entrepreneurs and help small businesses get off the ground and succeed in the global marketplace.
Keeping Electricity Rates Low
Snohomish County residents and businesses pay some of the highest power rates in Washington state. I will continue to work to save jobs in the Pacific Northwest by fighting short-term rate increases and by working with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) on their long-term rates. Rate increases impact not only your monthly electrical bill, but also workers at Boeing, Intalco, Kimberly-Clark and other large and small businesses in our region. As a member of the Northwest Energy Caucus, I will continue working to keep electricity rates affordable and reliable for our businesses and families.
Preparing for the 2010 Olympics
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games are fast approaching and will have a big impact on the Second Congressional District. The Games present our community with great possibilities and challenges. As co-chair of the Governor's 2010 Olympics Task Force, I have helped to lead the state in our efforts to meet security challenges and take full advantage of the economic possibilities of the Games.
Helpful Websites
- Small Business Administration
- Bellingham Whatcom Chamber of Commerce
- Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce
- Skagit County Chambers of Commerce
- South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce
- The Everett Area Chambers of Commerce
- The Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce
- San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce
- Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce
- Washington State Employment Security Department
- Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
- Economic Development Council of Snohomish County
- Economic Development Association of Skagit County
- Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Council
- Island County Economic Development Council
- Western Washington University Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- Mount Vernon Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- Worksource Washington