Senate Democrats BlogThe Hopper

Keiser: Join me on Monday, July 6th for online chat about health care reform 7/3/2009

The march toward meaningful health care reform continues in Congress. Like many of you, I am monitoring the proceedings very closely, and remain cautiously hopeful that we can move toward solving the cost crisis for our health care system with a federal-state partnership and a comprehensive public insurance option.

Keiser critical of aviation study results 7/2/2009

Just one day after the state’s Aviation Planning Council (APC) released its recommendations on how best to meet commercial and general aviation capacity in Washington, questions are being raised about the Council's work. The Council's recommendations include using local airport capacity at Paine Field in Everett, Olympia Regional Airport, Boeing Field and Bremerton National airport, but Sen.

Keiser set to host online town hall to discuss health care reform 7/2/2009

Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, will host an important online town hall to discuss the impact federal health care reform efforts could have on the state. Topics will include: Whether a public option to compete with private health plans should be offered How the state could achieve significant cost savings How current and past state reform efforts would be impacted by federal legislation The online town hall comes on the heels of a trip Keiser made to the nation’s capital where she met with key Congressional leaders and White House officials on the issue and urged them to include the choice of a public plan, affordability protections, and shared responsibility for health care costs in the federal legislation.

Eastern Washington wheat tour 7/2/2009

Sen. Rockefeller on a combine in Eastern Washington and on the WSU wheat research plots Last week I had the pleasure of taking a tour in Eastern Washington with fellow legislators Brian Hatfield (Chair of the Ag.

Ranker statement on NOAA Recovery investment projects 6/30/2009

Statement from Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Islands, on today’s announcement of $167 million in recovery investments for shoreline and marine habitat restoration by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: "Today US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced the distribution of $167 million by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) to help restore coastlines and natural areas across the country, including $16.

Washington receives $24.3 million in Energy Stimulus funds 6/30/2009

On June 24, Washington state was granted $24.3 million in Energy Stimulus funds for the State Energy Program. Our application was one of 10 states to first receive approval from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Keiser: Howard Hanson Dam Update 6/29/2009

As many of you may have seen in recent news reports, the abutment at the Howard Hanson Dam has been leaking at a rate greater than anyone knew. As of now, the Army Corps of Engineers still does not know what the cause of the increased leakage is or what the final solution to the problem will be.

Kilmer a three time winner of economic development award 6/29/2009

OLYMPIA — The Washington Economic Development Association has named Sen. Derek Kilmer a recipient of its annual LEADER Award for the third time. The award recognizes Kilmer’s efforts to promote economic development during the 2009 legislative session.

Photos: Hobbs Clean Energy Tour 6/29/2009

Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, toured the 3 Phase Energy Systems plant in Auburn recently to learn about the company’s new innovations that could create green jobs for Washingtonians and improve the environment.

Sen. Tom pushes 'Kollin Nielsen Memorial Bridge' proposal 6/25/2009

OLYMPIA — State Sen. Rodney Tom is spearheading an effort to rename a new I-405 bridge in Kirkland for a construction worker who died after being struck by a drunk driver while working on the highway widening project in 2007.