Patty Murray's Washington View
PATTY MURRAY'S WASHINGTON VIEW
U.S. Senator Patty Murray's Weekly Report to the People of Washington - September 9, 2005
Support for Victims of Katrina
For nearly two weeks, we've seen devastating images from
Gulf Coast communities as families struggle to cope with the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. My thoughts and prayers go
out to everyone who has been touched by this disaster.
People have come up to me everywhere I've gone in our
state over the last week, and my office has been inundated
with calls from Washington state residents who are really
horrified at the conditions they have seen on TV. They are
asking what the can do to help.
But they are also asking how this could have happened.
They are upset, and with good reason. Our government
failed in its initial response. We now have to see that we
succeed in this ongoing recovery and that certainly is my
focus right now.
Last Friday, the Senate joined the House in approving $10.5
billion in funding for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. And
Thursday night, we also passed $51 billion in emergency
funding for these efforts.
While this funding will allow us to get help to the people
whose lives have been shattered by this tragedy, billions
more will be needed. I stand ready to work with my
colleagues to provide whatever funding is needed for those
efforts. On Tuesday, I delivered a Senate floor speech to
express my sympathy and support for Americans touched by
this disaster.
You can read it at my Web site:
http:murray.senate.gov
There, you'll also find links to some of the organizations to
which Americans are donating their time and money. I invite
Washingtonians to participate, and I want to thank everyone
who is working to help respond to this tragedy.
Remembering Chief Justice Rehnquist
Last Saturday, our nation lost a dedicated public servant in
Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Chief Justice Rehnquist
served honorably on our nation's highest court for over three
decades, a tenure marked by historic milestones and
decisions that will shape the lives of the American people for
generations to come.
While I often disagreed with his decisions, I admired Chief
Justice Rehnquist's dedication to our country, and his ability
to work with and respect the views of his fellow justices.
Increasing Access to Higher Ed.
Also on Thursday, we took an important step forward to help
students attend college or go on to a good career. One of my
Senate committees passed an update to the Higher
Education Act (HEA). I worked to include some important
provisions in the bill, including:
- Increasing Pell Grants by $300 per year;
- Giving foster and homeless students easier access to
higher education;
-In creasing training for literacy coaches in high schools,
and providing more help for high school students to
continue on to higher education or careers.
I also worked to include a provision in the bill that will allow
for student loan deferments for members of the U.S. Armed
Services. I know we're asking so much of our men and
women in uniform and their families. We have an obligation
to make it easier for them when they return home. These
deferments will give them a little more peace of mind as
they bravely fight to defend us all.
One area I will continue to work on is finally and fully closing a
loophole in the federal student loan program that has cost
taxpayers billions over the past decade. The very lucrative "9.5%
loans" were supposed to have ended more than ten years ago,
but they are still being issued today. Borrowers currently pay only
3.37% interest on these loans, but taxpayers provide lenders with
a subsidy for the remaining 6.13%. This amounts to a massive
giveaway of taxpayer funds, and I'm fighting to change that. The
bill will next move to the full Senate for consideration.
Fighting for Working Families
PENSIONS - A GOOD FIRST STEP: The retirement security of
American workers is critical in these uncertain economic times. As
I travel across Washington state, workers often ask me whether
their pensions will be there for them when they retire. Retirees
wonder how long their monthly checks will continue. In our state
we have over 1.1 million active and retired workers who are, or
will be receiving, a pension in the future.
As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and
Pensions (HELP) Committee, I have been working with my
colleagues over the last several months to develop legislation that
will shore up and protect our nation's pension system long term.
On Thursday, I supported a pension reform bill in the HELP
Committee - the Defined Benefit Security Act - that I believe is a
good first step for workers. Specifically, the bill passed by the
Committee will:
- Improve pension plan funding;
- Provide more predictable rules for companies;
- Provide better information about the plans financial condition;
- Help to prevent future pension terminations;
- Shore up multi-employer plans;
- Provide new rules for cash-balance hybrid conversions; and
- Clarify that retirement plans sponsored by tribal governments
are entitled defined-benefit tax treatment.
I know that pensions, along with private savings and Social
Security, are a critical component of American workers'
retirement security. I'm committed to ensuring workers in our
state receive the pensions they have worked so hard to earn.
KATRINA RELIEF WORKERS DESERVE FULL PAY/BENEFITS:
Currently, some in government and industry are attempting to
suspend Davis-Bacon prevailing wage laws for the people working
to clean up the damage from Hurricane Katrina. This is a terrible
- and dangerous - proposition. These brave men and women are
risking their lives, working extremely hazardous conditions to
rescue the stricken and rebuild devastated areas. We must
provide them with full pay and healthcare benefits. I'll fight
against any proposition that threatens to take away the full
compensation and peace of mind these heroes deserve.
Improving Bus Service in Jefferson Co.
Last Friday, I announced a $1.77 million federal Department of
Transportation grant to Jefferson Transit for land acquisition, final
design, project management and construction of an
administrative and maintenance bus facility in Port Townsend. I
secured the funds as the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate
Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the
Judiciary, and Housing and Urban Development.
Jefferson County's Transit services have experienced rapidly
growing demand in recent years. This new facility will allow for
increased maintenance and repair capabilities, as well as new
administrative offices for Jefferson Transit. I'm glad to be able to
support these improvements and keep our state moving.
http://murray.senate.gov/news/050909-waview.pdf