The Bellingham Herald - Election View: Rick Larsen Sees Transportation Repairs as Aid to Economy

Op-Ed

By Richard Larsen

Born and raised in Arlington, my family has called Northwest Washington home for over a century. My mom and dad raised me and my seven brothers and sisters with the values I now teach my own children: work hard, care for each other and give back to your community. These same values of service and community are what continue to motivate me and drive my priorities.

I am committed to helping create jobs in the Pacific Northwest, protect Washington state's environment and make it easier for people to participate in our democracy. Creating jobs and rebuilding the middle class remain my top priority. There is no better place to start than by raising the minimum wage. Washington state has a minimum wage that is the envy of many others, but there is more to be done. I will work hard in Congress to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 and tie future increases to inflation so hardworking parents can put food on the table and keep roofs over their families' heads. But to truly build up the middle class, we need to put people back to work.

The best way to create jobs and strengthen the middle class in Whatcom County is to invest in our transportation network. I want to put people to work repairing our roads, bridges, highways and transit systems. For every $1 billion the federal government spends on our highway and road projects we bring roughly 34,800 living wage jobs to our community. I am pushing for a robust transportation bill, and I have introduced legislation that would help our small cities rebuild their local roads.

From my visits around the district, it is clear that you want a representative in Congress who will deliver for your local community and end the partisan gridlock in D.C. That is why I have worked hard to pass legislation and find local solutions by working across the aisle. I worked with Republicans to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, which helps companies of all sizes, from Boeing to small businesses here in Whatcom County, export their goods -- not their jobs -- overseas.

I was able to garner bipartisan support for funding that would help protect critical salmon habitat in Northwest Washington. And I continue to fight to protect the vibrant fishing in Bristol Bay, Alaska, from mining activities that could harm the delicate habitat. Thousands of Washington fishers and processors depend on these fisheries for their livelihoods.

I stood with our students at Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College and other colleges across the country to make sure they were not slammed with a doubling of the interest rates they pay for student loans.

And I am fighting to expand opportunities for everyone to participate in our democracy. I am working to destroy any barrier that prevents people who are registered to vote from exercising that right. And I am fighting to end special interests' influence in Congress and pass a constitutional amendment to undo the Citizens United decision.

But my work in Congress is not done.

Over the next two years, we must reform America's broken immigration laws by establishing a clear pathway to citizenship that recognizes the role that many play in our economy and keeps families together. We need a more balanced approach to balancing our budget, one that protects the guaranteed benefits of Social Security and Medicare. And we need a thoughtful and deliberate approach to growing foreign policy concerns.

I believe I am the right person for the job.

As your Congressman I have dedicated my time and energy to improving our economy, supporting our communities and working across the aisle to get things done. I am deeply committed to bettering the 2nd District and believe that I am the right candidate for the job.

I am Rick Larsen and I am asking for your vote.

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