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Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 Shelton-Mason County Journal Page 3
Kilmer hears constituents at t0wn hall meeting
By Gdrdon Weeks
gordon@masoncounty. com
U.S. Congressman Derek
Kilmer, D—Gig Harbor, lauded
the achievements of President
Joe Biden’s administration,
called Medicare and Social
Security “the most successful-
public policy programs of all
time,” and called forincreased
high-speed internet connection
at a town hall meeting Tues-
day evening at the Mason PUD
3 building.
About 100 people attended
the presentation by Kilmer,
whose district includes Mason,
Clallam, Kitsap, Jefferson and
part of Pierce counties. They
applauded when he said he
opposes privatizing Medicare
and called for less money in
politics. Many of their ques—
tions and comments focused
on concerns with Medicare and
Social Security.
The Port Angeles native
who now lives in Gig Harbor, g
focused his speech on two top-
ics: how to make the economy
and government work better
for people. He reflected on the
changes in the country since
2020, when COVID was “run-
ning and somewhat ruining
' our lives.” He praised the pas-
sage of the American Rescue
Plan under President Biden
and pointed to record growth
and the lowest unemployment
rate in 50 years.
Kilmer said Congress
should pass legislation to
reduce gas prices by cracking
down on corporate price goug-
ing; cutting the costs of child
care to . ensure Washington
families don’t pay more than
7% of their income on child
care; and help spur the con-
struction of more affordable
housing.
Kilmer is a member of a Se-
lect Committee on the Modern-
ization of Congress, which he
said has passed 202 biparti-
san recommendations. In Con-
gress, “There’s not enough fo-
cus on progress, and too much
focus on bickering,” he said.
Kilmer touted the biparti-
san' RECOMPETE Act that
helps communities that have
faced economic challenges. He
was part of the Congress that
passed the Inflation Reduction
Act because he said families
deserve a break. .
Kilmer said the district is
in the bottom one-third when
it comes to being connected to
high-speed internet. The CO-
VID pandemic proved internet
access isn’t just about watch-
ing TV shows but includes '
such personal business as ap—
pointments with doctors, he
said.
During the question—and-
answer session, Kilmer said a
balance must be struck in pre-
serving delicate ecosystems
while also meeting tree har-
vest targets, and praised the
country for providing weapons
to Ukraine to help their people
and preserve democracy.
. M y
HOODSPORT
MEDICARE
WELLNESS TEAM!
'lMEDICARE
WELLNESS ,
Mason Health
Mason General Hospital
Mason Clinic
l‘i
Daniel Burris, MD
If you have questions about the new Medicare Wellness
Program, speak with your health care provider or visit
Five hours before the town
hall meeting, Kilmer met with
the Port of Shelton Commis-
sion and staff members in an
informal conversation about
the port’s concerns and needs.
“What’s keeping you up at
night?” he asked them.
In unison, Commissioners
Kristy Buck and Sue Patterson
replied, “We need a hotel.”
U.S. congressman Derek
Kilmer spoke with the Port
of Shelton commission-
ers and hosted a town hall
Tuesday in the county. Jour-
nal photos by Gordon Weeks
fill
Amanda Proctor, ARNP
Mason Clinic Hoodsport
Primary Care
Terri Gushee,‘
10648
our website at www.masongeneral.com.