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Gluesenkamp Perez: “Our government needs to be investing in rural communities and making life easier for small businesses, and I’m glad to say I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to address both.”
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez kicked off the new year by putting in the work back home – traveling across Southwest Washington and meeting with the region’s teachers, community leaders, first responders, and trade workers.
During her tour, Gluesenkamp Perez discussed local funding priorities and new bipartisan legislation she introduced to help communities “apply for grant funding for vital improvements,” “access… grants for public safety,” and support rural EMS services.
“My work in Congress as an independent voice for Washington’s Third District is informed by the experiences of constituents across our district, so I truly appreciate everyone I had the chance to speak with today,” Gluesenkamp Perez said.
DCCC Spokesperson Dan Gottlieb:
“Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez continues to deliver for Washington’s working and rural families because she truly listens to their needs and concerns on the ground – and shows up for them in the halls of Congress.”
The Columbian: Rep. Perez talks shop with Washougal Career and Technical Education teachers and students
Griffin Reilly | January 24, 2024
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U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, toured Career and Technical Education classrooms like Zoeller and Weaver’s small engines class at the school Wednesday morning, speaking with staff and students about expanding opportunities in the trades.
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“It’s really, really good to be home,” Perez said after the tour. “(Trades teachers) are doing so much for, this sounds cliché, but for the future of our kids. They’re encouraging these young people in their natural abilities. That’s really valuable mental health work, and it’s never recognized as delivering the value it is.”
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Since her days on the campaign trail, Perez has advocated for increased federal and state funding for career and technical education programs. Last year, Perez attributed her controversial decision to vote against a Democrat-led effort for student loan forgiveness to an urge for trades school support.
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“Expansions of student debt forgiveness need to be matched dollar-for-dollar with investments in career and technical education,” she said after the May vote. “I can’t support the first without the other.”
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On Wednesday, Perez acknowledged programs are becoming increasingly reliant on local levy funding — specifically in smaller districts such as Washougal — and pushed for more support at the state and federal levels.
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“We definitely are looking to bring more parity” to career and technical education program funding, Perez said. “We cannot continue to privilege one form of intelligence over another. These kids have incredible gifts and we’re squandering them in many cases.”
The Chronicle: Gluesenkamp Perez meets with community leaders and first responders in Napavine
The Chronicle Staff | January 24, 2024
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Napavine received a visit from congressional Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, on Tuesday as she met with local businesses, officials and first responders in Lewis and Cowlitz counties about local priorities and her work in Congress.
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“I had a great day in Cowlitz and Lewis Counties meeting with the folks who keep rural Southwest Washington running — whether it’s our local firefighters, paper mill employees or community volunteers. A common refrain was that our government needs to be investing in rural communities and making life easier for small businesses, and I’m glad to say I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to address both,” Gluesenkamp Perez stated.
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“My work in Congress as an independent voice for Washington’s Third District is informed by the experiences of constituents across our district, so I truly appreciate everyone I had the chance to speak with today.”
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After starting the day in Cowlitz County meeting with members and leadership of the Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers (AWPPW) Local 153 in Longview, members of the Longview Pioneer Lions and the owners of The Villager Inn Retirement Center in Castle Rock, Glusenkamp Perez traveled to Napavine.
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In Napavine, the congresswoman sat down with Mayor Shawn O’Neill, Police Chief John Brockmueller and other city officials to learn about their priorities and see how they’re navigating continued growth as a small, rural community.
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They discussed local funding priorities, the congresswoman’s bipartisan bill to make it easier for communities to apply for grant funding for vital improvements and legislation she cosponsored to help rural communities access Community Oriented Policing Services grants for public safety.
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Gluesenkamp Perez wrapped up her day Tuesday by meeting with Lewis County Fire District 5 about her work to support rural fire departments and their equipment and funding needs. She spoke with them about her recently introduced, bipartisan PARA-EMT Act, which would strengthen rural EMS and address staffing shortages by making it easier for veterans to become certified EMTs and paramedics after returning home.
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The congresswoman has also advocated for grant programs to support fire department staffing and EMS needs as part of the FY24 appropriations process, according to a news release from Gluesenkamp Perez’s office.
The Reflector: Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez tours Southwest Washington to highlight career and technical education programs
Mitchell Roland | January 8, 2024
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Third Congressional District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, toured manufacturers and career and technical education (CTE) programs throughout Southwest Washington last week in an effort to highlight her support for careers in the trades.
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“Careers in the trades demand a high level of skill and expertise, and they’re essential to rebuilding American manufacturing and our middle class. Yesterday, I met with the folks who work these challenging jobs that are the foundation of Southwest Washington’s infrastructure, economy and timber industry,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement Thursday. “I’m working in Congress to ensure we reduce obstacles to entering the trades and rebuild the prestige of these careers — because our communities will be stronger for it.”
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The two-day tour of Clark and Cowlitz County began Wednesday with a tour of Vigor’s aluminum fabrication facility along the Columbia River, Thompson Metal Fab in Vancouver, Wolf Industries in Battle Ground and Western Forest Products sawmill in Vancouver.
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On Thursday, Gluesenkamp Perez visited the Longview School District’s Apprenticeship Preparation Program at Mark Morris High School, the Lower Columbia College Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Childhood Education Assistant Program, and toured USNR, a lumber mill machine manufacturer in Woodland.
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“By strengthening access to child care, ensuring students have robust technical education in schools and building out family-wage jobs in our woods, we can drive Southwest Washington’s economy forward. It’s why I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to do just that in Congress,” said Gluesenkamp Perez. “Before being sworn in, my husband and I brought our son to our auto repair shop most days because there were no other child care options available. Yesterday, I enjoyed speaking with parents who shared they can more fully participate in our economy and support their family when they have access to high-quality child care.”
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