Redistricting splits Snoqualmie Valley between two congressional districts
December 30, 2011
Snoqualmie Valley is being split between two Congressional districts, based on a proposal from the commission tasked with redrawing Washington state’s political boundaries. The commission shifted boundaries to make room for a congressional district that has a majority of residents of minority ethnicities, and a new district centered in Olympia.
The plan cuts off neighbors to the northeast of North Bend and Snoqualmie, and moves them into the 1st Congressional District. Most of the residents in the upper Snoqualmie Valley remain in a more conservative 8th Congressional District, which now stretches across the Cascade Mountains.
Fall City and the rest of the lower Valley move into the 1st District, which remains the state’s one swing district.
Advocates see good odds for bill expanding federal wilderness area in Snoqualmie Valley
February 11, 2011
A bill to protect the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers has been re-introduced into Congress after an identical bill was held up last year in the Senate.
The previous bill’s leading co-sponsors —Democratic Sen. Patty Murray and Republican Rep. Dave Reichert — are again leading bipartisan support for the legislation.
But the bill faces a Congress with more members skeptical of environmental protection. Nonetheless, the bill’s advocates are optimistic it will pass — eventually.
Established candidates win in primary election
August 25, 2010
NEW — 12:01 p.m. Aug. 25, 2010
Established candidates led in early results from the Aug. 17 primary election.
The Si View Metropolitan Parks District’s $6.7 million bond measure staked a large lead in early returns, with more than 62 percent of votes cast for the measure. The district includes North Bend and parts of unincorporated King County.
Congressman Dave Reichert pulled ahead of a crowded field, including the Democrat, former Microsoft and Drugstore.com executive Suzan DelBene. Reichert, a former King County sheriff, led DelBene by 46 percent to 29 percent in King County. Districtwide, Reichert, a former King County sheriff and Auburn resident, opened a big lead against DelBene: 47 percent to 27 percent.
Leaders emerge from crowded 8th District primary
July 21, 2010
UPDATED — 10:00 a.m. Aug. 4, 2010
[Ed. note: The spelling of a name has been corrected.]
Eight men and women are running in the Aug. 17 primary election for Washington’s 8th Congressional District. But already, only two have any real chance of winning the general election — the incumbent, Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, and his main Democratic challenger, Suzan DelBene.
Both Reichert, a former King County sheriff, and DelBene, a tech-savvy businesswoman, have developed strong — and well-financed — campaign organizations. Each candidate has raised more than $1.6 million.
Only one other candidate, Democrat Tom Cramer, has reported any campaign contributions with the Federal Elections Commission. Cramer has raised just under $60,000.
House votes to increase Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and add protection for Middle Fork
March 18, 2010
NEW — 2:00 p.m. March 18, 2010
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation to increase federally-protected land in and around the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area, including the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness expansion bill passes House committee
February 26, 2010
NEW — 11:51 a.m. Feb. 26, 2010
Proposed legislation to increase federally-protected land in and around the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area has passed committee in the U.S. House and will be next voted on by the full House.
Alpine Lakes expansion legislation goes to US Senate for vote
December 23, 2009
Proposed legislation to increase federally-protected land in and around the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area has passed committee in the U.S. Senate and will be next voted on by the full Senate.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., co-sponsored the bill, which would increase the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area and designate the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic Rivers.
The bill was simultaneously submitted in the U.S. House by Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash. and several co-sponsors.
The bill proposes adding over 22,000 acres to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
The addition would include important lower-elevation lands and watersheds.
Congress designated the wilderness area in 1976. It is one of the closest blocks of wild forests to an urban center in the country and provides many recreational opportunities.
Designating the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic Rivers would permanently protect their free-flowing character, water quality and current natural value.
No vote is scheduled on the bill as of now.
Alpine Lakes expansion legislation goes to Senate for vote
December 21, 2009
NEW — 5 p.m. Dec. 21, 2009
Proposed legislation to increase federally-protected land in and around the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area has passed committee in the U.S. Senate and will be next voted on by the full Senate.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., co-sponsored the bill, which would increase the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area and designate the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic Rivers. The bill was simultaneously submitted in the U.S. House by Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash. and several co-sponsors.
The bill proposes adding over 22,000 acres to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The addition would include important lower-elevation lands and watersheds.
Congress designated the wilderness area in 1976. It is one of the closest blocks of wild forests to an urban center in the country and provides many recreational opportunities.
Designating the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic Rivers would permanently protect their free-flowing character, water quality and current natural value.
No vote is scheduled for the bill as of now.
Congressman personally thanks Valley volunteers
August 13, 2009
Iulia Zavodov looks forward to the day she moves into her new home in Snoqualmie.
The Zavodovs are moving into a home in the Koinonia Ridge neighborhood that is being built by East King County Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
“We love this place,” Zavodoz said.
Congressman Dave Reichert visited the site of the Zavodoz home, and another being built for the Ramsey Family, on Aug. 7 to thank the volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The two organizations have partnered to help make the dreams of future homeowners like the Zavodov’s possible.
Congressman Dave Reichert speaks with the Zavodov familly at a site for a Habitat for Humanity home in Snoqualmie.
Snoqualmie gets help for downtown improvement project
July 29, 2009
Snoqualmie is getting an extra $250,000 for its downtown improvement projects.
Congressman Dave Reichert announced the additional money July 23. It is part of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2010.
