Rick Larsen is a local guy who is committed to working on local issues. For him there is no “other Washington” – only the one we live in. Here are some of the projects that he is working hard for in the district and that make a real difference in our community.

Boeing tanker
Rick is working tirelessly to ensure the next generation of Air Force Tankers are built by the best aerospace workers in the world - right here in the northwest.

Shipbuilding
Rick supports the Skagit Valley College Marine and Advanced Manufacturing & Repair training programs that increase the competitiveness of the boat and shipbuilding, repair and refit industries of Washington state.

Whidbey General/Tricare
Rick successfully changed a federal regulation that will assist Whidbey General Hospital in continuing to treat military personnel, military retirees and their families. The rule change will require TRICARE to increase federal reimbursement payments for medical services to a level similar to that of Medicare, enabling Whidbey General to continue to provide needed care.

Intalco
Rick continues to work to keep over 500 jobs at Intalco in Ferndale. After a court ruling threatened the plant’s operation, Rick fought for a new contract that will keep the plant open into the future.

Naval Station Everett & Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Rick is committed to supporting Naval Station Everett & Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and improving the quality of life for military families in Northwest Washington. He has secured funding for several projects that will improve our bases, including a new wash rack to improve the safety conditions for our sailors at NAS Whidbey Island and a new training facility at NS Everett so our sailors can get their training on base and spend more time at home with their families.

Agriculture
Rick is working to ensure our local farmers have the tools they need to grow their products, export their goods, and create jobs here at home by fighting for a better pricing model for dairy farmers, making certain our crops are treated equitably, and helping potato farmers export their products to Mexico.

Veterans Clinic
Rick and local veterans worked to open a Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Mount Vernon that will bring veterans health care and services closer to veterans in the 2nd District. The permanent clinic serves veterans in Skagit, North Snohomish, Whatcom, Island and San Juan county. Rick started working with local veterans on this project when he first took office.

Medicare Reimbursement Rate
Rick fought to make sure the House health care reform bill included a fair deal for Washington state. Specifically, he pushed to protect access to health care for Washington state patients by ensuring that Washington state is rewarded, not penalized, for providing high-quality, low-cost patient care. The final House bill included language to fix the long-standing Medicare reimbursement problems that have hurt access to health care in Washington state.

Whatcom County Rapid Border Prosecution Initiative
Rick helped Whatcom County law enforcement purchase specialized software to interface with the existing criminal justice database. As a result, judges and professional law enforcement personnel will have more immediate access to vital information regarding offenders in the criminal justice system, which will greatly reduce the backlog of border-related prosecutions. Whatcom County bears a heavy burden processing and prosecuting cases that result from border-related crime, costing the county $2.1 million annually.

Emergency operations for Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Rick worked to enhance emergency power, water and air supplies at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Bellingham as well as to increase hospital security capabilities, to ensure the viability of the only major hospital in Whatcom County in the case of a disaster or mass casualty event.

Assistance for drug task forces
Rick helped the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force purchase concealed cameras and vehicle trackers, which are essential to the investigation of drug trafficking organizations. Suspects have become increasingly aware of conventional methods of police monitoring and tracking methods. The vehicle trackers help to accurately cover the activities of these suspects. The cameras allow for covert surveillance of suspects where more conventional methods have failed.

Illabot creek
Rick is working to designate Illabot Creek as a Wild and Scenic River. This legislation has the support of a wide range of stakeholders including environmentalists, fishermen and local elected officials.

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