Address: 117 Legislative Modular Building * PO Box 40408 * Olympia, WA 98504

Olympia Office: (360) 786-7614 * Toll Free Hotline: (800) 562-6000 * E-mail: Matt.Boehnke@leg.wa.gov

August 30, 2024

Farmer for a Day

Agriculture is the heartbeat of the Tri-Cities, fueling our economy and sustaining our communities. With deep roots as an agricultural hub, it is vital we acknowledge our local farmers’ incredible contributions daily. On August 14, I had the humbling privilege to stand alongside local leaders and farmers at the Farmer for a Day event, where we toured an impressive local food processing facility.

Exploring this facility offered a firsthand look at how our farming community powers our economy and provides thousands of livable-wage jobs for residents. The experience was a profound reminder of the dedication and hard work that goes into feeding our community.

The day included a boat tour of the Hanford Monument along the Columbia River. As I took in the breathtaking scenery, I was again reminded of the crucial role our local farming communities play in ensuring the vitality and prosperity of our region.

New energy grid storage receives federal and state funding

On August 13, I had the honor of joining fellow federal and state lawmakers and representatives from the Department of Energy, Ecology, and Commerce for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the $75 million Grid Storage Launchpad at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) north Richland campus. This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone, as the Department of Energy has selected PNNL to serve as the nation’s hub for advancing energy storage solutions in batteries for the electrical grid.

PNNL is the perfect choice for this pioneering facility, which is set to revolutionize our U.S. supply chain by producing low-cost, high-performance, and safe batteries. This, in turn, will accelerate the adoption of clean energy and strengthen our national power grid’s resilience, security, and flexibility.

Establishing the Grid Storage Launchpad propels the Tri-Cities to the forefront of battery storage innovation nationwide.

This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to analyzing and developing new materials and advancing battery technology, which is crucial for integrating clean energy into the grid. Long-term battery storage is essential for ensuring a steady supply of clean electricity, a key driver of Washington state’s economy. Moreover, the advancements in grid-scale battery storage will pave the way for new technologies, including those that power electric vehicles.

The new PNNL facility will focus on creating advanced battery systems using novel materials, ensuring the efficient and cost-effective delivery of electricity during power outages or when renewable energy sources are unavailable.

In an exciting leap forward, the Grid Storage Launchpad will employ cutting-edge methods, such as physics-informed data models, to discover new materials—a remarkable advancement for Washington State.

PNNL’s center will bring together scientists, engineers, DOE laboratories, and industry leaders to drive innovation and train the future workforce, creating numerous jobs in the Tri-Cities area.

I am deeply grateful to the Washington State Legislature for recognizing the immense economic potential of this research facility and for allocating $8.3 million in funding. A special thanks goes to former Senator Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick, for her instrumental role in securing this vital support. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the bipartisan support from our local, state, and federal elected officials, whose collaboration has been crucial in making this vision a reality.

Local Solutions to the childcare Crisis

Affordable childcare is a critical issue for thousands of Tri-Cities families. Unfortunately, the number of family childcare providers has dropped 20% over the past five years, making Washington State the third least affordable state for childcare.

Since 2019, while median incomes in Washington have risen by 5%, childcare costs have surged by 11-31%. This financial strain is making it harder for families to secure steady employment.

But there are solutions. On August 13, I met with Tri-Cities stakeholders and concerned families at the Child Care Strategy Summit in Kennewick, sponsored by the Tri-Cities Regional Chamber of Commerce. We tackled local childcare challenges and explored practical solutions to support workforce stability.

Amy Anderson, Government Affairs Director for the Association of Washington Business, delivered an insightful presentation on childcare businesses’ current challenges. Listening to the community firsthand, I better understood how this crisis affects local families.

I hear your concerns, and I’m committed to finding solutions. The lack of affordable, quality childcare is a statewide issue creating significant obstacles for our families.

Over the past 12 years, the number of children needing childcare in Washington has grown by 15,000, while the number of providers has decreased by 2,300. This trend is unsustainable, and we must act. Together, we can work to create better wages for childcare workers and incentives for providers.

A recent statewide analysis revealed that the lack of access to childcare has resulted in a $6 billion loss to Washington’s economy. As we approach the 2025 legislative session, I am dedicated to working together to find solutions that create more opportunities for Tri-City families.

Local Boys & Girls Clubs JAM

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties are dedicated to creating a haven where every child and teen feels safe, comfortable, and valued just as they are. Having lived in the Tri-Cities for many years, I’ve witnessed our local clubs’ profound impact on the community firsthand. Now, as your state senator, I am deeply honored to play a role in ensuring that our local clubs continue to thrive, offering a safe and nurturing environment for our youth.

Our 29 local clubs serve over 4,000 young people yearly, with 800 youths benefiting from these services daily. This remarkable achievement underscores the clubs’ vital role in our community.

In celebration of these efforts, the Club hosted Summer JAM in Kennewick on August 21. Hundreds of youths, families, and stakeholders came together to support the mission of our local clubs. I had the privilege of joining U.S. Congressman Dan Newhouse, state senator Perry Dozier, R-Walla Walla, and state representative Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, at this inspiring event.

Summer JAM holds special significance for our local youth and their families. The “J” stands for jobs, “A” for academics, and “M” for mental health—three pillars essential for the growth and well-being of our young people. The event offered a unique opportunity for local elected officials to witness the incredible work being done by our clubs.

During the event, I was deeply moved by the presentations from club youth and staff, showcasing the meaningful programs they run. One highlight was a virtual reality activity focused on career exploration, which was both fun and educational. It was a true honor to be part of this experience, and I remain committed to supporting our local clubs as they continue to grow and provide a safe space for Tri-City youth.

The Boys & Girls Clubs represent a powerful partnership between private donors and public investments from state and local governments. Summer JAM celebrated this successful collaboration, and I am excited to see the continued positive impact these clubs will have on our community.

Benton Franklin Fair brings our communities together

For the past 76 years, the Benton Franklin Fair has been a cherished part of countless family summer traditions. As the Tri-Cities’ most significant event, the fair has always been about bringing kids and the community together in celebration.

This year’s “Best Week of Summer” lived up to its name in every way, with carnival rides, delicious food, captivating exhibits, and top-notch entertainment, including the thrilling Horse Heaven Round-Up Rodeo. Over five days, the fair drew over 117,000 people to Kennewick, creating an impressive economic boost of $18.5 million for our community. Visitors came from 30 states and 171 cities across Washington, filling our hotels and contributing to the vibrancy of the Tri-Cities.

As I wandered through nearly every event and exhibit, I was reminded of the tight-knit bonds that make the Tri-Cities a special place. The fair celebrates everything that makes our area great, from the remarkable achievements of our local youth to the strong ties within our agricultural community. Being a part of it all was an honor, surrounded by many incredible people. 

I can’t wait for next year, and I’m crossing my fingers that we’ll see the return of The Beach Boys!

Sen. Boehnke Calendar

Sept. 2 | Labor DaySept. 3 | Benton County Veterans Therapeutic Court 
Sept. 4 |VAAC Town Hall – Benton/Franklin County
Sept. 5 | WTA Regional Meeting
Sept. 8-14 | Oslo, Norway Immersion Program
Sept. 17-19 | Spokane, AWB meeting
Sept. 20 | DSHS Facing Fentanyl Together Resource Fair
Sept. 22-25 | NCSL Wireless U, Bellevue