As Father’s Day approaches, I wanted to share with you two recent proud parent moments. My daughter, Kristin, has just been selected to play Ariel, the lead in the new Disney On Ice show and will soon begin a national tour. My son, Casey, has just graduated from college. I was so proud when I watched him walk across that stage to accept his diploma.

This month high school seniors around the district graduated as well. For some of them, the future my son now enjoys awaits. Sadly, for local graduates the reach to a four-year college is exceedingly difficult - in 2010, far fewer Spokane County students finished a four-year program than those in the rest of the state and the nation.* Now, astonishingly, our current representative is making it even harder for our students to pursue their dreams.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers has lined up yet again with her Republican Party. Instead of helping Eastern Washington, she voted for a GOP budget that doubles the interest rates for over 7 million student loans. She has repeatedly voted for the largest cuts to student aid in history.** And when Democrats tried to reduce loan interest rates, she voted to exclude middle class families. Our students needed her help, not bigger bills.

College is an investment in people, in the human strength that binds and drives our communities and our nation. We cannot deny any American the chance to fulfill his or her potential. I will fight for education so every child in Eastern Washington has that opportunity.

Thanks so much for your support and Happy Father’s Day!

P.S. By 2018, 60% of American jobs will require a college degree. We need to make education a priority now in Eastern Washington. You can help by contributing $100, $50, or $25 now by clicking here: Save our Students!

*Community Indicators 2010
**HR 6049, HR 2669, HR 4241, HRS 653, HR 3010