Dear friends and neighbors,
As we head into the final weeks of 2024, I’ve been doing what many of you are likely doing as well: reflecting on the highs and lows of the year, and wondering how time flew by so quickly. This was my first full year serving our Kitsap community as State Rep., and I’m honored and grateful to be heading back to Olympia in January to continue working for my Kitsap neighbors.
Here’s some highlights from the last few months, and a preview of what I’ll be working on during the 2025 session that starts on January 13.
Protecting Puget Sound
Protecting Puget Sound isn’t just a fancy tagline – for the people of Kitsap it’s an endeavor that impacts all of us. I got plugged in on Puget Sound recovery after joining a Suquamish Elder during a beach cleanup in 1st grade, a life-changing experiencing I’ve had the joy paying forward by supporting the next generation of young conservationists. Recently I got to join students from Ordway Elementary for a beach cleanup along the shores of Eagle Harbor.
This year I’ll be serving on the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee which has jurisdiction over Puget Sound recovery. My journey to learn more about the issues that might come before the committee took me to the Kelp Symposium hosted by the Suquamish Tribe and Puget Sound Restoration Fund where I learned about the remarkable impact of kelp in salmon and orca recovery. I also joined Port Gamble S’Klallam for a morning of salmon spawning. This November, the hardworking PGST hatchery team led by Mike Jones spawned over 1 million chum salmon eggs! Their team is building an impressive blueprint for Hood Canal salmon recovery.
Enjoying a beach cleanup day with students from Ordway Elementary
Fix our Ferries
We must restore reliable ferry service so neighbors across Kitsap can get to work, get to school, and get to the doctor. As the Vice Chair of the Maritime Caucus, I hosted representatives from across the state to tour Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility and hear directly from the engineers and technicians who repair our ferries.
Our delegation also toured MITAGS, the institute in Seattle that trains maritime professionals including our ferry workforce. It was a great opportunity to see how investments are creating a stronger talent pipeline for WSF.
At the “Fix our Ferries summit” in November, I met with community leaders from the San Juans, Whidbey, Port Townsend, Kitsap, and Vashon to talk about finding and securing funding for reliable ferry service. One of the key takeaways is to introduce the “Mosquito Fleet Act 2025” for passenger-only fast ferries to help communities hit hard by reduced WSF service, like Kingston and Bremerton. I’m eager to lead this legislation.
Despite the State’s financial challenges and fiscal headwinds, we are building strong support across Washington for ferry investments. You can help make it happen. Stay tuned for our next round of Fix our Ferries Townhalls and an Olympia advocacy day by following my Facebook page or sharing this e-news with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Pictured with Chris Draper, expert WSF machinist who helps lead repairs at Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility.
Working for Working Families
Times are tough. I grew up in Kitsap and as someone who is deeply rooted and invested in this community, I hate seeing my neighbors across the Peninsula getting crushed by rising costs. I am heading to Olympia this session with laser-focus on passing policies that give everyone and every family access to affordable childcare, affordable healthcare, affordable housing, and affordable education.
Over the last few months I had the pleasure of visiting folks from organizations across the district and around the Sound on my search for solutions:
- Joined the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance to discuss strategies and partnership opportunities to expand childcare. Thank you to KEDA board members for the discussion and sharp strategies.
- Met with the terrific team at Olympic College and Kitsap Mental Health Services to explore building more healthcare pathways programs so we can train a stronger workforce of nurses, techs, and clinicians to better serve Kitsap.
- Toured the Port Angeles Puget Sound Pilots station to better understand the role of cargo ships, public ports, and maritime infrastructure in our supply chain. 90% of everything we buy comes off a ship so investing in our maritime supply chain is key to stabilizing the cost of groceries, gas, and medicine.
On Puget Sound with the Puget Sound Pilots in Port Angeles.
Supporting Students and Public Schools
Every child deserves a great public education. I am the proud product of Kitsap K-12 public schools, and will continue to make funding public education a priority. One of the best parts of my role as State Rep is connecting with Kitsap youth to demystify government and remind young people their voices and energy are needed. Here are a few highlights over these past months:
- Attended high school graduations at Kingston, Olympic, Bainbridge, and Bremerton, along with graduations at Olympic College, PSNS Shipyard Apprentices, and Kitsap Fire Academy to celebrate the hard work and achievement of grads.
- Handed out back-to-school class schedules for Cougars at Central Kitsap High School
- Spoke to Bainbridge High before the Homecoming football game (pep talk didn’t work, congrats North Kitsap on the rivalry win!)
- Spoke to Vinland Elementary, Island School, and Woodward Middle School on ways to get involved and make a difference
- Was honored to speak to Kingston Middle School students at the annual Veterans Day Assembly to salute Kitsap’s veterans. I shared lessons from my Grandpa Charlie (Marines) and Grandpa Kick (Navy Seabees) that still guide me today
- Hosted Bremerton High AP Gov class at the capitol and heard smart suggestions to boost youth mental health and expand Safe Routes to School
At the Capitol building in Olympia with the Bremerton High School AP Government class.
Share your thoughts
How can we improve ferry service despite budget cuts and what should we do to protect our clean waters and wildlife?
I’d love to hear from you. You can email Greg.Nance@leg.wa.gov, write, or call.
This is a divisive time in politics, and we are facing a tough budget year. These challenges are an opportunity to come together and work across the aisle to deliver for the hardworking people of Washington.
If you’ve taken the time to write to our office, send me a Facebook message, attend a townhall, or say hello in the community – thank you! Hearing your concerns, your stories, and your suggestions is how I learn about the issues that matter most to you. Please reach out if you need help, or have any questions or suggestions.
As always, it’s an honor to represent our Kitsap community.
All the best,
Greg
