Markey Scores Ag Committee Appointment

The Fort Morgan Times seems pleased too....

http://www.fortmorgantimes.com...

Editorial - Markey steps up right off the bat

Any concerns about the 4th Congressional District giving up seniority and leadership in the U.S. Congress with the election of new U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey had to be alleviated to a great extent by some of Markey's initial actions in the nation's capital this week.

Residents of the rural part of the congressional district are also likely to be reassured that Markey, a successful Fort Collins businesswoman, would not forget the outlying areas of her district when she got to Washington.

Markey wasted no time in taking the lead to ensure that the importance of helping rural areas will be high on the priority list as lawmakers work on an economic stimulus and recovery package.

After seeing a report from the third-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House, Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, about the need to include rural areas prominently in any economic repair plan, Markey approached Clyburn with the idea of creating a coalition of freshman Democrats in the Congress to push that concept.

Markey influenced 19 other Democratic freshmen to sign a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, urging the speaker to place a strong emphasis on rural economic issues as the nationwide economic recovery plan is crafted.

"The infrastructure of rural economies is in crisis," said the letter to Pelosi, signed by Markey and 19 other new members of Congress. "The economic recovery and reinvestment plan must invest significantly in maintaining and upgrading infrastructure in rural and other distressed communities, which will create local jobs."

Clyburn praised Markey for her initiative in rallying the incoming Democrats behind the support of rural economies.

"Betsy Markey has shown real leadership in assembling a strong coalition of new members, many of whom represent rural America - all understand that the heartland is the heart of the American economy," Clyburn said.

As a result of her work, Markey was invited to join a congressional delegation that was scheduled to meet today with President-elect Barack Obama's economic team to discuss the stimulus package, according to Markey spokesman Ben Marter.

"Now that she's built the coalition of her colleagues, she has a voice with the incoming Obama administration to bring forward the concerns and interests of rural America," he said.

From all indications, that voice will be speaking loud and clear in support of rural America, and rural Colorado in particular.

"Rural development funds should also be allocated to benefit local schools, police and fire stations, hospitals and community centers," the letter to Pelosi stated. "...Moreover, funding for hospitals and rural and community health care centers is essential because of the enormous responsibility placed on rural family doctors...

"Assistance to education, health care and other programs is critical if we want all Americans to benefit from this economic recovery and reinvestment plan," the letter said. "...The needs of rural Americans must be directly addressed in this bill if we are to succeed in curbing the economic downturn and improving the lives of everyday Americans."

That sounds like exactly the kind of advocacy for rural areas that voters in the 4th District were hoping for when they chose Markey to represent them. We hope this auspicious start is a sign of more good things to come from Markey on behalf of her northeast Colorado constituency.

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by: rennes @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 09:11:52 AM CST

This is great

Maybe Betsy will beat 25% in Baca County now!

So let's be honest, this is a suburbanite district with some Republican rural counties stitched onto it. I know Rural Americana Handwringing is an expected ritual in our politics and in CD-4, but it is NOT representative of the district.

Markey's seat on Transportation is going to have far more significance for the district and for her political future.  

"It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!" - Nietzsche  

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by: twas brillig @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 10:59:30 AM CST

Perhaps

But it still looks great for Betsy. She's making all the right moves so far.

"Nice driveby spin" -- Libertad

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by: redstateblues @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 11:31:31 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Like Bennet, she hates city folk

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by: Jambalaya @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 20:46:18 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Good to see her getting this spot

Was this held up by the organizing process, or just because there were so many seats to shuffle?  Anyone know, or (Rep. Polis) feel able to comment on the process?

"I have come to the conclusion that the making of laws is like the making of sausages-the less you know about the process the more you respect the result."  -- Anonymous IL State Rep. circa 1878

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by: Phoenix Rising @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 11:59:39 AM CST