Water + sewer

And the big check

Two years ago, I was campaigning for Congress in a small town in the district. 

I was talking to them about some big ideas. Democracy. Civility. How I wanted to help turn the page in our politics to something less angry.

I opened it up to questions. A woman raised her hand.

“We need a new water pipeline.”

I said, “You do?”

She said, “Yes. It’s 80 years old and it’s the main water line in our town. It’s a real problem.”

Other folks chimed in. Pretty soon, I was getting an education about local subsurface infrastructure needs, their impact on clean water, and how they limit new affordable housing options (septic only goes so far).

After that, I changed my speech. I talked about some big ideas, but I also started talking about water and sewer.

Then we won the election. A few weeks later I was putting my staff together and we began planning how we could help get this new pipeline.

I thought it would help to be on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but as it turns out, that’s a very competitive committee to get on as a freshman. I got onto the Armed Services and Science committees - which are great, just not for water pipelines.

But we still wanted to try to get the pipeline in the budget. So my office started working with the town. We got all the information we needed to make the strongest possible argument on their behalf.

Then budget negotiations were held up for months over government shutdown brinkmanship, as you recall.

The day the final budget was released, we quickly hit Ctrl+F to search the massive document for our water pipeline, hoping that it had squeaked through and made it in.

And it had. It was in the budget. This small town was getting a new water pipeline, which they had needed for years and which would unlock so much potential for them.

Our staff celebrated. It was an outstanding day and I was so proud of their work.

I asked my staff for the mayor’s phone number and called to tell her the good news. That was a wonderful phone call to make. The mayor was overjoyed. Government had worked for this small town, and in a big way. 

Replacing that pipeline had been a crucial need for many years, but it was going to cost roughly 25% of the town’s annual budget. Without some help, it just wasn’t going to happen. But now it was.

As it turned out, our office was able to secure funding for a handful of water and sewer projects throughout the district. It feels good to deliver on what I campaigned on, but even better knowing that some true needs are going to be met - and that they’ll last far longer than I will. 

The Big Check

After we had the final list of district projects that had been funded, my staff told me we should do a day of visiting some of the towns to announce the funding. Made sense to me.

But my staff and I disagreed on something: 

They thought those events should include the presentation of a large, novelty check. I wasn’t sure about that.

Here was our conversation:

“Hey folks, I’m fine with the events, but I don’t really want to do the big check thing.”

“Why not?”

“Just seems a little stereotypical. Going around handing out big checks. Doesn’t feel like me.”

“Jeff, everyone loves the big check. The big check is what everyone is waiting for. It’s a tradition. You gotta do the big check.”

“I just feel like I can say the amount of funding in my remarks and that should be enough.”

“No one is going to hear that. They want to see it on a big check.”

“Seems weird.”

“Maybe, but it’s true.”

Turns out, they were 100% right. We did three events, and at each one I spoke about why the project deserved funding, the impact it was going to have, and how grateful I was for everyone who helped make it happen.

And folks listened politely.

But then the big check came out, and BAM. Suddenly, folks weren’t just listening - they were smiling. Cameras came out. The memories were going to be from the big check, not from anything I said.

Lesson learned. The big check really matters to a lot of people, so don’t skip it.

“Ok Jeff, but what were the checks for?”

On this day, we had three: a new family justice center that will co-locate resources for survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking, a major technology upgrade for the nerve center of a police department in the district, and - as mentioned - replacing the main water line for a rapidly growing small town that will allow it to serve more small businesses and build more housing. 

“Great, now let’s see the big checks!”

Actually, I can’t do that. Ethics rules prevent me from using a photo from those events in an email like this. I can tell you, but I can’t show you.

But not to worry, that’s what A.I. is for. 

Here’s exactly what the check presentation ceremonies looked like:

And wow - A.I nailed it. 

Sometimes A.I. hallucinates wild stuff in these images, but not this time. Right down to my tie, this is exactly how it looked on that day. I don’t see anything out of place.

Campaign Update

I’ll only be home for a few days this month. Between D.C. and the campaign trail, this is going to be a very busy stretch. 

When people ask how our campaign is going, I tell them it’s a little hard on our family, but other than that it’s going well.

I’m home today, and we’ve got a bike ride planned for this evening. Might even finish building the birdhouse I started with my daughter last month that’s half-complete and sitting on our dining room table.

Marisa and I talk about how this is the part of our lives when we’re supposed to run flat-out, and how we’ll all come back together after it’s over.

The single biggest reason our campaign gets to be this active - outside of support from my family - is support from you. These newsletters have created a level of support we didn’t think was possible, and it’s unlocked so much potential for us.

If you can, I’d appreciate your support. We’ve got two options, both of which fund our campaign directly. For folks who use ActBlue, you can give here. For folks who don’t like ActBlue, you can give here.

Thanks again, and wishing you all the best.

Best,

Jeff