Announcing the winners of the 2021 Compass Award- Senators Jim Honeyford and Annette Cleveland

The Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA), on behalf of the 75 port districts in Washington, presents the Compass Award annually. The award acknowledges the hard work and dedication of legislators who have championed critical port issues. The awards recognize actions in the 2021 legislative session and a demonstrated commitment to port interests over time. This year WPPA recognizes legislators for efforts to support port issues that included funding for community airports, broadband, toxic site cleanup, and rural development infrastructure.

Senator Honeyford has served in the WA State Legislature since 1994, both in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.  Prior to the Legislature, Senator Honeyford was a teacher and coach and served on the Sunnyside City Council.

The Senator currently serves as Assistant Ranking Member of the Capital Budget on the Ways & Means Committee and on the Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks, and Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs Committees.   

Community Aviation Revitalization Loan Program (CARL):  Senator Honeyford sponsored a bill this session that permanently established the CARL program and has, to date, provided $10M in capital funding for the loan program.  (SB 5031)

The Senator is the ranking member of the Senate Capital Budget process through the Ways & Means Committee and through that has supported the use of MTCA revenue going towards remedial action grants.

The Senator been a champion for rural broadband, including precision agriculture, which ports have supported.

And, he has staunchly supported all the benefits of the Snake River dams as part of the Columbia River system.

Senator Annette Cleveland has served in the WA State Senate since 2012, and prior to that she worked in the health care industry and for the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.

The Senator currently serves as Chair of the Health & Long-Term Care Committee and is a member of the Housing and Transportation Committees.  She also serves as Co-Chair of the Joint Oregon Washington Legislative Action Committee designed to replace the Interstate 5 Bridge between America’s Vancouver and Portland.

This session, the Senator played a critical role in the passage of legislation to streamline state dredging permits on the Columbia River.  This bill was a priority for WPPA and certain ports during the 2021 legislative session.