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Barbara Lee Supports Transportation, HUD Appropriations BillJul 24, 2009 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) voted to help spur our economic recovery and create jobs with targeted investments in a modern transportation system and housing assistance for all Americans. The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act builds on the work of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and our long-term economic plan to provide short-term help in the form of housing and jobs for those hurt most by the economic downturn and long-term solutions like improved infrastructure to put our economy on sound footing for the future. "Our nation is facing the worst economic crisis since the great depression," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "Millions of people have lost their homes and millions more are on the brink of foreclosure. The housing investments we make in this bill will help to keep families in their homes, support affordable housing, and provide assistance to those who are most vulnerable in our society. Additionally, the transportation funding we provide in this bill will help build on and sustain the investments we've made with the Recovery Act to improve public transportation, modernize and repair our highway infrastructure, and facilitate the movement of people and goods throughout our nation." The 9th Congressional District of California stands to receive over $3 million in federal funding through this legislation, including: * Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) - $1,000,000 for the "Berkeley-Oakland-San Leandro Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Improvements Project in Alameda County, CA" (Submitted Jointly with Rep. Stark): Authorized in SAFETEA-LU, this funding for AC Transit's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor along Telegraph Avenue/International Boulevard/East 14th Street in Alameda County will contribute to transit oriented development, reduce congestion and pollution, and provide a viable alternative to driving along a busy traffic corridor. * Alameda County Public Works Agency - $600,000 for "Sidewalk Construction in Ashland, Cherryland and Castro Valley Communities in Alameda County, CA": The Alameda County Public Works Agency is constructing new sidewalks in several unincorporated areas of Alameda County around the vicinity of several local schools. * Ed Roberts Campus - $250,000 for "Construction of the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, CA": The Ed Roberts Campus is the vision of seven disability organizations in California, which have joined forces to create a multi-tenant facility that will serve as an intermodal transit center as well as a transportation information and travel-training center for seniors and people with disabilities. It will provide services in a fully accessible, technologically-advanced environment located at the Bay Area Rapid Transit's (BART) Ashby stop. The Campus will serve approximately 2000 people per week, most of who will arrive by public transportation. * San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transit Authority (WETA) - $1,000,000 for "Berkeley Ferry Service in Berkeley, CA" (Submitted Jointly with Speaker Pelosi): The Water Emergency Transit Authority is a regional agency authorized by the State of California to develop and operate a comprehensive San Francisco Bay Area public water transit system. The WETA is in the process of finalizing ferry service from Berkeley to downtown San Francisco. Federal funding would be used to help pay for construction of a ferry boat to serve this route. * The Unity Council - $250,000 for "Fruitvale Community Cultural Center Rehabilitation Project in Oakland, CA": This funding will assist the Unity Council in rehabilitating the Fruitvale Masonic Temple to create a new Community Cultural Center to stage year round cultural activities and provide space for after-school youth programs to serve all ages, seven days a week. #DAL1234# |