Washington, DC – The U.S. Congress has approved an omnibus appropriations bill, which provides $388 billion to fund 13 government departments. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who voted in favor of the bill, today provided details about the millions of dollars in funding for California projects.
“I voted for this omnibus appropriations bill because it eliminates funding for a new generation of nuclear weapons and provides significant funding for important California priorities,” Senator Feinstein said. “Nevertheless, I have serious concerns with a number of the provisions included in the bill and also with the way the bill was put together.
“First of all, the bill contains an egregious provision that would have provided the House and Senate Chairmen of the Appropriations Committees with access to all Americans’ tax returns. Second, the bill contains a provision which could seriously undermine a woman’s right to choose. And finally, I believe the appropriations process is broken. Members and their staffs do not have enough time to consider the bill before they are asked to vote on it. I hope that in the future we will consider individual bills, rather than an enormous omnibus that we do not have adequate time to review.
“But ultimately, agreements were reached to strip the provision on tax returns and to provide an up or down vote on the provision relating to reproductive health services. So given these agreements, I decided to support the bill because it funds important California projects, eliminates funding for research and development of new nuclear weapons, provides $100 million in funding for interoperable communications for first responders, and protects California from possible cuts to federal education funding.
“It’s not a perfect bill. There’s no question about that. But on balance, I think it provides vital funding in important areas.”
Following is a discussion of a number of critical issues contained in the bill and a partial list of many of the projects important to California residents and communities.
CRITICAL ISSUES
New Nuclear Weapons
The FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report provides the following funding for the next generation of nuclear weapons:
- Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (100 Kiloton) $0
- Advanced Concepts Initiative (5 Kiloton or less) $0
- Time-to-test Readiness at Nevada Test Site $0
- Modern Pit Facility (Cannot be used for site selection) $7 million
“This is a consequential victory for those of us who believe the United States sends the wrong signal to the rest of the world by reopening the nuclear door and beginning the testing and development of a new generation of nuclear weapons,” Senator Feinstein said. “I'd like to especially commend Representative David Hobson (R-Ohio), Chairman of the House Energy Appropriations Subcommittee, for his steadfast leadership in removing this funding. This is not winning the war by a long shot. But it is a consequential step and should send a very loud message to the Administration.”
Federal Refusal Clause
The bill includes language which would allow any health care entity – a doctor, a hospital, an HMO, or insurance company – to refuse to provide access to abortion services and to refuse to provide patients with information or referrals about those services. This would hold true even if the organization or facility receives federal funding or if the organization or facility was required by state or local law to provide these services because, under this provision, doing so would be deemed “discriminatory.”
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) secured an agreement from Senators Bill Frist (R-TN) and Harry Reid (D-NV) that there would be an up or down vote on this provision by April 30, 2005.
“This provision would open the door to a wholesale restriction of access and information about reproductive health care services across America,” Senator Feinstein said. “It especially would have a major impact on low-income women and women in rural areas. Additionally, it encourages opponents of a woman’s right to choose to redouble their efforts to intimidate physicians with violence or the threat of violence. In my view, this provision represents a major step backwards, and I hope the Senate overturns it when it comes up for a vote next year.”
SCAAP – State Criminal Alien Assistance Program
The bill contains $305 million for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). This is an increase of $5 million from FY 2004. California typically receives 40 percent of SCAAP funding.
“SCAAP is critical to California, because it reimburses the State and local governments for costs associated with incarcerating illegal criminal aliens,” Senator Feinstein said. “While this is more funding than last year, it only covers a fraction of what is needed. This perpetual underfunding is a serious concern, because it puts added strain on State and local governments, who are already suffering from record deficits. Control of immigration is a federal responsibility, and local taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for it.”
Title I – Federal Education Funding for Disadvantaged Students
The bill does not include language which would have set aside $71 million in supplemental federal funds for 11 states (not including California) who will lose Title I funds because of most recent Census numbers which show a decrease in the number of low-income children. Title I in FY ’05 is expected to be funded at $12.8 billion, and California typically receives approximately 10 percent of all Title I funding.
“I believe that Title I education funds should go where our nation’s poor children are, but there was language in the Appropriations Committee-approved bill that would have set aside funds for states which have lost low-income students,” Senator Feinstein said. “If this language had been included in the final bill, supplemental federal funds would have gone to states that have a decreasing numbers of disadvantaged students, not to states like California, where the number of poor children continues to grow. It is imperative that funds be targeted to states with high concentrations of poor children.”
Perchlorate
The bill contains a total of $2.775 in funding to research the scope of perchlorate contamination and to cleanup wells that have been contaminated. Perchlorate, which is used in munitions and jet fuels, has contaminated drinking water supplies or the environment in 34 states.
“Perchlorate contamination poses a major threat to the health of Californians and all Americans,” Senator Feinstein said. “I am pleased that Congress has approved this funding to aid perchlorate clean-up and remediation efforts. It is imperative that we reduce the perchlorate in our drinking water and protect Californians, especially pregnant women, the unborn, infants, and young children, from this threat to their health. There is much more work to do to determine the scope and the severity of the contamination across the country, but this is a step in the right direction.”
Pierce’s Disease
The bill includes $25.278 million to combat Pierce’s Disease, which poses a grave threat to California’s wine and table grape industry.
“Pierce’s disease – caused by the glassy-winged sharpshooter – is the greatest single threat facing the wine and table grape industries in California,” Senator Feinstein said. “This funding is critical and will go for research to find a way to control the glassy-winged sharpshooter once and for all.”
PROJECTS
ENERGY AND WATER APPROPRIATIONS (PARTIAL LIST)
CALFED
The bill contains $8.5 million for CALFED-related water projects and storage feasibility studies.
“I am disappointed that the bill only includes $8.5 million for CALFED-related projects,” Senator Feinstein said. “However, I remain hopeful that given the $395 million authorization which Congress approved earlier this year, that CALFED’s share of federal funding will significantly increase next year. This would allow California to improve its water infrastructure and environment in a balanced manner so that we can prevent a water crisis in the State far worse than the energy crisis we experienced three years ago.”
CALFED-Related Projects
Environmental Water Account $1 Million
Oversight $500,000
Storage Feasibility Studies
- Los Vaqueros $1 Million
- Sites Reservoir $1 Million
- Shasta Dam $1 Million
- Upper San Joaquin $1 Million
Tracy Fish Facility $1 Million
Miscellaneous
- Feasibility and technical assistance to State of California
$1 Million
- Bureau of Reclamation – Administration $1 Million
SACRAMENTO FLOOD CONTROL
American River (Folsom Dam Mini-Raise, includes $5 Million for Permanent Bridge) $8 Million
American River Watershed (Dam Modifications) $6.675 Million
American River Watershed $5 Million
Sacramento Area $1.75 Million
Sacramento River Bank Protection Project $1.75 Million
South Sacramento County Streams $2.25 Million
OTHER ENERGY AND WATER PROJECTS
Tule River $3.5 Million
Los Angeles Harbor Main Channel Deepening $23 Million
Marysville/Yuba City Levee Reconstruction $3.686 Million
Oakland Harbor (50 foot project) $27 Million
Santa Ana River Mainstream $17.850 Million
Humboldt Harbor and Bay $2.864 Million
National Ignition Facility $311 Million
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS (PARTIAL LIST)
Land Acquisition
Six Rivers to the Sea $2.3 Million
Sierra Nevada Inholdings $1.5 Million
Six Rivers: Goose Creek-Smith River $2.136 Million
San Diego National Wildlife Refuge $1 Million
California Wilderness $750,000
Pinnacles National Monument $2.6 Million
Other
MTBE Study, South Lake Tahoe $500,000
San Bernardino: State Fire Assistance $5 Million
Elk Hills School Lands Fund $36 Million
Presidio Trust $20 Million
Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge – Conservation $540,000
Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge – Construction $1 million
Lassen Volcanic National Park – Construction $10.051 Million
Point Reyes National Seashore – Construction $1.885 Million
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE APPROPRIATIONS (PARTIAL LIST)
JUSTICE
COPS – Interoperable Communication (Nationwide) $100 Million
SCAAP (Nationwide) $305 Million
Southwest Border Prosecutor Initiative $30 million
Monterey County Street Violence and Anti-Gang Project $3.1 million
Merced County – “Meth is Death” Project $100,000
Fresno County – District Attorney Meth Initiative $310,000
Woodland Meth Enforcement $100,000
COPS – City of La Verne Police Dept. Law Enforcement Technologies $1.25 Million
COPS – Los Angeles County Sheriff Law Enforcement Technologies $750,000
COPS – Riverside County Sheriff Law Enforcement Technologies $250,000
COPS – City of Corona Police Dept. Law Enforcement Technologies $250,000
COPS – Orange County Integrated Law and Justice System $250,000
COPS – Sacramento County Sheriff Identification Information System $250,000
COPS – Kern County Law Enforcement Technologies $300,000
COPS – San Luis Obispo County Law Enforcement Technologies $70,000
COPS – San Mateo County Sheriff Law Enforcement Technologies $500,000
COPS – Oakland Law Enforcement Technologies $1 Million
COPS – Solano County Law Enforcement Technologies $1 Million
San Francisco Police Dept. – Records Management System $1 Million
California Attorney General’s “Safe from the Start” Program $750,000
Salinas Gang Violence Program for At-Risk youth $375,000
Los Angeles Community Law Enforcement and Recovery (CLEAR) $700,000
San Jose BEST At-Risk Youth and Anti-Gang Program $500,000
COMMERCE
Land Acquisition: Dos Pueblos $3 Million
Southern California Ocean Observing System – Scripps $1.5 Million
Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund $13 Million
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS (PARTIAL LIST)
City of Inglewood – Inglewood Senior Center $750,000
City of Stockton – Eldorado Teen Center $250,000
San Francisco – Old Mint Redevelopment Project $250,000
City of Davis – Davis Senior Center $350,000
LA Harbor/Watts Economic Development Corp – Parks and Rec. Site $300,000
San Diego – Food Bank Facilities $250,000
City of Redding – Stillwater Business Park $200,000
City of Fresno – Southern Fresno Industrial Park $72,750
City of San Francisco – Senior Homeless Facility $970,000
Sacramento Housing and Development Agency – Low Income Housing $500,000
City of Rialto – Demonstration – Perchlorate Remediation $500,000
Metropolitan Water District (MWD) -- Perchlorate Removal Study $500,000
City of Santa Clarita – Perchlorate Cleanup $175,000
Santa Clara Valley Water District – Perchlorate Clean Up $1.1 Million
Inland Empire Task Force – Perchlorate Wellhead Treatment $300,000
MWD – Final Design for Perchlorate Wellhead Treatment $200,000
Central California Ozone Study $1.354 Million
UC Riverside – Center for Environmental Research and Tecnololgy $350,000
Salton Sea Authority – Air Quality Mitigation Projects $100,000
San Joaquin Valley – Operation Clean Air Advocates $200,000
City of Santa Ana – East and West Reservoir Upgrades $400,000
City of San Jose – Water and Sewer Improvements $500,000
City of Eureka – Martin Slough Interceptor Project $500,000
City of Rialto – Water Infrastructure Improvements $150,000
City of Modesto – Neighborhood Storm Water Project $150,000
City of Redding – Water Infrastructure Improvements $350,000
Griffith Observatory $750,000
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS (PARTIAL LIST)
Surface Transportation
San Francisco Water Transit Authority – Ferry $1 Million
Santa Clarita – Cross Valley Connector $5 Million
Golden Gate Bridge Seismic Retrofit $5 Million
Marin Parklands/Muir Woods Visitor Access $1.278 Million
Otay Mesa – Route 905 $2 Million
Transit
Long Beach Transit Bus Purchase $500,000
Los Angeles County MTA Bus Program $2 Million
Los Angeles Trade Tech – Intermodal Links with Bus and Metro
$5 Million
Metro Red Line – Wilshire Vermont Station Upgrade $750,000
Modesto Bus Facility $1 Million
Municipal Transit Operators Coalition $1 Million
Sacramento Bus Replacement / Facility Expansion $500,000
San Francisco MUNI Bus and Bus Facilities $4 Million
Santa Clara VTA Bus Signal Priority Project $750,000
Sierra Madre Villa Gold Line Light Rail Station $1 Million
Sun Line Transit Agency – CNG Buses $500,000
Visalia Bus Operations Facility $250,000
Visalia Bus Replacement $250,000
New Starts
Los Angeles – Eastside Light Rail Transit Project $60 Million
Los Angeles – Gold Line Foothill Extension $500,000
San Francisco – Third Street Light Rail $10 Million
Santa Clara County – Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Corridor $2.5 Million
San Diego – Mission Valley East Light Rail Extension $81.64 Million
San Diego/Oceanside – Escondido Rail Corridor $55 Million
San Francisco – BART to SFO $100 Million
AC Transit – CAL Works Job Center $5 Million
General Services Administration
Los Angeles – California FBI Facility $14.054 Million
Los Angeles – U.S. Courthouse $314 Million
San Diego – U.S. Courthouse $3.068 Million
AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS (PARTIAL LIST)
Fruit Fly Exclusion and Detection $58.3 Million
Low Pathogen Avian Influenza $23 Million
Sudden Oak Disease Research $2.094 Million
Emerging Plant Pests – Sudden Oak Death $3 Million
Grape Genomics Research Center, Davis $3 Million
U.S. Agricultural Research Station, Salinas $3 Million
Exotic Pest Disease Research $1.945 Million
Pierce’s Disease Research $2.088 Million
Emerging Plant Pests – Pierce’s Disease $23.190 Million
Sustainable Agriculture Research $519,000
Viticulture Consortium (NY,CA, PA) $1.85 Million
Methyl Bromide Transition $3.131 Million
Import Inspection $12.874 Million
Pest Detection $27.132 Million
Wetlands Restoration – East Valley Conservation District $1 Million
Wetlands Restoration – Monterey Bay Sanctuary $600,000
Wetlands Restoration – Lake Tahoe Basin Soil Conservation Project $500,000
Cooperative Agreement with Municipal Water District Orange County $100,000
California Counties Pest Detection Augmentation Program $500,000
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