Local Projects May Get Funding From Omnibus Legislation
Omnibus
The New Bedford Standard-Times
Cristian Hernandez
Boston University Washington News Service
02/27/09
WASHINGTON—Local projects may get up to $21.4 million in earmarked federal funding requested by Rep. Barney Frank.
The money is included in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which passed the House Wednesday 245-178.
“I am very proud of the earmarks I have sought for the 4th District,” Frank said in a statement. “They will help create jobs, promote economic development, and provide very important public benefits.”
Proposed funding for projects in the area include:
- $475,000 for the construction of YWCA in New Bedford.
- $1.6 million for the development of submarine sensor software.
- $380,000 for handicap access improvements for the Auburndale commuter rail station.
- $475,000 for the construction of a community center in New Bedford.
- $1 million for the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute.
“With other states around the country in line to receive project funding under the omnibus bill, I believe it’s important to make sure the people of the 4th District get their fair share,” Frank said.
The list of 22 earmarks also includes $423,000 for cranberry grower organizations, $950,000 for the building of a bus terminal and parking facility in Fall River, $95,000 for upgrades to the New Bedford airport, and a $285,000 for the South Coast Health System electronic records technology.
“The monies set aside for the Fall River but terminal will inject much needed jobs and funds into out local economy and help people get back to work,” said Fall River Mayor Robert Correira in a press release by Frank.
The legislation has been criticized by House Republicans for having too much pork. According to the government watch dog organization Taxpayers for Common Sense, the bill has 8,570 disclosed earmarks worth $7.7 billion.
In a press release, Frank’s office said that about 40 percent of the earmarks in the bill were requested by Republican House members.
Included in the bill are nine appropriations bills that will fund the federal government through fiscal year 2009, which ends Sept. 30. The Senate is expected to vote on its version of the bill sometime next week.
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