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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT
Emily Morris, 202-225-2965
Emily.Morris@mail.house.gov
REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ LEADS CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS URGING FUNDING FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANT PROGRAM & SANTA ANA STREET CAR PROJECT
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) led a letter with 16 members of the California delegation urging the House Appropriations Committee to fund $2.3 billion for the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant Program. This grant program would fund important transportation projects across California and in Rep. Sanchez’s district, including the proposed OC Street Car project in Santa Ana and Garden Grove.
“As California’s urban areas continue to become increasingly dense resulting in one of the most challenging clean air environments in the country, improving mobility helps address both congestion and environmental concerns,” wrote Rep. Sanchez and lawmakers. “We as members of the California Delegation believe investment in public transportation is paramount to the long and short term development of our infrastructure.”
The Capital Investment Grant Program administers grants for New Start, Small Start and Core Capacity projects which provide vital capital investments for transit programs including: heavy and light rail, bus rapid transit, commuter rail and streetcars. In addition to reducing traffic congestion, these projects create much-needed economic benefits through construction jobs, increased consumerism to small businesses and mobility for urban and rural areas.
Letter signees include: Rep. Xavier Becerra, Rep. Tony Cárdenas, Rep. Jim Costa, Rep. Susan Davis, Rep. Anna Eshoo, Rep. Janice Hahn, Rep. Jared Huffman, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Rep. Doris Matsui, Rep. Grace Napolitano, Rep. Jackie Speier, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Rep. Mark Takano, Rep. Norma Torres, and Rep. Mike Thompson.
The letter reads as follows:
The Honorable Mario Diaz-Balart
Chairman
Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable David Price
Ranking Member
Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
May 12, 2016
Dear Chairman Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member Price:
As you work on the Fiscal Year 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we strongly urge you to include funding for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Capital Investment Grant Program at a minimum the authorized FAST Act (Public Law 114-94) and Senate recommended level of $2.3 Billion.
We understand the fiscal constraints on the federal budget, however, funding for these transportation projects brings enormous economic and developmental benefits to the communities they serve. New Start, Small Start and Core Capacity projects provide vital capital investments for transit programs including: heavy and light rail, bus rapid transit, commuter rail and streetcars. The Capital Investment Programs in our state span from Northern to Southern California, and each project fills a unique need for our individual communities.
Programs considered for New Start, Small Start and Core Capacity grants must complete a competitive and comprehensive application process, and are rigorously evaluated for their cost effectiveness and environmental impact. In addition to reducing traffic congestion that impacts all of California, these projects also provide much needed economic benefits through construction jobs, increased consumerism to small businesses and mobility for urban and rural areas.
As California’s urban areas continue to become increasingly dense resulting in one of the most challenging clean air environments in the country, improving mobility helps address both congestion and environmental concerns. We as members of the California Delegation believe investment in public transportation is paramount to the long and short term development of our infrastructure.
Therefore, the California Delegation requests robust funding for all Federal Transit Administration approved projects under the New Starts, Small Starts and Core Capacity investment program to avoid delays in project groundbreakings and completion dates.
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