Washington, DC—Last night, Representative Raúl M. Grijalva voted in favor of FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Bill, which passed the House by a vote of 253-154.
The bill provided modest increases to education, veterans and health, taking initial actions to correct the trend of the last seven years.
“While many of the funding levels in the bill are not at the level that we had hoped for, it is still a step in the right direction,” said Rep. Grijalva “It is my hope that the Senate continues the path of the current bill and does not add the rumored blank check for the President’s Iraq War.”
The House passed all of its appropriations bills before the August recess; however, tactics by the minority in the Senate to delay the bills and misguided presidential priorities derailed passage of individual appropriations bills.
Rep. Grijalva voted to support the bill, which included many great gains for the following:
Tucson Buses & Bus Maintenance Facility $980,000 – For the City of Tucson to purchase replacement buses to meet the Federal Transit Administration standards requiring the replacement of diesel fuel buses with clean burning alternatives; and to complete the final phase of construction of a complete bus storage and maintenance facility.
The Dunbar Project $245,000 – For a youth cultural center for the Dunbar Project – An African American Museum & Cultural Center located in the historic Dunbar School building in downtown Tucson, AZ.
Highway Improvements in Sells, Arizona $980,000 – For highway improvements on the the Tohono O’odham Nation.
Tucson Drainage Area (Tucson Arroyo), AZ $7,868,064 – For continuing construction on the Tucson Drainage Area.
Morris K. Udall Foundation U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution $2,000,000 – For payment to the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, which provides mediation and related services to assist in resolving environmental disputes involving Federal agencies.
Morris K. Udall Foundation Trust Fund $3,750,000 – For payment to the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Trust Fund, with language authorizing a transfer of up to 60% for the purposes of NNI.
Reintegration and Education Project for Disabled Veterans $335,043 – For The University of Arizona pilot project that will assist in the successful educational advancement and reintegration of disabled veterans returning from the Middle East.
University Medical Center Trauma Center Expansion/Replacement $406,767 – For Trauma Center Expansion/Replacement at the University Medical Center in Tucson, AZ in order to enhance the capacity of its Emergency Department to meet the needs of the community.
Tohono O’odham Community College $118,886 – To purchase equipment for Tohono O’odham Community College.
Indian Diabetes and Dialysis in Sells, Arizona $118,886 – To expand the Tohono O’odham Nation Diabetes & Dialysis Clinic.
Interdisciplinary Diabetes Prevention and Management Consortium $258,405 – For the Interdisciplinary Diabetes Prevention and Management Consortium at the University of Arizona.
National Hispanic Medical Association Project $478,492 – For development of an online portal where medical information would be available in English and Spanish for doctors, nurses, public health educators and consumers.
Pima County Wireless Integrated Network $634,500 – To assist Pima County, in collaboration with the City of Tucson, with development of a regional interoperable communications system.
Tucson Finger Imaging System Upgrade $94,000 – One-time funding to upgrade the City of Tucson’s and surrounding jurisdiction’s Automated Finger Imaging System (AFIS).
Tucson Methamphetamine Education Program $258,500 – To support efforts of the Counter Narcotics Alliance (CNA), a coalition of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, to combat a serious and growing problem with methamphetamine use and related crimes.
