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WALZ LAYS OUT DISTRICT’S NEEDS
Lawmaker says more transparency and accountability is "a must for restoring the public's faith in Congress"
For Immediate Release
April 8, 2008
Contact: Meredith Salsbery
507-388-2149
WASHINGTON D.C. — Continuing his fight to improve transparency and accountability in Washington, Congressman Walz today released the list of Fiscal Year 2009 projects he is forwarding to the House Appropriations Committee. The list includes funding requests from local officials in southern Minnesota for the National Guard, veterans, agricultural research, renewable energy, health care, education, flood control, Highway 14 and other public infrastructure improvements.
“Local leaders requested funding for these projects to improve our quality of life in southern Minnesota and benefit the common good,” said Walz. “These projects will produce a return on the investment made by the taxpayers of southern Minnesota.”
In 2007, Walz successfully pushed to reform the previously secretive appropriations process in Congress. Under new rules implemented by the Democratic Majority last year, any project funded in an appropriations bill will be publicly attributed to the Member who requested it. Additionally, Members of Congress must publicly certify that they do not have any financial interest in a project that they are requesting.
“Because I believe in making this process as open and transparent as possible, I am also taking the additional, unusual step of publicly releasing the list of the projects I have submitted to the Appropriations Committee on behalf of local officials in southern Minnesota,” added Walz. “My approach is to go above and beyond the new disclosure requirements and to be more open and transparent with voters, which I believe is a must for restoring the public’s faith in Congress and changing the way Washington works.”
It is the constitutionally-mandated role of Members of Congress to appropriate federal funding, and Walz said he is proud to work closely with local leaders in the First District to identify projects that are in the public good and will address critical needs facing our citizens.
These funding requests do not add extra spending to the federal budget. Instead, they set aside for a specific project funds that would otherwise be spent by a federal agency.
“Local leaders who are closest to understanding our unmet needs in southern Minnesota brought these projects to our attention,” said Walz. “I am pleased to stand up for veterans, farmers, the National Guard, educators, health care, flood control, energy independence, Highway 14 and other critical public investment projects.”
“While it is likely that only a few of these meritorious projects will ultimately receive funding, I believe it is important for residents of southern Minnesota to be able to see the list of projects I am supporting and I am proud to release this list of local priorities.”
Attached is the list of Congressman Walz’s district funding requests. Click Here
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