For Release: Monday, December 17, 2007
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661
FINAL BUDGET TO PASS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, CONTAINS INVESTMENTS IN REGION
Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced that the final appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008 is expected to pass the House of Representatives later tonight. H.R. 2764, the Consolidated Appropriations bill, contains funding for several important projects in Southern Illinois. The bill will next be considered by the Senate.
“This has been a long process, and it could have been smoother if President Bush had worked with the Congress to reach consensus legislation,” said Costello. “Unfortunately, the President refuses to make necessary investments in domestic priorities that will help our communities, provide greater access to health care and better educate our children. I have worked to secure funding for important projects in our region to fight the spread of methamphetamine, provide care for children and families dealing with autism, enhance our water infrastructure and maintain our economy, and I will continue to work to make domestic needs a priority of the federal budget.”
Projects include:
Commerce-Justice-Science
- Franklin County Sheriff’s Department - $258,500 to combat the use and spread of methamphetamine.
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale Center for Rural Violence and Prevention - $94,000 for research on how to better prevent crime in rural areas with a focus on three areas: violence against women, criminal justice processes, and public perceptions of crime, justice, and safety issues.
- Union County Sheriff’s Department – $446,500 to combat the use and spread of methamphetamine.
Energy and Water
- Alton to Gale Organized Levee Districts - $93,000 to finalize a design deficiency report and start the design for slide repairs. The funds will help levee districts in Alexander, Jackson, Randolph and Union Counties.
- Kaskaskia Navigation System - $2.937 million for operations and maintenance.
Labor-HHS-Education
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders - $234,000 to expand the Center’s research capabilities while also including more assistantships for interns, enhancing clinical services, and additional consultation and training for schools, other community service providers and parents.
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