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Congressman Paul Tonko voted in favor of the fiscal year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 221-201. The bills will make a series of key investments in national priorities which will help strengthen the economy and create or save American jobs.

“Our number one priority is creating jobs, and these appropriations bills will do just that by making targeted investments in areas that will continue the work we’ve already started on by rebuilding the economy,” said Rep. Tonko. “It includes increased funding for infrastructure, health and education, which will create jobs, and invest in our local communities and workforce for the long term.”

Included in the bills are investments in highway infrastructure projects, which are estimated to create 1.5 million jobs, and $2.5 billion for high-speed rail programs. It also includes increased resources for worker training and placement initiatives, including programs with community colleges to prepare workers for careers in high-demand clean energy and high technology sectors.

Additionally, this legislation will strengthen the economy by investing in proven education programs like Head Start and innovative programs like the Teacher Incentive Fund to raise student achievement. It will also increase the maximum Pell Grant for 2010 to $5,500 – which is $1,500 higher than it was three years ago, helping make college more affordable.

This consolidated appropriations legislation is made up of six spending bills: Transportation-HUD; Labor-Heath and Human Services-Education; Commerce-Justice-Science; Military Construction-Veterans Affairs; Financial Services; and State-Foreign Operations. The five other annual federal government spending bills have previously been enacted into law already this year.

Today’s appropriation also includes $2.6 million dollars in funding for eight projects in the 21st Congressional District:

College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
 $500,000
 The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering will use funds for collaboration with the National Institute for Science and Technology to develop and deploy new Nanoscale measurement strategies.
 
Center for Engineering and Technology at Fulton-Montgomery Community College
 $300,000
 Funding is for phase two of the project to expand the Center for Engineering and Technology, which includes adding lab space and faculty to meet the needs of the growing high technology industry in the Capital Region.
 
Siena College At-Risk Youth Service Initiative
 $100,000
 Program is focused on increasing the high school graduation and college attendance rates for at-risk youth through education initiatives to improve learning and communication skills, in partnership with community agencies. Program will leverage the community outreach and service learning experience of Siena’s staff & faculty.
 
Watervliet Innovation Center, Center for Economic Growth
 $150,000
 Funding will assist the Watervliet Innovation Center in creating jobs by enabling early stage technology companies to launch profitable, sustainable businesses.
 
Nathan Littauer Hospital, Gloversville
 $350,000
 Funds will be used to expand the hospital’s emergency department to meet increasing demand and improve the efficiency and quality of treatment. Expansion will increase the number of treatment rooms from 13 to 21, expand floor space by 40%.
 
Cobleskill Regional Hospital
 $350,000
 Funds will be used to construct a new 100 bed skilled nursing home attached to the hospital, creating 120 new jobs. The news nursing home will be the only one in Schoharie County, following the closing of Eden Park in 2007.
 
Unity House of Troy
 $300,000
 The project will replace the existing 18 bed emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence with a new 25 bed emergency shelter and create 12-15 safe, affordable apartments in the community.
 
NYS Department of Transportation, rail crossing upgrades
 $600,000
 Money will be used to upgrade existing grade crossing warning devices at selected crossings along the higher-speed (90-110 mph) segments of the Empire Services Corridor.
    

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