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Speeches and Floor Statements

CONGRESSMAN TONKO TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET -- MARCH 3, 2010

Washington, DC, March 3, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Testimony of Congressman Paul D. Tonko
 
 
 
 
 
 
House Committee on Budget
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 3, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chairman Spratt, Ranking member Ryan, respected members of the committee, I want to sincerely thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak here today. I represent the twenty first congressional district of New York, also known as the Capital Region. The area is home to many towns which saw a boom during the first industrial revolution. However, since those times, we have seen a dwindling population in response to more and more companies closing or moving overseas. In recent years, one of our prime focuses has been promoting research companies and funding to help revive the Capital Region and all of Upstate New York.
 
Even with the recent revival, we still have work to do when it comes to transforming our region back into an innovation powerhouse, as it was when GE was founded in Schenectady, NY or “the electric city.” To successfully accomplish this goal, we must see additional federal funding in the areas of energy, infrastructure, community development, and public health programs.
 
It is time that Washington fully invests in the sciences and works to truly promote an energy agenda. It is often quoted that “a crisis is a terrible thing to waste.” Mr. Chairman, we have a crisis in this country. Our country’s energy system is in shambles and it is time for us to lay out the blueprint for a bold new vision here in the United States. 
 
I believe that the budget should do much more to provide funding to the Department of Energy to increase funding for research, development, demonstration and deployment of energy efficiency, renewable energy, smart grid, and advanced vehicle technologies. I would recommend that the House Budget Resolution include robust funding for Function 270- consistent with the President’s budget proposal.
 
We need to drill and mine energy efficiency like we currently drill for oil and mine for coal; investment focused on demand-side energy solutions rather than simply through supply-side, which can be carried out by increased funding in areas such as the Energy Efficient Block Grant Program. 
 
As we did during the Space Race so many years ago, we must turn towards innovation and leadership on the energy front to lead the world again. We can effectively become the standard bearer in energy policy and energy sources by ensuring that we increase funding for Research & Development to put investments towards advanced energy programs -including advanced battery and storage programs.   
 
For decades, upstate urban cores, once the center of bustling economic and manufacturing activity, have been slowly eroding away. Urban areas in my district, such as Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Amsterdam, to name a few, served as the engine for our upstate’s economy and growth. However, for decades these cities have sat in a state of disrepair as the population moves away and businesses have dwindled. For the sake of our economy, environment and the preservation of culture and architecture, we must commit funding to rebuild our aging infrastructure and funding to preserve our most historical places.
 
Water and sewer infrastructure investments are crucial to redevelop our urban centers. Many of the towns in my district have water and sewer infrastructure which is over 80 years old. For safety, security and developmental needs, it is critical that we replace these systems. Local taxpayers cannot bear the entire burden of upgrading this essential infrastructure. New systems encourage both economic and population growth in urban areas.
 
Besides rebuilding aging infrastructure in our urban areas, we must also preserve sites that are historically significant. Doing so will increase community spirit as well as generate much needed tourism dollars. A new U.S. Cultural and Heritage Tourism Marketing Council and the U.S. Department of Commerce study revealed that cultural heritage travelers contribute more than $192 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
 
That is why for the fiscal year 2011 budget I support increased funding for the National Heritage Area Program through the Heritage Partnership Program of the National Park Service (NPS). Increased funding, which is at least equal to last year’s level, would preserve the ability of the National Heritage Areas (NHAs) to continue their work to sustain partnerships that foster job creation and economic, cultural, historic, environmental, and community development.  In addition to providing increased funding for FY11, I want to take this time to encourage my colleagues in Congress to work with me to find additional revenue streams for these vital programs.
 
I also ask that the committee reject the language in the President’s FY 2011 budget proposal as it would impose stifling limitations on NHAs. Most alarming is the language that would change the current distribution of funds used to support all 49 congressionally authorized National Heritage Areas by eliminating support to 22 of them.
 
I also consider the arts a very important part of not only the education of our children, but also our American culture.  This sector of the economy has traditionally been supported by philanthropic donations, as well as by state and federal dollars.  Unfortunately, because of the economic downturn, many art programs have seen their donations plummet, forcing them to lay off employees and reduce services.  This is why I ask that Congress increase support for the Office of Museum Services (OMS) within the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) program.
 
         Museums are a vital part of our communities and educational infrastructure. Each year, museums provide more than 18 million instructional hours to schoolchildren and educators and spend more than $14.5 billion in their communities. They are economic engines – employing more than a half million Americans, spurring local tourism and contributing to the cultural fabric of our nation.
 
Lastly, we must increase federal funding for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (CMHSBG), which is the single largest federal funding source for mental health programs. It is dedicated to improving state and local mental health safety net systems and serves over six million Americans each year. 
 
In these difficult economic times, more Americans are losing their health insurance coverage, and more states are facing major deficits and impending budget cuts.  Adults and children with mental health issues are accessing the public mental health care system in greater numbers, and state mental health authorities are reporting an increased demand for their services. At the same time, many states are being forced to cut mental health care funding because of the economic downturn. Just as we should make federal investments into programs that can improve our economy, we must also make investments into programs that improve the health of our nation.
 
Again, I want to thank Chairman Spratt, Ranking Member Ryan and the rest of the committee for allowing me to come in today.  

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