Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 10, 2009

CONTACT: MARA LEE

(202) 225-7163                                                                   

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D – Sacramento) joined her colleagues in passing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, H.R. 3288.  This bill will provide Sacramento projects and programs with $40,055,000 in funding through Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 from the federal government.

“When the State of California faces a staggering budget shortfall, it is critical that federal dollars bolster our community,” said Matsui.  “From light rail, to accessible sidewalks, anti-truancy programs and law enforcement services, this funding will help the Sacramento Region continue to thrive.”

Of the over $40 million appropriated to Sacramento in this act, $38,000,000 will be directed toward an extension of light rail in south Sacramento.  This project was the largest allocation for Sacramento in FY 2010, and was a collaborative effort amongst Rep. Matsui, Senator Boxer, Senator Feinstein, and President Obama.  The project, an expansion Regional Transit (RT) existing South Line service further south to Cosumnes River College.

“The extension of light rail service further into south Sacramento is a great step forward for our city,” said Matsui.  “With this public transit expansion, we have the opportunity to create hundreds of jobs, create alternative transit options for Sacramento families, reduce traffic, and improve the quality of our air by taking cars off our roads at peak hours.  This project is just a symbol of the continued modernization of and federal investment in Sacramento, as we position ourselves as the clean-tech capital.”

Rep. Matsui continued by saying, “I am very pleased to have been able to secure additional funding for the City’s Attendance Centers.  The program has proven to be successful in keeping local kids in school and out of trouble.  The funding for Sacramento State and the UC Davis Medical Center is most welcome, as state cutbacks to our public colleges have been tough for many to overcome.”
 
Congresswoman Matsui has worked with the House Appropriations Committee and President Obama’s Administration throughout the past year to advocate for the federal funding of Sacramento’s priorities.  In an effort to increase transparency in the federal appropriations process, all requests which Rep. Matsui has made have been published on the Congresswoman’s website and are available here.

Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Act: 

City of Sacramento Attendance Centers - $280,000

•    Funding will be used for redirecting truant students toward consistent school attendance and a successful education and away from substance abuse, gang involvement, and criminal activity.

•    This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because truancy is a key risk factor for future delinquency and criminal behavior for youth.  Research conducted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, delineated links between truancy and other, more serious forms of illegal behavior.  Sacramento Police Department gang experts report that truant students are at high risk of becoming involved in gang activity and that this program has been successful in keeping kids away from gangs. 

Cold Case Review Project – $100,000

•    The funding will be used for personnel and consultants for cold cases that have the potential to be solved through DNA evidence.

•    This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the use of DNA has enhanced the resolution of homicides and violent crimes which will help get criminals off the streets and prevent crimes from occurring.  The Sacramento Cold Case Review Project will review cases involving homicides, sexual assaults, missing persons, and other violent criminal cases.

Transportation, Housing & Urban Development Appropriations Act: 

Sacramento Intermodal Transportation Facility Rail Relocation, Sacramento, CA – $750,000

•    Funding will be used to relocate and straighten the mainline Union Pacific freight and passenger rail tracks, passing through the station area.  The track relocation project will include new passenger platforms and pedestrian connections between the terminal and the platforms.

•    This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because improvements will allow for increased capacity for both freight trains and passenger service, with additional benefits to regional rail service on the Amtrak and Capitol Corridor service.

South Sacramento Corridor Phase 2 Light Rail Extension, Sacramento, CA – $38,000,000

•    Funding will be used to extend RT’s South Line service from its existing terminus at Meadowview Road to Cosumnes River College.  The extension will link more South Sacramento neighborhoods with downtown Sacramento and will connect two Los Rios community colleges with a combined enrollment of over 36,000 students.

•    This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project will generate over 2,000 new transit trips on an average weekday.  It will also improve air quality and help the region meet its air quality goals, while construction will boost the region’s economy with 1,700 new jobs.

Pedestrian, ADA and Safety Improvements on Mather Field Road, Rancho Cordova, CA – $200,000

•    Funding will be used to add sidewalks and enhance pedestrian and disabled access on the west side of Mather Field Road, between Folsom Boulevard and Rockingham Drive.

•    This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this project will allow for greater access to the Mills Station Light Rail Station and enhance access to both bus and light rail transit.

Labor, Health & Human Services Appropriations Act: 

Science II Laboratory Equipment, California State University, Sacramento - $350,000

•    Funding will be used to purchase equipment for a new advanced cell analysis laboratory for Sacramento State’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

•    According to the recipient, this is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this project is the capstone of Sacramento State’s ambitious effort to build a regional resource center for education in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.

Medical Equipment for the U.C. Davis Medical Center Emergency Department - $375,000

•    Funding will be used to purchase medical equipment, technology, and devices needed to open and operate the new emergency department at the U.C. Davis Medical Center, which is the only Level I trauma center serving inland northern California.

•    This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the medical equipment, technology, and related devices that will be purchased with federal dollars will help the U.C. Davis Medical Center provide emergency medical services to a 33-county tertiary referral area covering more than 65,000 square miles and home to six million residents.

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