WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps announced the approval of $650,000 for two transportation and community development projects in the City of Santa Maria as part of the Fiscal Year 2008 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill (H.R. 3074) passed by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier today by a vote of 270 to 147.    The legislation is expected to be approved by the Senate later this week, and then sent to the President.  The Administration said today that the President intends to veto the bill.

At the request of Congresswoman Capps, the bill includes $500,000 to expand the City of Santa Maria’s Intermodal Transit Center and increase capacity for alternative modes of transportation.

“This is great news for the City of Santa Maria and its surrounding communities,” said Capps.  “This funding will help the expansion of the intermodal transit center which will allow passengers to transfer from regional to local bus service more easily, saving commute time and hopefully encouraging increased participation in public mass transit.  With gas prices rapidly rising and traffic on our highways and roads continuing to grow at an alarming rate, this local and regional transit service will provide an appealing alternative to single occupancy vehicles as a means of meeting the transportation needs of our community.”

At the request of Congresswoman Capps, the bill also includes $150,000 for the City of Santa Maria to expand its main library to include a new children and youth department. 

“The expansion of the main library to include a special Children and Youth Department will be a welcomed addition to the Santa Maria community,” said Capps.  “This new facility will provide our kids with an area in the library to call their own.  This Department will be dedicated to serving their unique interests and needs and will include space for computer classes, homework and basic literacy instruction, and “story time.”  Our children will benefit tremendously from this enhanced access to much needed literacy, computer, and library skills.  Beyond serving the needs of our community’s children, this project will also be helpful for parents and teachers.”

The Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations makes many critical domestic investments, including: $40 billion for the nation’s highway system for construction of new roads, repairs and improvements; $1 billion to address deficient bridges across America; funding to renew all current housing vouchers, and provide 15,500 new vouchers for veterans, the disabled, and low income families; a 500 percent increase in funds to alleviate problems caused by the sub-prime mortgage crisis, providing housing counseling to help homeowners stay in their homes; $3.5 billion for airport efficiency, modernization and safety grants; $1.45 billion for Amtrak; and over $85 million to improve pipeline and rail safety.

“The Transportation and Housing Appropriations bill is another measure that responsibly funds America’s domestic priorities,” continued Capps.  “Unfortunately, yesterday President Bush sent a clear message when he vetoed the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations bill that critical funding for health care, education, and job training spending were not among his top priorities.  While the President’s rejection of these important priorities is unfortunate, my colleagues and I in the Democratic-led Congress will continue our efforts to ensure that the American peoples’ priorities receive the funding they need.  I hope that President Bush will reconsider his ill-advised vetoes and approve this much needed funding to meet America's transportation and housing needs.”

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.