Tuesday December 16, 2008
Responsible Funding for Idaho Projects
See also: As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I strongly support controlling federal spending to ensure that federal tax dollars are used in a responsible and appropriate manner. I am a long-time advocate for accountability in the congressional budget and funding processes. As a steward of taxpayer dollars, the federal government has a responsibility to ensure those funds are allocated carefully and in a manner that serves the American people.
In my service as U.S. Senator, I am a strong advocate for the interests of Idahoans at the local and federal level. I look to promote the interests of Idahoans and Idaho institutions throughout the federal government and seek opportunities to address their needs. Idahoans have a great deal to contribute to our nation in a number of ways. It is my hope that that federal support for Idaho projects can help provide to betterment of communities and lives of Idahoans and people throughout the country.
When the federal government allocates money, it is spending your money--tax dollars collected from throughout Idaho and the rest of the country. That is why it is important that there be accountability in the congressional budget and funding processes.
While the majority of the federal budget is allocated to non-discretionary programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and repaying the federal debt, with a further amount devoted to defense and homeland security, about one-third of it is directed through the congressional appropriations process each year. When Congress approves funding for a certain project, it is allocating a specific amount of taxpayer dollars to be spent by a designated agency or an existing program. They represent worthy state and local projects.
Idahoans can contribute to developing our economic strength in local communities, advancing national security, promoting health and justice, improving the environment, improving education, and many other fields. Every year, organizations throughout Idaho ask for my assistance in securing federal funding for specific Idaho and regional projects and programs. These kinds of projects can include improvement to a local city wastewater system to meet federal standards, funding for a state highway project that will increase safety, matching funds for a school safety program and many, many others. It is my hope that the federal support for Idaho projects can better communities and the lives of Idahoans and people throughout the country.
Because Idahoans can and do contribute to our nation, it is important that advocacy of Idaho initiatives be done in a manner that meets the following criteria:
- Reflects fiscal responsibility in use of federal funds.
- Adds value to Idaho communities, critical research efforts, or to the general understanding of important issues, and is consistent with Idaho priorities.
- Federal assistance is appropriate for the project.
- Provides a national benefit or is consistent with ongoing national efforts.
You will find a listing of the projects for Fiscal Year 2008 (October 1, 2007-September 30, 2008) that I have successfully advocated for below. To review an archive with project funding for previous fiscal years, please visit the Responsible Funding For Idaho Archive page.
Agriculture |
||
Approved Federal Assistance |
Year |
|
| Idaho Potato Cyst Nematode Cooperative Detection and Eradication Program | $9,600,000 |
FY08 |
|
$9,831,000 |
FY08 |
Potato Cyst nematode Research -- University of Idaho |
$375,000 |
FY08 |
| Hagerman Fish Culture Experiment Station | $700,000 |
FY08 |
Aquaculture (Hagerman) -- Physiology/Rainbow Trout Strains |
$1,094,000 |
FY08 |
| Aquaculture -- Growth, Development, and Nutrition | $99,000 |
FY08 |
| Improving the Safety and Shelf life of Idaho Commodities | $647,000 |
FY08 |
Sugarbeet Research – Kimberly, Idaho |
$703,000 |
FY08 |
|
$4,875,000 |
FY08 |
Northwest Center for Small Fruits (Viticulture) |
$646,000 |
FY08 |
Barley for Rural Development |
$551,000 |
FY08 |
Grass Seed Cropping Systems for Sustainable Agriculture |
$335,000 |
FY08 |
Solutions to Environmental and Economic Problems (STEEP) |
$476,000 |
FY08 |
|
$1,112,000 |
FY08 |
Nez Perce Bio-Control Center |
$188,000 |
FY08 |
Cool Season Food Legumes |
$419,000 |
FY08 |
| Northwest Center for Small Fruits | $329,000 |
FY08 |
| National Small Grains Germplasm Research Facility | $97,000 |
FY08 |
|
$567,000 |
FY08 |
Nez Perce Bio-Control Center |
$188,000 |
FY08 |
Commerce and Justice |
||
|
Approved Federal Assistance |
Year |
| Juvenile Justice Nez Perce Tribe, Lapwai, to combat child abuse | $141,000 |
FY08 |
| Idaho State University, Temporal Landscape Change Research Program | $141,000 |
FY08 |
| National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA), Boise State University | $94,000 |
FY08 |
Defense and Military |
||
|
Approved Federal Assistance |
Year |
Systematic Approach to Radiation Hardened Electronics (SHARE) |
$2,400,000 |
FY08 |
| Evaluating ELF Signals in Maritime Environments, University of Idaho | $1,600,000 |
FY08 |
Reconfigurable Electronics and Non-Volatile Memory Research, Boise State University |
$2,000,000 |
FY08 |
Small Accelerators and Detection Systems for National Security Applications, Idaho State University |
$1,600,000 |
FY08 |
| TGT, TMT, and TFT Tabletop Trainers | $4,000,000 |
FY08 |
Ultra Low Power Electronics for Special Purposes Computers |
$1,040,000 |
FY08 |
Credibility Assessment Research Initiative |
$1,600,000 |
FY08 |
Electronic Warfare Modeling, Simulation, and Wireless Testing Center |
$3,600,000 |
FY08 |
DNA Safeguard |
$1,360,000 |
FY08 |
Electromagnetic Signature Assessment System Using Multiple Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (Bayview) |
$2,000,000 |
FY08 |
Research on a Molecular Approach to Hazardous Materials Decontamination |
$1,200,000 |
FY08 |
| Semiconductor-based Nanotechnology Applications | $800,000 |
FY08 |
3-D Technology for Advanced Sensor Systems |
$2,400,000 |
FY08 |
West Nile Virus Vaccine |
$940,000 |
FY08 |
|
$49,500,000 |
FY08 |
Railhead Phase II |
$7,615,000 |
FY08 |
| Logistics Readiness Center | $1,593,000 |
FY08 |
| Orchard Training Area Urban Assault Course | $1,700,000 |
FY08 |
INL Survivability Program |
$1,500,000 |
FY08 |
Energy and Water |
||
Approved Federal Assistance |
Year |
|
| Lower Monumental Lock and Dam | $3,010,000 |
FY08 |
| Columbia River Channel Improvements, ID, OR & WA | $14,760,000 |
FY08 |
Rural Idaho Environmental Infrastructure |
$4,064,000 |
FY08 |
Health, Education and Labor |
||
|
Approved Federal Assistance |
Year |
| Lee Pesky Learning Center | $292,000 |
FY08 |
| St. Luke's Regional Medical Center | $487,000 |
FY08 |
Electronic Medical Record for Children’s Behavioral Health Clinic |
$487,000 |
FY08 |
| University of Idaho Gateway to Math Program | $121,000 |
FY08 |
| Cooperative Telehealth Network, Portneuf Medical Center | $341,000 |
FY08 |
| Northwest Nazarene University-Nursing Facility | $438,000 |
FY08 |
| United Way of Treasure Valley | $390,000 |
FY08 |
State College Lewiston, Idaho |
$187,000 |
FY08 |
| Advanced Clinical Simulation laboratory, Idaho State Univ. | $243,000 |
FY08 |
| Albertson College of Idaho | $292,000 |
FY08 |
| Idaho SySTEMic Solution Program, Boise State University | $195,000 |
FY08 |
| Discovery Center of Idaho | $243,000 |
FY08 |
| Gritman Medical Center | $487,000 |
FY08 |
Children’s Health Services Expansion |
$500,000 |
FY08 |
College of Southern Idaho Pro-Tech Program |
$243,000 |
FY08 |
Interior and Environment |
||
|
Approved Federal Assistance |
Year |
Wildland Fire Management University of Idaho FRAMES Fire Research Portal |
$650,000 |
FY08 |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service Resource Management Wolf Monitoring –ID, MT, & WY | $250,000 |
FY08 |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service Resource Management Idaho Sage Grouse Management | $250,000 |
FY08 |
|
$2,450,000 |
FY08 |
| City of Marsing for drinking water system reconstruction | $432,000 |
FY08 |
| National Environmental Protection Environmental Programs and Water Systems Council, Wellcare Program | $700,000 |
FY08 |
City of Buhl - Arsenic Removal / Water System Project |
$300,000 |
FY08 |
City of Hazelton - Wastewater System Improvements Project |
$469,000 |
FY08 |
Auger Falls Wastewater Treatment Project |
$500,000 |
FY08 |
| City of St Anthony - Wastewater Collection and Treatment Improvements | $563,000 |
FY08 |
| City of Rexburg - Stormwater Infrastructure Design and Improvements | $137,000 |
FY08 |
U.S.-Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty Implementation |
$1,800,000 |
FY08 |
Transportation and Community Development |
||
|
Approved
Federal Assistance |
Year
|
| Idaho Transit Coalition | $3,212,000 |
FY08 |
| Valley Regional Transit, Treasure Valley Transit Facilities | $288,000 |
FY08 |
| Boise Airport Runway Improvements | $750,000 |
FY08 |
| US 30 McCammon to Topaz Bridge surface improvements | $350,000 |
FY08 |
| 1-84, Curtis Road to Broadway Interchange Widening | $1,500,000 |
FY08 |
| 1-84, Exit 29 (Franklin Road) Local Systems Improvement | $480,000 |
FY08 |
| City of Rocks Back Country Byway | $3,950,000 |
FY08 |
| Boise Airport Tower, Air Traffic Control Facilities | $8,892,000 |
FY08 |
| United Way of Treasure Valley Community Detox Center | $175,000 |
FY08 |
| Community Recreational Center in Pocatello | $140,000 |
FY08 |
| College of Southern Idaho Student Safety Initiative | $480,000 |
FY08 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Magic Valley | $175,000 |
FY08 |
City of Boise Geothermal System Improvements |
$175,000 |
FY08 |
| Building a Pathway – A Partnership for the Economic Future of our Community | $240,000 |
FY08 |