Click here for a list of Rep. Israel's FY2011 appropriations requests

Each year, Rep. Israel is able to request funds for important projects in his district. These funds, known as “earmarks,” give Members of Congress a chance to have a say over how taxpayer dollars get directed toward the needs of their district. Below are some commonly asked questions about federal funds for local projects.

Q. Who can request federal funds?
Anyone is welcome to submit a request for federal funds, however Rep. Israel will only seek federal funding for non-profits and local governments. The application process for FY2011 is currently closed. Requests for FY2012 will begin early next year.

Q. I heard there are no more corporate earmarks this year, is that true?
Yes. Last year, Rep. Israel announced that he would not seek corporate earmarks. This year, Rep. Israel’s policy was adopted by all Democrats in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Israel will seek earmarks for non-profit and government initiatives that will have a benefit to his constituents. He is also working aggressively to ensure Long Island gets its fair share of federal dollars.

Q. I’ve heard some people don’t request earmarks at all, why does Rep. Israel?
Long Islanders pay a disproportionate share of federal taxes and Rep. Israel is fighting to ensure Long Islanders are getting their fair share back from the federal government.

Requesting funds for projects in the Second Congressional District is a way to ensure Rep. Israel’s constituents are seeing a return on their federal investment.

Rep. Israel is also fighting against this imbalance by introducing the Tax Equity Act, which would adjust federal tax rates to account for the actual cost of living in high-cost areas like Long Island.

Q. How does Rep. Israel decide which requests to submit?
Rep. Israel and his staff carefully review each earmark request to determine whether it meets federal requirements, whether it is a good use of taxpayer funds and whether it will provide a benefit to the people of New York’s Second Congressional District.

Q. I requested federal funds, but I don’t see it on the Congressman’s list of requests. Why not?
Sometimes earmarks don’t meet federal requirements or no federal program exists to fund the request. Federal funds available for local projects have been greatly reduced in recent years, therefore Rep. Israel cannot seek funding for every request that he receives.

Rep. Israel’s staff is available to help local organizations and governments with federal grant requests, which is another way to get funding for local projects. If you don’t see your request on this list but you would like to seek federal funds in other ways, please contact Rep. Israel’s Hauppauge office at 631-951-2210.

Q. My request is on this list. Does that mean I’m going to get funded?
No. This list comprises all of the requests the Congressman was able to make to the Appropriations Committee. Not all of these requests will be funded.