(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced critical federal funding for Yakima priorities in the fiscal year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill.
Due to the threat of Presidential vetoes of America’s domestic spending priorities, Congress combined several appropriations bills into one large “Omnibus bill,” which should pass both houses this week. The Omnibus package contains critical funding for national needs like transportation, homeland security, education, labor and health.
"This federal support is the seed money that helps our communities grow," said Senator Murray. "I am proud to have helped steer this funding to community-supported projects here at home. I work everyday to ensure that even though our state’s residents are 2,500 miles from D.C., their needs are up-front and center. At a time when domestic and local needs are too often being neglected, these worthy projects are getting the support they deserve."
This spending bill is expected to be cleared by the U.S. House of Representatives tonight and sent to the Senate tomorrow.
Below are the projects included for Yakima. They are separated by project type:
Labor Projects
Community Agricultural Vocational Institute — $238,754
This funding will help create a new agricultural vocational institute in Yakima to help meet the need for skilled-farm labor throughout the year. The institute will be created through the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington (OIC) in Yakima.
Commerce and Justice Projects
Yakima Law Enforcement – $709,700
Law enforcement would use these funds to increase patrols, purchase new equipment and provide an increased neighborhood presence as part of the Citizens for a Safe Yakima Valley program, a top legislative priority of the City of Yakima aimed at combating an increase in violent crime.
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