At the end of April, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04), announced a final list of projects he will submit for funding through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Member-Designated Projects process and Appropriations Committee Community Project Funding (CPF) process.
Such projects are aimed to enrich Fairfield County and some of New Haven County. Some of the projects include improving traffic flow in Bridgeport, covering the costs to replace the Five Mile River Bridge, funds for a portion of the large-scale renovations and improvements to the Stamford Transportation Center and additional funding for the expansion of the manufacturing training program at Housatonic Community College, among other important projects. The transportation recipients were selected from projects included on Connecticut’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, which is constituted of priority projects.
At the end of last year, the House Democratic Caucus elected Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro as Chair of the Appropriations Committee. With Democrats in control of the US House and US Senate and a Democratic President, this leadership position has significant influence in directing federal spending bills that provide adequate funding for health, education, childcare and infrastructure. She received the endorsement of more than more than two-thirds of the Steering and Policy Committee, as well as a broad range of organizations representing all elements of the Democratic Party and progressive movement including numerous major unions and leaders in education, labor, and women and children’s protection and advancement.
We will continue to learn more and share more about how the State of Connecticut is planning on utilizing the federal funding it received in the COVID relief package and media coverage will be consumed with local and state budgets and the programs they will fund. But it is always important to keep an eye on the influence our elected officials carry in Washington D.C. and the types of projects for which they are advocating. It is a reflection of these members’ agendas and priorities. This is even more important now as President Biden attempts to negotiate and secure passage for his “American Jobs Plan” which will be defined by its historic investments in infrastructure.