The Virginian-Pilot
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A congressional spnding package approved this week contains at least $300 million for Hampton Roads - money that mostly will refurbish military bases but also will aid transportation, public health and environmental projects.
Almost half of the federal funds coming to the region, or some $127 million, will replace ship-repair piers at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth.
According to a localized breakdown prepared by U.S. Sen. Jim Webb's office, nearly $1 million will go toward a study, which already is under way, for extending the Norfolk light-rail line to Virginia Beach and Norfolk Naval Station.
Another $750,000 will aid in the replacement of the Lesner Bridge across the mouth of the Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach. The city has programmed about $30 million for the $100 million project so far.
In addition, $487,000 has been set aside for improvements to U.S. 17/Dominion Boulevard in Chesapeake, a $376 million project that includes widening the highway and replacing the steel drawbridge. The state so far has committed close to $25 million for the work.
On the environmental front, the U.S. House and Senate agreed to spend $3 million next year to expand oyster farming in the Chesapeake Bay. Jim Wesson, who oversees oyster restoration programs for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, described the federal aid Tuesday as "very helpful and extremely well-timed," coming as state money for recovery efforts has been cut to zero because of the ongoing budget crunch in Richmond.
Oyster farming, or aquaculture, is becoming a popular way to overcome diseases, pollution and lost habitat that have devastated wild, native stocks in the Bay. The $3 million will be used to encourage more entrepreneurs to try farming, and to grow more "spat-on-shell" oysters in hatcheries that are tougher against predators in the water, Wesson said.
Overall, the federal funds stem from the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act, passed by the House last Thursday and the Senate on Sunday. The bill is headed next for expected signature at the desk of President Barack Obama.
The package is actually six spending bills in all, totaling $446 billion, for government functions including veterans affairs, military construction, housing and urban development, health and human services, commerce, justice and science.
"Better roadways and investment in public facilities and services are essential in order to attract new businesses and spur economic development in the Hampton Roads area," said Webb, D-Va., in a statement.
Pilot writers Debbie Messina and Bill Sizemore contributed to this report.
Scott Harper, (757) 446-2340, scott.harper@pilotonline.com
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yes a study,
The city must waste more money, like fixing a ship and charging to go on it.. I would love that job, the study person in charge, that person must make a lot of money. Maybe as much as some of the school officials. Any ideas as to how to get in the study payroll.. they just can't vote with out the study....
"nearly $1 million will go
"nearly $1 million will go toward a study"
and yet *ANOTHER* study about traffic problems... This one costs a million dollars...
Federal funds
It's the wrong term to use. This money is OUR taxpayer money, not the federal government's money. It is money forced from our unwillling hands into the pockets of the federal government. It is OUR money at work. Stop using the term "federal funds," because is it wholly inaccurate.
Lack of Smart, Regional Voice
As enthusiastic as I'd like to be about this package, I'm not too thrilled that the military has the ONLY regional voice in this area.
70% = military base upgrades
<1% = mass-transit "study"
We need more options on the table like light, commuter, and high-speed rail that will effectively tie the region together, fix the outrageous congestion problems, attract big-name companies with better, high-paying job opportunities, and lower our dependency on oil. Those of you stuck in the massive parking lots around the area, aka our fundless roads/highways, just remember who is more important for the future of HR when you get frustrated about going nowhere fast. Wake up people - money is going out the door.
Without
the military, there would be no "Hampton Roads". There would be the tiny town of Va Beach, the tiny towns of Portsmouth and Norfolk, and Norfolk County. Don't believe me? Check out the history of this area.
Thanks
Thanks for your elaborate response, but it still doesn't make the military's influence on this region acceptable. No single voice from the seven cities means more confused outlooks on what exactly it is we need for transportation and infrastructure upgrades.
Create Our Own Banks
Maybe there would be some advantage in regular people pulling their money out of Wall Street funds, stocks, and banks and creating banks that do not loan money to anyone other than people who have their money these new, self-owned banks. Wall Street types, and the politicians they own, want us to continue borrowing money from China and making our grandchildren pay it back with interest. I can’t see how we are going to get out of this Wall Street/China circle of debt and taxes until regular people gain control of our own money. All of what I propose is possible, but people are going to have to take responsibility for their own money and actions.
They exist. . .
Credit Unions.
Questions
Which of these projects should not be funded?
Replacing ship repair piers at Norfolk Naval Shipyard?
Replacing the Lesner Bridge?
Improvements to U.S. 17/Dominion Boulevard?
Do you think the private sector will do them?
To avoid deficit spending, are you in favor of raising taxes?
Do you think they will be done without any money?
ANSWERS
Maybe - just maybe - the Norfolk Naval shipyard....because the Federal government has a federal equity in that capability/infrastructure.
As to the others, of course the private sector doesn't normally build roads and bridges. But 99.9% of roads and bridges are NOT a federal responsiblity - they are state and local.
If the states want infrastructure projects (which they should) then they should figure out a way to fund them. NOT the federal government. See my post below.
By the way, it IS in the interest of a liberal federal government to fund these type projects....it enslaves the states and - by default - the people within them.