05.15.09

Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Appropriations Bill - MilCon

Our state has been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn – unemployment levels have skyrocketed and I’ve heard from many local communities struggling to cover basic services like education, public safety, transportation and health care. As a United States Senator, part of my job is to help critical priorities in our state receive attention from the federal government so that we can help reinvigorate our economy, create new, high-paying jobs, and help our working families stay ahead in these tough economic times.

 

Part of that process at the federal level includes making sure that our state gets our fair share of funding from the federal government. Washington consistently pays more in federal tax dollars than we receive back in federal investment and services.

During the annual budget process, I submit requests to the Senate Appropriations Committee for congressionally directed spending for Washington state (sometimes referred to as “earmarks”) that benefits our state. Some of these include: flood control levees; airport, rail, highway and mass transit improvements; drinking water and wastewater infrastructure; gang crime prevention and intervention programs; workforce training; and, agricultural research. I am working to continue to make this process even more transparent and to ensure that we’re spending taxpayer dollars wisely.

 

Every year, I receive hundreds of requests for assistance from cities, counties, water and utility districts, transportation agencies, and others. I carefully review and evaluate these requests — and choose to submit a selection of these projects to the Committee.  The final outcome for any request will not be known until the bill has been approved by the House and Senate, and signed into law by the President.

I will be posting each request I make to my Web site as they are submitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

Below you will find detailed information about requests I made for the FY 2010 National Defense Appropriations Act – MilCon:

 

Physical Fitness Center Phase I – Fairchild AFB (Fairchild AFB, WA)

 

Project Description – Physical fitness is critical to airmen’s ability to successfully complete missions.  The 66-year old fitness center at Fairchild Air Force Base sustained severe damage during a winter storm in December 2008.  The roof collapsed and there is other damage that has jeopardized the structural integrity of the building.  A new facility is needed to ensure our troops have a safe place to maintain physical fitness. 

 

Amount Requested – $15,000,000

 

 

SERE Force Support Complex Phase I – Fairchild AFB (Fairchild AFB, WA)

 

Project Description – For the construction of a new SERE support complex to facilitate vital training for military personnel.  The facility will be used to train servicemen and women to avoid, resist, and escape from capture.  A new facility is necessary to eliminate current safety hazards as well as to improve effectiveness of the trainings. 

 

Amount Requested – $11,000,000

 

 

Total Force Integration (TFI) Refueling Vehicle Maintenance Facility – Fairchild AFB (Fairchild AFB, WA)

 

Project Description – The refueling vehicle maintenance facility for Fairchild Air Force Base is currently located two miles from the refueling vehicle parking lot, resulting in an increase in time and energy costs.  This request will construct a new facility located near the refueling vehicle parking lot, and make improvements for maintenance personnel.

 

Amount Requested – $4,150,000