Weekly Column

     Transportation is vital for the economic growth in our state. In the spending bill that passed on Saturday, November 20, Congress pinpointed funding for many projects that will expand the transportation system across Oklahoma. I worked with the Oklahoma congressional delegation to secure $8 million for the Job Access and Reverse Commute program and $5.5 million for the statewide transit program. This type of comprehensive transportation system will help people find and keep good jobs. The Oklahoma delegation also secured $3.5 million for the Oklahoma Transportation System that will conduct research on ways in which transportation services will impact economic growth in our state. I was able to secure $207,000 for the Lawton Area Transit System (LATS) to make upgrades to its bus fleet in order for them to better serve the needs of the Lawton area. Also included in the spending bill are funds for airports across the district. Ardmore Municipal Airport will receive over $1 million for a runway reconstruction project. The Ada, Chickasha and Duncan Airports will also be receiving grants, although the actual dollar amount will be determined later by the Federal Aviation Administration. These upgrades to our transportation system are vital as we are looking forward to a growing economy in our home state. 

     Rural Development grants are important component for business development and growth in a community. I am very pleased that Congress approved a waiver to allow Cache and Elgin to receive these types of grants and loans through the Rural Community Advancement Program. Recent census data had unexpectedly caused both communities to lose this eligibility. Also in the spending bill for Cache and Elgin are grants that will be awarded through the Department of Agriculture. The grants will provide funds for the restoration of the community building in Cache and construction of a new water tower for industrial park in Elgin. Many other important projects were earmarked by Congress as priority projects and will be awarded grants by the Department of Agriculture: blight removal in Wilson (Carter County); sewer line improvements in Chattanooga (Comanche County); and the painting of the water tower in Sterling (Comanche County).

     Access to quality and affordable healthcare is another important component to growth in a community. According to Health Resources and Services Administration, over 20 million Americans in rural communities have inadequate access to health care services. H.R. 4818 included $375,000 for Madill INTEGRIS Marshall Memorial Hospital for facilities and equipment. These funds will help this hospital provide better healthcare and service to their community. 

     Many other projects were included in the spending bill that support agriculture and water projects around the Fourth Congressional District. These earmarks will bring both funding and jobs to Oklahoma. In this legislation, I worked to include $440,000 for a study at Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer and $600,000 for construction at the Lawton Wastewater Rehabilitation Project. I was also able to secure $132,000 for a study by the Army Corps of Engineers for the future needs of the Washita River Basin. This spending bill included funds for operations and maintenance at Waurika Lake ($946,000) and Denison Dam on Lake Texoma ($7,715,000). And this legislation also included funds for wastewater infrastructure improvements in Marlow ($100,000) and Sulphur ($200,000).