WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) announced that the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 includes several projects for Southern Missouri at her request.  H.R. 3288 passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and should be signed into law shortly.

“I’m very proud to advocate for the wide range of projects that give our congressional district a return on the tax dollars we send to Washington.  These transportation, law enforcement, economic development and other priorities I am able to identify with the help of advocates in Missouri are extremely beneficial to our congressional district,” Emerson said.

Emerson has long been a champion for drug task forces in Southern Missouri, and the legislation includes $650,000 for three of the local, state and federal partnerships in the region.

“We can’t overstate the role of these task forces that find, apprehend and prosecute methamphetamine makers and dealers.  They are on the front lines, and their hard work reduces drug crimes in our communities and makes Southern Missouri a safer place for our families,” Emerson said.  “This bill funds another important effort at the SEMO Network Against Sexual Violence to prosecute sex offenders who commit crimes in Southern Missouri.”

The bill also identifies transportation priorities for the area, an effort in which Emerson has long been involved.  Highway 63 and Highway 67 will receive additional funds, as well as priority projects in Perry, Bollinger, Washington and Cape Girardeau counties.

“Our transportation infrastructure is the foundation of the economic strength in our region,” Emerson said.  “Construction projects mean safer roads and bridges, better efficiency for Southern Missouri businesses, and more jobs in our area.  This is the kind of economic investment we need to have in America, and we ought to have more of it.”

Emerson fought for $650,000 included in the bill to make improvements to Route 25 in Jackson.

A complete list of the projects included in the bill at Emerson’s request and the amounts funded follows:

TRANSPORTATION, HUD
(All transportation requests made in conjunction with MoDoT.)

Chester Bridge in Perry County, MO – Deck Repair, $500,000
Route 25 in Jackson, MO – Safety and Roadway Improvements, $650,000
Route 34 in Bollinger & Cape Girardeau counties, MO – Safety Improvements & Resurfacing, $500,000
Route 63 in Phelps & Maries counties, MO – Engineering and Right of Way Improvements, $500,000
Route 67 in Butler County, MO – Extend Existing Four-Lane South to Route 160, $500,000
Washington County, Missouri – ADA Building Compliance Activities, $300,000

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE

SEMO Network Against Sexual Violence, $200,000
Mineral Area Drug Task Force, $200,000
SEMO Drug Task Force, $200,000
South Central Drug Task Force, $250,000
Visual Intelligence Tool for law enforcement in Iron, Washington, and Bollinger counties, $697,000

LABOR, HHS

Ozarks Medical Center – Expanded Emergency Room Equipment, $500,000
SEMO University– SHOW Mobile Initiative, $205,000
SEMO University – Information Commons Development and Expansion, $500,000
Three Rivers Community College – Technology Advancement Project, $215,000
Susana Wesley Family Learning Center – Pass to Work Program, $250,000
Missouri State University, West Plains – Equipment for a Nursing Clinic, $250,000

FINANCIAL SERVICES

University of Missouri – Extension Community Economic and Entrepreneurial Program, $299,000
Downtown West Plains, Inc. – Ozark Small Business Incubator, $500,000
*Girl Scouts of the USA – Financial Literacy Program, $306,875

*This request was made by multiple members of Congress.