WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) and U.S. Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond today announced funds for Southern Missouri’s public transportation programs in the FY2004 Appropriations Conference Report.

The legislation cleared its final hurdle today as the Senate approved the spending measure.

 

"Public transportation is a critical need for residents of Southern Missouri who rely on buses to commute to their jobs, shop at the grocery store, or fill prescriptions at their pharmacies," Emerson said. "This funding will guarantee that local transportation agencies can continue to provide services, and in some cases, make critical upgrades to their operations."

 

"For the many seniors, disabled and low-income residents in Southeast Missouri these dollars will make a real difference in their lives," said Bond, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "For many of these folks this transportation is the only way to get to the doctor, a job or grocery store."

 

The $1.5 million earmark for buses in Southern Missouri will be distributed as follows:

 

Cape Girardeau County $62,000

 

Dunklin County Transit 193,000

 

City of Houston 100,000

 

Mississippi County 36,000

 

Ripley County 25,000

 

Scott County 52,000

 

Stoddard County 54,000

 

SE Missouri State Univ. 978,000