WASHINGTON- Congressman Bart Stupak submitted testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Budget Committee.  Stupak said that the President’s budget, which was submitted to Congress earlier this month, shortchanges many northern Michigan priorities. 

“The President’s budget fails to adequately fund important projects for our Great Lakes, programs to assist Michigan workers, and provide local law enforcement the tools they need to keep communities safe,” Stupak said.  “Thankfully, the President’s budget is only the first step in the process of funding the government.  As Congress moves forward with the budget process, I will continue advocating for northern Michigan needs.” 

Below are excerpts from Stupak’s testimony.

Soo Locks

“If the Poe Lock were rendered unusable for any reason, it would disable industry in the Great Lakes, halting the shipment of ore, coal, wheat, and other commodities.  The steel industry would be especially hard hit as 70 percent of all raw materials used in the steel industry travel through the Soo Locks.” 

“Despite the economic and homeland security concerns created by the current situation at the Soo Locks, the President continues to ignore the need to construct a new lock.  The Administration’s FY 2008 Budget does not contain any funding for this important construction project, which is estimated to cost the federal government $250 million.”

Dredging Policy

“By using a standard based on the tonnage handled, harbors that do not move a large tonnage but are still important to the economic success of rural areas are excluded from the President’s budget.  These highly inadequate guidelines are unfairly biased against rural communities and will have a detrimental effect on small-town, rural America, causing job losses, increased hardship for businesses, and endanger shipping infrastructure. In setting this policy, the Corps also disregards the fact that approximately two-thirds of all shipping in the United States either starts or finishes at small ports.”

Clean Water State Revolving Fund

“The Clean Water State Revolving Fund plays an important role in helping communities afford updates to their aging infrastructures.  Unfortunately… the President’s FY 2008 budget includes only $688 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a $200 million cut compared to FY2006.  In Michigan, the President’s cuts would mean $8.5 million less for important waste water infrastructure projects compared to FY2006.

Payments in Lieu of Taxes

“The Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program is important in helping…  local communities afford schools, roads, fire fighting, police, and other vital services.  In his FY 2007 and FY 2008 budget requests, President Bush has neglected this important program, requesting significantly less than needed.  In FY 2007, the President requested only $198 million, a 15 percent decrease compared to FY 2006.  In FY 2008, the President has proposed an even larger cut, requesting only $190 million.  This $43 million cut will significantly limit the ability of local governments in Northern Michigan to provide the basic services on which residents depend.”

Trade Adjustment Assistance

“The Trade Adjustment Assistance program provides workers negatively impacted by trade with job retraining, job search and relocation allowances, income support and other reemployment services.   Too often communities in my district have run out of TAA funding.  Despite the shortfalls repeatedly faced by Michigan and other areas, the President has requested flat funding for the TAA training program the last three years, requesting $260 million again for 2008.  At a minimum, we owe our workers adversely affected by this country’s trade policy, or lack thereof, adequate job training.”

Olympic Scholarship Program

“The Olympic Scholarship Program was established by Congress in 1992.  I have championed it since it was created, and offered an amendment to re-authorize it in 1998.”

“Prior to 1992, too many athletes had to choose between pursuing their education and training for the Olympics.  All too often, athletes chose training and then found themselves at the end of their Olympic careers with no post-secondary education and no career path.” 

“This problem was so severe that the U.S. Olympic Alumni Association identified it as a cause of great concern.” 

“The Program was re-authorized in 1998 for five years at up to $5 million per year, under Section 836 of the Higher Education Act of 1998.  Due to the success of the program, the growth of the program has outgrown its $1 million appropriations allocation the last six years.  Without an increase for inflation, the number of athletes receiving scholarships will have to be substantially cut.”

Rural health

“Rural hospitals and other health facilities are economic engines for rural communities as they provide hundreds of good paying jobs.  The Rural Hospital Flexibility Grants fund quality improvement and emergency medical service projects for nearly 1,300 Critical Access Hospitals across the Country.  In essence, this program provides technical assistance to the smallest hospitals in the Country who provide critical care.  This program helps hospitals improve their business operations, focus on quality improvement and help information privacy.   The President’s budget eliminates this vital program.  The National Rural Health Association is requesting $49.2 million, and I am hopeful Congress can see fit this program is adequately funded in 2008.”

Homeland Security

“I’m gravely concerned about the 42 percent cut to first responder funding at the Department of Homeland Security, adding up to a $985 million cut to first responder grants and state assistance.  As a former law enforcement officer and a co-chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus, I hear every day from local police and firefighters.  This budget is an insult to them!” 

“Instead, the President’s budget cuts over $1 billion from critical programs - $338 million from State Homeland Security Grants, $112 million from Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Grants, $362 million from Assistance for Firefighters, and over $680 million from COPS and Byrne.  Congress should reject these cuts, especially in light of the recently-passed Democratic 9/11 Commission Implementation bill, which re-affirmed the critical importance of first responders in preventing terrorism.”

Interoperability Trust Fund

“As part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Congress mandated that a section of very valuable spectrum, or public airwaves, be auctioned off at the end of 2007.  This spectrum is worth billions of dollars.   Congress had a choice then about whether to use those proceeds to fund interoperable communications for our first responders or tax cuts for millionaires.  On a tie-vote, an amendment I offered in Committee to create a $5.8 billion grant program, was defeated. My amendment would have made a down payment on what is estimated to be an $18 billion problem.    Ultimately, a $1 billion grant program was created.  This is a one-time $1 billion grant program, with grants to be awarded this fall.”

“I have legislation to make a permanent grant program at NTIA and fund that program with a portion of spectrum proceeds. We should solve this problem once and for all.  How many more September 11^th and Katrinas do we have to endure before our first responders can effectively communicate and do their jobs?”

Federal Court Houses

“There are dozens of federal courthouses across the nation in urgent need of renovation or replacement.  Some of these facilities have not been significantly updated in more than half a century.” 

“In 1997, The Judicial Conference of the United States identified and prioritized 45 courthouse construction projects to be funded by Congress.  This plan aimed to clear the courthouse backlog by 2009.  However, under-funding has repeatedly stalled this effort.  The President’s budget provides only $47 million for FY2008 – enough to fund only one of the dozens of courthouse projects currently needing attention.  I ask that the Committee fund courthouse construction efforts at the full amount requested by the Judicial Conference of the United States.” 

“I have been a strong advocate for investing in courthouse construction because my district’s federal court room in Marquette, MI, urgently needs to be replaced.  The Marquette site is located in a post office building that is over 70 years old and lacks adequate security, making it unsafe for Court employees and the public.” 

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