WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard applauded the July 29 approve in the U.S. House of Representatives of a spending measure that provides federal investments in the nation's transportation and housing infrastructure and includes important projects in the 34th Congressional District.HR5850 passed the House by a vote of 251-167. The measure now awaits passage in the Senate. In addition to funding federal investments in the nation's transportation infrastructure, the funding measure ensure that nearly 1.3 million low-income families that currently reside in project-based Section 8 housing will not lose their homes. The measure also increases funding key housing programs for the elderly and people with disabilities. The bill also provides $85 million in vouchers to get homeless veterans off the streets and increases funding for Homeless Assistance Block Grants, which provide permanent and transitional housing for homeless families and individuals. "This legislation makes key investments to improve the quality of life for residents in my district," said Roybal-Allard, who is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. "Critical federal dollars included in the measure will be used to ease gridlock, improve safety, provide greater transportation options for residents and keep more youth off the streets and in school, while providing needed jobs in our communities." The spending measure also includes $75 million championed by the congresswoman for state-of-the-art technology to prevent train collisions. "The Los Angeles area witnessed a deadly accident when a freight train collided head on with a commuter passenger train in 2005," Roybal-Allard said. "I am convinced that had this anti-collision technology been present, that crash could have been avoided and this tragedy averted. The bill's significant investment in train anti-collision technology will help to protect our communities." Communities in the 34th Congressional District received a total of $2.57 million in federal funding for the following projects: •$650,000 for the City of Commerce to widen Washington Boulevard and install new traffic signals along the corridor that is vital to goods and cargo movement; •$200,000 to Variety Boys and Girls Club in Boyle Heights to build a new facility and serve more children. The club serves the youth of Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights and East Los Angeles. The programs and services provided include homework assistance, tutoring, mentoring, job shadowing, sports and recreation, and leadership and community service projects. •$300,000 for the purchase of two buses to provide a shuttle service between Florence-Firestone and Walnut Park; •$420,000 for the purchase of a DASH bus in Boyle Heights; •$1 million for the environmental phase of the I-5 widening project from the 605 Freeway North to the 710 Freeway. The project will ultimately ease traffic congestion through the cities of Downey, Commerce, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Buena Park and La Mirada.

********** Published: August 5, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 16