In Focus

Affordable Health Care for America Act - HR 3962

2009-11-07T23:28:32Z

The Affordable Health Care for America Act will reign in outrageous medical costs, allows for competition in the health care marketplace � keeping coverage affordable and insurers honest, and assures all Americans access to quality, stable, affordable health care.

Approving the Affordable Health Care for America Act is vital for:

Children, who will have access to quality health care,
Seniors, who will benefit from improvements to Medicare and lower prescription drug prices,
Women, who will no longer be charged more than men for their insurance,
Small Businesses, who will save real money on health insurance premiums,
Young Adults, who will be able to stay on their parents' insurance through age 27,
Uninsured families, who will be able to access affordable coverage in the Health Insurance Exchange.

Additional Information:

Complete Bill Text �
Manager's Amendment �
Manager's Amendment Summary �
Top Line Changes �
Top 10 Changes to the Health Insurance Reform Bill �
Side by Side Chart of H.R. 3200 and the Affordable Health Care For America Act �
4-Page Bill Summary �
10-Page Bill Summary �
Section by Section �
What Others Are Saying: Support For Affordable Health Care For America Act �
Supporters of the Affordable Health Care for America Act �

Curious about your Healthcare Options? Check our your options with this interactive feature:

WRDA

2009-11-07T21:54:19Z

Recovery Plan - Bay Area

2009-09-30T20:50:45Z

The Wall Street Journal has proclaimed that, �Government efforts�appear to be helping the U.S. climb out of the worst recession in decades.� The Journal reported that recovery �money out the door -- combined with the expectation of additional funds flowing soon -- is fueling growth above where it would have been without any government action.�

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed to help rebuild America, create and save jobs, give American workers tax cuts; and invest in both local and our national economy.

Recovery Funding in the East Bay and Solano County

Press Releases:
July 28, 2009 - $11.6 Million to Hire Police in Contra Costa and Solano Counties
July 16, 2009 - $2 Million for Economic Development Projects
July 8, 2009 - Local Veterans Hospitals to get Energy Efficiency Money
March 6, 2009 - $2.1 million for Crime Prevention Programs
Feb 13, 2009 - House Approves Major Investment in Water Recycling

Newspaper Articles:
Vallejo Times Herald - Vallejo to receive $1 million
West County Times - West County Facilities Receive Federal Infusion

Recovery Funding in Education

Funding provided by the Recovery Plan will help schools save teaching jobs and maintain education programs for low-income students and students with disabilities. The 7th district is expected to receive $18 million to help educate low-income students and $48 million to help fund education for disabled students in our nine school districts. Read more about Education Funding in the Recovery Plan or check out how much your school district will recieve here.

Schools will also benefit from a $54 billion State Fiscal Stabilization Fund to help stabilize state and local budgets and restore harmful cuts to education. California will be the first state in the country to receive state fiscal stabilization funds. $4 billion has already been released to help school districts this year.

Over 744,000 California students will benefit from an increase in Pell Grants and as many as 522,000 Californians will benefit from the College Tax Credit. A well-trained, college-educated workforce is key to a strong American economy and middle class.
Read more about Higher Education Funding

Recovery Funding in California

California is projected to receive over $26 billion in economic recovery funding from the Recovery bill. This includes at least $10 Billion in funding for Medi-Cal to help millions of Californians access health care. It also includes funding for public services, funds for job training programs and money to rebuild and repair our roads and bridges. Estimate of all funds for California.

We still have a long way to go rescue our economy. But the Recovery Act is a necessary and critical first step to start us down the right path.

For more information visit
www.recovery.gov or

Recovery.CA.gov
The federal government has estimated that the Recovery Act will create 396,000 jobs in California, this site details how the estimated $85 billion is being spent throughout the state.

whitehouse.gov/recovery
The President and Vice President announced the Road to Recovery this summer and will be telling the stories of recovery from communities all over the US.

ci.richmond.ca.us/stimulus
The City of Richmond's site for tracking and communicating how the economic stimulus funds are being spent at home in the Bay Area.

http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=2347
Contra Costa County's site for tracking recovery funds throughout the County.

*Please note the funding information provided is not comprehensive and is considered an estimate. Complete information will be available at recovery.gov as it becomes available in the coming months.

Health Insurance

2009-09-23T18:23:57Z

Health insurance reform is about two things: making insurance secure and affordable to those who have it, and ensuring access to affordable, quality coverage for those who don�t.

Too many Americans have to fight with our insurance companies over basic care -- being excluded for preexisting conditions, facing outrageous medical bills, or appealing again and again to have a much-needed procedure approved.

For example:

Nikki tried everything to get medical care, but no insurance company would accept someone with her pre-existing condition. Her doctor said, �Nikki didn�t die from lupus, she died from complications of the failing American health care system.�

When 17-year-old Brianna Rice was diagnosed with celiac disease in February, she had health insurance. In May, American Community not only canceled her policy, but also rescinded coverage all the way back to the day it started, Nov. 1st, claiming her parents, both out of work, lied on her application.

Sarah Wildman's six-month-old daughter cost over $22,000, but not because they were uninsured. The �maternity� coverage her family purchased didn�t cover labor, delivery, or hospital stay.

Eric De La Cruz, a young Nevada man, was in need of a heart transplant, but it wasn�t covered. The family raised nearly $1 million to pay for it, but after repeated delays and red tape, Mr. De La Cruz died before he could have the operation.

We have proposed specific and important health insurance reforms to:

Protect Consumers
The bill includes strong reforms to the insurance market so that consumers will be more secure in their health coverage.

Insurers will be prohibited from excluding coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

Insurers will be prevented from selectively refusing to renew coverage. They will no longer be able to charge people different premiums based on their gender, health status, or occupation; and the percent difference insurers can charge based on age is limited to a rate band of 2:1.

Requires a standardized annual out-of-pocket spending limit so that no family faces bankruptcy due to medical expenses.

Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in private plans will no longer be charged cost sharing above traditional Medicare.

New requirements on plans will ensure that they keep costs down and pass on savings to consumers.

Create a more user-friendly marketplace
The bill establishes a transparent, consumer-friendly health care marketplace that focuses on quality, affordable choices for all Americans and keeps insurers honest.

Creates a new Health Insurance Exchange that provides people with a menu of both public and private quality, affordable health care options so they choose the plan that best meets their needs.

Consumers and employers will have clear information and transparency on plan costs and benefits in the Exchange so they can comparison shop for the best deals and care.

Consumer Advocacy offices, a website, 1-800 number and other outreach components will help people understand and select plans, ensure that they receive promised benefits and services, and provide additional help.

Guarantees benefits so that all consumers have plans with high quality, critical and comprehensive health care benefits.

Streamlines and simplifies all administrative forms, billing codes and other processes so the system is more efficient and less confusing for all plans, providers and consumers.

Read more about HR 3200 - America's Affordable Healthy Choice Act

And tell me about your health insurance battle in the comments section below.

Health Care

2009-06-19T17:49:20Z

Working in an unprecedented collaborative and open process, the three committees in the House of Representatives that have jurisdiction over health care policy worked together over the past six months to develop and present a health care reform proposal to Congress and the American people that embodies President Obama�s call for fundamental change in our health care system.

President Obama Calls for Health Care Reform

President Obama has laid out several principles: reduce health care costs, protect and increase consumers� choice, and guarantee access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

America�s Affordable Health Choices Act
The Chairmen of the three Committees with jurisdiction over health policy in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced comprehensive health care reform legislation on July 14 that will reduce out-of-control costs, encourage competition among insurance plans to improve choices for patients, and expand access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

The America�s Affordable Health Choices Act is consistent with President Obama�s overall goals of building on what works within the current health care system by strengthening employer-provided care, while fixing what is broken. The bill will ensure that 97 percent of Americans will be covered by a health care plan that is both affordable and offers quality, standard benefits by 2019.

America's Affordable Health Choices Act: Complete Bill Text (HR 3200) �
America's Affordable Health Choices Act: Summary �

What's In the Health Care Reform Bill for You? �
The Health Insurance Exchange �
Public Health Insurance Option �
Shared Responsibility �
Guaranteed Benefits �
Making Coverage Affordable �
Consumer Protections and Insurance Market Reforms �
Employers and Health Reform �
Strengthening the Nation's Health Workforce �
Delivery System Reform �
Protecting Program Integrity by Preventing Waste, Fraud and Abuse �
Strengthening Medicare �
Improving the Medicare Part D Drug Program �
Maintaining and Improving Medicaid �
Preventing Disease and Improving the Public's Health �
Controlling Health Care Costs �
Paying for Health Care Reform �

Discussion Draft
On June 19, the chairmen of the three committees with jurisdiction over health policy in the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled their discussion draft for health care reform. The draft would reduce out-of-control costs, improve choices and competition for consumers and expand access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. It would also guarantee that almost every American is covered by a health care plan that is both affordable and offers quality, standard benefits by 2019. More information ...

Discussion Draft: Statement from Miller

Discussion Draft: Summary
Discussion Draft: Full Bill Text

Health Care Reform Hearing, June 23rd 2009

The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on Tuesday, June 23 on the draft proposal for health care reform developed by the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor Committees. The draft proposal is designed to achieve President Obama�s goals of controlling health care costs, preserving health care choices, and ensuring access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. More...

Pres. Obama on Health Care Reform

Rep. Miller Meetings On Health Care

PAYGO

2009-06-08T14:03:38Z

What is PAYGO?

PAYGO (aka Pay-Go) stands for "Pay As You Go" or the "Pay As You Go" budgeting plan.

Under PAYGO budgeting rules, Congress would not be allowed to increase the deficit or decrease a surplus to pay for new mandatory programs or tax cuts. Congress would be required to pay for the cost of tax cuts or mandatory spending increases only with other cuts or revenue increases.

What's the history behind PAYGO?

Miller first introduced the idea of common-sense PAYGO budgeting in 1982, nearly 27 years ago. On November 16, 1983, Miller introduced a comprehensive PAYGO budget strategy which subsequently was approved by the Budget Committee and then by the House in April 1984.

For more information, check out the following:

Legislation HJ Res 427, introduced 1983
Legislation HR 6962, introduced 1982
Congressional Record - Statement Upon Introduction
Press Release - PAYGO passes Budget Committee
Press Release - PAYGO passes House

In 1990, a Democratically-controlled Congress and President George H.W. Bush enacted a legally binding pay-as-you-go budget plan. President George W. Bush and a Republican controlled Congress allowed the plan to expire in 2002.

What is next for PAYGO?

On Tuesday, June 9th, President Obama announced his support for a return to statuary PAYGO budgeting. President Obama�s proposal will reduce the federal budget deficit and make Washington more fiscally responsible. Miller joined the President at the White House where Mr. Obama announced he was sending to Congress a bill to require the statutory Pay-as-You-Go rules.

�President Obama is not just talking the talk when it comes to being fiscally responsible; he is willing to hold himself and Congress accountable and I fully support his proposal,� said Miller after the announcement. Continue reading Miller's statement...
Summary of the President's Proposal
Statuary PAYGO Text
The President's Announcement

On Wednesday, July 23rd the House approved statuary PAYGO budgeting. �I am proud we approved this legislation today help bring our fiscal house in order and help strengthen our economy,� said Miller, who first proposed PAYGO rules 27 years ago. �Under PAYGO budgeting, if we can�t pay for new tax cuts or entitlement spending, we can�t have them. It is that simple." Read more

Summary of PAYGO Legislation passed by the House
FAQ on PAYGO Legislation passed by the House

And leave your comments about your priorities in the comments section below...

High Priority Projects (Transportation)

2009-05-19T17:00:32Z

The following are Rep. Miller's designated Surface Transportation High Priority Project (HPP) projects submitted to the Transportation and Infrastructure committee on behalf of the 7th district.

I-80/I-680/SR12 Interchange Project
Requesting Agency: Solano Transportation Authority
Amount of Request: $45,000,000
The WB I-80 to SR 12 Connector and Green Valley Road Interchange Improvements project will improve traffic operations and safety, as well as reduce congestion within the existing I-80/I-680/SR12 interchange. The project would construct a two lane WB I-80 to WB SR12W connector with a bridge crossing over a new WB I-80 Green Valley Road on ramp. The connector exit from I-80 would begin immediately west of the existing I-80/I-680 connector and would conform to SR 12W in the vicinity of the existing SR12W / Red Top Road intersection. Also, project would reconstruct the I-80 / Green Valley Road interchange, consisting of the SB portion of the ultimate GVR overcrossing with an interim connection to Lopes Road.

North Richmond Truck Route Project
Requesting Agency: City of Richmond:
Requesting Amount: $15,100,000
Conduct environmental review, acquire right-of-way, design, engineer and construct the North Richmond Truck Route from Market Avenue to Parr Boulevard in North Richmond, Contra Costa County, CA

Hercules Transit Interconnectivity Project
Requesting Agency: City of Hercules
Amount of Request: $11,350,000
The Hercules Transit Interconnectivity Project will connect resident, employees, commuters, and visitors to the Waterfront/Intermodal Transit Center and the New Town Center areas of Hercules via transit (bus, Capitol Corridor train, and ferry), bicycling, and walking. The funds will provide for the infrastructure plans, specifications, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of the project to enhance the transit and bicycle/pedestrian access between the Hercules Intermodal Transit Center in the Waterfront area to the mixed-use project (including the BART Park & Ride Lot facility) at the New Town Center project on Willow Avenue.

Vallejo Ferry Maintenance Facility
Requesting Agency: San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transit Authority
Amount of Request: $10,000,000
Funding is requested to renovate Building 165 on the former Mare Island Navy base into a 15,000 square foot ferry maintenance facility to provide storage for parts and equipment and serve as an operations center, and to construct waterside berthing to accommodate 6 vessels. The facility will handle all routine servicing and maintenance work for the WETA ferry fleet operating in North San Francisco Bay and will provide on-site storage of sundries for the fleet. This project also includes a 40,0000 gallon fuel storage and delivery system which represents a ten day supply of fuel for current operations. The fuel storage capacity will also be essential to the WETA�s emergency response capabilities and planning. Funding will be used for the following activities: creation of plans, specifications and estimates; project management; engineering; permits; and construction of the facility.

Curtola Transit Center
Requesting Agency: City of Vallejo
Amount of Request: $8,020,000
The City of Vallejo, with the support of the Solano Transportation Authority, plans to construct a parking structure at the existing park and ride lot located at the intersection of Curtola Parkway/ I-780 and Lemon Street. Currently the parking lot holds approximately 485 parking spaces. Because of increased demand, patrons are forced to park in neighboring streets. As the projected demand at year 2025 is over 1,100 spaces, the project goal is to construct a 1,200 space parking structure. The project will also provide a mode separation between buses, cars and pedestrians, and provide more efficient ingress and egress for buses. The project is envisioned to be constructed in three phases, which will minimize the impact to patrons.

Marina Bay Parkway Grade Separation
Requesting Agency: City of Richmond
Amount of Request: $8,000,000
The project is to design and construct a grade separation at the existing rail/highway crossing on Marina Bay Parkway between Meeker Avenue and Regatta Boulevard. The project is intended to improve regional safety and mobility by eliminating frequent and lengthy blockages of the South Shoreline Area of Richmond.

Neighborhood-based Transportation System Demonstration Project
Requesting Agency: City of Richmond
Amount of Request: $5,800,000
The proposed project is to create a Greenprint demonstration project for a neighborhood based, computer based, mass transit system where Transportation Coordinators assist residents in saving money and saving the air by making the right transportation choices. Transportation options would include: Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, shuttles to mass transit, shopping, and recreation, computerized rideshare to work, etc.

East Contra Costa Trail Network
Requesting Agency: Contra Costa County
Amount of Request: $5,000,000
This project will plan and construct 23 miles of trails as part of the first phase of expansion of the East Contra Costa Trails Network, a regional network of non-motorized transportation routes throughout the eastern part of Contra Costa County. This first phase concentrates on transit-related routes and projects, emphasizing facilities within 1 mile of an existing or planned Rapid Transit Station (prioritized given the approval of the eBART project and efforts to comply with GHGas reduction requirements in AB32/SB375). Transit supportive projects include the Great California Delta Trail, State Route 4 Frontage Trail, Contra Costa Canal Trail, Main Street Trail, Delta DeAnza Trail Gap Closure (Pittsburgh/Bay Point BART Station) and other trails identified in the East Contra Costa County Trails Masterplan.

Fairgrounds Area Improvement Project
Requesting Agency: Solano County
Amount of Request: $5,000,000
The project consists of constructing a number of transportation improvements in the Solano County Fairgrounds area of Vallejo in order to accommodate the future development of the fairgrounds site. The project extends from (and includes) the Redwood Parkway Overcrossing over Interstate 80, along Fairgrounds Drive to (and includes) the Fairgrounds Drive connections to State Route 37.

Carquinez Scenic Drive
Requesting Agency: East Bay Regional Park District:
Amount of Request: $4,000,000
The request will complete the construction of a 2-mile segment of the San Francisco Bay Trail in Carquinez Regional Shoreline. The trail corridors along Carquinez Scenic Drive have been closed since 1982. A study conducted by the Contra Costa County Public Works Department, determined feasible alternatives, identified costs and held meetings with the public and interested parties to select the best alternative. This project will shore up the crumbling old Carquinez Scenic Drive and complete one of the hardy perennials on the San Francisco Bay Trail Project's lengthy must-do list. In addition, the project is part of the Carquinez Strait Loop Trail, a fifty-mile trail planned around the scenic channel bounded by dramatic bluffs between Solano and Contra Costa counties.

Interstate 80 Express Bus Capacity Expansion and Facility Expansion
Requesting Agency: Western Contra Costa Transit Authority
Amount of Request: $2,600,000
Funds will be used to purchase of 3 fifty-seven passenger commuter coaches to reduce congestion along the Interstate 80 corridor by expanding capacity WestCAT�s express bus service between Hercules and San Francisco. Due to overcrowding conditions, many passengers utilizing WestCAT�s express bus service are forced to stand for the 40 minute duration of the trip. This project will allow WestCAT to expand passenger capacity during the peak commute period.
Funds will also be used in a minor expansion of WestCAT�s operating facility to accommodate the additional vehicles and relieve already overcrowded conditions at the site. Currently, WestCAT�s operating facility is at capacity, and our Short Range Transit Plan calls for a $2 million expansion project to acquire and improve a one-acre parcel of adjoining land to provide additional bus parking and a security office. The land will be purchased using local funds. Federal assistance is required to do PS&E, and to carry out grading, paving, fencing, building construction, and installation of security gates and monitoring equipment.

Alternative Fuel Buses
Requesting Agency: Solano Transportation Authority
Amount of Request: $2,000,000
STA and its member agencies request $2 million to purchase three alternative fuel buses (Total Cost: $2,222,223). SolanoExpress is a coalition of the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) and the transit operators in greater Solano County, working together to coordinate the county�s public transportation options for commuters and other riders. In Solano County, there are seven intercity routes operated that annually carry over 1 million passengers. These routes carry passengers throughout the Bay Area and Sacramento. These routes currently are operated by 42 diesel buses. Replacing the current diesel fleet of commuter buses with alternative fuel buses will be a key step toward expanding low-emission commuter services.

Shale Hill Sidewalk Gap Closure
Requesting Agency: City of Pinole
Amount of Request: $1,600,000
Construct an earth retaining wall and pedestrian sidewalk along the north side of San Pablo Avenue from Oak Ridge Drive to a private driveway near Fern Avenue. Funding is requested for the planning, environmental clearance, preliminary engineering, right-of-way acquisition, permitting, construction, and construction engineering. The work would involve excavating the hill that has been sloughing into San Pablo Avenue, constructing an earth retaining wall, and constructing a pedestrian sidewalk. The project includes transit service improvements for Western Contra Costa Transit Authority (WestCAT) Express Bus Route J, Route C3 that serves students at Contra Costa College, and Route 16. The transfer point for all three of these bus routes will be improved through the installation of AVL Tracking Technology to allow real time and historical monitoring of bus location and speed along these routes. The project includes other improvements at waiting areas and line of sight safety improvements for automobile drivers, bus operators, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Vacaville Intermodal Station
Requesting Agency: City of Vacaville
Amount of Request: $1,500,000
Develop, Demonstrate, Deploy, Reconstruct, Rehabilitate, Replace, Retrofit, Install, Mitigate, Implement, Realign Design and construct Phase 2 of the Vacaville Intermodal Station improvements. The Vacaville Intermodal Center will include construction of a 600 parking spaces for transit and carpool/vanpool users, including a 400 space parking garage in Phase 2 to support the intermodal center. Both phases will provide bus, vanpool, carpool, bicycle and pedestrian access and parking.

East Bay Regional Park District
Requesting Agency: Trails Maintenance in Contra Costa County
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Conduct pavement maintenance on paved regional trails for the East Bay Regional Park District throughout Contra Costa County.

Appropriations Requests FY10

2009-03-30T21:01:58Z

Below are descriptions of the requests for federal appropriations that Rep. Miller made this month on behalf of projects and services in his community for fiscal year 2010, which runs from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010. Making the requests is just the beginning of a lengthy congressional process that will not be decided until later this year.

Delta-LTMS-Pinole Shoal Management
Requesting Agency: County of Contra Costa
On behalf of: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Recipient�s Location: 333 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Amount of Request: $2,000,000
Project Name: Delta-LTMS-Pinole Shoal Management
Project Location: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Purpose:It is far more cost effective to perform preventative maintenance on levees than to perform emergency repairs once the levees break; this project will protect communities and the environment as well as create jobs, by considering the beneficial re-use of dredged materials as one potential source of sediment for levees.

San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program
Requesting Agency: Delta Diablo Sanitation District
On behalf of: Bay Area Clean Water Agencies (BACWA)
Recipient�s Location: 2500 Pittsburg-Antioch Highway, Antioch, CA 94509-1373
Amount of Request: $38,020,000
Project Name: San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program
Project Location: Counties of Santa Clara, San Mateo,
Alameda, Contra Costa, Sonoma
Purpose: This funding is part of a cooperative regional effort that invests in water recycling facilities, pipelines, and related conveyance facilities to develop and expand the use of recycled water. This augments surface water supplies, preserves overdrawn river and groundwater supplies, protects the environment, and improves the overall security and reliability of the Bay Area's urban water systems.

Rose Drive Pedestrian Overcrossing
Requesting Agency: City of Benicia
On behalf of: City of Benicia
Recipient�s Location: 250 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Project Name: Rose Drive Pedestrian Overcrossing
Project Location: Rose Drive over Interstate 780, Benicia, CA
Purpose: This project will allow access to Benicia State Recreation Area by means of a safe and separate path and bridge across the freeway. Pedestrians and cyclists are currently forced to share with motor vehicles a very narrow freeway ramp bridge, a structure that was never intended to be used in such a manner. This project will eliminate this hazardous situation and provide bikes, horses, and pedestrians their own safe access to the state park.

Richmond BUILD
Requesting Agency: City of Richmond
On behalf of: City of Richmond
Recipient�s Location: 330 25th Street, Richmond, CA 94804
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Project Name: Richmond BUILD
Project Location: Richmond, CA
Purpose: Richmond BUILD will continue to provide Richmond and west county residents with access to a high quality and effective Green Collar Job training programs.

Mare Island Sanitary Sewer and Storm Drain Project
Requesting Agency: City of Vallejo
On behalf of: City of Vallejo
Recipient�s Location: 555 Santa Clara Street Vallejo, CA 94590
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Project Name: Mare Island Sanitary Sewer and Storm Drain Project
Project Location: Vallejo, CA
Purpose: The current sanitary sewer and storm drain system on Mare Island is in a severely degraded condition because it evolved from a system built in the 1800's, which combined sanitary and storm water into one system. A modernization and upgrade of the current sanitary sewer and storm water drain system is critical to improving the overall water quality of the region. Federal funding is needed to replace the existing sanitary sewer pipes, and expand the storm water drainage system.

Child Health & Nutrition Program
Requesting Agency: Contra Costa Child Care Council
On behalf of: Contra Costa Child Care Council
Recipient�s Location: 1035 Detroit Ave., Concord, CA 94549
Amount of Request: $212,922
Project Name: Child Health & Nutrition Program
Project Location: Contra Costa County, CA
Purpose: Through a comprehensive educational program, the Child Health & Nutrition Program seeks to improve children�s health and prevent childhood obesity.

Bridges To The Future At Contra Costa College
Requesting Agency: Contra Costa College
On behalf of: Contra Costa College
Recipient�s Location: 2600 Mission Bell Drive, San Pablo, CA 94806
Amount of Request: $157,680
Project Name: Bridges To The Future At Contra Costa College
Project Location: San Pablo, California
Purpose: Positive summer college experience for 120 at-risk students from the West Contra Costa County.

Contra Costa Canal
Requesting Agency: Contra Costa Water District
On behalf of: Contra Costa Water District
Recipient�s Location: 1331 Concord Avenue, P.O. Box H2O,Concord,CA 94524
Amount of Request: $23,000,000
Project Name: CONTRA COSTA CANAL
Project
Project Location: City of Brentwood, CA; City of Oakley, CA
Purpose: The purpose of the project is to eliminate eight miles of federally-owned levees that form the Contra Costa Canal and replace the canal with a buried pipeline. The project would replace aging infrastructure and provide immediate water quality benefits to 550,000 people in the Contra Costa Water District service area, flood protection benefits to residents that live near the levees, and would help the Central Valley Project (CVP) meet water quality standards in the Canal while reducing water releases from upstream reservoirs. This funding would allow continuation of construction for this project, for which project design is complete and all permits are in place.

Contra Costa Canal Intake Fish Screening Project
Requesting Agency: Contra Costa Water District
On behalf of: Contra Costa Water District
Recipient�s Location: 1331 Concord Avenue, P.O.Box H2O,Concord,CA 94524
Amount of Request: $20,000,000
Project Name: Contra Costa Canal Intake Fish Screening Project
Project Location: City of Oakley, CA
Purpose: Completion of the Fish Screen by the Bureau of Reclamation and Contra Costa Water District is required under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 (CVPIA) and several Biological Opinions issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The Fish Screen will reduce CVP impacts on Delta smelt, winter-run salmon,spring-run salmon, steelhead and green sturgeon -- all listed species under the Endangered Species Act. The new screen on the pump station intake could also improve water delivery by 20% for the Contra Costa Water District during both drought and many non-drought years.

San Francisco Bay Area Regional Biosolids-to-Energy
Requesting Agency: Delta Diablo Sanitation District
On behalf of: Delta Diablo Sanitation District (for the Bay Area Biosolids
Recipient�s Location: 2500 Pittsburg-Antioch Highway, Antioch, CA. 94509-1373
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Project Name: San Francisco Bay Area Regional Biosolids-to-Energy
Project Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Purpose: A biosolids to energy facility located within the Bay Area could utilize biosolids, which are a natural by-product of wastewater treatment and organic waste that would otherwise go to landfill, as a renewable energy resource. Reduction of organic wastes in landfills will help reduce the associated greenhouse gasses and a facility in the Bay Area would significantly reduce hauling and the associated emissions.

Point Richmond Historic District Rehabilitation
Requesting Agency: City of Richmond
On behalf of: City of Richmond
Recipient�s Location:
Amount of Request: $200,000
Project Name: Point Richmond Historic District Rehabilitation
Project Location: Richmond, CA
Purpose: The Point Richmond Historic District has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978 -- funding would be used to provide seismic retrofits and other structural improvements for buildings constructed prior to WWII.

Alameda and Contra Costa Counties Recycled Water
Requesting Agency: East Bay Municipal Utility District
On behalf of: East Bay Municipal Utility District
Recipient�s Location: 375 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
Amount of Request: $5,600,000
Project Name: Alameda and Contra Costa Counties Recycled Water
Project Location: I-80 Cooridor, Berkeley, CA
Purpose: The Integrated Recycled Water Project (IRWP) will provide a reliable alternative recycled water supply that will conserve high quality potable water supplies to areas served by the East Bay Municipal Utility District. The projects that comprise the IRWP will supply up to 6 million gallons a day (MGD) of highly purified recycled water. The project will enhance EBMUD's ability to meet the needs of its 1.3 million business and residential customers.

Hercules Bay Trail
Requesting Agency: East Bay Regional Park District
On behalf of: East Bay Regional Park District
Recipient�s Location: 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605
Amount of Request: $800,000
Project Name: Hercules Bay Trail
Project Location: Hercules, CA
Purpose: Construct 0.53-mile segment on Bay Trail in Hercules behind the Bio-Rad facility at the end of Alfred Nobel Drive.

Delta Science Center
Requesting Agency: East Bay Regional Park District
On behalf of: East Bay Regional Park District
Recipient�s Location: 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605
Amount of Request: $750,000
Project Name: Delta Science Center
Project Location: Oakley, CA
Purpose: California's Bay-Delta ecosystem is under serious stress, is the focus of significant state and federal regulatory decisions, and is a critical subject for environmental education and research. The Delta Science Center offers access to an integrated program of education, research and restoration. Programs include: tracking pollutants; monitoring salmon; surveying turtles, otters, beavers and muskrat; global position mapping; building breeding and habitat boxes; raising and planting native plants.

Solano County Parolee Re-Entry Program
Requesting Agency: Fighting Back Partnership
On behalf of: Fighting Back Partnership
Recipient�s Location: 505 Santa Clara St. 3rd Floor Vallejo, Ca 94590
Amount of Request: $276,810
Project Name: Solano County Parolee Re-Entry Program
Project Location: Vallejo, Ca 94590
Purpose: Reduction of Parolee Recidivism in Solano County

Resident Vocational
Requesting Agency: Greater Richmond Interfaith Program
On behalf of: Greater Richmond Interfaith Program
Recipient�s Location: 165 22nd Street, Richmond, CA 94801
Amount of Request: $300,000
Project Name: Resident Vocational
Project Location: Richmond, CA
Purpose: To empower and create opportunities that facilitate successful employment through case management, vocational training & counseling for the homeless to transition into self-sufficiency and end the cycle of

Micromachined Switches for Next Generation Modular Satellites
Requesting Agency: MicroAssembly Technologies Inc.
On behalf of: MicroAssembly Technologies Inc.
Recipient�s Location: 934 Marina Way South, Richmond CA 94804
Amount of Request: $4,000,000
Project Name: Micromachined Switches for Next Generation Modular Satellites
Project Location: Richmond, California
Purpose: This project will integrate and demonstrate an interconnected array of micromachined switches with control circuitry and support components.

Micromachined Switches in Support of Transformational Communications Architecture
Requesting Agency: MicroAssembly Technologies Inc.
On behalf of: MicroAssembly Technologies Inc.
Recipient�s Location: 934 Marina Way South, Richmond CA 94804
Amount of Request: $4,000,000
Project Name: Micromachined Switches in Support of Transformational Communications Architecture
Project Location: Richmond, California
Purpose: This project will integrate micromachined switches in military radio circuits to demonstrate power savings and improved receiver performance.

Richmond Youth Academy
Requesting Agency: Richmond Black Professional Firefighters Association
On behalf of: Richmond Black Professional Firefighters Association
Recipient�s Location: 3506 Cutting Blvd, Richmond, CA. 94804
Amount of Request: $350,000
Project Name: Richmond Youth Academy
Project Location: Richmond, CA. 94804
Purpose: The program will assist at-risk youth in West Contra Costa County in identifying and obtaining goals and life skills, by providing mentoring, growth and educational programs. Program is reducing juvenile delinquency and violence.

Changing Habits, Attitudes & Mind Program (CHAMP)
Requesting Agency: Richmond Police Activities League
On behalf of: Richmond Police Activities League
Recipient�s Location: 2200 Macdonald Ave, Richmond, CA 94801
Amount of Request: $390,000
Project Name: Changing Habits, Attitudes & Mind Program (CHAMP)
Project Location: Richmond, CA
Purpose: The Changing Habits, Attitudes & Mind Program (CHAMP) program creates opportunities for the healthy physical, social and mental development of at-risk youth. Addressing the needs of those who are involved in juvenile crime and violence by providing comprehensive programs increases the chances that they will become productive citizens in their community.

Gunshot Location System
Requesting Agency: San Pablo, CA Police Department
On behalf of: San Pablo, CA Police Department
Recipient�s Location: San Pablo Police Department 13880 San Pablo Ave., San Pablo
Amount of Request: $600,000
Project Name: Gunshot Location System
Project Location: City of San Pablo, CA
Purpose: Last year San Pablo saw a significant increase in its homicide rate and the police force is stretched beyond its means as they attempt to respond to crime and gang violence. An increased coverage area will assist both San Pablo and Richmond, CA, police departments in fighting violence. Neighboring Richmond is already purchasing and implementing the system.

Vacaville Intermodal Station - Phase 2
Requesting Agency: Solano Transportation Authority
On behalf of: Solano Transportation Authority
Recipient�s Location: One Harbor Center, Suite 130, Suisun City, CA 94585
Amount of Request: $2,000,000
Project Name: Vacaville Intermodal Station - Phase 2
Project Location: Vacaville, CA
Purpose: The Vacaville Intermodal Station will streamline express bus service to both the Bay Area and the Sacramento region along the I-80 corridor, and provide efficient connections to local bus service.

Alternative Fuel Solano Express Bus Replacement
Requesting Agency: Solano Transportation Authority
On behalf of: Solano Transportation Authority
Recipient�s Location: One Harbor Center, Suite 130, Suisun City, CA 94585
Amount of Request: $2,000,000
Project Name: Alternative Fuel Solano Express Bus Replacement
Project Location: Solano County, CA
Purpose: The STA requests funds in order to meet current service demands with alternative fuel buses and/or prepare for potential service expansions. The new buses will produce lower amounts of air emissions, including both greenhouse gasses (such as CO2), and soot. Utilizing alternative fuel buses is part of STA�s and Solano County�s climate change strategy. The transit services provided will reduce the number of cars on the road, thereby further reducing air emissions. A transit study along State Route 12 between Napa and Solano County also shows a need for transit service which currently does not exist. The requested alternative fuel buses could be used to phase in transit along this heavily travelled inter-county corridor.

Students Are Prevention Partners
Requesting Agency: YMCA of the East Bay-Building Blocks for Kids
On behalf of: YMCA of the East Bay-Building Blocks for Kids
Recipient�s Location: 263 South 20th Street, Richmond, CA 94804
Amount of Request: $100,000
Project Name: Students Are Prevention Partners
Project Location: Richmond, CA
Purpose: Building Blocks for Kids will provide a substance abuse prevention and intervention program to students at Helms Middle School.

Napa River Salt Marsh Ecosystem Restoration Project
Requesting Agency: California Coastal Conservancy
On behalf of: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers- San Francisco District
Recipient�s Location: 1455 Market Street, CA 94103-1398
Amount of Request: $8,000,000
Project Name: Napa River Salt Marsh Ecosystem Restoration Project
Project Location: 45 miles north of San Francisco, California
Purpose: The Napa River Salt Marsh Restoration project involves the restoration of nearly 10,000 acres of formerly commercial salt ponds in three phases, to a mix of tidal marsh and managed ponds, as well as delivery of recycled water to aid in the removal of bittern (a byproduct of salt production) that is stored in one of the ponds.

Early Learning Development Project
Requesting Agency: Contra Costa Child Care Council
On behalf of: Contra Costa Child Care Council
Recipient�s Location: 1035 Detroit Ave., Concord, CA 94549
Amount of Request: $317,521
Project Name: Early Learning Development Project
Project Location: Antioch, Pittsburt, Mt Diablo and West Contra Costa County School Districts in California
Purpose: To build a system of Early Childhood Education in Contra Costa County that is unsurpassed in the state of California.

The Way Out

2009-02-13T21:49:40Z

The way out will be a long road� and its not going to be easy, but there are three key areas where Congress can focus our efforts to get us back on track.

Creating Jobs
Our economy is not going to work if we don�t get the fundamental thing done and get people working again. The Recovery Package creates over 3 million jobs in all sectors of our economy � construction, education, green jobs. It is essential to get our country moving forward. More Information...

Preventing Foreclosure
Keeping families in their homes is an important component to rescuing our economy. There are several proposals currently being worked on that aim to help people who are facing foreclosure. By stemming the rate of foreclosure, we'll help stabilize our housing market.

Unfreezing Credit
A plan to thaw the frozen credit markets so that small businesses and consumers can have access to credit that is essential to a healthy economy. More Information...

These areas will not be a cure all. We�ve got a lot of work to do in other areas that will help our economy, from health care to education funding to protecting our environment.

The Way Out - Creating Jobs

2009-02-13T21:48:13Z

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (HR 1) will help avoid more layoffs of teachers. It will create jobs in water recycling to help with California�s drought. It will help families running out of unemployment benefits or food stamps. And it will helps California continue to provide health care to low income families. It will help modernize local public schools, improve health care technology to cut costs, and will help young people stay in college, which they desperately need to do tobe able to succeed in our economy.

This economic recovery plan will save and create jobs, get our economy moving again, and transform it for long-term growth and stability. HR 1 will:

-- Create or save 3.5 million jobs

-- Immediately cut taxes for 95% of American workers

-- Begin an historic transformation of our economy, making us more globally competitive and energy independent for the 21st century, investing in world-class education

-- Make unprecedented investments in our infrastructure to modernize our roads, bridges and mass transit, build energy efficient buildings and tackle clean water projects

-- Restore science and innovation as the keys to new American-made technology, preventing and treating disease and tackling urgent national challenges like climate change

-- Modernize our health care system to lower costs and save lives

-- Provide unprecedented accountability and transparency to help ensure tax dollars are spent wisely and restore the American people�s confidence

But make no mistake about it � the recovery plan alone is not a silver bullet for our serious economic problems. Unemployment will continue to rise, no matter what plans are enacted. That�s the nature of recessions.

With this plan, fewer people will lose their jobs, and more people will have job opportunities as we come out of the recession.

This recovery plan is essential. But it must be viewed along with the two other pillars of our economic rescue efforts � a plan to help homeowners, and a plan to thaw the frozen credit markets so that small businesses and consumers can have access to credit that is essential to a healthy economy.

Detailed summary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Way Out - Unfreezing Credit

2009-02-13T21:46:16Z

Obama�s treasury department has introduced a comprehensive plan to begin to stabilize our financial system. When credit starts flowing again to consumers and small businesses, and accountability is brought to this effort are the measures of success.

The plan is a complete overhaul of the Bush Administration�s use of the Bank bailout funds by focusing specifically on accountability and transparency. It dedicates overdue resources to help homeowners, reduce the foreclosure rate and address the problems in the real estate industry -- where this crisis began.

Congress is working with President Obama to address this issue in a timely manner.

Read more about President Obama's plan for Financial Stability.

2009-02-13T20:50:53Z

Economic Recovery

2009-02-06T21:41:35Z

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed to help rebuild America, create and save jobs, give American workers tax cuts; and invest in both local and our national economy.

Recovery Funding in the East Bay and Solano County

Newspaper Articles:
Vallejo Times Herald - Vallejo to receive $1 million
West County Times - West County Facilities Receive Federal Infusion

Recovery Funding in Education

Recovery Funding in California

We still have a long way to go rescue our economy. But the Recovery Act is a necessary and critical first step to start us down the right path.

For more information visit
www.recovery.gov or

whitehouse.gov/recovery
The President and Vice President announced the Road to Recovery this summer and will be telling the stories of recovery from communities all over the US.

*Please note the funding information provided is not comprehensive and is considered an estimate. Complete information will be available at recovery.gov as it becomes available in the coming months.

Health Care Reform

2009-02-05T21:40:22Z

Our current health care system is broken. Today, millions of Americans remain uninsured, over 6 million of them in California.

Especially during this time of economic uncertainty, parents need the peace of mind that comes when their children have health care. Many families are working hard to make ends meet but still cannot afford the high cost of health insurance.

Congress recently passed and President Obama signed an expansion of the Children's Health Insurance Program. The program, established to cover children who are uninsured, currently provides health insurance to 1.5 million California children.

The bill signed into law by the President will provide coverage for cover an additional 700,000 children in California, decreasing the number of uninsured kids in the state by 55%. The cost of the program will be offset by an increase in cigarette taxes.

Expanding children�s health is critical, but it is only one part of what we must do as a nation to ensure that all Americans have access to quality health care.

As Congress works with President Obama to achieve that goal, please leave your thoughts on how we can best reform our health care system in the comments section below. Also stay tuned to this site for developments in health care reform.

Economic Recovery

2009-01-29T17:57:04Z

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed to help rebuild America, create and save jobs, give American workers tax cuts; and invest in both local and our national economy.

Recovery Funding in the East Bay and Solano County

Newspaper Articles:
Vallejo Times Herald - Vallejo to receive $1 million
West County Times - West County Facilities Receive Federal Infusion

Recovery Funding in Education

Recovery Funding in California

We still have a long way to go rescue our economy. But the Recovery Act is a necessary and critical first step to start us down the right path.

For more information visit
www.recovery.gov or

whitehouse.gov/recovery
The President and Vice President announced the Road to Recovery this summer and will be telling the stories of recovery from communities all over the US.

*Please note the funding information provided is not comprehensive and is considered an estimate. Complete information will be available at recovery.gov as it becomes available in the coming months.