WASHINGTON  -  With today’s passage of H.R. 2419, FY 2006 Energy and Water
Appropriations Act and H.R. 2862, FY 2006 appropriations for Science and the Departments of State, Justice and Commerce, U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) announced much-needed projects for Southern Missouri flood control programs, water infrastructure and drug task forces.  The bills passed by votes of 399-17 and 397-19, respectively.

 

“These programs are vital to jobs, growth, and public programs in our congressional district.  This is how Southern Missourians get a return on our investment of federal taxes – infrastructure, public safety, and help in our fight against drugs,” Emerson said.  “I want to thank U.S. Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent for being strong advocates for Southern Missouri.  Together, we represent a united front on the importance of flood protection and stopping the scourge of methamphetamine.  These are public safety priorities in rural Missouri.  For 2006, we will have $500,000 in much-needed federal funding to support our drug task forces, and I will continue to work with local, state and federal law enforcement to ensure our war on meth is coordinated and cooperative.”

 

Also included in the Commerce, Justice & State Appropriations Bill is $1.15 million for the Educator Resource Center at Southeast Missouri State University.  The funding was procured with the assistance of U.S. Senator Kit Bond and includes funding for a remote, traveling education vehicle called the Southeast Explorer.

 

“The Southeast Explorer is really a great program of the SEMO Educator Resource Center and an extension of the University.  Essentially, it is a traveling museum for students throughout our region.  It focuses on a variety of projects, from space exploration to the history of Missouri.  I’m glad to announce federal support for this innovative, effective outreach.”

 

The conference reports on the appropriations bills were passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening.

 

 

Following are projects Emerson requested and the levels at which they are funded:

 

 

Commerce-Justice-State
$1,150,000                                        SEMO Educator Resource Center (with Sen. Bond)
      125,000                                        Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force
       250,000                                       South Central Missouri Drug Task Force
       125,000                                       Mineral Area Drug Task Force

 

Energy and Water
$    300,000                                       Cape Girardeau Floodwall repairs
   1,810,000                                       Bois Brule Levee, Perry County
   7,950,000                                       St. John’s – New Madrid Flood Control
   4,442,000                                       Wappapello Lake maintenence
      315,000                                       Caruthersville Harbor
 22,000,000                                       Clearwater Lake
       360,000                                      New Madrid Harbor
       315,000                                      SEMO Port
       175,000                                      Little River Diversion flood protection construction
       125,000                                      Duck Creek conservation area flood control study
         30,000                                       Lilbourn flood control study