Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) helped secure federal dollars for Whatcom County priorities in the Fiscal Year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill heading for a House vote this week.  The omnibus appropriations bill is the result of negotiations between House and Senate leadership and must pass both Houses of Congress before it can be signed into law.

“I am pleased that Whatcom County priorities, including funding for border communities, local law enforcement and public transit are on track to get federal funding,” said Larsen. “I thank my partner in the Senate, Senator Patty Murray, for helping deliver needed resources for the 2nd Congressional District and our state.”

Larsen helped secure the following appropriations:

$1,900,000 to help the Whatcom Transportation Authority replace 33 aging buses with new, bio-diesel compatible buses

“Whatcom Transit saw the highest ridership increase in the country last year.  But while more Whatcom County residents than ever rely on public transit to travel between home, work and school, many of Whatcom Transit’s buses are aging and in need of repair,” said Larsen, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “New buses will allow Whatcom Transportation Authority to keep up with skyrocketing ridership, improve efficiency and better serve the public.”

$3,000,000 to help Northern border communities recover the costs of detaining and prosecuting suspects charged with federal border crimes

“Whatcom County is currently spending more than 2 million dollars a year to prosecute federal border crimes,” said Larsen. “These resources will help relieve the heavy financial burden imposed on our Northern border communities.”

In 2002, Larsen first introduced legislation to help Northern border communities cover the cost of detaining and prosecuting suspects charged with federal border crimes. Larsen and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) have reintroduced this legislation in each successive Congress.

$290,000 to expand and improve information sharing between Whatcom County law enforcement agencies through the Whatcom Exchange Network (WENET)

“In this time of tight budgets, we cannot afford to short-change local law enforcement,” said Larsen. “Whatcom County’s WENET data integration program will provide law enforcement agencies with real-time data on criminal offenders, strengthening their ability to coordinate and communicate with each other and protect our community.”

The omnibus appropriation bill also includes:

• $1.1 million for the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative
• $285,000 for emergency preparedness at St. Joseph's Hospital to enhance emergency power, water and air supplies and increase hospital security capabilities
• $300,000 to improve the water quality of Lake Whatcom, Whatcom County’s largest source of drinking water
  

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