KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffHeartland lawmakers announce plans for omnibus spending bill

Heartland lawmakers announce plans for omnibus spending bill

By Heartland News

(KFVS) - While most Americans are pinching pennies, the U.S. Senate voted this weekend to increase federal spending.

The bill is now headed to the President's desk and he's vowed to sign it, even though it's loaded down with pork.

The more than $1 trillion bill provides added funds for half of all federal programs including Medicare, Medicaid and veterans programs.

But most Republicans and some Democrats want to slam the brakes on spending.

"It's beyond imagination when you put it into the context of amerAmericans suffering more than they have at anytime in their lives," said Senator John McCain (R-Arizona).

Senator McCain is demanding President Obama veto the bill.

President Obama says he believes it is necessary to fuel job creation.

The House approved the measure on Thursday.  The Senate did so on an unusual Sunday session.

If the President signs this bill into law, millions of dollars will be headed to southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.  Some of the proposals are included below.

ILLINOIS EARMARKS

In southern Illinois, U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-Illinois) is asking for $400,000 for Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  Costello says the money could go toward equipment technology upgrades.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) has asked for more than $779,000 for the Southern Illinois airport.  That would be used for the construction of the aircraft rescue firefighting building.

Durbin announced legislation to help the Department of Veterans' Affairs recruit high-quality health care administrators in rural areas.

Durbin's initiative will help establish a pilot project within the VA focusing on efforts to recruit qualified medical care professionals to work for VA hospitals in under served areas.  The project will get around $3 million. It's waiting on the President's signature.

• Harrisburg Missouri Street Hospital Access Project, IL - $400,000 - Rep. Shimkus (R-IL)
• Jerome and Mousette Lanes, Cahokia, IL - $300,000 - Sen. Costello (D-IL)
• Public Safety Technology Improvements for the City of Chester - Costello - $100,000
• Fiber Optic Connection Upgrade for the City of Mascoutah - $650,000 - Sen. Costello (D-IL)
• Five County Regional Vocational System, Tamms, IL for education support services for at-risk students - $50,000 - Sen. Costello (D-IL)
• Aeromedical Evacuation Facility $7.4 mil - Sen. Costello (D-IL)

MISSOURI EARMARKS

U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-Missouri) submitted several proposals for southeast Missouri.

• Those proposals include a half million dollars for Southeast Missouri State University for technology upgrades on campus.
• The Chester Bridge in Perry County will get about $1.5 million for deck repairs on the Missouri side of the bridge.
• Route 25 in Jackson will get around $650,000 worth of road repairs. Route 34 in Bollinger and Cape Girardeau counties will be resurfaced, for a price of around $500,000.
• Route 67 in Butler County will be extended further south to Route 160 at a cost of $500,000.
• Both the SEMO Network Against Sexual Violence and the SEMO Drug Task Force will receive $200,000.
• Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff will receive more than $200,000 for technology projects.
• The Washington County ADA building could get $300,000 for renovations $300,000.
• Route 67 in Butler County-Extend Existing Four-Lane South to Route 160, MO

Senator Kit Bond (R-Missouri) also submitted several proposals liste below.

• Sikeston Memorial Municipal Airport for the relocation and construction of a taxiway, MO $1,700,000 - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Poplar Bluff Industrial Park Bypass, MO - $2 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Route 34, MO $1,150,000 - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Cape Girardeau Riverwalk Trail, MO $1.6 mil - Sen. Bond (R -MO)
• Sikeston Memorial Municipal Airport for the relocation and construction of a taxiway, MO - $1.7 million - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Interstate-55 Interchange, MO - $1 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Poplar Bluff Industrial Park Bypass, MO - $2 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Delta Regional Transportation Development Program - $1.15 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Brush Creek-Troost Avenue Streetscape Improvements, MO - $ 1 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Cape Girardeau Riverwalk Trail, MO - $1.6 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Route 160 and Route 60 Interchange Improvements, MO - $ 1 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• US-63, MO - $1 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Statewide Bus & Bus Facilities, MO - $2 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Transit Vehicle and Related Equipment, MO - $ 1 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Missouri Sherriff's Methamphetamine Relief Team (MOSMART) - Cape County - $1.5 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Establishment of a Forensic Science Research and Education Laboratory - Southeast Missouri State University - $700,000 - Sen. Bond (R-MO)Missouri NASA Math, Science and Technology Education Enhancement Program - semo - $500,000 - Sen. Bond (R-MO)
• Big Springs Medical Association, Inc dba Missouri Highlands Health Care, Ellington, MO, for facilities and equipment - $1 mil - Sen. Bond (R-MO)

The measure now goes to President Barack Obama to be signed into law to succeed the previous funding resolution that expires on December 18.

Read through all of the proposals.

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