Local leaders lobby in D.C.

Local leaders lobby in D.C.
By Danny Bernardini/DBernardini@TheReporter.com
Posted: 02/06/2009

Local leaders this week backed up their written requests for federal transportation funding with face-to-face meetings in Washington, D.C.

The Solano Transportation Authority Board of Directors made its annual trip to the nation's capitol to lobby for funding for several projects it hopes will be financed by proposed stimulus packages.

Vacaville Mayor Len Augustine said the conversations went well .

"It went pretty good, considering everything is in turmoil," Augustine said. "I feel pretty optimistic. I feel there will be some money this year."

Joining Augustine on the trip were fellow mayors Harry Price of Fairfield, Pete Sanchez of Suisun City and Solano County Supervisor Jim Spering.

A full schedule of meetings with Solano County's congressional members or their staff took place this week. Included in this group were Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, Reps. Mike Thompson and Gerald McNerney and the offices of Reps. George Miller and Ellen Tauscher.

"They took time to see us," Augustine said. "California is in a good position to pick up some of the money because the leadership is centered."

The STA approved a list of priority projects in January and submitted the following for the 2010 fiscal year Transportation Appropriations Program:

* Travis Air Force Base North Gate access improvements, $5 million.

* Alternative fuel replacements for SolanoExpress buses, $2 million.

* Highway 12 Major Investment Study, $500,000.

* Construction of the Fairfield Transportation Center, $2 million.

* Construction of the Vacaville Intermodal Station, Phase 2, $2 million.

Funding priority has been placed on projects ready to start in the near future.

"That's what they are looking for," Augustine said. "They want money to get on the road. We have a reputation that when we get the money, we deliver the projects."