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FY2010 Requests Included In Legislation

Below you will find the results of the requests I made for appropriations in FY2010. To get more information about the actual requests, and my reasons for requesting them, please visit the FY2010 Funding Priorities in our Community page.

Commerce, Justice and Science
Energy and Water
Financial Services
Homeland Security
Interior and Environment
Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies - California 15th District:

$400,000 for the Information Network for Student Success from OJP Juvenile Justice - The project will fund a confidential countywide database that will contain information about the educational histories of foster care youth. The database will be used to identify and ensure that these youth are provided tailored and coordinated intervention services as they move through the foster care and legal system. The targeted intervention and support will improve school attendance, prevent school dropout, and lower juvenile crime.
$1 million for Santa Clara County Criminal Justice Information Control (CJIC) Law & Justice Systems Plan from COPS Law Enforcement Technology - The funding for this project will enhance Santa Clara County’s criminal justice information system. There is a need for functional enhancements, collaboration and information sharing, integration with other technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the need to provide data in additional formats, such as web-based interfaces or mobile devices.
$450,000 for Human Trafficking Victim Support Center from OJP – Byrne Discretionary Grants - The Center will offer direct services and wrap-around service coordination to human trafficking victims, as well as spearhead a public education campaign to raise awareness and facilitate identification, reporting of, and assistance to trafficking victims.
$180,000 for San Jose State University for Training the Next Generation of Weather forecasters from NOAA – Funds would be used to continue to develop a field experience class to broaden and enhance the undergraduate experience of B.S. Meteorology students at San Jose State University. The class will enhance students’ ability to recognize and forecast as wide an array of weather phenomena as is likely to be experienced in California in the next 30 years, which is expected to change as global climate change continues.
$170,000 for the Santa Clara County Delinquency Model Court from OJP Juvenile Justice - This project will allow the Santa Clara County Superior Court to implement the Delinquency Model Court Guidelines, which were established after three years of work by over 100 experts in juvenile justice. By implementing the Delinquency Model Court Guidelines the system will provide greater support for these youth and their families through new methods of collaboration, resource sharing and restructuring some elements of the process.
$400,000 for the "Skills to Succeed" Prisoner Re-Entry Pilot Project from OJP – Byrne Discretionary Grants - The project will fund an offender reentry and recidivism prevention program to deliver comprehensive and coordinated interventions across housing, workforce, and social services. Anticipated measurable results include reductions in participant recidivism and associated costs, long-term employment, lower levels of drug use, and fewer children's services interventions.
$710,000 for the Mobile Data Computer Replacement from COPS Law Enforcement Technology - Project funding will be used for the San Jose Police Department to purchase 100 Mobile Data Computers and install them in law enforcement vehicles. The project will improve communications, information sharing, crime analysis, intelligence gathering, and information management; and will significantly enhance the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of San Jose police officers.
$500,000 for the California Methamphetamine Strategy (CALMS) from COPS Meth - Funding for the California Methamphetamine Strategy project will be used to specifically target methamphetamine production and distribution in Santa Clara County, which is a growing problem. Targeting funds to anti-meth efforts in California will combat distribution throughout the nation.
$200,000 to Prevention, Resource, Information and Drug Education Project from OJP Juvenile Justice - This project is a drug prevention program that annually reaches 38,000 at-risk youth in California’s fifteenth district through expanded trained counselors, an interactive drug prevention web-site and a drug prevention and treatment camp.
$600,000 for Judicial Training, Research, and Technical Assistance from OJP – Juvenile Justice - This national project provides juvenile justice professionals, courts and system professionals the state-of-the-art information, training, technical assistance and research which will result in improved decision-making on cases involving at-risk youth.
$1.875 million for Child Abuse Training Programs for Judicial Personnel: Victims Act Model Courts Project from VAWA Prevention and Prosecution Programs - Funding would improve outcomes for children in foster care systems by providing judges, court-related professionals and child welfare agencies with practical, concrete, and effective tools for creating court improvements in handling of child abuse and neglect cases.
$440,000 for San Jose State University and Community Collaborative Response to Victims of Domestic Violence from OJP – Byrne Discretionary Grants - This project will support a new model of collaborative education, training and community response to victims of domestic violence. San Jose State University Foundation will foster interdisciplinary internship team placements in Santa Clara County and the City of San Jose.

Energy and Water - California 15th District:

On behalf of the 15th Congressional District,the following was added to the FY2010 Energy and Water Appropriations.

$921,000 for Upper Guadalupe Flood Protection Project – The Upper Guadalupe River Flood Protection project will provide flood protection for 7,500 homes in Santa Clara County. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will prevent potential damages from a 100-year flood event exceeding $280 million. The project also will provide long-term environmental benefits for fish and wildlife habitat.
$140,000 for Guadalupe River Flood Control Project – The Guadalupe River Flood Protection Project provides needed flood protection to downtown San Jose and the surrounding area while protecting and improving water quality of the river and preserving and enhancing the river’s habitat, fish and wildlife. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will protect the region from potential damages from a one percent flood with possible damages exceeding $576 million with average annual damages of $25.8 million.
$2,800,000 for South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Study – Funding will allow the Corps of Engineers to make satisfactory progress on completion of the Feasibility Report for the Study as directed by the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project generated from the Shoreline Study is expected to provide tidal and fluvial flood protection for Silicon Valley, including approximately 42,800 acres, 7,400 homes and businesses, and major highways, parks and airports.
$540,000 for Coyote and Berryessa Creek – The project provides extensive flood protection to the area downstream of Montague Expressway in Milpitas and San Jose. Completion of the project is critical for the local community as Berryessa Creek floods on average once every four years inflicting serious damage to local residents and businesses. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because when completed, the project will safeguard residents and businesses in the District from expected damages from a 1-percent flood exceeding $250 million. In addition, the project will provide numerous environmental benefits such as increased riparian habitat, improved fish passage for numerous federally-listed endangered species and the implementation of sediment control structures to control sediment flow along the creek.
$583,000 for Pajaro River – This project aims to address the insufficient protection provided by the current levee system along the Pajaro River, which is rated as providing as little as 7-year flood protection while the current Federal guidelines call for 100 year protection. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the region is flood prone: Floods in 1995, 1997 and 1998 proved devastating to the region, displacing hundreds of residents, and resulting in the expenditure of millions of dollars by both local agencies and the Federal Government in emergency repairs to the levee. Economic losses were estimated near $100 million.
$242,000 for Llagas Creek – The Llagas Creek project will serve a 104 mile watershed including residential, commercial and agricultural developments. Measures in the project include channel modifications and replacement of 35 road crossings. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project will protect 1,100 homes, 500 businesses, and over 1,300 acres of agricultural land in Santa Clara County that would otherwise result in damages totaling more than $8 million (1982) dollars with annual average damages of $900,000. Current value of damages would be far greater.
$323,000 for Upper Penitencia Creek – The Upper Penitencia Creek Flood Protection project includes modified floodplains, levees, floodwalls and bypass channels along the Upper Penitencia Creek. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project will provide flood protection to over 5,000 homes, schools and businesses in the communities of San Jose and Milpitas and surrounding areas, with potential damages from a 100-year flood exceeding $455 million, while at the same time providing long-term environmental benefits to the region. The area the project serves is prone to extensive flooding as the creek has the capacity to carry a less than a 10-year flood event. In fact, significant flooding has occurred along the creek often taking a devastating toll on the local community. The creek has topped its banks in 1978, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1995, and 1998.
$200,000 for San Jose Area Water Reclamation and Reuse – The San Jose Water Reclamation and Reuse Program increases water supply reliability and protects endangered species by reducing wastewater discharges into San Francisco Bay through the recycling of wastewater. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it provides a reliable, constant supply of high quality recycled water for industry and irrigation to support sustainable urban water use and protect the Silicon Valley's economy. The program also decreases the amount of treated effluent discharged into the San Francisco Bay, preserving and protecting the salt marsh habitat of two federally listed endangered species. The current system is constructed and this request is for reimbursement from the Federal government for their share of construction costs as authorized in Public Law 102-575.
$1,500,000 for San Luis Reservoir Lowpoint – The San Luis Reservoir Low Point Feasibility Study will increase the operational flexibility of water storage in San Luis Reservoir. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because currently, state and federal water projects cannot fully utilize water stored in San Luis Reservoir without impacting the reliability of water deliveries to all south-of-Delta Central Valley Project contractors.
$179,000 for San Francisquito Creek – The San Francisquito Creek study is examining possible flood protection measures for the cities of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and portions of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, while also protecting and enhancing long-term water quality, riparian, fish, and wildlife values. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project will protect the floodplain from a estimated damages from a 1-percent flood of $800 million to 3,785 homes and businesses in the City of Palo Alto alone, with greater benefits in other parts of the region.

Financial Services - California 15th District:

$200,000 for City of San Jose’s Silicon Valley Minority/Immigrant Business Support Initiative – The Silicon Valley Minority/Immigrant Business Support Initiative will develop, coordinate, and deliver specialized services addressing the unique needs of minority and immigrant entrepreneurs throughout Silicon Valley, coordinated by the regional workforce investment board with partner service organizations. The funds will support one-time start-up costs of the project. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will ensure the long-term health and vitality of small businesses that will prove to be a key component in Silicon Valley’s and the nation's economic recovery.

Homeland Security - California 15th District:

$300,000 for Cupertino EOC – The project will allow the Emergency Operations Center and Cupertino City Hall to purchase a 300KW portable generator and applicable wiring connections in order to create a reliable backup power system for use during earthquake and other energy emergencies. Cupertino’s current generator is over 40 years old and cannot support the Emergency Operations Center in the event of a disaster. The project will improve City disaster coordination and response and will be available to any of the fifteen cities and hundreds of special districts in CA-15, as needed. Cupertino, CA is using Silicon Valley ingenuity and innovativeness to respond quickly and efficiently to disasters, which requires as a reliable back up power generator. Small local jurisdictions like Cupertino, CA do not receive grant monies large enough to complete this type of project, especially when they have vey large cities within their county who have more political power.

Interior and Environment - California 15th District:

$300,000 for the San Jose Japantown Sewer Rehabilitation Project from the EPA STAG account – Funding for this project will complete sewer infrastructure assessment, repair and replacement of an aging system in the historic Japantown area of San Jose.
$4,000,000 for the South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds Restoration from the Fish and Wildlife Service, Construction account – The project will restore the health of the San Francisco Bay by creating the largest restored wetlands on the West Coast providing extensive habitat for federally endangered species and migratory birds.
$1,000,000 for the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Research Account – These funds would be used to conduct interdisciplinary monitoring (biological, hydrological, and water quality studies) of the North and South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds as part of the South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds Restoration effort.

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS)- California 15th District:

$368,000 for City College of San Jose, California Construction College to train students for careers in construction management - This pilot program is a partnership between the National Labor College, City College of San Jose and the construction industry. It benefits the taxpayer by offering multiple educational pathways for Journeymen to earn a bachelor's degree to prepare for a career in construction management particularly important in this economy. The project will create a new generation of construction managers forged from an innovative academic program.
$300,000 for City of San Jose, Childcare Quality Assessment and Improvement Program for early childhood education improvement - This project will help to fund the development, implementation, and evaluation of a pilot program at 40-50 childcare sites in low-income communities across the city. The study will assess quality and execution of improvement plans to expand the “Smart Start” model. This will benefit the taxpayer by improving access to care that helps children develop the cognitive, language, and social skills needed for academic and social success.
$300,000 for Santa Clara Family Health Plan, Community Home Partnership Program to support medically fragile, severely developmentally disabled patients - The Community Home Partnership Program (CHPP) at Santa Clara Family Health Plan was created to support the former residents of Agnews Developmental Center. The move from an institutional setting is challenging and stressful for the medically fragile, severely developmentally disabled patients and their families. This funding will benefit the taxpayer by helping to develop a model to transfer these vulnerable patients in the least stressful, most cost effective manner possible.
$292,000 for Santa Clara County Valley Health and Hospital System, facilities and equipment (electronic patient index system) - This project will benefit the public by helping fund an electronic patient index capable of providing patient identification across all Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital systems. This will benefit the taxpayer by ensuring streamlined coordination of information through out all SCVHHS health records, providing for more consistent patient treatment and follow up care.
$280,000 for Franklin McKinley School District, Global Student Learning Passport, San Jose, CA for an academic enrichment and college preparation program - The project fosters a unique Silicon Valley partnership between three school districts, industry, higher education, and educational foundations. It will benefit the community by creating a support system of best practices that enables each student to successfully finish college and be prepared for a career. As a lifelong champion for establishing equity in our schools, I believe that this pilot program will assist each child in maximizing her or his maximum potential by assessing each child’s individual needs. The “Global Student Passport” created for each student will benefit the taxpayer by enabling schools to harness the existing support systems to meet each student’s needs and guarantee success up through the first year of college helping to close the achievement gap.
$200,000 for Resource Area For Teachers (RAFT), Improvement Through Innovative Hands-on Learning, San Jose, CA. K-12 Education for teacher training and professional development - Using a sustainable scalable model, Resource Area for Teaching will reward teachers for making professional development a priority, for improving skills in hands-on teaching techniques, and helping to bring out the full potential of all students. This project benefits the community by identifying, motivating, and recognizing some of California’s most innovative and resourceful teachers. In addition, it will enable thousands of outstanding teachers to efficiently share their best practices with peers and serve as desperately needed role models and mentors.
$250,000 for San Jose Unified School District, Student Risk Assessment & Management Protocol Project, San Jose, CA for a longitudinal data system - The Student Risk Assessment & Management Protocol (RAMP) longitudinal data management project provides for early and more accurate identification of students at-risk of school failure and is an innovative model for strategic delivery of evidence-based interventions to increase graduation rates. The student drop out rate continues to rise at alarming rates in both Santa Clara County and state-wide. Given limited resources to address a wide range of issues and extensive needs, this project benefits the public by enabling school districts to develop their capacity to intervene early and effectively with students to deter student failure and prevent dropouts.
$226,000 for Project Cornerstone, School Partnerships Expansion Program, San Jose, CA for education and enrichment activities - This project will expand Project Cornerstone’s School Partnerships Program to provide access for more young people in Santa Clara County to the experiences, relationships, and values they need to thrive academically and socially. The project will provide programs, training, and technical assistance to schools on developmental assets essential to student success. The project is a good use of taxpayer funds and a benefit to the community because expanding the School Partnerships Program to include 25 additional schools and supporting the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach materials will reach 25,000 additional residents and adults who work with the children and youth in the District. Additionally, this project will enable Project Cornerstone to greatly enhance their website presence and other communications to better meet the national demand and promote best practices to many other communities throughout the U.S.
$300,000 for Indian Health Center of Santa Clara County, Health Technology & Quality Improvement Project - This funding will help to implement an electronic health record system for the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley. The IHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center and as such serves low income and uninsured residents of the County in addition to the American Indian/Alaska Native community. This project will be of great benefit to the taxpayer by more efficiently delivering services, improving data collection, and enabling the IHC to meet the growing demands of the community.

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations - California 15th District:

$240,000 for Eden Housing’s Casa De Los Amigos Affordable Housing Complex: This project will renovate 24 units of affordable housing in California’s 15th District in San Jose, serving persons living with AIDS with an average annual salary of $13,079. This project will perform necessary renovations that will benefit 24 low-income families in San Jose and extend the useful life of these affordable housing complexes.
$700,000 for Housing Trust of Santa Clara County: This request is for a revolving loan fund for first-time homebuyers with incomes from 60% to 120% of Area Median Income. Loans range from $6,500 to $35,000 and assist households with closing costs, down payment and mortgage assistance. Given the high cost of housing in California's 15th district, this will expand homeownership in the district.
$250,000 for Martial Cottle Park (Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation: This project will provide families, youths, and individuals with new opportunities for experiencing outdoor education, outdoor recreation, and sustainable agriculture. This project offers a wealth of community benefits, which includes connecting children and youth to the outdoor environment and their food source, providing locally-grown foods to the community, enhancing community identity, and improving overall quality of life for the residents and visitors of Santa Clara County.
$600,000 for High Volume Bus Stop Upgrades in San Jose and Santa Clara County: Funding for this project will go toward improving the conditions and safety at heavily traveled bus stops. Transit riders are currently at risk from traffic collisions, inclement weather and crime, and these issues can be addressed by improving the physical environment where passengers wait for their buses to arrive.