Funding Priorities in our Community - FY2010

Below you will find a list of funding requests that I requested for appropriations bills in Fiscal Year 2010.

• Agriculture
• Commerce, Justice and Science
• Defense
• Energy and Water
• Financial Services
• Homeland Security
• Interior and Environment
• Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education
• Legislative Branch
• State, Foreign Operations
• Transportation, Housing and Urban Development

Agriculture

CA County Pest Detection Augmentation Program:

This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will be used for the expansion of the pest trapping program to cover more rural-residential areas in California’s 15 th District. The program is maintained as a statewide network of insect traps and other detection tools to serve as an early warning system against serious agricultural pests. ($1,650,000)

Recipient: California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association – PO Box 889, Santa Paula, CA 93061

CA County Pest Detection Import Inspection:

This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will fund the training of regional dog teams operating out of at least 5 or more CA counties, which will proactively and effectively detect incoming plant pests at county terminal stations and significantly reduce the potential costs to federal, state and local governments in eradication and control efforts. ($1,350,000)

Recipient: California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association – PO Box 889, Santa Paula, CA 93061

Commerce, Justice and Science

California Methamphetamine Strategy (CALMS) - Santa Clara County

Funding for the California Methamphetamine Strategy project will be used to specifically target methamphetamine (“meth”) production and distribution in Santa Clara County, which is a growing problem. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because targeting funds to anti-meth efforts in California will combat distribution throughout the nation. California continues to be the state with the largest number of meth labs, the highest production of meth, and the largest number of meth users. California's meth epidemic is not confined to the state -- meth produced in the state, as well as meth imported from Mexico, is distributed from California to the rest of the nation. ($800,000)

Recipient: California Department of Justice - 1300 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Child Abuse Training Programs for Judicial Personnel: Victims Act Model Courts Project

Victims Act Model Courts serve as national "laboratories" to discover and improve upon best court practices for processing child abuse and neglect cases in courts and the child protection system. Research has supported the linkage between abused and neglected children and juvenile delinquency, as the child welfare system often becomes the feeder system for the juvenile justice system. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this prevention model has provided the ability to courts to not only improve their practice, but to provide long-term solutions. Services have helped improved the quality of care children receive while under the court's jurisdiction. Hundreds of jurisdictions have benefited nationwide since 1992. The project will assists courts to implement VAWA, ASFA, the Fostering Connections Act, ICPC, ICWA, and other federal laws governing child welfare practice, and Title IV-E audits of states, federal CFSRs. ($4,000,000)

Recipient: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges - 1041 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89503

Human Trafficking Victim Support Center

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. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because while human trafficking is a national problem, trafficking in Silicon Valley is a growing problem. Furthermore, addressing trafficking in California is central to the solution, as the state is a major entry and distribution point for human trafficking trade. ($450,000)

Recipient: YWCA Silicon Valley - 375 South 3rd Street, San Jose, CA 95112

Information Network for Student Success

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 database will be used by courts, social services agencies, schools, the Santa Clara County Mental Health Department, the Probation Department, police departments, the District Attorney’s Office, and other entities. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because participating agencies will increase its efficacy in providing the comprehensive support services students need to stay engaged in school. The targeted intervention and support will improve school attendance, prevent school dropout, and lower juvenile crime. With measurable results, this innovative model may be replicated throughout the nation. ($440,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara County of Education - 1290 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95131

Judicial Training, Research and Technical Assistance Project

The project provides critical information that is used by juvenile justice decision-makers across the country. Courts and system professionals receive state-of-the-art information, training, and research which will provide improved decision-making and resources to better serve the needs of children, youth, and families, while ensuring accountability from them and the systems who serve them. Continuing education, training, technical assistance and research services are provided to as many as 30,000 judges, probation officers, attorneys, mental health, detention, child welfare representatives and others annually. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project will improve court practice for children and families in jurisdictions nationwide. ($3,000,000)

Recipient: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges - 1041 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89503

Mobile Data Computer Replacement

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. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project will help improve the overall law enforcement capacity throughout Santa Clara County and Silicon Valley. ($760,000)

Recipient: City of San Jose - 200 East Santa Clara Street, Floor 18, San Jose, CA 95113

Prevention, Resource, Information and Drug Education Project

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. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that for every dollar spent on drug abuse prevention, communities save up to $10 in costs for drug abuse treatment and counseling. Such prevention programs also reduce arrests for drug possession and drug use, and provide greater opportunities for young people by promoting healthier and safer life choices. ($400,000)

Recipient: Chabad of San Jose - 15405 Los Gatos Boulevard, Suite 204, Los Gatos, CA 95032

Robotic Exploration Technologies in Astrobiology (RETINA)

The RETINA project provides comprehensive development and field operations of robotic systems, sensors, and devices in pursuit of science and technology applications that will advance the mission of NASA's Astrobiology Institute (NAI). It also promotes education through a unique program in which teams of undergraduate and graduate students work in interdisciplinary design teams in order to prototype high-risk technologies and systems in a low cost way to field these systems in order to perform high-quality, peer reviewed science and technology validation missions. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because RETINA will provide vital insights into ocean and Earth processes and issues, thereby enabling us to improve our management of the environment, contributing to the sustainability of the oceans and other critical bodies of water all while developing the next generation science and technology workforce, a need identified in the National Research Council’s Committee on Meeting the Workforce Needs for the National Vision for Space Exploration . ( $500,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara University – 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053

Santa Clara County Criminal Justice Information Control (CJIC) Law & Justice Systems Plan

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. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it is in the national interest to maintain and enhance secure and reliable databases of criminal justice offenders. ($2.05 million)

Recipient: Santa Clara County - 70 West Hedding Street, East Wing, San Jose, CA 95110

Santa Clara County Delinquency Model Court

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. It is common for family relationships to dissolve once entangled in the juvenile justice system. These youth often become a ward of the state after entering delinquency court. 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. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it is expected that this reengineering of delinquency court will improve outcomes for youth currently in foster care and prevent youth from entering the foster care system by maintaining and building stronger family relationships. Furthermore, the project has national significance because to date, only eight counties throughout the nation have implemented the delinquency model court guidelines. These eight counties are all small to moderate in size with populations ranging from 21,800 to 978,000, none of which are located on the west coast. A newly implemented Santa Clara County Delinquency Model Court will serve an unprecedented population of 1.7 million, and serve as an example of success for heavily populated counties throughout the nation. ($174,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara County - 191 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113

San Jose State University and Community Collaborative Response to Victims of Domestic Violence

This domestic violence project will support a new model of collaborative education, training and community response to victims of domestic violence. Students are placed in internships in courts, police departments, the district attorney’s office, probation department, advocacy organizations, shelters, hospitals and clinics. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it develops a model of training that will teach students and professionals to work collaboratively with colleagues from related disciplines to provide better responses for victims of child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse. Innovative clinical programs such as these will move the nation forward in helping us to combat domestic violence throughout the country. ($440,000)

Recipient: San Jose State University Foundation - 210 North 4th Street, Floor 4, San Jose, CA 95112

"Skills to Succeed" Prisoner Re-Entry Pilot Project

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. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project would direct ex-offenders toward a productive and self-sufficient lifestyle. As a result, San Jose and Santa Clara County will see reduced costs and economic benefits, as well as improvements in neighborhood and child well-being. The project also holds national significance for evaluation of techniques and potential best practice transfer.($495,000)

Recipient: City of San Jose - 191 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113

Training the Next Generation Weather Forecasters

The Training the Next Generation Weather Forecasters project is developing a field experience class to broaden and enhance the undergraduate experience of B.S. Meteorology students. 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. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because these students, who will in the future be weather forecasters not only in California but across the nation, can be expected to encounter changing climate and weather, as well as more extremes of weather as global climate change continues. This funding will be used to complete a three year long effort to develop this important project. ($188,000)

Recipient: San Jose State University – 200 East Santa Clara Street Floor 4, San Jose, CA 95112

Defense

Advanced Short-Reach WDM Transceivers

The Advanced Short-Reach Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) Transceivers project will enable faster, less expensive, and more reliable data transmission by fully developing WDM transceivers that replace gangs of lasers with a single comb laser diode. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will greatly increase data transmission throughput/cost and enable secure broadband communications necessary for the U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems Network as well as any other military or commercial communications systems. ($3,888,000)

Recipient: Innolume, Inc. – 333 Bowers Avenue, Suite #190, Santa Clara, CA 95054

Almaden Air Force Station Environmental Assessment and Remediation

In 1986, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) purchased lands that include the former Almaden Air Force Station (AFS) atop Mt. Umunhum in Santa Clara County from the Federal government. Prior to the transfer of ownership to MROSD, the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) acknowledged that the site was contaminated by DoD activities. In addition, GSA and DoD gave MROSD assurances that the property would be decontaminated by the Federal government. Shortly thereafter, cleanup responsibility was transferred to the Army Corps of Engineers, under the Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) program. Since then, cleanup has proceeded at a painfully slow pace. This inadequate response has allowed toxic materials on site to become an increasing danger to public health and the environment, including threatening to contaminate area potable water supplies. Further, the necessary remediation of the site has increased beyond the scope of work that is currently authorized through the FUDS program. Augmenting FUDS efforts, these funds will be used for proper and long overdue clean-up of the former Almaden AFS under the direction of the Army Corps of Engineers. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because complete remediation of the site will alleviate health and environmental impacts, as well as finally allowing site access for public use as originally intended over two decades ago. ($4,000,000)

Recipient: Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Headquarters, 441 G Street, NW, Room 3T55, Washington, DC 20314 on behalf of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District - 330 Distel Circle, Los Gatos, CA 94022

E-Beam Writer for Trusted ASICs

This program adapts existing Electron Beam Direct Write (EBDW) technology into an E-Beam Writer that enables secure production of smaller, more customizable, and more efficient trusted application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for military applications while reducing manufacturing costs at trusted foundries. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the technology will retain advanced ASIC fabrication capability on-shore and will enable trusted foundries to keep pace with commercial foundries for the next several generations. ($12,000,000)

Recipient: Multibeam Corporation – 1900 Wyatt Drive, Suite #15, Santa Clara, CA 95054

High-Volume Manufacturing Development for Thin-film Lithium Stack Battery Technologies

The funding will be used for the development of needed cost-effective domestic manufacturing systems for the production of next generation thin-film lithium batteries for the Department of Defense and commercial applications. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the technology will enable the growth of a new U.S. based high-tech manufacturing industry and fulfills the Department of Defense’s power source requirements for high power, light weight, small size, and affordable batteries. ($3,000,000)

Recipient: Applied Materials – 3050 Bowers Avenue, P.O. Box 58039, Santa Clara, CA 95054

iMedic: An Immersive Medical Environment for Distributed Intuitive Consultation

The iMedic project is an immersive and collaborative viewing system that distributes medical data in 3D over the Internet. Previous development has transformed iMedic into a medium for bringing geographically-separated experts and data together in a common, virtual, 3D setting to visualize, manipulate and measure complex data as an aid to diagnosis, surgical planning, and other medical procedures. These funds will continue previous advances by improving iMedic into a self-contained medical multi-media environment that supports the import, export, rendering and registration of most common volumetric, image-based, geometry-based, and video data, and thus allow the delivery of improved healthcare to the armed forces, at home and abroad. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project will improve the ability of the Department of Defense to provide healthcare and it will also validate a new form of 3D interaction that is applicable in a number of ways to non-defense healthcare. ($2,000,000)

Recipient: Digital ArtForms, Inc. – 15466 Los Gatos Boulevard, #214, Los Gatos, CA 95032

Persistent Signals Intelligence Sensor System

The Persistent Signals Intelligence Sensor System program will continue the development of an advanced improvised explosive device (IED) detection and intelligence gathering system. Ten prototype systems will be designed and developed employing state-of-the-art direction finding methods and techniques that not only can detect the presence of IEDs hidden along roadsides, but can also locate combatants. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the effort will advance the military's ability to provide critical intelligence to our troops against combatant communications and radio controlled IEDs. ($7,000,000)

Recipient: Agilent Technologies – 5301 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95051

Project National Shield- Multi Spectral Video Analytic Fusion

The U.S. Army through Project National Shield and the Department of Homeland Security have identified the need for persistent video surveillance with autonomous sensors and image understanding to aid in target and threat recognition. The Multi Spectral Video Analytic Fusion project will further develop video behavioral recognition software for war zone integration with other sensors, including acoustic, radar and thermal, for force protection. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the U.S. military forces overseas and First Responders domestically face increasing threats from car bombings, improvised explosive devices, and snipers, requiring an expanded and greater need for situational awareness. ($3,000,000)

Recipient: Vidient Systems – 4000 Burton Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054

Thermal and Electrical Nanoscale Transport (TENT)

The TENT project at Santa Clara University’s Center for Nanostructures designs, develops, and tests nanoscale on-chip electrical interconnects and thermal interface materials for electronic components with low thermal and electrical contact resistance, ballistic conduction, and high mechanical strength. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Army sensor systems will benefit through the implementation of efficient nanoscale components that are smaller, lighter, faster, and less expensive. These same advancements in nanoscale components will benefit the entire electronics industry. ($4,000,000)

Santa Clara University – 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053

Energy and Water

Adaptive Streetlight and Mobility Technology Demonstration

Federal funding will support one-time lighting acquisition costs for installation and demonstration of smart LED streetlights and poles to vary intensity and timing, and integrated solar power and plug-in electric vehicle stations. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will address the federal government’s multiple objectives of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting alternative fuel vehicles, encouraging expansion of clean tech industry and job creation, decreasing hazardous waste, and improving public safety. The estimated energy savings will be 40% of current usage. Demonstrated implementation of these applications will be transferable to the many other localities beginning to consider similar initiatives. ($750,000)

Recipient: City of San Jose - 200 East Santa Clara St., Floor 18 San Jose, CA 95113

Center for Sustainable Engineering Systems, Santa Clara, CA

The Center for Sustainable Engineering Systems aims to enable sustainability through well-defined metrics and technologies, with a focus on the individual and his/her interactions with the environment in living spaces, transportation, and consumer products. The Center addresses green buildings, transportation, and the use of energy and water in meeting human needs. Essential to this effort are advanced information technologies, systems, and devices that continuously quantify demands from individuals and which are capable of optimizing usage patterns and communicating this information on a real-time basis. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it supports research in system integration and new technologies to contribute to the development of the Building Integrated Solar Technologies, Sustainable Building Materials, and Building Information Technologies industries and markets in the United States, and the development of the needed workforce to allow these industries to flourish in Silicon Valley. ($600,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara University – 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053

Energy Network and Demonstration Site, San Jose, CA

The Energy Network and Demonstration Site will develop and implement a showcase demonstration project of breakthrough flexible and high performance power grid technologies. The project will focus on concept demonstration, education, workforce development, and applied research and technology transfer. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the traditional electric grid does not support the needs of modern society and industry. The Energy Network project will demonstrate and validate advanced energy supply, delivery, communications and end-use technologies that both address the current energy crisis, and, at the same time, elevate the electricity supply and communications infrastructure at a community-level scale so that it can support the digital society. As a "showcase," the project will provide an educational venue for cutting-edge, digital infrastructure technologies, and reinforce the leadership role of San Jose as the "Capital of Silicon Valley." The model will be scalable, and designed to be transferable for application in any other region or community. ($730,000)

Recipient: San Jose State University - 210 North 4th St. Floor 4, San Jose, CA 95112

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. ($12.5 million)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Water District – 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

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. ($12 million)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Water District – 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

South SF 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. ($2.8 million)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Water District – 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118 and California State Coastal Conservancy - 1330 Broadway, Floor 13, Oakland, CA 94612

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. ($2.25 million)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Water District – 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

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. ($5 million)

Recipient: Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency – 36 Brennan St, Watsonville, CA 95076

Llagas Creek Project

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. ($2 million)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Water District – 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

Upper Penitencia Creek Project

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. ($386,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Water District – 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

Coyote Creek Watershed

The Coyote Creek Watershed Study will examine ways to provide flood protection for San Jose, Milpitas, and Morgan Hill, including a major portion of the Silicon Valley's high-tech area, in an environmentally acceptable way that maximizes stream and environmental restoration and recreational opportunities. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will enable the Corps of Engineers to conduct a reconnaissance study for a watershed-wide study of the Coyote Creek Watershed to safeguard the community from potential flood damages of $138 million (2001 dollars). ($100,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Water District – 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

San Jose Area Water Reclamation and Reuse program

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. ($7 million)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Water District – 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

San Luis Reservoir Lowpoint Feasibility Study

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. ($1.5 million)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Water District – 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

South San Francisco Bay Emergency Port Access study

The South San Francisco Bay Emergency Port Access study would evaluate the potential for dredging of a navigation channel in the South San Francisco Bay. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the proposed navigation channel would provide ingress and egress routes out of the South San Francisco Bay Area during catastrophic events including earthquakes or other natural or manmade disasters, when damage to the region's surface transportation network would be extensive and would likely cripple the local economy. A Bay Area Association of Governments study shows that over 1,700 roads would likely be closed resulting in the closure of all transbay bridges and the Bay Area Rapid Transit System making it difficult, if not impossible, for the continued movement of goods, commerce and emergency supplies in and out of the south bay community, a problem the emergency port access would alleviate. ($100,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Water District – 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

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. ($700,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Water District – 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

Financial Services

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. ($285,000)

Recipient: City of San Jose - 200 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113

Homeland Security

EOC Mobile Command and Communications

The Mobile Emergency Operation Center is a deployable command and control vehicle used to coordinate government staff and stakeholders who may be displaced from the primary Emergency Operations Center during an incident and will allow the City to track its 300+ volunteers in the case of an emergency. Through the use of a communications trailer, non-traditional mutual aid responders (public works, water companies, gas and electric companies, etc) will be able to have interoperable radios and cell phones, thereby improving coordination and speeding recovery. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will enable the City of Cupertino to meet its obligation to manage and coordinate local disasters, which is especially important as it is located in a seismically active area of California between the San Andreas and Hayward Faults. There are also two smaller faults in the City, on either side of an earthen dam. The Mobile EOC would be made available for use by neighboring jurisdictions, increasing its impact on public safety.($206,250)

Recipient: City of Cupertino - 10300 Torre Ave., Cupertino, CA 95014-3202

Cupertino Emergency Operations Center Generator

This 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 earthquakes and other energy emergencies. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the purchase will improve disaster resiliency and redundancy of the local jurisdiction to successfully address catastrophic events. It will also increase the City's ability to respond to requests for assistance in other jurisdictions. ($300,000)

Recipient: City of Cupertino - 10300 Torre Ave., Cupertino, CA 95014-3202

Interior and Environment

San Jose Redevelopment Area Sewer Main Rehabilitation:

Funding for this project will complete final elements to fully rehabilitate an aged sewer system infrastructure in San Jose's historic Japantown area, a designated redevelopment district. This will fund and finish assessment, replacement, and rehabilitation of sanitary sewer mains, manholes, and junction structures, which is important for the public health of residents and businesses in San Jose, currently exposed to untreated sewage. ($300,000)

Recipient: City of San Jose - 200 East Santa Clara St., Floor 18, San Jose, CA 95113

South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds Restoration (Fish and Wildlife Service)

Funding for this project will be provided for effectively managing the South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds, including installation and management of water control structures, levee maintenance, and monitoring of salt ponds. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it provides for flood protection in parts of California’s 15 th District. ($4,000,000)

Recipient: California State Coastal Conservancy - 1330 Broadway, Floor 13, Oakland, CA 94612

South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds Restoration (US Geological Survey)

This request would provide funding to the United States Geological Survey, to conduct interdisciplinary monitoring (biological, hydrological, and water quality studies) of Salt Ponds in San Pablo Bay and San Francisco Bay. This is part of restoring the South San Francisco Bay Salt ponds, and it is a good use of taxpayer funds because it would provide dramatic benefits to the region, state and nation by transforming 15,100 acres of salt ponds into a vibrant wetlands area that will provide extensive habitat for federally endangered birds, fish and wildlife. ($1,150,000)

Recipient: California State Coastal Conservancy - 1330 Broadway, Floor 13, Oakland, CA 94612

Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS)

California Construction College

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. ($500,000)

Recipient: City College of San Jose - 2100 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128-2799

Childcare Quality Assessment and Improvement Program

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. ($285,000)

Recipient: City of San Jose - 200 East Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95113

Community Home Partnership Program

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. ($495,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara Family Health Plan - 210 East Hacienda Ave., Campbell, CA 95008

Enterprise Master Patient Index and Smart Cards

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. ($350,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System - 645 South Bascom Ave., San Jose, CA 95128

Global Student Learning Passport

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. ($180,000)

Recipient: Franklin McKinley School District - 645 Wool Creek Drive, San Jose, CA 95112-2617

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. ($499,000)

Recipient: Indian Health Center of Santa Clara County - 1333 Meridian Ave., San Jose, CA 95125

Joint Workforce Investment Transit Academy

The Joint Workforce Investment Transit Academy (JWITA) is a program cooperatively funded and run by the Valley Transportation Authority and the Amalgamated Transit Union. It trains and promotes incumbent workers up the career ladder, thereby creating a pipeline of living wage, entry-level jobs with good benefits and creates a new partnership with community colleges, workforce investment boards, social service agencies and other organizations to recruit from underserved communities for new positions. Partners with the Academy include, but are not limited to, VTA, Amalgamated Transit Union, community colleges, Work2future, community college technical assistance provider (Career Ladders Project), and business organizations. The project benefits the taxpayer by creating a sustainable career training program to provide stable, well-paying jobs which support an increasingly important public transit system. ($4,515,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority - 3331 North 1 st St., San Jose, CA 95134

K-12 Education Improvement Through Innovative Hands-on Learning

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. ($300,000)

Recipient: Resource Area For Teachers (RAFT) - 1355 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95131-2306

Student Risk Assessment & Management Protocol Project

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. ($300,000)

Recipient: San Jose Unified School District - 855 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126-2736

School Partnerships Expansion Program

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. ($250,000)

Recipient: Project Cornerstone - 1922 The Alameda, 3rd Floor, San Jose, CA 95126

LHHS National Projects

Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians Serving Institutions

Institutions of Higher Education serving Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians can use funds to increase their self-sufficiency and expand their capacity to serve low-income students, improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability. Funds may be used for faculty development; funds and administrative management; development and improvement of academic programs; joint use of facilities; and student services. The funding will benefit the community by increasing the self-sufficiency and expand the capacity of Institutions of Higher Education to serve low-income students. ($15,000,000)

Recipient: Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC 20202.

Arts in Education

This program funds model arts programs in schools and communities throughout the country. This funding also promotes the professional development of arts educators, and supports the ongoing national arts education initiatives of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and VSA arts, which ensures that people with disabilities can participate in the arts. This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because studies show a significant link between arts education and students' academic performance, as well as their social development, motivations, attitudes, and disposition toward learning. ($53,000,000)

Recipient: Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC 20202.

Education for Native Hawaiians

This program will benefit the public by developing innovative education programs to assist native Hawaiians and to supplement and expand programs and authorities in the area of education including, among others: early education and care programs; family-based education centers; beginning reading and literacy programs; activities to address the needs of gifted and talented native Hawaiian students; special education programs; professional development for educators; and activities to enable native Hawaiian students to enter and complete postsecondary education programs. ($38,000,000)

Recipient: Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue Washington, DC 20202.

Increasing Girls' Involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

This project will provide funds to administer a new Girl Scouts program, “It's Your Planet, Love It!,” to recruit and train volunteers, develop mentorship programs, and partner with other organizations in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) community leveraging girls' concern for the environment to boost interest in STEM. It emphasizes career exploration, hands-on experiments, mentoring and project-based learning to increase STEM literacy. Girl Scout Councils serving girls in the 15th Congressional District—Girl Scouts of Northern California and Girl Scouts of California Central Coast—would benefit from the “It's Your Planet, Love It!,” program being made available, providing a long term positive impact on diversity, talent, and innovation of Silicon Valley’s future workforce. ($1,000,000)

Recipient: Girl Scouts of the USA, 420 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10018-2729

Native Hawaiian Health Care

Native Hawaiians face cultural, financial, social, and geographic barriers that prevent them from utilizing existing health services. In addition, health services are often unavailable in the community. The NHHCS use a combination of outreach, referral, and linkage mechanisms to provide or arrange services. Services provided include nutrition programs, screening and control of hypertension and diabetes, immunizations, and basic primary care services. This program is a good use of taxpayer funds because it helps support one of the most vulnerable populations. ($15,000,000)

Recipient: Department of Health and Human Services – HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857

Special Olympics

This program provides opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabitlies to engage in sports training and competitive activities, leading to improvements in the quality of life. The benefit to the taxpayer is the creation of Special Olympics educational programs that can be integrated into classroom instruction and activities that increase the participation of individuals with intellectual disabilities. ($15,000,000)

Recipient: Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC 20202.

Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Vocational Intuitions

The Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Vocational Intuitions benefits the taxpayer by providing grants to improve the quality of career and technical education programs and provide professional development for teachers, faculty, administrators, and counselors. Programs are designed to provide certificates and/or associate degrees, prepare students for high-skill, high- wage jobs, or high-demand occupations in emerging or established professions. ($10,000,000)

Recipient: Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC 20202.

Legislative Branch

National Online Union Catalog of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Collections

Funds will be used by the Asian Division of the Library of Congress to enter into a one-time contract with the OCLC Online Computer Library Center in Dublin, Ohio. OCLC will create a national online union catalog of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) collections by conducting a thorough search of OCLC's WorldCat system. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because through OCLC's coordinated nationwide network of libraries, archives, and museums, all AAPI related resources, regardless of where they are housed, will be accessible to historians, researchers, and interested individuals by OCLC's searchable online database. ($250,000)

Recipient: Asian Division of the Library of Congress – 101 Independence Avenue, SE, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C. 20540

State, Foreign Operations

The Fabretto Children’s Foundation

This funding would be used to enable impoverished Nicaraguan children and their families living in underserved communities to break the cycle of poverty and reach their full potential through programs promoting nutrition, health, education, community and character development and strengthen relationships with neighbors in South America. Children in Nicaragua receive only half a day of schooling and it is estimated that more than 60% of young Nicaraguans do not complete secondary school. This funding will benefit the public by helping to achieve America’s larger foreign policy goals, and the nation’s commitment to displaced and vulnerable children around the world reflects America’s altruistic desire to alleviate poverty and hunger around the world.

Recipient: The Fabretto Children’s Foundation – 3124 North 10 th Street, 2 nd Floor, Arlington, VA 22201

The Ethiopian North American Health Professionals Association

This funding would be used for The Ethiopian North American Health Professionals Associasion’s (ENHAPA’s) whose mission and vision are to assist in improving healthcare standards, quality, access and delivery to citizens of Ethiopia through distance training programs, support and expansion of healthcare infrastructure, expanding scientific research, providing funding for scholarships to medical school, and other activities.

Recipient: The Ethiopian North American Health Professionals Association – 6632 Telegraph Road, Box 150, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

Greener Ethiopia

The funding would be used for Greener Ethiopia, an Ethiopia-based non-profit that works in partnership with Trees for the Future to fund agroforestry projects around Ethiopia that are tailored to meet the specific short and long-term social and economic needs of the local community in an environmentally conscious way. They engage with the Ethiopian-American Diaspora to support these efforts. Funding projects like Greener Ethiopia benefit the taxpayer by helping to create sustainable, environmentally sensitive development.

Recipient: Greener Ethiopia – 4326 Marjoram Court, Alexandria, VA 22310

Women for Women International

This funding would be used for Women for Women International, a non-profit humanitarian and development assistance organization working with more than 30,000 women survivors of war in 8 countries globally. Women for Women International mobilizes women to change their lives through a holistic approach that addresses the unique needs of women in conflict and post-conflict environments. Funding projects like Women for Women International benefit the taxpayer by helping to address women’s immediate and long-term needs, working to improve their status globally and creating a more just and peaceful world.

Recipient: Women for Women International - 4455 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20008

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD)

Eden Housing Affordable Housing Complex

24 units of affordable housing in California’s 15 th District in San Jose, serving disabled people with an average annual salary of $13,079, will be renovated. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will perform necessary renovations that will benefit 24 low-income families in San Jose and extend the useful life of these affordable housing complexes. ($250,000)

Recipient: Eden Housing - 409 Jackson St, Hayward, CA 94544

High Volume Bus Stop Upgrades

Funding for this project will go toward improving the conditions and safety at heavily traveled bus stops. Transit riders are 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. This project is a benefit to the taxpayer because it improves the safety of transit passengers and supports the growing demand for public transportation in Santa Clara County. ($2,000,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority - 3331 North 1 st St., San Jose, CA 95134

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 is for the public benefit as it will expand homeownership in the district. ($400,000)

Recipient: Housing Trust of Santa Clara County - 95 South Market St, Suite 550, San Jose, CA 95113

Martial Cottle

This project will provide families, youths, and individuals with new opportunities for experiencing outdoor education, outdoor recreation, and sustainable agriculture. This project is for the public good as it 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. ($1,000,000)

Recipient: Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation - 70 West Hedding St, East Wing, San Jose, CA 95110

San Jose Children’s Discovery Museum: The Way Back Lot

The Way Back Lot will inspire children to become innovators in a uniquely planned interactive setting. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds, as it will support a unique cultural and historical exhibit which is anticipated to serve more than 4,000,000 children, adults and teachers during its 15+ year lifespan drawn largely from California’s 15 th District, and throughout the State of California. ($600,000)

Recipient: San Jose Children’s Discovery Museum - 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110

San Tomas Expwy Box Culvert

The San Tomas Expressway Box Culvert structure consists of an enclosed box culvert structure underneath the Expressway with a U-shaped retaining wall structure at other locations. It begins south of Williams Road in San Jose and ends downstream north of Cabrillo Avenue in Santa Clara. Significant structural weaknesses have been found that could pose a threat to the stability of the expressway that runs on top of the box culvert. Funding will go toward repairing the structural weaknesses in the culvert and is a benefit to the taxpayer because it maintains roadway safety and provides for better storm water management. ($3,200,000)

Recipient: County of Santa Clara - 1374 Via De Los Reyes, San Jose, CA 95120

South Terminal Improvement Project – Phase 2

Funding for this project will go toward the final design phase of the South Terminal Improvement Project. The project will improve capacity and add operational flexibility necessary to maintain reliable service throughout the system required by the imminent voter-approved high speed rail service. Phase 1 is fully funded and consists of construction of new platforms, demolition of existing maintenance facilities and signal improvements. Phase 2 includes construction of an additional mainline track north of the station with signal system and civil improvements to effectively move trains between Diridon Station and CEMOF without affecting service. This project is a benefit to the taxpayer because it expands and improves a heavily traveled public transportation corridor, reducing roadway congestion and pollution. ($1,000,000)

Recipient: US Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Survey - 3020 State University Drive, East Modoc Hall, Room 3006, Sacramento, CA 95819