Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate passed an appropriations bill that would fund transportation, housing and economic development projects and includes nearly $4.6 million for related projects in Wyoming requested by U.S. Senators Craig Thomas and Mike Enzi, both R-Wyo.

“Funding in this bill serves many needs brought to light by hard working folks in Wyoming. We take a look at these projects to ensure that they are a prudent use of taxpayer dollars and serve to improve Wyoming folks’ quality of life,” Thomas said.

“From our roads to our skies this bill provides funds to Wyoming for transportation, air service, education and substance abuse centers, and agricultural research. These projects benefit Wyoming communities in every corner of the state,” said Enzi.

The Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2006 Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3058, by a vote of 93-1 last night.

The bill included three projects requested by Thomas. The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Goshen County received $900,000 for the construction of a community center building. The bill also provided the Wyoming Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery Center in Sheridan $1.1 million to expand its substance abuse treatment facility for women with children. The Air Traffic Control Beacon Interrogator in Jackson received $1.6 million for site preparation and equipment procurement for replacement of the current beacon.

Enzi was able to secure $1 million in economic development initiative funding for construction of the Intertribal Education and Community Center at Central Wyoming College in Riverton. The funds will be used to better serve the culturally diverse student population at Central Wyoming College with better educational opportunities and Native American studies. Enzi and Thomas requested additional transportation projects which they will push to add to the bill when it goes to a conference committee with the House version.

In addition to Wyoming specific projects, the bill includes about $11 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration, about $39 billion for the Federal Highway Administration, about $2 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration, about $116 million for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and about $23 million for the Surface Transportation Board. The bill also includes about $622 million for Native American Housing Block Grants.

Funding was also included for Essential Air Service (EAS) communities across the nation. These funds help maintain air service in areas away from large hub airports. Laramie, Riverton, Rock Springs, Sheridan and Worland are EAS communities in Wyoming.

The bill will now go to a conference committee that will reconcile differences between the House and Senate bills. The House passed its version of H.R. 3058 by a vote of 405-13 on June 30.