FISCAL YEAR 2003 CONFERENCE REPORT ON REMAINING 11 APPROPRIATION BILLS PASSES THE HOUSE

Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) voted in favor of H.J. Res. 2, the Fiscal Year 2003 Appropriations Conference Report, which had been delayed for more than four months. The remaining 11 of 13 appropriation bills for fiscal year 2003 had been consolidated in to the omnibus package, H.J. Res. 2. The federal government had passed a series of Continuing Resolutions to keep the government running at fiscal year 2002 funding levels before passing the omnibus bill.

"I'm pleased that the House and Senate were able to come to agreement on the fiscal year 2003 appropriations, but this process has been held up for way too long. We have been in the fiscal year 2003 for almost five months and its disappointing that it has taken us this long to finish up these appropriations," said Rep. Calvert.

California priorities included in the omnibus at the request of Congressman Calvert are:

• Extension of the Water Desalination Act of 1996 through 2004.
• Increased authorization for the Salton Sea Reclamation Act of 1998 from $3,000,000 to $10,000,000.
• The omnibus also included authorization of CALFED Bay Delta Program-related activities including feasibility studies for storage projects and also provides a mechanism to determine actual money being spent on CALFED programs within the state of California. There had been contention over whether any language would be part of the omnibus, but due to the cooperation of Senator Feinstein, Chairman Pombo, and Congressman Calvert, this vital authorization was included.

"CALFED is crucial if we are to have enough water for the future in California and throughout the West," stated Rep. Calvert. "In light of the recent cutoff of California's over usage of the Colorado River, it is more important than ever that we find solutions for water conservation, storage and delivery. I remain dedicated to finding these solutions and securing a long-term authorization for CALFED."

Local priorities included in the omnibus at the request of Congressman Calvert:

• $500,000 for the Riverside County Office of Education, County Achievement Team (CAT) which assists individual schools in identifying and meeting student achievement improvement targets.

"I am particularly pleased that the county of Riverside has received this funding for CAT. Under the exemplary leadership of Dr. Long, CAT has made remarkable progress in traditionally underperforming schools and is model for the future of education in our country," said Rep. Calvert.

• Funding for USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for the containment and control of Pierce's Disease. Pierce's Disease is spread by the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter and has been found throughout California's wine and grape vineyards.
• Grant for continued research of Pierce's Disease at the University of California.
• Funding for the Center for Exotic Pest Research (CEPR) at the University of California, Riverside. CEPR provides a strategic, collaborative approach to stopping dangerous pests, like the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, before they become established.
• Funding for the Viticulture Consortium. The Consortium focuses on the unmet research needs important to the wine industry through an active partnership of federal, state and industry resources. The Consortium enhances research coordination, collaboration and improved efficiency by eliminating duplication of effort.
• Funding for the construction of transit centers to be located in downtown Riverside and at the Metrolink commuter train station in Corona.
• Riverside Municipal Airport will also be the recipient of federal grant dollars for the purchase of 14 acres on the west side of the airport for the Airport Improvement Program.
• Funding to The City of Riverside, the County of Riverside and UCR to develop a University Research Park and for the construction of the Regional Technology Transfer Center.
• Funding for The College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) at UCR that has been working to develop unique vehicle emissions measurement technology and improved models for assessing the potential effectiveness of new technologies and control strategies.
• Funding for the City of Murrieta's improvement of deteriorating septic systems in low-to-moderate income housing areas. The funding will be used to extend sanitary sewer trunk lines to the area and to provide hook-ups to properties.
• Funding to begin construction on the Murrieta Creek Project in order to protect the communities of Murrieta and Temecula and the Camp Pendleton Marine Base from known flood threats.

"I am pleased that so many worthwhile local projects were included in the omnibus in a year that required fiscal restraint on behalf of Congress. Not only do these projects receive funding but also the validation of the importance of their work," said Rep. Calvert.

National priorities included:

The bill also includes language, identical to a bill sponsored by Congressman Calvert, to prohibit the Treasury Department from moving forward with a rule allowing banks to participate in real estate activities.

"Allowing financial institutions access to real estate activities is a dangerous proposition," said Rep. Calvert. "In order to properly protect consumers and home buyers, as well as the national economy, banking and commerce should remain separate."

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