Senator Mark Pryor Press Releases

CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE

Providing Safe and Reliable Water for Arkansans: $55.7 million for Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority

A safe, quality water supply is vital to the economic development and growth of Arkansas communities as well as the health of the families who live in them, and yet some areas of Arkansas do not have this necessity. This week I announced, along with Senator Lincoln and Congressman Berry, that the Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority will receive $55.7 million dollars to develop a safe and reliable source of drinking water for a broad geographic area in Boone, Johnson, Marion, Newton, Pope and Searcy counties. The USDA’s commitment to address rural infrastructure challenges, along with the region’s resolve and coordination to meet its water demands, resulted in this extraordinary award. It’s a prime example of how local, state and the federal government can work together to bring economic opportunity to rural communities. [Read More]

FLOOR ACTION

Fiscal Year 2010 Senate Defense Appropriations Act: Supporting Our Troops

Our soldiers risk their lives to defend our freedom, and it’s my job to ensure they have all the equipment and resources to complete their mission and come home safely. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I helped form the FY2010 Senate Defense Appropriations Act, which provides $636 billion to fund our men and women in uniform and our military activities across the nation and world. The bill funds research, manufacturing, and technological development projects at universities and companies across Arkansas. [Read More]

Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act: Ensuring Quality Water Systems

Strong water systems are vital to economic growth and business development. The FY2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act provides funds to improve waterway navigation, ensure safe drinking water, and enhance flood control. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I fought hard to ensure the legislation shared Arkansas’ priorities. The bill includes provisions to maintain Arkansas’ rivers, dams, and lakes and support forward-looking initiatives to develop alternative energy resources in our state. I am particularly pleased that we were able to secure $100,000 in new start funds for the long sought after Bayou Meto Basin Project, which would supply water for farming and drinking to rural communities in central Arkansas. These projects will foster economic development opportunities and improve the standard of living for Arkansans across the state. [Read More]

Fiscal Year 2010 Agricultural Appropriations Act: Keeping Our Farmers and Rural Communities Strong

Rural communities are the backbone of our state. The FY2010 Agriculture Appropriations Act focuses on funding for research, rural development, conservation, nutrition, and other agricultural programs critical to Arkansas. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m proud this legislation also contains my initiative to lift the ban on Chinese poultry imports while ensuring they are safe for American consumers. Food safety and trade are not mutually exclusive, and both are important to the economy of Arkansas. This legislation supports our state’s agricultural industry, protects families from unsafe food, and helps lifts up Arkansas farmers and rural residents. [Read More]

FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ARKANSAS

$2 million for Mid-South Community College

$3.4 million for FutureFuel Expansion

$10,375 for Camden Law Enforcement

$14,878 for Hope Law Enforcement

$570,000 for UA Fayetteville Campus Transportation

$450,000 for Independence County Workforce Training Center

$2.3 million for Crowley’s Ridge Parkway

$115,000 for UAPB Rural Entrepreneurial Collaborative

$1.1 million to fight Domestic Violence in Monticello and Fort Smith

$114,951 for Head Start Program in Washington County

$298,477 to fight Domestic Violence in Southwest Arkansas

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

In an article titled Highway panel OKs 7 more stimulus bids, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports:

“Arkansas’ federal stimulus spending on road and bridge projects topped $150 million Wednesday with seven more projects awarded contracts.”

“Altogether, bids have been opened on 76 projects worth $151 million, to be paid with money from the state’s share of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed by President Barack Obama in February to shore up a recession-laden U.S. economy with an infusion of $787 billion in government cash.”

“On Wednesday, the commission tentatively awarded contracts worth $39.2 million on seven projects. The amount of the latest contract awards was more than $5 million less than state highway officials had projected, continuing a trend of lower project costs. Savings on earlier projects has allowed the department to add a couple of projects, [Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department deputy director Frank] Vogel said.”

“The estimated cost of all projects that have stimulus money is $419 million, but the state’s share of stimulus money for road projects is $351 million. Using more stimulus money on those will free up money in the department’s regular construction accounts for nonstimulus projects, [department spokesman Randy] Ort said.”

“The lower construction costs come at an opportune time for the department, which is grappling with the fallout from the lack of a federal highway spending bill. Congress extended 2009 spending levels through Oct. 31, but at the same time, it didn’t repeal an obscure budgetary maneuver, called a rescission, that resulted in $8.7 billion less being available for states to spend.”

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		October 16, 2009 Press Release Pryor Wrap-up for October 16, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE Providing Safe and Reliable Water for Arkansans: $55.7 million for Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority A safe, quality water supply is vital to the economic development and growth of Arkansas communities as well as the health of the families who live in them, and yet some areas of Arkansas do not have this necessity. This week I announced, along with Senator Lincoln and Congressman Berry, that the Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority will receive $55.7 million dollars to develop a safe and reliable source of drinking water for a broad geographic area in Boone, Johnson, Marion, Newton, Pope and Searcy counties. The USDA’s commitment to address rural infrastructure challenges, along with the region’s resolve and coordination to meet its water demands, resulted in this extraordinary award. It’s a prime example of how local, state and the federal government can work together to bring economic opportunity to rural communities. [Read More] FLOOR ACTION Fiscal Year 2010 Senate Defense Appropriations Act: Supporting Our Troops Our soldiers risk their lives to defend our freedom, and it’s my job to ensure they have all the equipment and resources to complete their mission and come home safely. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I helped form the FY2010 Senate Defense Appropriations Act, which provides $636 billion to fund our men and women in uniform and our military activities across the nation and world. The bill funds research, manufacturing, and technological development projects at universities and companies across Arkansas. [Read More] Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act: Ensuring Quality Water Systems Strong water systems are vital to economic growth and business development. The FY2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act provides funds to improve waterway navigation, ensure safe drinking water, and enhance flood control. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I fought hard to ensure the legislation shared Arkansas’ priorities. The bill includes provisions to maintain Arkansas’ rivers, dams, and lakes and support forward-looking initiatives to develop alternative energy resources in our state. I am particularly pleased that we were able to secure $100,000 in new start funds for the long sought after Bayou Meto Basin Project, which would supply water for farming and drinking to rural communities in central Arkansas. These projects will foster economic development opportunities and improve the standard of living for Arkansans across the state. [Read More] Fiscal Year 2010 Agricultural Appropriations Act: Keeping Our Farmers and Rural Communities Strong Rural communities are the backbone of our state. The FY2010 Agriculture Appropriations Act focuses on funding for research, rural development, conservation, nutrition, and other agricultural programs critical to Arkansas. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m proud this legislation also contains my initiative to lift the ban on Chinese poultry imports while ensuring they are safe for American consumers. Food safety and trade are not mutually exclusive, and both are important to the economy of Arkansas. This legislation supports our state’s agricultural industry, protects families from unsafe food, and helps lifts up Arkansas farmers and rural residents. [Read More] FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ARKANSAS $2 million for Mid-South Community College $3.4 million for FutureFuel Expansion $10,375 for Camden Law Enforcement $14,878 for Hope Law Enforcement $570,000 for UA Fayetteville Campus Transportation $450,000 for Independence County Workforce Training Center $2.3 million for Crowley’s Ridge Parkway $115,000 for UAPB Rural Entrepreneurial Collaborative $1.1 million to fight Domestic Violence in Monticello and Fort Smith $114,951 for Head Start Program in Washington County $298,477 to fight Domestic Violence in Southwest Arkansas IN CASE YOU MISSED IT In an article titled Highway panel OKs 7 more stimulus bids, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports: “Arkansas’ federal stimulus spending on road and bridge projects topped $150 million Wednesday with seven more projects awarded contracts.” “Altogether, bids have been opened on 76 projects worth $151 million, to be paid with money from the state’s share of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed by President Barack Obama in February to shore up a recession-laden U.S. economy with an infusion of $787 billion in government cash.” “On Wednesday, the commission tentatively awarded contracts worth $39.2 million on seven projects. The amount of the latest contract awards was more than $5 million less than state highway officials had projected, continuing a trend of lower project costs. Savings on earlier projects has allowed the department to add a couple of projects, [Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department deputy director Frank] Vogel said.” “The estimated cost of all projects that have stimulus money is $419 million, but the state’s share of stimulus money for road projects is $351 million. Using more stimulus money on those will free up money in the department’s regular construction accounts for nonstimulus projects, [department spokesman Randy] Ort said.” “The lower construction costs come at an opportune time for the department, which is grappling with the fallout from the lack of a federal highway spending bill. Congress extended 2009 spending levels through Oct. 31, but at the same time, it didn’t repeal an obscure budgetary maneuver, called a rescission, that resulted in $8.7 billion less being available for states to spend.” ###