House Passes 2024 Funding Bills With $11.2 Million for Baltimore, Carroll Area Projects
Ruppersberger is House Appropriator
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a $460 billion, 6-bill government funding package for the 2024 fiscal year, including more than $11.2 million for specific projects throughout the greater Baltimore region requested by Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a House Appropriator.
The spending bill will keep the government open without the harmful policy riders sought by House Republicans targeting reproductive medicine, climate mitigation and equality.The six bills – which cover the Departments of Agriculture; Commerce, Justice and Science; Energy and Water Development; Interior and Environment; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and all of their related agencies – are funded at levels consistent with the bipartisan budget agreement negotiated earlier this year.
“There is no question – this is a lean year,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “This bill reflects the reality that the government, like many American families, must do more with less. We worked hard to protect our priorities and ensure our state and district got its fair share. That includes funding for vital projects throughout the Greater Baltimore region that I proudly requested.”
Congressman Ruppersberger advocated for, and secured, critical resources for Maryland-based federal agencies, programs and needs, such as $92 million for the Chesapeake Bay and $956 million for military construction projects in Maryland, $671 million of which are at Fort Meade.Another $44 million will help dredge and maintain the Baltimore Harbor.Congressman Ruppersberger also championed language encouraging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop more secure electronic benefits cards to protect against SNAP theft – a crime affecting many Marylanders.
Congressman Ruppersberger successfully secured funding for 13 community projects that will directly benefit Second District constituents, all of which were requested by local governments, the State of Maryland or a community nonprofit. The projects are:
- $1,666,279 to help Baltimore County acquire the former C.P. Crane Power Plant property in Bowleys Quarters and convert it into a public waterfront park;
- $1,432,673to help transform the now-vacant North Carroll High School in Westminster into a Boys & Girls Club to serve Carroll County youth;
- $1,000,000 for Loyola University to renovate its York Road Community Hub, includingrelocating its public safety office and expanding space for community workforce development.
- $963,000 to purchase semiconductor fabrication equipment for the Center for Education and Research in Microelectronics at Morgan State University;
- $963,000 for the Towson University Police Department to purchase four license plate reader cameras to improve campus safety;
- $963,000 to support the MedStar’s Franklin Square Medical Center and Harbor Hospital’s Youth Violence Intervention Program, which addresses behavioral health, substance use, and violence prevention for youth in Southeast Baltimore County and South Baltimore City;
- $850,000 for the Pikesville Armory Redevelopment, an expansive, 14-acre community hub for recreation, historic preservation, cultural arts and learning;
- $850,000 to help Sheppard Pratt build affordable housing for veterans and their families in Baltimore County’s Rosedale;
- $750,000 for Baltimore County to expand its mental health crisis bed capacity;
- $738,000 for a school-based violence prevention program in Baltimore City schools;
- $500,000 to reconstruct ADA-noncompliant sidewalk and curb ramps in Baltimore City, focusing on pedestrian-heavy and underserved communities;
- $500,000 for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office to construct a state-of-the art physical and digital forensic lab;
- $47,350 for the Roland Park Community Center to purchase an HVAC system, enabling the nonprofit center to expand its summer camp and school’s out offerings;
The legislation is expected to pass the U.S. Senate tomorrow and then head to the desk of President Biden to be signed into law. A detailed summary of the legislation is available here.
The remaining six appropriations bills for fiscal year 2024 are expected to be released in the coming days and be voted on ahead of their expiration on March 22.
###
Information above is from a press release…see original below:
Today, the House finally passed six of our FY2024 spending bills, which included $11.2 million for projects in #MD02. We worked hard to secure this vital community funding and ensure our state and district got its fair share of the pie. More: https://t.co/TOBz7Qy9B2
— Dutch Ruppersberger (@Call_Me_Dutch) March 6, 2024
You can find the Carroll County Observer on these social media platforms:
