As a fiscal conservative, I have fought for lower taxes, to reign in wasteful spending, and for smaller government. I was one of only 16 members of the House of Representatives to support all 50 anti-pork amendments in the 110th Congress. Since I first held office in the State Assembly, I have also fought for greater transparency in government. As such, you can find my fiscal year 2010 requests for federal funding on this page. Requests made by members of Congress should be entirely transparent and open to scrutiny by the public.

Nevada receives 65 cents for every dollar it sends to Washington. Clearly, the congressional budget process is broken, and the earmark system is unfair. I am strongly in favor of ending wasteful earmarks, reforming the earmark process, and bringing sunlight to the budget and appropriations process in Congress. For this reason I have cosponsored the Congressional Accountability and Line-Item Veto Act of 2009 (H.R. 1294). This bill would authorize the President to reinstate the line item veto and repeal any congressional earmark deemed wasteful.

Until Congress reforms this process, however, I will work to ensure that legitimate local projects receive consideration, and Nevadans receive their fair share of their federal tax dollars. The requests below are not to be construed in any order of priority, nor is a request any guarantee of funding.

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND RELATED AGENCIES

Carson City Waterfall Fire Restoration ($750,000): Carson City suffered a devastating wildfire in July 2004. Over 8,700 acres reaching across the entire west side of Carson City were blackened. This devastation removed all vegetation, as the fire burned extremely hot. The Waterfall Fire also destroyed a large stand of timber. The eastern flank of the Sierras remains burned and barren. These mountains are extremely steep, and severe erosion continues to occur. Carson City therefore faces threats from flooding and potential debris flows, as well as severe damage to surface water supplies. Replanting trees will stabilize slopes and restore the vegetation on the Mountains. 201 N. Carson Street, Suite 2, Carson City, NV 89701.

COMMERCE-JUSTICE-SCIENCE AND RELATED AGENCIES

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), Reno ($500,000): Funding will provide state-of-the-art information, training, and research to judges and other juvenile justice professionals in order to improve decision-making and resources to better serve the needs of children families, while ensuring accountability from them and the system that serves them. This funding will also support four national programs that strive to improve system effectiveness and judicial decision-making for children and their families in cases involving juvenile delinquency and child abuse and neglect. 1041 N. Virginia Street, Third Floor, Reno, NV 89503.

Patrol Vehicle Safety Systems, Washoe County ($500,000): In-Car Video Systems have proven to be useful in the collection of evidence, increased perception of safety by Patrol Officers, and improved confidence of the law enforcement community by the citizenry. These systems have also proven useful during internal affairs investigations, reducing agency liability, evaluations of policies and procedures, as well as training. 911 Parr Blvd., Reno, NV 89512.

DEFENSE

Joint Operations Center (JOC), Nevada National Guard ($1,000,000): The funding will allow NVNG the ability to man the Joint Operations Center 24/7 with trained professional staff to meet its emergency readiness responsibilities throughout the state. 2460 Fairview Dr., Carson City, NV 89701.

Nevada Air National Guard Scathe View – Scathe View video sensors ($1,000,000): Scathe View is a unique intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system. It has been an integral part intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance forces that have been deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and has been used in domestic search and rescue operations. This technology is essential in allowing the Nevada Air National Guard to fulfill both its foreign and domestic responsibilities. 2460 Fairview Dr., Carson City, NV 89701.

Rocket Motor Contained System – Hawthorne Army Depot ($1,000,000): Funding will be for the development of a rocket motor contained burn system which demilitarizes the rockets safely. The system will be used for Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) motors, and will be adaptable to other larger rocket motors. 2 South Maine, Hawthorne, NV 89415.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT

Fernley Water Treatment Plant Surface Water Intake, Reno ($750,000): This project includes the design, property acquisition, and construction of a surface water intake for the Fernley Water Treatment Plant. The plant currently utilizes groundwater as its only source of water, so this project will increase the flexibility in the management of Fernley’s water resources. The City of Fernley currently holds approximately 10,000 acre-feet of surface water rights that cannot be utilized without such a facility. This project allows the City of Fernley to utilize a source of water that increases the flexibility of Fernley’s water resources. This project enhances Fernley’s drought tolerance and introduces surface water to its potable water customers with a lower concentration of arsenic than Fernley’s groundwater. 595 Silver Lace Blvd., Fernley, NV 89408.

Glendale Water Supply Improvement Project; Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Washoe County ($800,000): This project would reconstruct a diversion structure currently made of loose boulders and concrete, to utilize a permanent structure. The reconstructed diversion would allow fish passage for Endangered/Threatened species and other indigenous species, as well as a boat passage structure that will safely move boaters and other recreation. The current 30 year-old structure is unreliable, requires constant repairs. P.O. Box 30013, Reno, NV 89520.            

Nevada Water Resources Data, Modeling, and Visualizations Center - Desert Research Institute, Reno ($750,000): The Desert Research Institute (DRI) proposes creating a statewide center to house and use all available data needed to better understand the current and potential future distribution of water resources within Nevada. The project will require a dedicated computer system, as well as new expertise in information management and hydrologic, atmospheric, and ecological modeling. Water has become, and will continue to be, the most important limiting resource for the semi-arid urbanizing western United States. This project seeks to fully understand current distribution of water, while also being able to predict accurately the impacts of future conditions (e.g., growth and climate change) on the availability of water. 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512.

North Lemmon Valley Artificial Recharge Project - Washoe County Dept of Water Resources, Washoe County ($800,000): This multi-phased project will provide water service to residents currently using domestic wells. Declining water levels and deteriorating water quality are resulting in domestic well failures. In addition, on-site septic systems are contributing contaminants to the groundwater, resulting in residents consuming water that does not meet federal and state water quality standards. The Washoe Department of Water Resources has been working in phases to construct a community water system for the area which will provide residents with a reliable supply of water that meets all state and federal drinking water standards. Without outside sources of financial assistance, North Lemmon Valley residents cannot afford to connect to the community water system. 4930 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502.

Pahrump Regional Flood Control, Nye County ($800,000): Funding is requested to support on-going efforts to evaluate planning options, and subsequently select and implement a service plan, necessary to effectively address and mitigate flooding impacts in the unincorporated Town of Pahrump, in southern Nye County. The funds will be used to help establish the Flood Control General Improvement District (GID), which would be responsible for managing the implementation of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The project includes evaluating and selecting from various designs and subsequently implementing the selected design alternative that would be consistent with federal natural resource management policies for the area. P.O. Box 153, Tonopah, NV 89049.

FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Western NV Development District ($500,000): These funds would contribute to the organization’s small business job creation efforts, which extend over Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, and Storey Counties in Western Nevada. In the current economic climate, small businesses have been especially affected, and the efforts of the Western Nevada Development District in promoting job creation will spur economic development. 704 West Nye Lande, Suite 201, Carson City, NV 89701.

HOMELAND SECURITY

FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation for Wildfires, Reno ($500,000): The Reno area is ringed by federal lands and each year the growing community moves closer to the “wildland/urban interface,” zone where the City limits meet open land. As a result, the threat of wildfires reaching and damaging the community grows significantly. The Reno Fire Department has initiated discussions with regional and statewide stakeholder to help residents and organizations undertake the mitigations that would reduce the risk of being susceptible to wildfire. This project will expand fire suppression activities throughout the Washoe County area and provides assistance with equipment that would be shared by multiple partner agencies. P.O. Box 1900, Reno, NV 89505.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES

Wastewater Treatment Plant –Fernley ($750,000): This project will replace the current tank-based solids handling method with the construction of mechanical dewatering facilities. This facility’s microfiltration design for arsenic removal includes solids handling storage tanks. Rehabilitation for mechanical dewatering of the residuals handing would allow the City of Fernley to provide its residents with higher quality and safer water for the long term. This project also falls in line with the mission of the EPA by protecting and safeguarding Fernley residents’ health and environment. 595 Silver Lace Blvd., Fernley, NV 89408.

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Mound House ($750,000): This project will expand the current wastewater treatment facility to serve residents currently on septic. This will help remediate the groundwater contamination currently taking place downstream of the wastewater treatment plant’s leach field. Through this project groundwater contamination can be reversed with improved wastewater treatment and by eliminating the existing septic system. The current elevated levels of nitrates in the groundwater can even cause a condition know as “blue baby syndrome” if consumed by small children. 275 Main Street, Yerington, NV 89447.

LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION AND RELATED AGENCIES

Renown Health Women’s and Children’s Center, Labor and Delivery Dept., Reno ($800,000): Overall, two-thirds of all births in the Reno/ Sparks area occur at Renown Regional Medical center. Renown Regional Medical Center is the only Children’s Miracle Network hospital in the Northern Nevada Region. In order to serve the Washoe County and Northern Nevada region, Renown Health must expand and renovate their current facilities in the Women’s and Children’s Center to meet these needs. Funding would be used to expand Renown’s current room capacity and renovate existing rooms to provide an overall improvement in the delivery experience for the mother and her family. Renown Health will provide the balance of the costs toward the completion. 1000 Ryland, Suite 402, Reno, NV 89502.

St Mary’s Regional Medical Center- Reno ($800,000): Funding would be for the construction of a new Nephrology Center of Excellence. This center will provide residents of Northern Nevada and Northeastern California the option of accessing kidney transplants at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. 235 West Sixth Street, Reno, NV 89503.

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS’ AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES

Nevada National Guard Fire Station Replacement, Reno ($1,000,000): The Nevada Air National Guard is in the planning phase for design and construction of a new fire station at the base located at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Reno. The current fire station only provides 25% of the total authorized space of 17,575 square feet. The new fire station is intended to replace the half-century old original structure. Construction of the new fire station will alleviate the concerns regarding the current fire station, which has become inadequate in size and insufficient in space in order to properly support the fire protection and crash/rescue requirements of the base. 2460 Fairview Dr., Carson City, NV 89701.

Nevada National Guard Renewable Energy Sustainable Projects, Carson City and Clark County ($1,000,000): The Nevada Army National Guard is planning wind, solar, and geothermal projects at six facilities and training sites by calendar end of fiscal year 2010. The major projects include combined energy production between Clark County Armory, Las Vegas Readiness Center, and the Office of the Adjutant General facilities. 2460 Fairview Dr., Carson City, NV 89701.

Vehicle Maintenance Shop, Hawthorne ($1,000,000): The existing vehicle maintenance facility was constructed in 1943 at the Hawthorne Army Depot. Extensive modifications are required to bring the sludge basin and acid spill basin into conformance with current EPA regulations. Complete rebuilding of the structure is required to allow modern Material Handling Equipment to enter into the building. Extensive repairs and modification have been attempted, however; deterioration has reached the point where the sulfuric acid has eaten away the steel reinforcing. 2 South Main, Hawthorne, NV 89415.

TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES 

Acquisition and Installation of an Approach Surveillance Radar (ASR-11) at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Reno ($1,000,000): The Reno-Tahoe International Airport and five other airports in the region are all served by an existing Approach Surveillance Radar (ASR-8) that has been in place for 16 years and is two generations old. The existing radar is located at the absolute lowest point of the valley which reduces its airspace coverage for all six airports in the region. An FAA study identified a site north and at a higher elevation than the existing radar site which would allow air traffic controllers to track aircraft movements longer and at lower altitudes than currently possible. 2001 E. Plumb Ln., Reno, NV 89502.

Carson Freeway, Phase 2, Carson City ($1,000,000): The project will add three miles of controlled access freeway from Fairview Dr. to the southern connections at the existing US 50 West – Tahoe Juncture / Carson Street intersection. This project will relieve traffic congestion on Carson Street through downtown Carson City and local streets along the Freeway Corridor. It will also provide flood control protection, and improve opportunities for economic development along the corridor and downtown. 1263 South Stewart Street, Carson City, NV 89701.

Fernley Downtown Corridor Plan, Fernley ($750,000): Project includes the planning, development analysis and implementation for the downtown corridor. The implementation of the corridor plan will consist of constructing approximately two miles of public improvements including installation of curb, gutter and sidewalks, light poles, street benches, and acquisition and construction of a public surface parking facility. Funds will help offset costs of flood damage from 2007. 595 Silver Lace Blvd., Fernley, NV 89408.

Meadowood Interchange, Washoe County ($1,000,000): The funding for this project will mitigate severe current and future traffic congestion occurring on I-580/US 395 and the adjacent surface arterials in the primary commercial retail district for the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area. 2050 Villanova Dr., Reno, NV 89520.

SR 160 Las Vegas to Pahrump, Nye and Clark Counties ($1,000,000): The project would widen the roadway from 2 to 4 lanes from Rainbow Blvd to Mountain Springs; completing a safety project to widen the existing northbound roadway by 12 feet on the outside lane from Mountain Springs to Nye County line; re-profile and pave roadway over Lovell Wash; and widen the road from 2 to 4 lanes from Nye County Line to 0.27 miles south of Coconino Lane in Pahrump. 1263 South Stewart Street, Carson City, NV 89701.

U.S. 50 State Realignment, Douglas County ($1,000,000): This project involves the Realignment of U.S. Highway 50 in the Stateline, NV Corridor. The project will look to provide operational improvement and pedestrian and transit improvements in the heavily congested Stateline corridor. 1263 South Stewart Street, Carson City, NV 89701.

Washoe County Bus and Bus Facilities, Washoe County ($1,000,000): The Washoe County bus and bus facilities project includes the replacement and expansion of the Regional Transportation Commission’s (RTC) transit fleet including standard coaches and para-transit vehicles and the construction of additional park-and-ride facilities. New buses must be purchased to replace worn out vehicles in the existing fleet, increase service on existing routes and initiate new service. These replacement vehicles will help the RTC to increase schedule reliability, reduce the cost of vehicle and increase transit ridership and fare box revenue. 2050 Villanova Dr., Reno, NV 89520.

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS

The surface transportation authorization legislation is generally passed every five years to allow federal funds to be used for transportation infrastructure. As such, total funds allocated will be spread over a five year period. Therefore, dollar amounts below represent a five year request. Every project authorized is written into legislation, receives congressional hearings, and is considered by the full House of Representatives. Unlike the appropriations process, these project requests are fully transparent throughout the legislative process. The projects below are critical infrastructure for Nevada scheduled to be built over the next five years or longer. The requests below are not to be construed in any order of priority, nor is a request any guarantee of funding.

Meadowood Interchange Complex ($41.9 million): The project will mitigate severe current and future traffic congestion occurring on I-580/US 395 and the adjacent surface arterials in the primary commercial retail district for the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area.

Washoe County Bus and Bus Vehicles/Facilities ($24 million): The project will replace and expand the Washoe RTC transit fleet including standard coaches and para-transit vehicles and includes the construction of additional park-and-ride facilities.

I-580/US-395 from Moana to Stead ($79 million): The project will implement a Freeway Service Patrol to assist with minor incidents and more traffic signal coordination improvements, a truck climbing lane, and widening of the northbound I-580 on-ramp at South Virginia Street interchange to accommodate the current evening peak demand.

Reno Bus Rapid Transit ($17.5 million): The project includes the purchase of right-of-way, traffic signal preemption, queue jumping at intersections, off board fare collection, fast loading at enhanced bus stops, and additional park-and-ride facilities. This will be the first stage of bus rapid transit in the heavily traveled Virginia Street corridor linking the University of Nevada Reno campus, downtown Reno, the convention center and Meadowood mall.

Pyramid Highway Corridor ($25.075 million): The project will address certain problems in the Pyramid Highway (SR 445) corridor, which is the primary major arterial serving the explosive growth in the northeast Reno-Sparks metropolitan area. The work will undertake planning, design, engineering and environmental studies for improvements to increase capacity and reduce congestion within the corridor.

Nevada I-80 Capacity Improvements ($10.425 million): The project will improve key freeway interchanges along Interstate 80 through the cities of Sparks and Reno. Currently, these facilities are operating below service standards during both AM and PM peak periods. The funds will address project development, environmental studies, design and construction of facilities to improve safety, increase capacity and reduce congestion within the I-80 corridor.

I-80 Intermodal Corridor Study ($7.050 million): Severe congestion and capacity programs continue to plague significant portions of the I-80 Corridor in California, Nevada and Utah. This project proposes an unbiased modal investment study that brings all stakeholders into the process to identify the most cost-effective investments and priorities for the growing Interstate-80 Corridor.

Nevada Statewide Bus and Bus Vehicles/Facilities ($40 million): This project will fund capital facilities improvements throughout Nevada including: transit vehicle expansion and replacement, bus maintenance facilities, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), intermodal terminals and park and ride lots.

US 395 Carson Freeway Phase 2B ($130 million): This project will consist of constructing 3 miles of 4 lane controlled access freeway in Carson City with 1 new interchange at South Carson Street and 3 new grade-separated crossings at Koontz Lane, Clearview Drive, Synder Avenue.

Ivanpah Airport Access ($23 million): Funds will be used to design, engineer, and construct a road and interchange on I-15 to provide access to the planned Ivanpah Airport.

Mesquite Airport Access ($29,548,200): The project will provide construction of interchanges at Mile Post 108, 118, and 120 on I-15 to facilitate access to a new regional airport at Mesquite, Nevada.

Lake Tahoe, US 50 Stateline Realignment ($5 million): This project realigns US 50 in the heavily congested Stateline, Nevada corridor. The project will provide operational improvements, pedestrian and transit improvements.

Tahoe Bus and Bus Facilities ($5.6 million): Funds will be used to buy clean fuel buses for the Lake Tahoe public transit system.

CAMPO Bus Facilities ($2 million): Funds will be used to purchase transit vehicles, bus stop improvements, and a transit center.

I-15 Corridor Widening ($140 million): This project will widen I-15 from 6 to 10 lanes, and would affect the I-15/US95/I-515 Interchange to Craig Road, Craig Road to Speedway Boulevard, and the Speedway Boulevard to Apex interchange.

US 95 from Rainbow to Kyle Canyon ($166 million): Project would widen US 95 from Rainbow Boulevard to Kyle Canyon Rd. including the construction of an interchange at I-215 to improve operational efficiency, capacity, and safety.

West Carlin Interchange Upgrade ($3.35 million): Project will upgrade the West Carlin Interchange to a full interchange by the addition of an acceleration lane (Eastbound on ramp) and a deceleration lane (Westbound off ramp) on Interstate 80.

West Main St. Underpass/Stock Lane Alignment ($66.056 million): This construction project consists of widening the West Fernley Railroad Underpass and connecting Stock Lane across the Truckee Carson Irrigation District’s Truckee Canal through federal lands and ultimately connecting to 95A.

US 93, Alamo, NV Passing/Climbing Lanes and Intersection Safety Improvements ($15 million): The project includes construction of climbing or passing lanes along US Route 93 which will have safety and operational benefits. The general increase in traffic along US93 has had a resulting impact on intersections in Alamo.

I-15/US 93 Interchange Improvements ($10 million): Funds will be used for construction of improvements on the interchange at I-15 and US 93. The traffic growth projected at this interchange cannot be accommodated by the current interchange design and requires major improvements.

Nye County, Nevada Road Improvement ($18 million): A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in September 2003 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, the Nye County Board of Commissioners and the Pahrump Town Board in a cooperative effort to bring the Pahrump Valley into PM10 air quality compliance and thus negate any requirement for the EPA to designate the Pahrump Valley as a nonattainment area for PM10 particulate. To meet obligations of this MOU these funds will be used to resurface principle roads in rural Nye County that are critical to the county’s overall transportation system.