Despite 'No' Votes By Local Reps, California Projects Get Big Boost From Congressional Spending Bill
WASHINGTON (CBS SF) -- California received funding for a long list of programs and projects from a new $1.1 trillion congressional spending bill passed late Saturday night, despite many California representatives voting against it.
In addition to funding for an expansion of the state's earthquake early warning system beginning in January, California will also receive millions of dollars in environmental funding.
The spending bill will provide the state with $65 million in Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery grants, and $36 million for Bay-Delta restoration.
Construction projects will receive the lion's share of the funding with $98 million going to a project at Calexico West Land Port of Entry, $39 million for construction at the Naval Air Station in Lenmoore, near Fresno. $22 million will go towards a project at Fresno's Army Reserve Center, and a huge project at the San Diego Port of Entry will receive $217 million.
Despite a congressional ban on earmarks by members, the law doesn't say anything about the President, according to KPIX 5 Political Analyst Melissa Griffin-Caen.
"It was the Obama administration that requested most of this funding for California. And, that means it's not technically an earmark, it's a Christmas miracle," Griffin-Caen said.