Mrvan Seeking $42M in Federal Funds

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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowCongressman Frank Mrvan (D-1) is seeking more than $42 million for northwest Indiana community projects. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the funding would be used for several projects focused on improving the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The Times reports Mrvan requested $18.4 million to expand the capacity of the confined storage facility for dangerous material dredged from Indiana Harbor, $10 million for water infrastructure improvements in Lake and Porter counties, and $5 million for operations and maintenance at Indiana Harbor.
He’s also seeking $2.5 million for sand nourishment at Indiana Dunes National Park to prevent beach erosion and $1.6 million for maintenance dredging at the Burns Waterway Harbor.
“The port accounts for 100 ships, 400 barges, 300,000 trucks, 1,200 railcars and 200 lake vessels moving cargo throughout the Region,” Mrvan testified. “As with the other projects I have outlined, the economic benefits to local communities are apparent. Burns Waterway Harbor is directly or indirectly generating more than $15 billion in business revenue and 80,000 jobs.”
The House’s Community Project Funding program limits earmarks to 1% of the $1.4 trillion in annual federal discretionary spending, caps representatives at 10 funding requests per year, and requires requests are put online before committee review.
“Community Project Funding is an important step in re-asserting the constitutional prerogatives of the legislative branch,” Mrvan said. “I believe it is critical that we exercise our constitutional authority to direct funding to our districts, and it is incumbent for us to submit scrutinized project requests that are beyond reproach.”
According to The Times, House Republicans are divided. They voted 102-84 at a March 17 internal meeting to allow GOP members to request earmarks again.