Montana Scores Big in VA/HUD

For immediate release:
Wednesday, September 15, 1999

Montana Scores Big in VA/HUD
$21.5 Million Earmarked for Montana; Burns Demands More for Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Montana Senator Conrad Burns today announced that the VA/HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill includes $21.5 million in funding for Montana projects in fiscal year 2000, which begins Oct. 1 of this year. Burns supported a measure that increased veterans' health care funding by $1.1 billion.

The bill was approved today by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, of which Burns is a member.

During the subcommittee meeting, Burns said that the bill has good provisions for Montana, but it sorely underestimates the funding necessary for a strong veterans' health care program. Noting that consistent cutbacks in service for Montana veterans have led to long trips to the doctor and waiting periods, Burns said that the Veterans Administration (VA) needed to put more of a priority on caring for veterans' health care needs.

"We have veterans waiting four days and driving hundreds of miles for simple check-ups," Burns said. "That is ridiculous, and I don't understand why the president insists on offering up budgets that skimp on our veterans. We have made an effort to improve care by adding $1.1 billion to the budget, but we need the administration on our side if we're going to see long-term improvement."

Burns also expressed disappointment with reduced funding levels for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, which uses public funds to leverage millions of private dollars to build affordable housing. The bill includes $60 million for the program, although it received $90 million last year. Burns is working to increase the funding level before the bill is finalized.

Burns also said the bill included funding for economic development and research programs located in Montana. Despite tighter budget constraints, Burns pointed out that the VA/HUD spending bill included $1 million more in funding for Montana than the same bill did at this stage last year. The bill includes funding for the following Montana projects requested by Burns:

$6 million for the heavy metal and mine waste program to MSE Technology Applications in Butte. MSE is also earmarked to receive an additional $1.5 million for ongoing research projects with NASA.

$4 million to aid in the development of the Lockwood water and sewer district.
$2 million for the Center on Life in Extreme Environments at MSU-Bozeman.
$2 million for the study of advanced optoelectric material at MSU-Bozeman.
$2 million for the Earth Observation System Natural Resources Training Center at the University of Montana in Missoula.
$1.5 million to help upgrade the Big Timber wastewater treatment facility.
$900,000 for the construction of a community center in Libby.
$750,000 for the redevelopment of the Billings Depot.
$500,000 for the development of an MSU-Billings business development facility.

Montana will also be eligible for funds from the following national grant programs:

$69.5 million for combined EPSCoR funding through NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Science Foundation.
$19 million for National Space Grant, which is used for space-related research at universities in a number of states, including Montana.
$2.3 million for the Jason Foundation, a distance learning program.

"Montana's universities and high-tech companies do great work on a national level," Burns said. "The dollars spent on research in Montana not only benefit the nation, but local economies as well. You can bet that I will continue to push for this funding as it moves through the process."

The full Senate will take up consideration of the VA/HUD spending bill later this month.

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