For Immediate Release:
 March 11, 2008

Media Contact:
Hernando Vergara
vergara@miamidade.gov
 305-375-2601



Commissioners present list of critical funding priorities to federal officials


(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- Miami-Dade Commissioners travelled to Washington D.C. last February to meet with federal officials to present their critical priorities and appropriations list related to 2008 legislative agenda.   In a day full of meetings, Miami-Dade legislators were able to have detailed discussions with Federal elected officials, department directors and members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  

During the discussions the Miami-Dade delegation was able to present a unified plan to U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek and Federal Transit Administrator James Simpson related to extending the Rapid Transit System and making the Orange Line Expansion a reality in the next review process.  Additional meetings were held with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Senators Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson. 

Critical Appropriations:

  • Miami River Dredging: SUPPORT a $10 million funding request for the final phase of the Miami River Dredging Project to restore authorized depth and width to the navigation channel.
  • Miami Harbor Phase III Dredging: SUPPORT a $2.7 million funding request for a Miami Harbor Channel General Reevaluation Report Implementation, Plans and Specifications for the first phase of implementation which includes the design, preparation of plans and specifications for bidding. Also seeking an additional source of PED funds through utilizing the funds that will be restored to the project, once the Port of Miami reimburses the Army Corps for its share of the costs of the General Reevaluation Report (GRR).
  • Metrorail Orange Line Expansion - North Corridor:  SUPPORT a $100 million funding request to be used for right-a-way acquisition along corridors and design to be appropriated through full funding agreement.
  • Metrorail Orange Line Expansion - East-West Corridor:  SUPPORT a $5 million funding request for Phase 3 preliminary engineering on the Miami-Dade County East-West Corridor Rapid Transit Project.
  • Water Reuse:  SUPPORT a $6.25 million funding request to be used for a pipeline project in South Dade.
  • Venom Response:   SUPPORT a $500,000 funding request to provide funding for Miami-Dade County's Venom Response Bureau.


Miami-Dade Commissioners travelled to Washington D.C. last February to meet with federal officials to present their critical priorities and appropriations list related to 2008 legislative agenda. In a day full of meetings, Miami-Dade legislators were able to have detailed discussions with Federal elected officials, department directors and members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro, Congresswoman Ileana Ross-Lehtinen, Commissioners Carlos A. Gimenez, Dorrin D. Rolle, Congressman Adam Putman, Commissioners Jose A. Martinez and Jose "Pepe" Diaz.
 

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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRUNO A. BARREIRO DISTRICT 5
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, Suite 220 Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 643-8525