HYDE-SMITH GAINS COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF TRANSPORTATION, HUD FUNDING BILL WITH BENEFITS FOR MISS.

Aug. 1, 2023

Source: Delta Business Journal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today said she worked to help craft a bipartisan transportation, housing, and community development funding bill that would benefit Mississippi and the nation.

Hyde-Smith is the ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee that gained unanimous approval from the Senate Appropriations Committee for its FY2024 THUD Appropriations Bill.  The measure is now available for full Senate consideration.

“We’ve crafted a fiscally-responsible bill that adheres to the budgetary constraints while continuing to foster and grow the safest, most reliable transportation system in the world, one that is critical for improving public safety and our economy,” Hyde-Smith said.

“We also maintain federal rental assistance on which working families, seniors, and others rely, while also adding resources to end homelessness among veterans and youth.  Ending cycles of dependency requires promoting self-sufficiency and financial literacy tools, which is why I am pleased that the bill funds HUD self-sufficiency programs,” the Senator added.

Hyde-Smith noted that actual spending levels in the FY2024 THUD Appropriations Bill remain flat with the exception of funding for some rental assistance and to create 1,800 air traffic controller positions to help the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) address flight delays across the country.  The bill also invests in modernizing outdated FAA legacy systems, such as the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system that went offline, shutting down airspace for several hours earlier this year.

Hyde-Smith worked with her colleagues to support programs and policies of interest to Mississippi, such as bill language regarding vehicle safety for hauling forest and agricultural products within the state of Mississippi.

“There are many needs in Mississippi and I’ve worked to see that this bill will responsibly help meet those needs,” Hyde-Smith said.  “I’m pleased the bill supports surface, air, and rail transportation projects across the state, as well as housing, workforce development, and community improvement work.  There are more steps in the legislative process to go, but this is a good step forward for Mississippi.”

The following are among items of interest to Mississippi in the FY2024 THUD Appropriations Bill:

Transportation
•   Monroe County Airport Runway Extension - $1,500,000
•   Cleveland Municipal Airport Improvements - $1,800,000
•   Jackson County US 90 - $3,100,000
•   MS 19 Neshoba County - $3,100,000
•   Ripley Bypass - $3,100,000
•   US Highway 25 Pedestrian Overpass - $5,000,000 (Rankin County)
•   MS 2 Connector - $3,100,000 (Rankin County)
•   Port of Rosedale Multimodal Expansion/Railroad Restoration - $8,175,000

Housing and Urban Development
•   Youth Opportunity Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast - $3,000,000
•   Eudora Welty Library Recovery Project, Jackson - $3,750,000
•   Workforce Training Facility, East Central Community College - $1,250,000
•   WIN Job Center Renovation, Hinds Community College - $4,000,000
•   Roof Replacement Project, Hope Village for Children, Inc., Meridian - $600,000

Independent Agencies
•  Federal Maritime Administration - $100 million for the Maritime Guaranteed Loan Program, which promotes the growth and modernization of the U.S. merchant marine and U.S. shipyards.