Congressman Maurice Hinchey has a proven record of getting results for the communities he represents. Since 1995, he has delivered nearly $4 billion for the 22nd Congressional District, including nearly $200 million for the parts of Orange County he represents. In the last two years, Hinchey has secured more than $42 million for projects in Orange County.
These federal investments in our region have created jobs, helped communities provide the infrastructure for economic growth, have made low-cost capital available for business startups and expansion, strengthened our schools and health care systems, promoted our tourism industry and lured new businesses to the area.
"In the historic 110th session of Congress we have accomplished a great deal in an effort to create energy independence and economic prosperity for our country," said Hinchey. "We have accomplished a lot but there is a lot more to get done. We must end the military occupation in Iraq, make greater investments in our nation's infrastructure, and nurse an economy back to health after eight disastrous years of Bush administration economic policies. With the continued support of the people of the 22nd district and President Obama in the White House, we can continue to make great strides in order to restore the American dream and our credibility throughout the world."
Democrats, who won narrow majorities in the House and Senate in 2006, have worked through an unprecedented number of radical initiatives in the 110th Congress in order to pass a number of priorities. Democratic proposals that were enacted into law include, an economic stimulus that put hundreds of dollars into the hands of more than 130 million American families, raising the minimum wage, the largest funding increase for veterans medical attention in the history of the Veterans Administration, a new GI bill, and the single largest investment in reducing the cost and increasing the access to college. Hinchey also worked hard to support important local projects throughout the 22nd district.
Hinchey's efforts in the 110th Congress included:
Creation of The Solar Energy Consortium, a partnership of industry, academia and government designed to make New York a hub for solar energy production and use. Secured $4.66 million in federal funds last year to help bring companies such as Prism Solar Technologies and C9 Corporation into the consortium, which are expected to result in the creation of hundreds of new jobs in the region. Secured an additional $2.9 million for alternative energy initiatives in New York in this year's budget. Additionally, Hinchey helped convince Empire State Development to contribute a $1.5 million grant to attract solar energy companies to TSEC. Subsequently, New York State's budget for this fiscal year includes $6.5 million for TSEC. Last month, TSEC announced its second manufacturing partner, Solar Thin Films, which will create an additional 400 jobs. In total, TSEC has received or will receive almost $16 million this year and next year to grow the solar industry throughout the state. TSEC, working with its partner companies, including Prism Solar Technologies, Solar Thin Films, Globe Specialty Metals, Precision Flow Technologies, and Fala Technologies, is in the process of creating more than 1000 new jobs throughout New York State.
Successfully passed and funded the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial legislation. Over two years, secured $1.5 million for the federal share of the costs of the celebrations slated for autumn, 2009.
Successfully passed in the House the Washington-Rochambeau Historic Trail bill to mark the journey taken by George Washington and Count Rochambeau when moving to finally defeat the Confederates at Yorktown during the revolutionary war.
Secured funding for drinking water and wastewater treatment plants in Saugerties and the Town of Bethel.
Consistently battled GE and EPA to finally begin the job of removing PCBs from the Hudson River.
Secured $351,000 in funding to help surface and complete a 3.5-mile paved rail-trail connecting the Village of Walden, Town of Montgomery in Orange County with the Hamlet of Wallkill, Town of Shawangunk in Ulster County.
Vital Health Care and Human Services
Obtained $118,000 in federal funding for the construction of a new primary health care facility for the Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center, located in Newburgh.
Successfully extended critical Medicare reimbursement classification that allows St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital to continue receiving reimbursements based on a higher geographic area rather than the local area rate. These reimbursements translate into millions of dollars and are critical to the future of the Hospital.
In February 2007, Hinchey, along with Rep. John Hall, petitioned the US Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a Vet Center in Orange County. The VA agreed to do so and recently opened the Middletown Vet Center, which will provide counseling and other critical support services for veterans and their families and families of active service members.
Infrastructure Needs and Economic Development
Successfully included $800,000 for City of Middletown Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in House version of Interior Appropriations. This bill still awaits action by the Senate.
Supported the award of $400,000 in federal grants for renovation of a building in Middletown's Business Improvement District. The Brownfield Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grant was used by Polonia Ventures to remediate asbestos contamination at the site.
Helped to establish the Family Based Business Loan Program, a $50 million loan program with the Small Business Administration that is targeted to helping small businesses in Newburgh, Middletown and Port Jervis.
Included $100,000 in the House version of the FY09 Financial Services Appropriation for GETs (Gateways to Entrepreneurial Tomorrows), that will support the creation and development of minority and low-income owned businesses in Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Newburgh, and Middletown. The final passage of funding is still pending.
Supported the proposed Taylor Biomass project in Montgomery. Recently, Hinchey invited the Dept of Energy to tour this facility and work with Taylor Biomass to further involve the federal agency in facilitating and assisting this important renewable energy project.
Encouraged and supported the Port Authority takeover of Stewart International Airport. In addition, Hinchey and Rep. Hall also successfully petitioned the Port Authority to form a Citizens Advisory Panel to provide greater community communication and feedback to the Airport management.
Worked with the Dept of Justice and U.S. General Services Administration to relocate the Orange County Magistrate Court to the Business Improvement District in the City of Middletown. While the completion of the courthouse faced significant delays and took more than three years, the Courthouse is now being used and has celebrated its official opening. Hinchey's pushing of the federal agencies moved the project forward at critical points in the process.
Community Development and Youth Programs
Secured $320,000 in new federal funding for the Best Resource Center (BRC) Youth Violence and Gang Prevention in Newburgh. The initiative is a pilot project designed to focus attention and expanded services to low-income, at-risk youth in order to reduce youth violence, gang activity, drug and alcohol use and recidivism in Newburgh and surrounding communities.
Obtained the House Appropriations Committee's approval of $175,000 for the Center for Court Innovation's Mid-Hudson Valley Drug Court Enhancement project in Newburgh, Middletown, Kingston, and Poughkeepsie. Hinchey, who is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, worked to secure the funds for the drug courts as part of the Fiscal Year 2009 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill.
Successfully sought the House Appropriations Committee's approval of $395,000 for two community programs in Newburgh, including $185,000 for the Community and Police Partnering Against Violence program and $210,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh as part of the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2009. The Habitat program will teach construction skills and provide GED programs to at-risk youth in the City of Newburgh.
Environmental Protection
Vigorously opposed at every opportunity the proposal by New York Regional Interconnection (NYRI) to construct a massive 190-mile high voltage power line from Oneida to Orange County. Hinchey opposed and fought the federal designation of much of New York State as a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC or National Corridor). This designation would allow developers to seek federal approval of transmission line projects if the State did not approve a completed application within one year.
Further, Hinchey opposed NYRI's petition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for ratepayer subsidies for this ill-conceived project. NYRI sought from the federal agency a guaranteed return on investment of 13.5% for their nearly $2 billion project.
