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Tom Reed highlighted district benefits in public safety and infrastructure improvements in this year’s Transportation, Housing and Urban Development – or THUD – appropriations bill up for consideration in the House of Representatives this week. Reed weighed in with input from the district to prioritize funding for projects with a local impact, including critical transportation projects.

"This bill represents a balanced, fiscally responsible approach to vital infrastructure projects that will grow jobs, expand commercial opportunity and improve the quality of life for families in the 23rd District and across the country," Reed said. “Projects utilizing taxpayer dollars must be carefully scrutinized to make sure taxpayers are getting the most out of each dollar. The initiatives the House will consider this week bring public safety and infrastructure to the forefront of the conversation.”

Reed highlighted two items of particular importance to the 23rd district:

"As the funding for FAA contract air traffic control towers has been in jeopardy this past year, I'm proud to say we've ensured that Ithaca Airport's tower will be fully funded, guaranteeing a vital commercial link in the 23rd District's economy, while continuing to provide both economic and public safety benefits,” Reed said. “We've heard from airport management, employees and the local flying community how important a staffed and operating control tower is for Ithaca and the region, and this bill ensures we have that support."

With the growing use of railroads to transport crude oil, Reed has heard from first responders across the district that they lacked the training and equipment to adequately respond to potential oil spills on rail lines running through the region. In response, Reed worked to secure funding under the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HEMP) grant program to ensure District 23 first responders are trained, equipped, and ready to protect the people, land, and waters of the 23rd District from hazardous rail spills.

“It’s about caring for infrastructure as much as it is about caring for the people who will ultimately benefit from that infrastructure – whether that means safer airports, more effective first responders or a community that is able to make its tax dollars go further. Making smart, fair investments now is the key to creating opportunities for growth.”

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