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Issue: 978 Date: 5/21/2009
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密州發揮聯邦刺激經費專款效能
中國空港、大都會捷運各獲一千二百萬元補助
Missouri General Assembly Approves Metro Funding, Cargo Hub & UMSL Capital Funding
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| U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan (MO, 3rd) and Madam Zhang Yingxin, leader of the Chinese Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) delegation that visited St. Louis last week, exchange gifts at a dinner attended by business, civic and elected officials to honor the delegation at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown St. Louis. |
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【時報訊】密蘇里州州長、州議會及地區經濟成長協會上下一心，日前通過特別專案House Bill 22，分配聯邦刺激專款經費中之一千二百萬元予中國空港大設想計劃，一千二百萬元予亟需之大都會捷運系統，二千八百萬元予密蘇里大學改建科學大樓，密州州議員Maria Chappelle-Nadel在通過法案後興奮地表示，密州朝野及各黨合作，終於達成預算共識，共同推動中國空港計劃。這將是密蘇里州對中國與密州合作項目之國際合作做出最有力的保證。
在密州州議會結束會期前之預算討論會中，通過HB22法案編列一千二百萬元，支持推動美中西區中國空港(Midwest China-Hub)項目，重新規劃和提升林白機場國際貿易區內容及設備，以因應中國空港大計劃對機場及國際貿易區之需求，同時向中國表示密州支持中國空港之決心，數月前美國商務部首次撥款一百二十萬元予中國空港委員會，作為該會運作之用，這次州政府再加碼一千二百萬之經費，中國空港大設想計劃勢在必行。
HB22法案中同時通過一千二百萬予聖路易大都會捷運系統(Metro Transportation)，由於經濟不景氣，金融風暴及經費短缺，大都會捷運在今年三月三十日縮減30%公車路線及捷運班次，造成極大不便，尤其目前正是民眾最需要大眾捷運系統的時候，大都會捷運系統這項減縮業務結束，引起大聖路易地區社區眾多使用捷運人士之恐慌及憤怒。
大都會捷運原本要求三千五百萬經費，恢復自3月30日起減少之公車路線及捷運班次，經過捷運局總裁CEO Bob Baer向州議會亟力爭取，地區商業成長協會(RCGA)向副州長Peter Kinder，州議員Rachel Stroch, Maria Chappelle-Nadel等意見領袖遊說，說明捷運系統之重要性。密州州長Jay Nixon於是同意簽署HB22法案，確定支持大聖路易地區交通捷運系統，所獲得之一千二百萬經費，捷運局將首先盡量恢復被取消的公車路線及捷運班次，因時召回被解雇的公車司機及捷運駕駛。
在HB22法案中另一項通過之重要預算為編制二千八百萬予聖路易密蘇里大學(UMSL)，作為該校重建科學大樓之用。這座新的科學大樓是密大長久以來的校園發展目標之一，它將提供密大新的科學實驗室、教學設備及儀器，提昇密大科學教育水準，進而提供密州未來人力資源，對密州今後發展影響深遠。
Missouri General Assembly Approves Metro Funding, Cargo Hub & UMSL Capital Funding
Turning to another major issue facing our region, Metro can now restore some level of transit services to thousands of riders and businesses with the passage of House Bill 22. On March 30th, due to funding shortfalls, Metro was forced to reduce bus and van access to 30% of the employment centers in St. Louis County and significantly reduce the frequency of Metro Link trains. These cuts came at a time when Metro's performance and ridership were at all-time highs.
Metro originally requested $35 million in federal budget stabilization funds from the State Legislature. This amount would have restored the service lost on March 30th. According to Metro Chief Operating Officer Ray Friem, the $12 million will enable Metro to restore a limited level of transit service to the St. Louis region, recall a portion of the laid-off Metro operators, alleviate overcrowding on key routes, and provide service again to a portion of the destinations abandoned on March 30th.
The success of this appropriation is due to the tireless efforts of Metro President and CEO Bob Baer in educating members of the General Assembly on the importance of a strong transit system to the regional economy. The support of House Budget Committee Chairman Allen Icet (R-Wildwood) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Gary Nodler (R-Joplin) were also key to shepherding this emergency request through the budget process. The RCGA also commends Lt. Governor Peter Kinder and Rep. Rachel Storch (D-St. Louis) for their strong advocacy and leadership in support of Metro funding. The RCGA urges Gov. Jay Nixon to sign House Bill 22 and confirm his support for our region's transit system.
While on the subject of the Missouri Budget, the General Assembly committed $12 million in HB 22 to the design, construction and upgrade of Foreign Trade Zone facilities in Missouri that will focus on developing markets for Missouri products. This funding is expected to be used to support the activities of the Midwest-China Hub Commission, an outgrowth of the region's "Big Idea" to promote trade between the bistate St. Louis region and China.
The "Big Idea" aims to place St. Louis as the Heart of America Hub for Chinese trade and cargo --- especially given the unique capacity and assets represented by Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and MidAmerica St. Louis Airport and the related rail, port and highway infrastructure --- as well as positioning the region as a key "Heart of the Heart of America" location for Chinese investment and the potential U.S. headquarters of Chinese firms.
The new budget also makes it possible for the University of Missouri-St. Louis to renovate its aging science building to more adequately train our region's future workforce. HB 22 contains an appropriation of $28 million from the federal budget stabilization funds for the new building. The new science building has been a long-time priority for the UMSL campus and for the RCGA. It will provide new lab space, equipment and teaching facilities to the university's science program.
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