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 more than $3 billion for Broome, Delaware and Tioga Counties. In the last two years, Hinchey has secured more than $669 million for projects in the Southern Tier.

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, a raise of 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. Some examples of local accomplishments are below.

Highlights from the 110th Congress included:

Ø      Held his own public hearings and continues to lead the fight against the Department of Energy's siting of high voltage transmission corridors, including the transmission project proposed by New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI).

  Influenced the federal involvement in monitoring public health in areas like Endicott, by getting the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to interview people with health ailments due to TCE contamination plumes under residential neighborhoods and businesses in the affected areas.

  Successfully engaged the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health to conduct health study of IBM workers exposed for years to TCE.

  Sped up the process by the State of New York and the EPA to revise the risk assessment for TCE, and successfully offered amendments in appropriations bills to require the Office or Management and Budget to get out of the way of revising public health standards for toxic chemicals like TCE.

  Engaged the Delaware River Basin Commission and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission to ensure stringent environmental review and to protect the watershed when the gas drilling rush began over the Marcellus shale in New York and Pennsylvania. 

  Hybrid Buses

  $3 million in funding secured over the last four years enabled Broome County to pursue the critical modernization of its bus fleet. The hybrid buses that Broome County will use are designed and constructed by BAE Systems of Johnson City and Orion Bus Industries in Oriskany, New York. (A division of Daimler Bus of North America) The new hybrid buses deliver a third better fuel economy while greatly reducing emissions: 90 percent less particulate matter, 40 percent less nitrogen oxide and 30 percent fewer greenhouse gases. Drivers and riders in Broome County can look forward to a quieter, cleaner and smoother bus ride. This funding represents a win for Broome County, a win for BAE systems in Johnson City, a win for the Upstate New York State economy and a win for public health and the environment.

  Front Street Gateway Project

  Hinchey secured $4 million in the 2005 highway reauthorization law which leveraged an additional state and local funding for the $8-9 million project -- set for construction in 2010. Front Street, which acts as a gateway into the Binghamton central business district for travelers from I-81 and Route 17, has been designated by the city as the highest priority among its three primary arteries. Its current condition detracts from Binghamton's image and hinders economic development.  The funds will be used to reconstruct Front Street from Prospect Street to Main Street. The project will include new pavement, sidewalks, curbs, bicycle accommodation, traffic signals as necessary, and other design elements currently under consideration to distinguish it as a "Gateway Street." The project length is approximately 1.5 miles.

  Route 17/Interstate 86 Designation and  Upgrade

  This project represents one of the most significant federal investments ever in Greater Binghamton. The $240 million effort to improve Binghamton's Prospect Mountain interchange, aka Kamikaze curve, is a one of the most challenging components of the I86 upgrade. This project is badly needed given the fact that overpasses involved are near the end of the original system's lifespan. Crumbling infrastructure is common across this country and Broome residents and visiting travelers are fortunate that this vital project is set for a massive upgrade. This would not have happened with out the roadway's designation as a federal interstate. Overall the I86 upgrade is bringing over $1.6 billion to make improvements to this critical transportation route, which runs from the Hudson Valley to Erie PA.

  TSEC 

  Last December, Hinchey announced that Binghamton University had joined The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC), along with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Clarkson University, Cornell University, and the State University of New York at New Paltz. TSEC, which is a new industry-driven, non-profit organization that provides leadership, organization, resources, and support for the establishment of a major solar energy industry cluster in New York.  TSEC is the first organization of its kind for the photovoltaic industry, encompassing research and development, manufacturing facilities, industry promotion and market development.  Earlier this year, TSEC partnered with its first major manufacturing partner, Prism Solar Technologies, which plans to bring more than 400 new jobs to upstate New York within 4-5 years.  TSEC has also partnered with six research universities throughout New York to work on the research needed to improve solar technology. 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.
In order to advance TSEC, Hinchey secured $1.476 million in federal funds to help bring companies such as Prism Solar Technologies into the consortium.  Hinchey also secured final approval of $3.2 million for C9 Corporation to conduct solar research and development in conjunction with TSEC.  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 includes $6.5 million for TSEC. 

  Binghamton University

  In FY 2008 Hinchey secured $2 million for Binghamton University's Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing. These funds will allow for the continuing development of microelectronic products for the combat field that can be produced in large quantities at a low cost.  Through this technology, BU will develop microelectronic devices that can provide communications, health monitoring, battlefield awareness, and portable power to every foot soldier in a rugged, light-weight electronic package.  (U.S. Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) also helped secure these funds.) The funding was secured in the Defense bill for the Army, specifically within the Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation program. Hinchey helped initiate the CAMM by securing funding, including $1 million (FY 2005) for BU's National Center of Excellence and Small Scale Systems Packaging and the $2.1 million (FY 2004) for BU's Advance Sensor Design and Threat Detection Facility. 

  IBM Endicott TCE Contamination

  In 2007 Hinchey secured congressional backing for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to conduct a new federal study on trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure and cancer rates among 28,000 IBM employees who worked at the company's Endicott site since 1964.   In 2008, Hinchey introduced the Toxic Chemical Exposure (TCE) Reduction Act, which is designed to end the Bush administration's stall tactics and require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to quickly develop health safety standards that will help improve the government's ability to protect public health from TCE. Hinchey has been the constant leader of efforts to clean-up TCE contamination in Endicott and hold all responsible parties accountable.  In 2003, Hinchey had language included in a federal bill to have ATSDR conduct its health-risk study.  The congressman has also pressed the New York State Department of Health to develop its own risk standards. In 2004 Hinchey prevailed in his efforts to get NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to reclassify the Endicott site from Class 4 to Class 2 on the state's list of inactive hazardous waste site; the new classification brings greater resources and oversight to the remediation efforts and the negotiation of a new Consent Order with IBM. Hinchey leadership has made the Endicott contamination a priority for state and federal regulators while giving confidence to Endicott residents and former workers that this issue will be dealt with fairly and comprehensively. 

  Lourdes Hospital -- 2006 Flood Relief  

  June 2006 flooding inundated Lourdes Hospital and caused extensive damage. All patients at the hospital were evacuated and the entire facility had to be shut down. Severe damage was caused to the power plant as well as most of the support functions essential to hospital operations.  Immediately after the flooding Hinchey personally examined the hospital and advised Lourdes to work with his office and seek federal funding from FEMA. In January 2008, at Hinchey's strong urging, FEMA announced final approval of $5.1 million in funding to Lourdes Hospital for the construction of a $6.9 million flood wall. 

  Binghamton Johnson City Joint Wastewater Plant -- 2006 Flood Relief  

  Binghamton's mayor sought help in persuading FEMA to provide the damaged facility with $3M in flood repair money. FEMA initially rejected the request, but finally yielded under pressure from Hinchey and released funding for this critical project in May 2008.

  Lourdes Hospital - Mobile Digital Mammography Unit

  Hinchey secured nearly $350,000 in FY 2008 budget bill to install this equipment in Lourdes mobile van, allowing women living in remote rural areas greater access to this critical health service.

  $4 million for Rockwell Collins in Binghamton, NY
  Hinchey secured funding in the FY 2008 budget that will be used by Rockwell Collins to produce additional Defense Advanced GPS (global positioning system) Receivers (DAGRs) for troops in the field.  

  $2.5 million for Johnson Outdoors in Binghamton, NY 

  In the FY 2008 budget Hinchey secured $2.5 million for Johnson Outdoors to ensure steady production of tents for military personnel, maintaining a domestic supply essential to our national security.  Of the $2.5 million allocation, $1.65 million will be used for the Marines and $1.1 million will be used for the Army.  While Johnson Outdoors still needs to bid for future contracts to use these funds, the company has a long-standing relationship with the Department of Defense, which puts it in a very good position to win those awards.

  $1.6 million for BAE Systems in Johnson City, NY

  In the FY 20078 budget, Hinchey secured funds to enable the continued development and demonstration of technology that will generate more power for U.S. Army vehicles so that troops can remain inside a vehicle with the engine off, but still have the electrical power needed for all survivability equipment in their vehicles.  Specifically, the US Army has an urgent operational requirement for more 400 Amp/28 Vdc electrical power at engine idle on their up-armored HMMWV's, Buffalos, Cougars and RG31 vehicles.