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 $304 million for Ulster County. In the last two years, Hinchey has secured more than $10 million for projects in Ulster 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:
Economic Development/Infrastructure
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 Ulster County. In total, TSEC has received or will receive almost $16 million this year and next year to grow the solar industry in Ulster County and 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. Ulster County has also committed $200,000 to the consortium.
Secured $2.5 million for the completion of the Kings Highway Water and Sewer District in Saugerties to establish Kings Highway as a major development corridor in Ulster County. Work will begin this fall.
Oversaw the completion of the High Falls Water District -- providing clean drinking water to hundreds of homes and businesses who had their wells contaminated by industrial activity at the Mohonk Road Industrial Complex.
Earmarked $200,000 for improvements to the Ellenville Business District.
Worked with the NYS DOT and the City of Kingston and Village of Saugerties to begin projects, which Hinchey previously funded to improve Kingston's Uptown Stockade District and to build a pedestrian walkway in the City's Waterfront District and to make further improvements to the business district in the Village of Saugerties. All three projects are in design stage and should begin construction later this year or early next year.
Brokered a much less intrusive development deal in the NYC watershed as part of the Belleayre Resort project.
Secured 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.
Health Care
Secured $191,595 for Benedictine Hospital to upgrade its electronic patient filing system.
Secured $95,305 for the Institute for Family Health in New Paltz to make electronic upgrades to its operation.
Helped the House pass legislation that would increase Medicare reimbursements to Kingston and Benedictine Hospitals.
Battled GE and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finally begin removing PCBs from the Hudson River.
Crime and Drug Abuse Prevention
Secured $200,000 through the Drug Free Community Support Program for Kingston and Ulster County to address growing drug abuse and dependency problems.
Secured $175,000 for the operation of the Drug Courts in Kingston as well as Poughkeepsie, Newburgh and Middletown.
Helped Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ulster County receive a $2.7 million grant over the next three years to expand its mentoring program to include children of incarcerated parents.
Earmarked $30,000 to the Woodstock Film Festival to educate at-risk children about the film industry.
Arts and Heritage Stewardship
Secured a $102, 289 grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services for the Woodstock Artist Association and Museum to expand its operations.
Provided $1,492,000 in FY '09 and '10 funds to support the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial.
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 British at Yorktown during the revolutionary war.
Provided a $143,449 earmark to the Samuel Dorsky Museum at SUNY New Paltz to host a Hudson River School of Art exhibit.
Secured a $150,000 to Maverick Concerts to make improvements to its historic concert hall.
Flooding
Secured $450,000 in FY '09 and '10 funds to conduct a comprehensive management plan for the Esopus, Wallkill and Rondout Creek basins aimed at reducing chronic flooding. The initial reconnaissance plan has been completed and the US Army Corps of Engineers is beginning the next phase of the plan -- a feasibility study. NYSDEC has agreed to serve as the local cost share partner.
Pressed the New York City DEP to work with homeowners affected by their leaking aqueduct in the town of Wawarsing. DEP has agreed to provide financial assistance to homeowners whose basements are flooding as a result of the leak.
Housing
Helped to secure $237,500 for RUPCO to promote homeownership and rehab existing housing
Secured $56,000 to RUPCO for housing counseling.
Hosted a Housing Forum in January convening every Federal, State and local agency involved in addressing the current housing crisis throughout the Hudson Valley.
First Responders
Hosted a series of workshops throughout the district to assist fire departments and volunteer ambulance companies in applying for federal assistance.
Helped the Glasco Fire District to receive a $48,260 federal grant to purchase more equipment for their firefighters.
Secured $81,271 for the East Kingston Fire Department.
Helped the Napanoch Fire District win a $166,915 federal grant.
Assisted the West Hurley Fire District in receiving a $91,200 grant to purchase new equipment for their volunteer members.
Secured $50,113 for the Esopus Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Secured a $71,868 grant for the Lamontville Fire District for the purchase of new equipment.
