Tag: 3rd District

Rep. Davids announces $15.7 million to build levees, advance cancer treatment in the 3rd District

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids announced that more than $15.7 million is coming to projects in the 3rd District of Kansas, including a new cancer imaging machine for The University of Kansas Cancer Center, funding to protect Merriam homes and businesses from flooding with the Upper Turkey Creek project.

Out of hundreds of bipartisan submissions, eight Davids-requested projects were passed into law Thursday night as part of the broader government funding bill.

“My job is to advocate for the 3rd District in Washington, and I’m proud to announce many of our communities’ priorities are going to benefit from federal funding—from fixing our flood infrastructure to training the next generation of our workforce to enhancing our world-class cancer treatment center,” Rep. Davids said in a news release. “Our team worked in tandem with local officials and conducted detailed reviews of each proposal to ensure they met strong standards with a high return on investment. I’ve long fought for responsible budget policies to protect taxpayers, like pay-as-you-go rules, and these investments maintain that commitment to fiscal responsibility while making a difference for Kansas.”

This fiscal year, members of Congress were able to request federal resources for up to 10 projects with demonstrated community support. Each of the eight Davids-requested projects were submitted in tandem with local officials and selected for their potential to improve health and safety in the community, tackle climate change, and bring economic opportunity to the 3rd District:

• $1 million to purchase a VIS/Quantum X2 Ultra-High-Resolution Imaging Station for The University of Kansas Cancer Center.
• $500,000 to begin removal of Downtown Merriam, Kansas, from the floodplain through the Upper Turkey Creek flood risk management project.
• $4.8 million to purchase a Backup Engine Generator at WaterOne’s Ralph Wyss Pumping Station.
• $4 million to perform needed maintenance on critical infrastructure on the Fairfax Jersey Creek Upper Levee.
• $1.9 million to purchase equipment for the Automation Engineering Technology Program at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
• $3.4 million total across three economic development and green space initiatives in Kansas City, Kansas.

More about the projects:

A new imaging machine for The University of Kansas Cancer Center will give the state-of-the-art research and treatment facility a new tool to serve thousands of Kansans who are fighting cancer.

• “The University of Kansas Medical Center and The University of Kansas Cancer Center would like to thank Representative Sharice Davids for championing congressionally directed spending for the KU Cancer Center,” said Douglas A. Girod, chancellor of the University of Kansas. “These much-needed funds will be used to purchase ultra-high-resolution imaging equipment that will benefit the regional scientific community and will serve as a cornerstone in creating a state-of-the-art pre-clinical imaging facility unlike any other in the region. This equipment will have a direct positive impact to the thousands of Kansans who are battling cancer.”

Kickstarting removal of Downtown Merriam, Kansas, from the floodplain through the Upper Turkey Creek flood risk management project has been a longtime priority for the community. Hundreds of homes and over 80 businesses in Merriam will benefit from this project with increased safety and future economic development opportunity.

• “We appreciate Rep. Davids’ great efforts to get the additional Upper Turkey Creek funding included in the omnibus funding bill,” Mayor Bob Pape said. “With this additional funding the city can continue its efforts with the Army Corp of Engineers to mitigate future flooding in downtown Merriam which not only protects private property and increases safety, but will also spur additional investment.”

A Backup Engine Generator at WaterOne’s Ralph Wyss Pumping Station, which serves over 400,000 customers in Johnson County, will improve emergency preparedness and provide water to Kansas households even through storm and emergency situations.

• “The resilience of water service is the backbone of Kansas communities,” said Mike Armstrong, general manager of WaterOne. “Rep. Davids’ support of securing federal funds for this emergency power generator at WaterOne facilities helps us further safeguard reliable water service to over 400,000 Kansans and businesses.”

Performing needed maintenance on the Fairfax Jersey Creek Upper Levee will protect 120-plus businesses in Kansas City, Kansas, from flooding.

• “The Fairfax Drainage District and all of the many businesses in the Fairfax Industrial Park are very grateful to Representative’s Davids’ office for advocating for our $4 million project in the Omnibus funding bill,” said Steve Dailey, general manager of the Fairfax Drainage District of Wyandotte County, Kansas. “This project will allow us to fully access our under-seepage infrastructure for inspection and maintenance purposes which is so vital in keeping the Fairfax levee system healthy and reliable.”

The Automation Engineering Technology Program at Kansas City Kansas Community College allows students to train on real-life automation equipment as they prepare to enter the workforce.

• “Creation of this new downtown center will better the lives of tens of thousands of people in KCK for generations to come and could not be possible without the support of many. This project will move countless people from poverty to prosperity,” said Dr. Greg Mosier, president of Kansas City Kansas Community College. “Representative Davids’ support to obtain federal funds to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for KCKCC’s new Automation Engineering Program is crucial to the success of this project and will uplift residents of Wyandotte County by providing critical education and technical training opportunities along with desperately needed wraparound services. We are truly grateful for Rep. Davids’ commitment to this project and, most importantly, to the residents of Wyandotte County.”

Supporting economic development and green space initiatives in Kansas City, Kansas, through the 6th Street Bike Boulevard and Heritage Trail Connection, the Sumner Area Green Corridor, and the Klamm Park Trail will improve quality of life in Wyandotte County.

• “We are grateful to Representative Davids and her team for the ongoing support in ensuring Wyandotte County-Kansas City, Kansas, is included in impactful funding opportunities that help reinforce our vision to have Wyandotte County- Kansas City, Kansas, be one of the top places where people choose to live, work, and raise a family,” said Mayor Tyrone Garner. “As part of my platform commitment, I am determined to bring attention to our infrastructure needs such as roads, sidewalks and parks in areas that need most improvement. We are beyond grateful for the Omnibus funding bill which gives Wyandotte County, specifically 3rd Congressional District, a direct benefactor of what true unified and invested leadership and positive community impact looks like. This is a great first step in meeting the numerous needs of Wyandotte County. We look forward to collaborating to meet additional identified community needs moving forward.”

  • Story from Rep. Davids’ office

Davids votes for Ukraine relief, infrastructure funds

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., voted Wednesday to pass the bipartisan government funding bill after standing up to leadership to ensure Kansans receive their fair share of COVID relief funds.

The package passed the House Wednesday, sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and unlocking overdue infrastructure funds along with several other priorities championed by Rep. Davids, including reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act and more than $15 million for community projects in the 3rd District of Kansas.

“I’m glad to see Congress come together and finally pass legislation to keep our government open and fulfill the bipartisan infrastructure law’s promise—and that we stood firmly with the Ukrainian people to condemn Russian brutality,” Rep. Davids said. “After a last-minute deal tried to strip already-allocated relief funds from Kansas and other Midwestern states, I made sure that we get our fair share, and I fought to bring home $15.8 million for projects in the Third District.”

In addition to sending urgent aid to Ukraine and addressing outstanding infrastructure needs from the bipartisan infrastructure law, the government funding bill continues several critical federal programs that were set to pause later this week without Congressional action. Kansans rely on many of these programs for their health care, education, and family, and will see additional benefits thanks to this bill, including:
• Expanding affordable early childhood education with record Head Start funding.
• Creating good-paying jobs through job training and apprenticeship programs.
• Making college more affordable by adding $400 to the maximum Pell Grant award.
• Supporting veterans’ health care with record VA medical care funding.
• Promoting safer communities with additional grants to law enforcement and community-based violence intervention initiatives.

Along with her colleagues, Rep. Davids successfully fought to stop a deal that would have taken back already-allocated American Rescue Plan relief funds from Kansas, leaving relief to states like California and New York untouched. Additionally, she secured $15.7 million in projects for the 3rd District, working in tandem with local officials to improve health and safety in the community, tackle climate change, and promote economic opportunity.

Out of hundreds of bipartisan submissions, eight Rep. Davids-requested local projects were advanced, including a cancer imaging machine for The University of Kansas Cancer Center, funding for the Upper Turkey Creek Levee project in downtown Merriam, and others.

The bill also reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), landmark legislation improving critical protections and services for all victims of violence and abuse. Rep. Davids secured strong measures in the bill to addresses the crisis of violence against Native women and girls. In addition to protections for Native women, the bill makes vital improvements to prevention and services for victims, equips law enforcement with the tools combat these issues and protect their communities, and improves the health care system’s response.

“The Violence Against Women Act has pioneered our mission to end domestic violence and sexual assault in this country for decades, and today we gave it much needed updates,” Rep. Davids said. “Finally, we are delivering life-saving resources so that all survivors can receive the support, protection, and justice they deserve. The Senate should act without delay to pass this into law.”

  • Story from Rep. Davids’ office

Rep. Davids says bipartisan bill to bring $3.8 billion to Kansas to create jobs, tackle climate change and boost economic recovery

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd, said in a statement today that the infrastructure bill that passed the House will bring $3.8 billion to Kansas to create jobs, tackle climate change and boost economic recovery.

“For months, I have been working hard to deliver an infrastructure bill that creates jobs, tackles climate change and boosts our economic recovery here in the Kansas Third District. Today, I voted to send a bipartisan bill to the President’s desk that will bring $3.8 billion to Kansas to meet those priorities—without raising taxes on the middle class.

“This bipartisan infrastructure bill is not absolutely perfect, but it is absolutely necessary. It will not only bring needed federal funding to immediate infrastructure needs in our community, from US 69 to KCATA buses to high-speed internet access, but it will also make significant progress towards longer-term goals, boosting our clean energy economy and ensuring critical materials are made here at home.”

Rep. Davids helped deliver a win for Kansans by passing President Biden and House Democrats’ infrastructure package, according to a DCCC spokesman.

The legislation makes game-changing investments in clean infrastructure, significantly expands broadband access, strengthens climate resilience, and provides millions of Americans with good-paying union jobs.

Thanks to Rep. Davids, workers and families across Kansas can expect a once-in-a-generation investment to fix their crumbling roads and bridges and rebuild their communities to be even stronger.

While some House Republicans overwhelmingly voted “no” on this legislation that a majority of the American people support, Davids and House Democrats worked to ensure Congress passed this legislation that will invest not only in our roads, but in the American people, creating thousands of good-paying union jobs in their backyard and growing the economy in a way that works better for everyone.

“Yesterday, Rep. Sharice Davids proved once again that she would keep her promise to deliver meaningful wins for Kansans,” Johanna Warshaw, DCCC spokesperson, said. “From jobs, to broadband, to clean water, and better roads, workers and families across Kansas will feel the effects of this historic investment for years to come, and voters can be proud of the historic work Rep. Davids accomplished to improve the lives of Kansans.”