Tag: U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids

Buttigieg points to Pittsburgh bridge collapse as blunt reminder of infrastructure spending needs

U.S. secretary points to poor condition of thousands of Kansas, Missouri bridges

U.S. transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg said Friday during a visit to Kansas City, Kansas, the tragic collapse of a Pittsburg bridge illustrated the necessity of federal infrastructure spending to make travel safer. (Photo by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector)

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

U.S. transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg said Friday in Kansas City, Kansas, that the collapse of a bridge in Pittsburgh illustrated the necessity of federal investment in the nation’s infrastructure, including more than 1,000 bridges in poor condition in Kansas and twice that total in Missouri.

Buttigieg braved winter chill to stand at the rusting Rock Island railroad bridge and the heavily used Cesar Chavez Bridge carrying vehicles over the Kansas River to outline benefits of bipartisan legislation signed by President Joe Biden expected to funnel billions of dollars into infrastructure projects in both states.

The secretary expressed appreciation to first responders and committed the agency to support of the investigation of the collapse in Pennsylvania.

“Bottom line is this shouldn’t happen in the United States of America,” he said. “It is a very blunt reminder, among many reminders, of just how urgent the need is to invest in American infrastructure.”

Buttigieg said safety problems with bridges and roads across the nation was a result of disinvestment in public infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Transportation has been working to aggressively distribute funding to address safety and modernization priorities, he said.

“Right here in Kansas there are more than 1,000 bridges in poor condition,” the secretary said. “Over 2,000 across the state line in Missouri. We need to get to work right away. Instead of wringing or hands about it, we’re actually doing it.”

He said resources would be for work on large, well-known bridges as well as smaller rural bridges that had fallen into disrepair.

“We have to help communities to get the resources to make those improvements,” he said.

Based on formula-based funding, Kansas would expect to receive $2.8 billion and Missouri approximately $7 billion over five years in federal highway and bridge infrastructure funding. Both states also could compete for billions of additional infrastructure aid for roads, bridges, ports, broadband, emissions control and public safety projects.

Buttigieg spoke to reporters and local government officials at a news conference with U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Tyrone Garner and Kansas transportation secretary Julie Lorenz.

Rep. Davids, a Democrat representing the 3rd District and the only member of the Kansas congressional delegation to vote for the infrastructure bill, said the federal law would earmark about $225 million over five years to repair and modernize bridges in Kansas. More than 700 bridges in the 3rd District of Wyandotte and Johnson counties need work, she said.

“Six of the top 10 most traveled structurally deficient bridges in Kansas are in the 3rd District. With this new funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law, we can begin to clear the backlog of repairs and ensure that all our bridges are safe and sound for years to come,” Rep. Davids said.

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See more at https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/28/buttigieg-points-to-pittsburgh-bridge-collapse-as-blunt-reminder-of-infrastructure-spending-needs/

Davids votes to protect voting rights

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., voted to pass historic legislation to protect Americans’ voting rights.

The Democrats’ “Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act” would expand Americans’ opportunities to vote and combat the GOP’s voter suppression crusade, according to the DCCC.

“Rep. Sharice Davids has proven yet again that while Republicans try to suppress the power of voters, she is fighting each day to protect the right to vote for every single Kansan,” said DCCC spokesperson Johanna Warshaw.

Rep. Davids votes to double help for Kansas families to afford energy costs this winter

Funds are helping lower costs of heating, utilities and energy repairs for hardworking families, seniors

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., announced that Kansas has received a record $72.1 million to help families afford energy costs this winter—more than double the state’s typical annual investment.

Rep. Davids is the only member of the Kansas delegation to vote for the American Rescue Plan, which delivered this increase in energy cost assistance to Kansans across the state.

Rep. Davids helped secure this funding through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the American Rescue Plan and annual appropriations.

As the global economy continues to deal with the impacts of the pandemic and high energy costs, Kansas families and seniors can use these funds to lower the costs of staying warm this winter, cover utilities, and pay for energy repairs, according to the announcement.

As heating costs are predicted to rise as much as 30% this winter, Davids pushed the Department of Health and Human Services last month to evaluate and improve the LIHEAP program, which primarily serves folks with disabilities, seniors, and families with children across Kansas.

“We started 2022 with a severe winter storm in the Kansas City area, proving just how important it is to help folks afford energy costs and stay warm, safe and healthy this winter,” Rep. Davids said. “I’m proud to have voted for the largest investment ever in lowering home heating costs for Kansas families and seniors in need, so we can ensure everyone in our community can weather the winter.”

Local families and seniors who are struggling to cover home heating costs may call the LIHEAP public inquiry phone number at 1-800-432-0043 or visit the Kansas Department for Children and Families website at http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx for more information on eligibility.

Kansas residents who participate (or have family members who participate) in certain benefit programs, such as SNAP, SSI, and TANF, automatically meet the eligibility requirement for LIHEAP assistance. Applications for assistance are open until March 31, 2022.