Highway study among items in federal spending bill
WASHINGTON — A bill headed to President Joe Biden's desk contains earmarked funding to study highways in the Oskaloosa area.
The $850,000 requested by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Ottumwa, was included in the $1.5 trillion appropriations bill. It was passed in bipartisan fashion by the U.S. House on Wednesday, and the U.S. Senate 68-31 late Thursday. Iowa's Republican Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst both voted to pass the legislation, as did Miller-Meeks.
The Mahaska Oskaloosa Driving Economic Success planning study is part of an effort on the part of the City of Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, and Mahaska Chamber to evaluate the high system to provide access for agricultural and manufacturing freight.
Officials say the current highway system of U.S. Highway 63, Iowa Highway 92, and Iowa Highway 23 are leading to higher emissions and poor travel times because of the multiple stops the highways have in town and degrading infrastructure.
The study is being sought so local officials can evaluate options while uncovering environmental and archeological hurdles to the project.
The MODES project has been included in the U.S. 63 Study and is in Oskaloosa's comprehensive plan.
Other regional projects receiving funding included Indian Hills Community College, which sought $5 million for Career Transition Counselors. The counselors are part of a broader effort by community colleges to reverse worker shortages.
"College and Career Technical Counselors will assist Iowa high school students in exploring college career options and preparing for careers with necessary training and educations," the school said in its request. "CCTC will spend time at high schools each week, providing students with information about various career options, helping shape their career exploration and studies and provide guidance and assistance so that students identify career and educational goals and take the necessary steps to make a successful transition from high school to college and careers."
Also included in the package is the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and $13.6 billion in humanitarian aid going to Ukraine in its war against Russia.
However, several of Miller-Meeks's priorities also made it in the final bill, including exemptions for farmers and livestock producers from being required to report greenhouse gas emissions, preventing the Biden administration's plans to cancel $1.9 billion of existing border wall funding, as well as a 2.7% pay raise for service members.
"I was proud to see so many of my priorities in this bill, including community-based projects, legislation, and important policy provisions to help the American people," Miller-Meeks said in a press release Wednesday. "I was able to work with leaders across the district to ensure that important programs and projects received the funding they deserve and will continue to fight in Congress for the benefit of all Iowans."
The bill's passage was almost five months late, as it was supposed to be finished on Oct. 1.