Stanley Sniff, Sheriff, Riverside County:
 
"The current package has approximately $4 billion in grants to state and local law enforcement to hire officers and to purchase equipment.   This has been proposed to assist states under extraordinary budget pressures, like our own, from laying off workers in vital law enforcement services.  
 
In contrast to earlier federal programs, this one is expected to last only two years to avoid long term obligations.  We do not know whether in its final form if it will require the 25% local match in funds that those earlier federal programs require, and we would certainly hope not.  
 
In another arena, this federal stimulus package will also allow Riverside County to recoup some funds in its new regional detention center project through energy funding, better leveraging our local dollars.    
 
These are all very welcome within our criminal justice community, and funding for hiring deputies and local police officers for our communities is sorely needed now throughout Riverside County."

Rick Bishop, Executive Director, Western Riverside Council of Governments:

"Western Riverside County should see significant opportunities for job creation from the Federal Economic Stimulus Plan as a result of funds for highway infrastructure, energy efficiency and conservation programs, workforce investment programs, and community development funding making their way to the region.  With one in every 10 workers in Riverside County out of a job, and foreclosure rates being the third highest in the nation, Riverside County is ripe to receive a significant portion of the stimulus funds to retrain those out of work to find new careers in growing fields such as green collar jobs, healthcare, and infrastructure construction."

 
Glenn Southard, City Manager, Indio:
 

"In order to be successful in combating this recession, it is critical that the federal economic stimulus money get into the economy swiftly. This objective is conflicting with federal guidelines, which are slowing
down the money.  
 
Since last November, the U.S Conference of Mayors identified $63 billion "ready to go" projects in more than 400 cities.  This means these projects received all environmental, planning and air quality permits to qualify under the American Recovery and Investment Bill of 2009. However, the federal government is looking to require National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) standards on top of the already approved environmental clearances.  Also, they are looking to revise state, regional, and local planning documents all the while making us adopt new air quality standards that we have yet to see.
 
The reality is that we need a speedier and less restrictive economic stimulus plan.  This money needs to get into the economy and out of the hands of bureaucrats.
 
We have over 35 projects that are ready to go, which includes bridges, road improvements, highway improvements, new public facilities, and water infrastructure.
 
I've included the following to show you a few of the projects that economic stimulus funds could put under construction.
 
(1) Increase capacity and install modern safety improvements at several streets throughout the city, which is a part of our street rehabilitation program. 
 
(2) Modernize and repair two bridges in the City, which includes seismic retrofit of the Jackson Street Bridge at Union Pacific Railroad and the bridge at Indio Boulevard at the Storm Channel. 
 
(3) Install traffics signals at both east bound and west bound off ramps at Monroe Street and Interstate 10 with resurfacing of Monroe and its supporting ramps.
 
(4) Improve storm drain capacity by installing new line along Avenue 44 from Aztec Street to the White Water Storm Channel, which will resolve water drainage issues along this important city arterial."
 
 
Jerry R. Patton, Superintendent/President, College of the Desert:
 
"We are experiencing 15 - 20 percent increase in enrollments this spring.  People are returning to college to find or renew skills they feel are needed to be competitive in this unusual economic crisis. With the county's unemployment rate now at 9.3%, many county residents are desperate for work. However, community colleges are reaching their maximum capacity to serve this large increase in enrollments.  The provisions of the federal stimulus package could help community colleges to leverage their capacity and ability to assist in the effort to rebuild our economy.   
 
Specifically, H.R. 1 provides:
 (1) $39 billion to local school districts and public colleges and universities, distributed through existing state and federal formulas; $15 billion in incentive grants to states as a reward for meeting key education performance measures; and $25 billion to states for other high-priority needs, such as public safety and other critical services, which may include education.
 
( 2) $15.6 billion for Pell grants, which will increase the maximum by $500 in the 2009-2010 academic year and by $500 in the 2010-2011 academic year.
 
( 3) $6 billion to improve and modernize higher-education facilities.
 
(4) $750 million for a new program of competitive grants for worker training, of which $500 million is designated for projects to prepare workers for careers in energy and renewable industries. 
 
(5) Also, the Hope Scholarship tax credit is being revised and enhanced.  The new credit will be $2,500 rather than the current $1,800. It will also allow students to receive the credit for "supplies," which includes books and equipment (currently the credit can only be used for tuition expenses), and is 40% refundable, which will help low-income students qualify.
 
(6) The largest provision of funding would be the state Fiscal Stabilization Fund, in which California would get $8 billion.   Sixty-one percent of that fund is dedicated to K-16 on a "use it or lose it" basis over two
years.   The funding will flow from the Federal Secretary of Education to the governor of each state and be moved through the annual budget process in concert with the governor's plan for distribution that was approved by the Federal Secretary.  Higher Education is directed to use the funds to "mitigate the need to raise tuition and fees for in-State students".  The language stipulates Higher Education may not use that provision's funding to increase endowments or for capital outlay. Under the Modernization, Renovation and Repair provision, $6 billion is included for Higher Education -- preliminary estimates fall between $300 million to $400 million for community colleges in California, depending on the eventual formula agreed upon. 
 
(7) Additionally, community colleges will benefit from the $15.6 billion included to increase the Pell maximum grant by $500, for a total of $5,350 for 2009-10.  The House version also includes $490 million for Federal Work Study programs and increases limits for unsubsidized Stafford loans by $2,000.  For College of the Desert, the significance of this funding would allow increased worker training programs in energy, sustainability and green-clean technology.  The increased funding could be used to provide facilities that are specifically designed for high-tech green programs. The increase in Pell Grants as well as the Hope Scholarship tax credit will provide relief for students whose financial ability is limited to obtain an education to increase their standard of living."

The City of Placentia has a number of projects that are ready to go, including enhancement, rehabilitation, maintenance, and capacity expansion projects.
 
The following is a sample of a few federal economic stimulus proposed projects:
 
(1)   Enhancement project - Placentia Metrolink station parking structure (project cost is $14, million).
 
(2)   Rehabilitation Project - Golden Avenue Bridge replacement (project cost is $1.5 million).
 
(3)   Capacity Expansion Project - Citywide master plan sewer capacity enhancements (project cost is $4 million).
 
(4)   Rehabilitation Project - Orangethorpe Avenue widening and rehabilitation from Kraemer Boulevard to east city limits (project cost is $4.8 million).
 
We have been working closely with our two Congressional representatives, Caltrans and the Orange County Transportation Authority to promote these "ready to go projects" that will create up to 472 jobs, help stimulate the economy and make significant capital improvements within the community.

Iger & Associates Team