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Congressman DeSaulnier visits Walnut Creek, highlights community benefit projects and federal grant work
Summary
U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier spoke to the Walnut Creek City Council on Feb. 18 about federal community benefit projects, regional transportation grants and ongoing efforts to secure earmarks and appropriations that have funded local infrastructure; he noted an earmark for Tice Park is pending congressional appropriations action.
U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Contra Costa, addressed the Walnut Creek City Council on Feb. 18 to review recent federal community benefit projects and to encourage local governments to be prepared when seeking federal funding.
DeSaulnier described a multiyear effort to partner with cities, school districts and nonprofits to secure community projects, and he thanked Walnut Creek staff and council for their coordination. He said his office has pursued both public-safety grants and transportation projects that connect local traffic-management systems with county and Caltrans operations.
On money secured so far, DeSaulnier said the district has delivered roughly $46 million in community-benefit funding to date, with several projects still pending approval. He told the council one of Walnut Creek’s earmark projects, for Tice Park, is pending final congressional appropriations action tied to the federal continuing resolution that expires in mid-March.
DeSaulnier urged local staff to be ready with clear, well-documented project proposals, noting the importance of accountability and partnerships. “All politics is local,” DeSaulnier said from the dais, describing the approach his office takes to work with local governments and nonprofits.
Why it matters: congressional support and federal appropriations can supply funds for local infrastructure, public safety and transportation projects; DeSaulnier’s office can help Walnut Creek prepare applications and vet projects for earmarks and discretionary grants.
Less-critical details: DeSaulnier offered to host workshops with city staff and appropriations staff to increase the city’s chance of success for federal projects; he also noted some appropriation processes have been tightened to prevent past abuses of earmark programs.
