California Farm Bureau: Infrastructure deal will "help California farmers and ranchers"
REDDING, Calif. — The California Farm Bureau (CFB) praised lawmakers for passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. CFB President Jamie Johnson said, “This represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make the kind of investment we need to bring our rural infrastructure into the 21st century.”
According to the White House, California can expect the following:
- $25.3 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $4.2 billion for bridge replacement and repairs. California can also compete for the $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program for economically significant bridges and nearly $16 billion of national funding in the bill dedicated for major projects that will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities.
- $9.45 billion over five years to improve public transportation options across the state.
- $384 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state3. California will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill.
- A minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to at least 545,000 Californians who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 10,637,000 or 27% of people in California will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
- $84 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $40 million to protect against cyberattacks.
- $3.5 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water.
- Airports in California would receive approximately $1.5 billion for infrastructure development for airports over five years.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that California would receive more than $45 billion in long-term funding.“This will benefit California’s farmers and ranchers, who are counting on improvements to millions of miles of roadways and waterways to get food to America’s dinner tables and upgraded ports to ship products to international markets,” Johansson said. “Our rural communities can thrive with expanded broadband and feel protected due to investments in forests that reduce wildfire dangers."
Northstate Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R) voted against the bill. In a statement, LaMalfa said, "While some pieces of this infrastructure bill are supportable, I can not vote for this current bill today as it contains far too much non-infrastructure spending, as well as triggering Democrat votes to also support passing of the Democrat’s tax increasing spend-a-holic reconciliation bill that would not pass on its own. We need focused infrastructure authorization to build for America’s true needs."
Representative John Garamendi (D) voted for the bill. In a statement about his vote, Garamendi said, “This is a historic piece of legislation, and a strong investment in our infrastructure and the middle class. The legislation includes much-needed support for America’s roads and bridges, water infrastructure, rural broadband, and more. It will also create new middle-class jobs by rebuilding our nation’s crumbling infrastructure using American materials and workers."
The bill passed Friday night following weeks of negotiations.
