Rep. Costa Presses Committee For FCI Mendota Funding

Costa: FCI Mendota Means Valley Jobs And Economic Opportunity

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter to the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) called for additional funding for Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Mendota. The additional funding, in the amount of $27.4 million, would allow FCI Mendota to purchase needed equipment, hire staff and continue its activation process.

"The City of Mendota and the Central Valley have already waited far too long for appropriate funding for the competition and activation of FCI Mendota," Costa said. "The City of Mendota is suffering from depression-like unemployment numbers and FCI Mendota will bring good jobs to the community and stimulate the local economy. Any further delay in funding would undoubtedly result in more money and jobs lost."

In FY2010, the President's budget included explicit language identifying $49.4 million in funds that would be directed to FCI Mendota. This appropriation was sufficient to complete the institution, and was intended to do so, but, based on the facility construction schedule, only $22 million could effectively be spent in FY2010, resulting in an outstanding appropriation necessary in FY2011. Clearly it was the intent of the Administration to fund this project to completion, as evidenced by the original budget request. Since the promise of FCI Mendota completion has been made to the community, it is imperative that the committee allocate the balance of these funds to continue timely activation of this facility.

The full text of Congressman Costa's letter is attached or can be viewed below.



March 9, 2010


The Honorable Alan B. Mollohan The Honorable Frank R. Wolf
Chairman Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, & Science Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, & Science
US Capitol, Room H-218 US Capitol, Room H-218
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515


Dear Chairman Mollohan and Ranking Member Wolf:

As your subcommittee prepares to begin work on the Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies Appropriations Act, I write to ask for an additional $27.4 million to allow Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Mendota to purchase needed equipment, hire staff and continue its activation process. In FY2010, the President's budget included explicit language identifying $49.4 million in funds that would be directed to FCI Mendota. This appropriation was sufficient to complete the institution, and was intended to do so, but, based on the facility construction schedule, only $22 million could effectively be spent in FY2010, resulting in an outstanding appropriation necessary in FY2011. Clearly it was the intent of the Administration to fund this project to completion, as evidenced by the original budget request. Since the promise of FCI Mendota completion has been made to the community, I ask the committee allocate the balance of these funds to continue timely activation of this facility.

The City of Mendota and the Central Valley have already waited far too long for appropriate funding for the competition and activation of FCI Mendota. The City of Mendota is suffering from depression-like unemployment numbers and FCI Mendota will bring good jobs to the community and stimulate the local economy. Any further delay in funding would undoubtedly result in more money and jobs lost.

I am very concerned that any delay will harm the initial functioning of FCI Mendota, and the community of Mendota as they will lose out on the numerous jobs the FCI would bring to our struggling community. It is essential, not only for the City of Mendota, but for the State of California, Bureau of Prisons, and the federal taxpayer, that FCI Mendota receive the necessary $27.4 million for activation before funding is allocated for construction of additional facilities in other regions of the country. Thank you for your past work on this project and your continued support of this vital facility. I very much look forward to hearing from you concerning this issue.

Sincerely,



JIM COSTA
Member of Congress