Congress weighs local projects

By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
The early draft of Congress' Omnibus Appropriations report includes money for two Morgan County projects.
Included in the report is $500,000 for Hartselle Utilities for wastewater infrastructure improvements and $100,000 for the West Morgan-East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority.
The bill will now go to the House and Senate for their approvals and then to President George W. Bush.
And while the process is just starting, Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Alabama, said the money would benefit this area.
"There are many important projects in North Alabama that will benefit from this funding," Cramer said. "I worked hard to secure funding for projects that have great importance to Morgan County."
Cramer is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
"While this bill still must pass the House and Senate, I am pleased to have good things in this bill for Morgan County," Cramer said.
The Omnibus Appropriations conference report combined Fiscal Year 2004 funding for projects included in the Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary; Veteran's Affairs; Housing and Urban Development; Labor Health and Human Services; Agriculture; Transportation/Treasury; Foreign Operations; and D.C. Appropriations Subcommittee bills.