SE Kentucky News

U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) has voted in favor of the House Appropriations Interior and Environment bill, which allocates over $25 billion in funding to various agencies. This amount is significantly lower than President Biden's original budget request by $21 billion. As a senior appropriator in Washington, Congressman Rogers has successfully secured nearly $13 million in Community Project Funding earmarks for water and wastewater projects in Boyd, Rowan, Floyd, and Lawrence counties in Eastern Kentucky. Additionally, he has obtained an additional $135 million for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant program, with $29 million specifically designated for Appalachian Kentucky coal communities.

In a statement, Congressman Rogers emphasized the importance of this funding bill in reining in the Biden Administration's excessive spending and regulations that hinder job growth. He stated, "House Republicans are committed to reducing our nation's deficit one spending bill at a time, and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely." Congressman Rogers expressed his pride in securing critical funding for water and wastewater projects in Eastern Kentucky, as well as grant funding aimed at revitalizing coal communities that have suffered from the decline of the coal industry.

The Interior bill also fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which provides essential financial support to communities like McCreary County that have experienced a decrease in tax revenue due to the presence of federal land. In fiscal year 2023, Eastern Kentucky communities received over $2 million from PILT funds. Additionally, the bill prevents unnecessary restrictions on hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on federal lands.

Addressing the Biden Administration's climate agenda, the bill reduces the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 39 percent. It also reverses climate justice funding and repeals job-killing regulations such as the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation.

The House has passed the bill with a vote of 213 to 203, and it will now move on to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Congressman Rogers' efforts in securing funding for Kentucky and his work in Washington can be further explored on his official website, halrogers.house.gov, and his social media platforms.

This funding bill represents Congressman Rogers' dedication to responsible spending and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are utilized effectively. His focus on supporting water and wastewater projects in Eastern Kentucky and revitalizing coal communities highlights his commitment to serving the needs of his constituents. With the bill now advancing to the U.S. Senate, the future of these funding allocations and the impact they will have on Kentucky remains to be seen.

To learn more, click on this link: https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=54ED6C47-A47B-4435-B615-3734E5012ABB