The Serrano Report, Vol. VIII, #23

On Capitol Hill

Follow Congressman Serrano on Twitter

Congressman Serrano regularly posts his thoughts on current news and events on his Twitter feed. He invites everyone to follow him there to keep up to date with the latest news. To follow him, please log on to Twitter and visit his page: http://twitter.com/#!/RepJoseSerrano.

Serrano Calls for Immediate Use of Languishing Funds

 After learning of millions of dollars languishing unused for a decade, Congressman Serrano called for the immediate identification of a suitable Bronx project and for the disbursement of the funds. In calling for action, Serrano was responding to the release of a report (PDF) on Wednesday by the New York City Comptroller, John Liu, that detailed how the unspent $8.9 million had been directed for use on South Bronx rail improvements.

“There are so many transportation needs in our community that could use $8.9 million in funding- whether that be easing truck traffic or improving rail linkages,” said Serrano. “Today, I call for the immediate identification of a suitable project in the South Bronx and for the funds to be put to use as soon as possible. These sorts of projects have so many community benefits, not least of which is clearing the air, as fewer trucks are left idling in our neighborhoods on their way to or from our markets. 

“I commend Comptroller Liu for identifying this unused source of funding for the South Bronx. This will help our city to better serve its citizens and ensure that funds do not go to waste.

“Let me be clear, these funds must stay in the South Bronx and must be used to improve our transportation system. I can think of many worthy projects that could put these funds to productive use immediately. I look forward to collaborating with the NYCEDC to get these dollars out into the community as soon as possible.”

In the Bronx

Serrano Receives Award from Local 237

City Employees Local 237, an affiliate of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, gave Congressman Serrano its Golden Teamster award for his long support of organized labor. "It's a great honor to be recognized by this wonderful group of city workers," said Serrano. "I look forward to continuing to work with them to make sure that workers in the Bronx, New York City, and around the country are paid living wages and work under fair conditions."

Serrano holding the award from Local 237

Grant

Drug Abuse Treatment Grants

Deadline: October 31, 2011

The US Department of Health and Human Services invites applicants to apply for the Integration of Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment in Primary Care Settings grant. Efforts to prevent, detect, and treat drug abuse and addiction and its consequences can be improved by integrating existing evidence-based approaches into primary care settings. Applicants should propose hypothesis-driven studies to achieve the integration of substance abuse prevention interventions and/or treatment services in public or private-sector settings where patients receive primary care services including office-based practice settings, family practice, pediatric and adolescent medicine, obstetrics, general practice, and emergency departments.

For more information about this grant please visit the NIH website.

For more information about other federal grants please visit grants.gov.