JOHN L. MICA
U.S. Representative, District 7
Publication Date: 11/15/09
I wanted to respond to some of the comments in the St. Augustine Record relating to the Visitors Center and my vote on final passage of the Interior Appropriations bill.
First, it is important to again note that the Visitors Center for the Castillo de San Marcos will focus on the history of this historic national monument and provide museum and education facilities for more than 8,000 archeological and historic items related to both the fortress and St. Augustine which have not been available to the public. The center will also provide educational and visitor accommodations that are impossible in the 350-year-old fortress.
Millions of visitors will access the new center along with students and local residents. With this appropriation, it will not only provide a long-term economic boost to the community but also be a centerpiece of St. Augustine's 450th anniversary celebration. Having worked for six years on this project, I was pleased that this initial funding was included in a much larger Department of Interior appropriations bill.
While I support reasonable funding levels for the Interior department and protection of the environment during a time of economic crisis, I could not support the Interior appropriations bill Congress passed recentlly because the final appropriations measure increased spending $4.7 billion, or 17 percent, over the Fiscal Year 2009 enacted level.
This spending is in addition to $10.95 billion included for the Interior department in the stimulus. Spending for Interior and Environment accounts over the last year totaled an enacted bill, $10.95 billion in the stimulus and $250 million in the FY2009 Emergency Supplemental. Just as I supported infrastructures projects and certain funding in the stimulus package, the final stimulus package did not have my vote on final passage because of the $787 billion price tag and a number of other objectionable and unworthy provisions. In the past Republicans were criticized for one and two percent increases in discretionary appropriations spending in our federal budgets.
My father used to say, "It is not how much you spend, it is how you spend it.'' In nearly all of this year's appropriations bills there are items that I support that are important to our district and that can withstand scrutiny. However, I have voted and intend to vote against what I consider excessive spending in any and all final spending bills. This is not hypocrisy; it is responsible stewardship over hard-earned taxpayer dollars.
The Castillo project was properly authorized under a separate law, was completely and appropriately vetted, went through numerous reviews and is one of best investments the department will make over the next decades. Very few other projects will have more of an impact on jobs or future economic activity in our community than this Department of Interior initiative.
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U.S. Rep. John L. Mica represents the Seventh Congressional District of which all of St. Johns County is included.
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