I take exception with the July 27 blame-game editorial
”
San Benito no squeaky wheel, and gets little grease,
”
and I’d like to correct some of the errors and contradictory
arguments included in that editorial.
By Sam Farr
I take exception with the July 27 blame-game editorial “San Benito no squeaky wheel, and gets little grease,” and I’d like to correct some of the errors and contradictory arguments included in that editorial.
I have done as much or more for San Benito County than any other elected official, and I’m proud to represent the county in Washington and in California.
The editorial correctly notes that San Benito County requests fewer grants that other communities of its size, but the writers then suggest that grants weren’t received because of “politics as usual.” That’s nonsense. If you don’t ask, of course you won’t receive. And I hope the editorial board isn’t suggesting I co-opt this power from our local government.
Most of funds included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act were distributed through federal and state formulas, with the rest being allocated through competitive grants. That competitive funding (far from arbitrarily awarded) is awarded through objective federal agencies, not via “political favors and favoritism” as the Free Lance erroneously implies.
The editorial board argues that Recovery Act funds should have been distributed through “need and economic indicators,” then makes an about-face, arguing that funds should be spent based solely on population.
In fact, federal and state formulas have always been based directly on need and economic indicators. That’s why San Benito received more than $6.5 million from the Recovery Act for its schools and nearly $400,000 for its transportation projects.
And while San Benito County accounts for only 7.6 percent of the tri-county region’s population, it received 8.2 percent of the Recovery Act education funds and 9 percent of Recovery Act transportation funds, more than its share based on population.
The editorial board also suggests that the federal and state formulas are themselves a “glaring problem.” I disagree. These formulas and the competitive grant process, while not perfect, are the least-political way to distribute funds.
Even though San Benito County received more funds than their population share, the editorial board was correct in pointing out that San Benito is low county on the totem pole. That’s due to several factors: There’s relatively little federal land in the county (meaning PILT funds, or Payment in Lieu of Taxes, are lower), there are fewer Social Security recipients, there are smaller school populations and limited freeway and mass transit infrastructure.
That’s why San Benito must be more forceful in applying for competitive grants and following through on their use. In several cases in the past I’ve successfully championed large federal grants for San-Benito based applicants only to have those funds returned to the federal government for lack of follow-through.
But even though the county and city governments don’t apply for their share of grants, that doesn’t mean I ignore San Benito County. Indeed, I direct much of my attention to county issues.
I’ve had more town hall meetings, secured more visits by VIPs and exerted more effort to secure funding than anyone else. Let me list a few of those projects:
First and foremost, Pinnacles National Monument, one of San Benito County’s best potential for economic development. In addition to nearly $10 million Pinnacles awarded by the Recovery Act, I’ve championed the elevation of Pinnacles from National Monument to National Park, with all the additional support and marketing that would come with that designation.
Unfortunately the same editorial board that attacked me for not doing enough for San Benito County mysteriously came out against the plan to create the Pinnacles National Park. Despite opposition from the Free Lance, I continue to promote this plan both in the halls of Congress and the National Park Service, and indeed secured the support of documentary filmmaker Ken Burns for this idea.
Some other recent projects:
– In addition to Pinnacles, the Recovery Act sent $800,000 to the San Benito Health Foundation and $100,000 to county and city law enforcement agencies.
– I secured a $5.4 million Defense Department grant for Pacific Scientific, the largest single employer in the county, allowing the company to expand.
– I also secured a $150,000 grant to acquire a much-needed building for the San Benito County Food Bank.
– I have led the fight in Washington for increasing doctor reimbursements for San Benito County doctors to attract more health care professionals.
– Two major transportation grants were awarded to San Benito: $2.26 million for a 4 lane bypass and $3.66 million for Highway 25 safety improvements.
– The Hollister Fire Department received a $100,000 grant from the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program, which I strongly support.
– I have met several times with local tourism officials to help with their plans to promote San Benito County as a regional travel destination.
– I am working with Federal Aviation Administration and Hollister officials to address a conflict at the local airport that would promote greater economic development at the site.
– A $1 million federal grant was awarded to extend the San Jose Caltrain from Gilroy to Hollister.
I would have been happy to share all of this information with the newspaper, if only they had reached out to me instead of going on the attack. What I’ve learned in my years of public service is that cooperation achieves more than competition. I look forward to working with the Free Lance and with community leaders as we move forward.
Sam Farr is the local representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.
