Congress passed a funding package Friday for water projects in the Sacramento region – including $25 million for improvements along the American River – but without federal authorization, the levees surrounding the Natomas Basin can’t use more than four or five thousand of those dollars. "While it is very encouraging to see Washington D.C. responding to some areas of flood control in the Sacramento Valley,” City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby said in an email Monday, “this funding does not address the most important public safety infrastructure project in Northern California.” Although the newly-passed funding package includes more than $50 million for flood control projects in the Sacrame

SACRAMENTO, CA - Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) held a press conference announcing that the Sacramento Employment & Training Agency (SETA) is receiving $300,000 in federal funding to support SETA's On-The-Job Training Program. The event was held at the Beutler Corporation, located at McClellan Park, one of the several Sacramento companies that will be able to hire workers as a result of this grant. Congresswoman Matsui was joined by California Energy Commissioner Karen Douglas, SETA Executive Director Kathy Kossick, and Beutler Corporation President Rick Wylie to make the announcement, followed by a tour of Beutler's manufacturing plant. “I am excited to announce the all

Sacramento city and county were awarded a total of $19.4 million in federal funding grants Wednesday – enough to put 25 police officers and 25 sheriff’s deputies back to work for the next three years. The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program is a competitive grant program through the U.S. Department of Justice that provides funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to hire, rehire, or retain police officers. This year, 2,712 law enforcement agencies requesting more than $2 billion to fund the hiring of 8,999 officers were considered for COPS Hiring Program funding, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Selection for awards was based on an applicant

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced that the Crocker Art Museum has been awarded a federal Museums for America grant of $148,441 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). These funds can be used for a wide variety of projects, including research, planning, and new programs and activities that support the efforts of museums to integrate new technologies. “The Crocker Art Museum is one of the jewels of Sacramento, and this grant announcement is great news for our region,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The federal funding will further enable the Crocker to provide valuable programming for Sacramento families, and to be a catalyst for our local arts scene.”

Thirty-five police jobs were saved from proposed layoffs after the Sacramento Police Department received a waiver on a federal grant that funds officer positions, spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong confirmed late Tuesday night. The number of proposed layoffs in the 2011/2012 budget for Sacramento police officers has dropped from 81 to 46. The City Council will vote next week on proposed budget cuts that include layoffs of cops and other Police Department staffers. Council members were weighing whether to lay off 81 police officers, but the grant waiver means they will decide whether to lay off 46 officers. The council will also choose whether to lay off 68 civilian police department staffers – th

The Green Capital Alliance presented “Road Map to 3,000 Jobs” at the Sacramento State University Alumni Center Thursday June 9th. The Green Capital Alliance describes itself as “a broad partnership of people and organizations aiming to make the clean technology sector a defining feature of Sacramento’s economy.” The centerpiece of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and the Californis State University Sacramento (CSUS).  The MOA formally regonies work started last year between the two institutions.  The MOA basically ties together the smart meter progran at SMUD and he California Smart Grid Center work at Sac

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) announced that two local Sacramento organizations will receive a combined $2,087,419 in AmeriCorps grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service, and will be able to hire 253 AmeriCorps members as a result. Congresswoman Matsui, Co-Chair of the bipartisan National Service Caucus, has been continually supportive of both AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service, and has helped lead the fight for adequate federal funding to support programs like these in the last several Congresses. “As our region continues to work toward economic recovery, these funds will help put 253 AmeriCorps participants to work in our

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced that the Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps (SRCC) has been awarded a Department of Labor competitive grant of $542,502 to support their YouthBuild program. This is in addition to the $1 million in federal funding SRCC received in June 2009 for their YouthBuild program; a three year grant that ends in 2012. “YouthBuild helps young people in Sacramento gain both the academic and work skills they need to succeed,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “By providing valuable job training skills and a modest stipend, the Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps is literally helping our youth build a better life, brick by brick, project by proj

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced that two local organizations, the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra Association and California Presenters, have been awarded grants by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The Sacramento Philharmonic will receive $20,000 to support an educational outreach series featuring Carnegie Hall's LinkUP! for Music “Orchestra Rocks” program; and the California Presenters’ $15,000 grant will support their 28th annual Artist Information Exchange Conference. “Investing in the arts is an investment in the creativity and innovation of our community,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “This federal assistance will help California organizations con

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told 265 delegates of the Sacramento Metro Chamber's Cap-to-Cap program that Medicare and Medicaid will evolve into a "value purchaser" to protect federal dollars by lowering costs and improving outcomes by reducing hospital injuries and readmissions. Sebelius addressed the delegation at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 9, as the group began three days of extensive promotion of the region, with 244 appointments set up with Congress, the Senate, the Administration and other federal officials and agencies. The Secretary was introduced by Congresswoman Doris Matsui of Sacramento, who Sebelius credited with taking a

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011, legislation that would require each state’s department of transportation and metropolitan planning organization to put in place a Complete Streets policy that ensures all Federally-funded transportation projects accommodate the safety and convenience of all users. Complete Streets policies ensures roadways are built with all users in mind – including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, motorists, freight vehicles, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. This bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by Congresman Steven LaTourette (R-OH). “Complete Streets policies are a win-wi

Representatives from over 80 arts organizations received tips on obtaining funding at an arts funding symposium hosted by the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC) Tuesday moning at the KVIE banquet room with a speech by Congresswoman Doris Matsui. The free event titled “Where's the Money?” was a day full of speakers, panels and workshops with teachers, artists, grant writers and various other active participants for the arts in Sacramento in attendance. KVIE General Manager David Lowe opened the event by talking about the Public Broadcasting Station to note that KVIE also largely relies on funding from public grants, private grants, and donations like the attendees in the room.

Mayor Kevin Johnson announced a care package will be sent to American troops stationed in Afghanistan Tuesday at his press conference. The care package was put together by the mayor’s office, public safety organizations and the community. The contents include American flags, letters from Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Gov. Jerry Brown, and various snacks, candy, and sporting equipment. U.S. Marine Sgt. Anthony Silva, currently deployed in Afghanistan, sent Johnson an e-mail requesting a care package. “(Silva) said, ‘We are out here fighting for our country, and if the mayor’s office could help facilitate a few things for us troops out here, it would be very meaningful,” Johnson said. Th

The Sacramento Fire Department expects to hire 27 firefighters and end its “brownouts” soon, thanks to a $5.6 million grant from the federal government. The grant to the city fire department and a $5.4 million grant to the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District were discussed at a Thursday morning press conference held by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) and local fire officials. The Metropolitan Fire District, which covers Sacramento and Placer counties and the cities of Citrus Heights and Rancho Cordova, will hire 24 or more firefighters with its funding, said Metro Fire Chief Bill Sponable. The city fire department has two rolling brownouts in effect, which means that certain

$5.6M for City Will Employ 27; $5.4M for Metro Will Employ 24 Firefighters SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced that the Sacramento Fire Department and the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District have been awarded $11 million in grants to hire 51 additional firefighters for the Sacramento region. Congresswoman Matsui was joined at the press conference by Sacramento Fire Department Chief Ray Jones and Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Chief William Sponable at the Sacramento Fire Department Headquarters this morning to announce the grants. “It is my pleasure to announce that the Sacramento Fire Department and the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Distri

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) introduced the Natomas Basin Flood Protection Improvements Act in the House of Representatives Tuesday, which would provide Natomas families and businesses the flood protection they need by authorizing additional construction work on the Natomas Levee Improvement Program, and in turn create jobs and support the area’s construction industry. "This is an opportunity for the federal government to deliver for the Sacramento region by improving our public safety, strengthening our economy, and creating good jobs for our constituents,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to authorize this project. This Natomas Basin

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Crocker Art Museum Sunday morning, Congresswoman Doris Matsui said what many were feeling: “It’s been a long time coming, but it’s surely worth it.” The expansion to the Crocker has been in planning for more than 10 years and under construction for about three years. A few hundred people crowded together and listened to the speakers, ready to see what was held inside the modern white building of steel and glass that was about to be handed over to the public. More than 14,000 people took the free tour by the day’s end. Citing the (nearly complete) $100 million campaign to fund the project, Mayor Kevin Johnson announced, “To anyone who says Sacramen

St. John’s will give formerly homeless women with children the opportunity to gain work experience and become more self sufficient with its new restaurant, Plates Cafe and Catering. St. John’s Shelter Program for Women & Children celebrated its anniversary on Thursday along with the grand opening of Plates. Guest speakers such as Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Assemblywoman Alyson Huber and Mayor Kevin Johnson attended, along with 350 supporters from the community. "Plates is  a very, very special place,” Matsui said. “It provides a place, a structure, a sanctuary.” After graduating from the 90-day program at St. John’s Shelter, Plates trains women with skills in the food service, catering,

The R Street improvement project  officially started today at a groundbreaking ceremony in front of the Fox and Goose Public House at 10th and R streets. “This is absolutely wonderful,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui. “We have a history here – a thriving commercial history.” R Street is getting numerous upgrades from 10th Street to 13th Street as part of the more than $6 million project, including sidewalks, pedestrian-oriented traffic lights, designated parking spots and drainage, according to Sacramento Department of Transportation Director Jerry Way. In a nod to the R Street corridor’s history, rail lines will be preserved in the streetscape. “This project has been long and anxious

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Congresswomen Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, commended the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) announcement that California will receive Recovery Act funding totaling $205,147,578 for seven Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) projects in California. One such project, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, has been awarded $10,944,843 to provide outreach, training, and learning support to increase digital literacy and broadband usage. As a result, community colleges systems like the Los Rios Community College Di