The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
March 09, 2010

Remarks by Vice President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu in a Joint Statement to the Press

Prime Minister's Residence, Jerusalem

12:36 P.M. (local)

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU:  Vice President Biden, Joe, welcome to Israel and welcome to Jerusalem.  We’ve been personal friends for almost three decades.  Can you believe it has been that long? 

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN:  No.  You’re getting older, Bibi, I don’t know how.

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU:  But you remain younger all the time.  (Laughter.)  And in all that time, you’ve been a real friend to me, and a real friend to Israel and to the Jewish people.  And you’ve come to Israel many times since you came here first on the eve of the Yom Kippur.  But now, you’re coming as the Vice President of the United States of America.  And this is deeply appreciated and, for me, deeply moving. 

President Obama has said in Cairo, and he has repeated this many times since, that the bonds between Israel and the United States are unbreakable.  And he has shown that in the last year in things that are known to the public and some things that are not known to the public.  In pursuing, for example, the joint military exercises for military defense between the Israeli army and the American military; in securing Israel’s qualitative military edge; and in many other activities along the world’s scene, including the battle against the infamous Goldstone report.  I think that the bonds -- exactly as President Obama has said, the bonds are unbreakable.  And your visit demonstrates how strong they are.

I think this unbreakable bond will help our two countries meet the two historic challenges that we face today in the Middle East.  The first and foremost among them is the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and the second is the need to advance a secure peace between Israel and our Palestinian and other Arab neighbors.

I very much appreciate the efforts of President Obama and the American government to lead the international community to place tough sanctions on Iran.  The stronger those sanctions are, the more likely it will be that the Iranian regime will have to choose between advancing its nuclear program and advancing the future of its own permanence.  I think that the international community and the leading countries in the international community have to join the American effort.  And Israel has been helping out with key countries and continues to do so.

I also appreciate the administration’s effort to advance peace in the region.  I know that this has been difficult and has required a great deal of patience.  But I’m pleased that these efforts are beginning to bear fruit.  And we have to be persistent and purposeful in making sure that we get to those direct negotiations that will enable us to resolve this conflict. 

I look forward to working with President Obama, and with you and your entire administration, to forge a historic peace agreement in which the permanence and legitimacy of the Jewish state of Israel is recognized by our Palestinian neighbors, and in which Israel’s security is guaranteed for generations to come. 

Again, Vice President -- my friend, Joe, it’s a pleasure to welcome you to Jerusalem.  Welcome.

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Thank you very much.  Mr. Prime Minister, it’s a pleasure to be back.  It’s been too long between visits here.  And it is true that you and I have been friends a long, long time.  And as a matter of fact, when each of us were in the minority, we’d -- occasionally, I’d find -- get a phone call at home and I’d call you as well to get a sense of what’s going on.  Our friendship is real, but it is -- what’s even deeper is the relationship between the United States and Israel. 

But Prime Minister, I’m sure you’d agree we’ve had a -- we had a very productive discussion spanning a wide range of issues that affect both our nations.  The relationship between Israel and the United States has been, and will continue to be, a centerpiece -- a centerpiece of American policy.  And it’s been that way since Israel’s founding in 1948.  And, quite frankly, it was a major focus of my work for all those years as a United States Senator and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.

Our two countries are bound by historic and cultural ties, and so many shared interests, that it would take too long to enumerate, and also by a wide range of deep-seated personal relationships and friendships that span the time even before 1948.  Our ties have been strengthened by our deep cooperation in many fields including science and economic development, and a range of other policy areas as well. 

But the cornerstone of the relationship -- the cornerstone of the relationship is our absolute, total, unvarnished commitment to Israel’s security.  Bibi, you heard me say before, progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel.  There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel’s security.  And for that reason, and many others, addressing Iran’s nuclear program has been of -- one of our administration’s priorities.

We’re determined -- we’re determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.  And we’re working with many countries around the world to convince Tehran to meet its international obligations and cease and desist.  Iran must also curb its other destabilizing actions in the region, well beyond their desire to acquire nuclear weapons.  And that is their continued support for terrorist groups that threaten Israel, and I might add, our interests as well.

President Obama and I strongly believe that the best long-term guarantee for Israel’s security is a comprehensive Middle East peace with the Palestinians, with the Syrians, with Lebanon and leading eventually to full and normalized relationships with the entire Arab world.  It’s overwhelmingly in the interest of Israel, but it’s also overwhelmingly of interest to the Arab world.  And it’s in our interest, as well.

And so, Mr. Prime Minister, toward that end I am very pleased that -- that you and the Palestinian leadership have agreed to launch indirect talks.  We hope that these talks will lead, and they must lead, eventually to negotiations and direct discussions between the parties.  The goal is, obviously, to resolve the final status issues and to achieve a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.  And historic peace is going to require both parties to make some historically bold commitments.  You have done it before, and I’m confident for real peace you would do it again.

Over the last year, Mr. Prime Minister, you have taken significant steps including the moratorium that has limited new settlement construction activity.  And you have significantly increased freedom of movement across the West Bank.  Palestinian leaders are beginning to make progress on their determined willingness to -- especially in their efforts to reform their institutions of government and with their security force -- their security forces becoming much more reliable. 

It’s easy to point fingers, particularly in this part of the world, at what each side has not done.  But it’s also important to give credit where things have been done in order to be able to move forward.  Mr. Prime Minister, the United States will always stand with those who take risks for peace.  And you’re prepared to do that.  And I am hopeful.  And I’ll be having discussions with Palestinian leaders.  It is my hope and expectation that they will be prepared, as well. 

The proximity start -- talks are just that, a start.  They’re not designed to finish the process.  And so, Mr. Prime Minister, I thank you for all the time you have given me.  And it’s just, quite frankly, good to be back in your company and see you again. 

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU:  Thank you.  Thank you, Joe.  I have one thing to offer you right now, and it’s broken glass.  (Laughter.)  So what I’m going to do is I’m going to sign -- but I need a pen.  Thank you. 

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Don’t cut yourself.

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU:  Now, this is a significant piece of paper.  I will say that agreements are dependent on the arrangements not on paper but on the ground.  Here is a piece of paper that reflects an arrangement on the ground.  We have planted a circle of trees in Jerusalem in memory of your mother, Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden, because you have said many times that she was a source of immeasurable strength, which I recognize in you, Joe.  So we planted a tree to serve as a tribute -- a circle of trees next to the leaders of the nations.  We have a forest of the leaders of the nations, and right next to it are the trees that we have planted in memory of your mother as a tribute to her immeasurable strength.  And I want to offer it to you on your visit to Israel.

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Well, thank you very much.  If you don’t mind my saying, Mr. Prime Minister, my love for your country was watered by this Irish lady, who was proudest of me when I was working with and for the security of Israel.  So that’s a great honor.  Thank you very much.

END
12:50 P.M. (local)

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
March 09, 2010

Remarks by The Vice President and President of Israel Shimon Peres at an Expanded Group Meeting

Presidency
Jerusalem

9:16 A.M. (local)

PRESIDENT PERES: Well, I want to express our profound appreciation for your visit, not just because you are the Vice President of the United States and the most senior person to visit our region at the time; because for us you are a stoic friend, a man with profound judgment. You were the youngest senator in the United States. And from that age, so to speak, you showed friendship, understanding, and judgment, which we appreciate to this day. We think you are coming on a mission of peace. You understand there are two sides to the mission. And I dont see, I think, any contradiction in between being friendly and understanding to the two sides. And since the mission is peace, we are following the same mission.

I want to say that Im not impressed by the perception of the agreement about the proximity talks, because the situation is both more serious and also maybe more promising. If I compare the present situation with the previous situations, I can see three major changes, which I want to mention briefly.

One, the Palestinians started to build a state. Lets not underestimate it. And we learned from early age, from the early beginning felt that better build a state without borders than negotiate borders within every state, so to this very day, in our declaration of independence, there is no borders. I think if the Palestinians started to negotiate about borders and postponing building a state, its a mistake from their side, because the problem with borders here is there was never a Palestinian state -- we didnt have a precedent like we had with the Jordanians and with Egypt and so we didnt have borders as we did have with the Jordanians, Egyptians, Lebanese, and Syrians and also because in that case borders have a holy aspect to it, as well. Jerusalem does not trust a territorial border.

So the effect that the United States, the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority -- all of them agreed to build a state is an innovation and a very promising process that we have to support and enlarge. And I do not see much difficulties in continuing to do so. I think we have to be, all of us, more generous, more compromising and to supply the Palestinians with the necessary means to build their own home.

If it would -- we do just that, they would say we are escaping the negotiations. We are not. So the building of a state is not instead of the negotiations, but in addition to it. The negotiations, its very hard to open it and all of us know there will be -- as it is always -- a difference between the opening position and the fall-back position. The opening position is tougher and everybody emphasizes the difference. Anyway, I dont know a way -- how can you start with the fall-back positions. Even in Hollywood, the happy end is at the end; you dont begin negotiations with the happy end.

So the present declarations on both sides are very careful, and everybody wants to shop as much as he can his own position. And I think we have accepted, as a matter of fact -- and I dont think it will save us the difficulties, but lets not see in it the end of the negotiations or the end of the day. Thats the second thing that I believe why its better to have it.

The third change which I see is the Iranian presence. I think the tone and extremacy of Ahmadinejad against Israel is a cover up of his own ambition to create hegemony in the Middle East, since he doesnt want to appear as a Shiite or a Sunnite. He wants to appear as an anti-Israel, which gives him an entry to other countries. And that way, everybody is using Israel as an excuse or a cover up for their real positions. I believe the higher-ups are aware that Iran is a danger to them. More than a thousand years of history in the Middle East -- there is thousand years, 900 years the Arabs were under occupation of empires, and Muslims as well. Its only in the last 100 years they have had any independence. And they dont want to give up, rightly so, their independence.

And understand that in the name of religion, Iran is trying to establish a super structure of the Iranians in the Middle East. But at the same time, short of President Mubarak who stood up and some other leaders, theyre reluctant to declare their real position because of the conflict between us and the Palestinians. Everybody uses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a cover up. And I think its a strange situation over the world that the secret relations are better than the open relations, that the relations among the different intelligence organizations are better than the diplomatic one. The reason is diplomacy covers and intelligence discovers, because today to win the fight against the terrorists is not a victory but a discovery. If you discover them ahead of time, you win it.

But I think we -- sorry -- we have had many problems in the domain of, I think, terrorists. In our own domain, we are very successful and that should serve as an example. And that is the model of our relations or the relations between Jordan and ourselves. No matter what the political mood is, the two countries decided not to permit terrorists to play on. And the Jordanians are the most quiet border -- all the time between us and the Jordanians, understanding that today its not a total war, but a war against the terrorists.

I want to make a short remark about Iran as I see it. First of all, the United States should lead the Iranian policy -- there is nobody else in the world. The United States, with whatever criticism you may have, you are the most serious, the most organized, and the most analytical approach to the Iranian. And we have trust in President Obama. I dont envy neither you nor him. You have inherited an extremely difficult situation worldwide and otherwise. And its easy to give advice. I know it. Its more difficult to face the trials that are coming from uninvited angles, and participation.

I believe that the best policy vis--vis Iran, and Im speaking of -- from our perspective -- I cannot suggest to do it in my advice -- should comprise three major efforts -- one, which is major, and that is the moral code. I think moral sanctions are not less important than economic sanctions. A person like Ahmadinejad that calls openly to destroy the state of Israel cannot be a full member of the United Nations. A man that calls for acts in terror and who hangs people in the streets, not just because of the Israeli conflict -- and as Hillary described him as a military dictator. I think he should be placed in his proper definition. He cannot go around almost like a cultural hero.

However, President Obama considers Niebuhr as his philosophical preference. I like to listen to the lectures of Reinhold Niebuhr. The subject was the Judeo-Christian heritage. The first six lectures were about Judeo-Christians. I never heard anything more profound or more moving than that. But he said one word which I believe fits the present situation. He says all of us have to stand up against moral corruption. But moral corruption is more dangerous even than financial corruption. And the first code, in my judgment, is to voice a real struggle against the moral corruption. From an Israeli standpoint, we are totally surprised. They try to de-legitimize us. Were a democratic country. Nobody is being hanged in Israel. We try to make peace. We give back land. We are in a difficult situation, but still on a moral foundation. So he tries to de-legitimize us or you. We are the Satan; he is the Lord. So I think that must be done in a strong and clear voice.

It will also help the people of Iran, the Persians, to continue their struggle to defend their culture. They are ashamed of him. In my judgment, this should be done strongly, clearly, vocally. Then the economic sanctions, which I dont have to advise.

Maybe I would like to see a third point, and that is to surround Iran with an envelope of self-defense -- the Palestinians side, as well -- against their missiles and nuclear trap. And nobody knows exactly what theyre going to do. But self-defense will be an additional weight in limiting the danger of Iran. Again, only you can do it.

Thats one point. And I want to say about the Palestinians, there is a way to increase the help to the Palestinians to build their state. I know that our government is ready to continue the dismantling of different checkpoints to free the movement. The Palestinians have never had a state in their history, and now theyre beginning to taste what does it mean to build a city or to plan trees or to introduce an economy. On all this, we as the immediate neighbor -- you as the guiding the party, and the Europeans, and the Russians, everybody -- can participate in helping them to build a state, which I want to say must be affluent. And its not to build another poor state; that would be a mistake. If we are going to build, lets build it a modern state. And I believe that the Palestinians have already leaders. The person that built the city, Bashar Masri, for example, is an extremely intelligent man, up to date -- Rawabi is the new city of the Palestinians.

And we have to introduce hi-tech. They cannot make a living just on land. The problem today is not the land, but the level of knowledge. Agriculture went down only to two or three percent. And Israel is an example of making a living out of knowledge, out of hi-tech. We are ready to share. And I believe that they can be providing those of -- money. I want to identify immediately. I wont ask from you today money. But I think the Monetary Fund is willing and able to provide serious amounts of money. I spoke with the head of the Monetary Fund. They say that they can support trends; they dont have to support enterprises, contrary to the World Bank. And if the trend is peace, they are ready to invest seriously. In uniting, you have to take them in the picture.

Thats number one. Now, in the negotiations itself, I know the mood. I know that among the Palestinians there is mistrust vis--vis Israel and our government. We are aware of it. What Im asking -- and why is that? Because there isnt -- if Israel would be against a Palestinian state, would we permit you to build an economy, a police force, institutions? Why are we doing it? And I believe that as things will progress, we can handle the responsibilities for security wherever and whenever they will be ready. For example, if Jenin can police herself, our army will be glad to hand over the security to them. And if there are six or seven cities, lets go.

We suggested, like in the road map to recognize the Palestinian state with provisional borders. But the Palestinians didnt like it, and Mubarak told me leave it alone. They are getting angry with it. Okay. So we dont need lines. We dont need -- okay, I shall stop here, because –

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: No, Im anxious -- I love hearing you speak. (Laughter.) I really do. Ive told you, Mr. President, you are the most articulate statesman I have ever known. And I have been around for a long, long time. I always -- I always enjoy not only your knowledge, but your wisdom. I mean that sincerely. You know I have told you that over the years.

PRESIDENT PERES: I know. I keep it –

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, let me just briefly respond.

PRESIDENT PERES: Yes.

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: First of all, you know you talked about my being a friend of Israel from the time I was a young senator.

PRESIDENT PERES: What was it, 32?

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thirty years old -- 29, actually. But I arrived at the Senate educated by a righteous Christian, my father, who -- we spent our dinner table -- we assembled at our dinner table in the evening to have discussions and incidentally eat rather than eat and incidentally have discussions. And -- but Israel captured my heart. I make no bones about it. That does not mean I do not understand and have a great empathy for the circumstances of the Palestinians, but Israel captured my heart and my imagination.

And my first visit here as a young senator, I sat before the desk of Golda Meir as she was chain smoking and pulling maps up and down behind me, explaining to me the Six Day War. And there was a young man sitting to my right, his name was Rabin. So I have had the great privilege of not only knowing you, but knowing every Prime Minister and President since the days of Golda Meir.

I think your observation is one that more of the world should understand, because as you pointed out, there is an international attempt to isolate Israel and -- right now. And sometimes, we are our own worst enemy and playing into the hands of those who wish to do that. The peace process, as you pointed out, has two components to it, it always has: the actual definition of a state by borders and sovereign immunity and sovereign capabilities, but also the actual stuff of which a state is made. Institutions, everything from security forces to tax collection capability and everything in between. And that is underway.

And I hope -- notwithstanding the mistrust you referenced, I hope the beginning of what I referred to as these indirect or proximity talks, I hope it is a vehicle, a vehicle by which we can begin to allay that layer of mistrust that has built over the last several years. Because if you look at the region, there is obviously a great deal more that should be uniting the Palestinians and the Israelis than any time since Ive been involved for 36 years. You point out that the great Persian people have had their history besmirched by the presence of the -- Mr. Ahmadinejad and the theocracy.

But I would point out, Mr. President, that the moral sanctions you refer to have begun -- and need not have been imposed by us, theyre being imposed by their own people. The people of Iran are making that argument clearly, engaging in their own form of morally sanctioning their government as we have and as the rest of the world is. I remote -- since our administration has come to power, I would point out that Iran is more isolated -- internally, externally -- has fewer friends in the world. One of the reasons why President Obama insisted on engaging was in the -- was with eyes wide open. The hope was that there would be some movement. But the reality was -- the reality was so that we could in a sense point out to the rest of the world we need to deal with many of the things you mentioned.

But let me conclude in my very brief response here that I -- I think this -- we are at a moment of real opportunity. And I think that the -- the interest of both the Palestinians and the Israeli people are -- if everyone will just step back and take a deep breath -- are actually very much more in line than they are in opposition. And when I first came here, my first 10 or 12 trips, the idea that we would speak with certitude about a two-state solution wasnt so obvious. So Id like to focus with you -- if we have a chance to speak privately, Id like to focus with you on how we -- how we take advantage of this moment for the security of Israel.

I just want to conclude by saying one thing that I know you understand -- I know you understand about me and I know you understand it about President Obama -- theres absolutely no space between the United States and Israel in terms of Israels security and our mutual security -- none, none at all. Thats the basis in which this starts. Theres a lot we can do. But Im really flattered you would see me. And I’m anxious to –

PRESIDENT PERES: We were waiting for you. (Laughter.)

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, its good to be home. (Laughter.)

END
9:45 A.M. (local)

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
March 05, 2010

Vice President Biden Announces Nearly 200 New Recovery Act Transit Projects in 42 States

Awards Mean FTA Has Met Aggressive Deadline to Put 100 Percent of Recovery Act Dollars to Work

WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced funding for 191 new Recovery Act transit projects in 42 states and Puerto Rico that will help transform the nation’s infrastructure and support thousands of jobs across the country. In making the over $600 million in new awards, the Federal Transit Administration met an aggressive deadline to award 100 percent of its Recovery Act transit formula dollars by March 5.

Since President Obama signed the Recovery Act in February 2009, the FTA has awarded 881 grants totaling $7.5 billion, which means all the formula transit funds provided by the Recovery Act have now been “obligated” or committed to specific transit projects. Once funds are obligated to a project, contracts can be bid, workers can be hired, buses and rail cars can be purchased and work can begin on transit construction projects that create jobs and drive economic growth. Recovery Act transit projects have already generated enough work to employ thousands of people nationwide and activity is expected to ramp up even further in the months ahead as new projects break ground and equipment orders are fulfilled.

“Investing in these transit upgrades not only puts construction workers on the job at project sites, but supports American manufacturing jobs all the way down the supply chain,” said Vice President Biden. “At a time when jobs are priority number one, that means twice the employment bang for the Recovery Act buck.”

“Because of transit projects being built with money from the Recovery Act, thousands of people can pay their mortgages or their rent, make their car payments, put food on the table for their families and maintain their quality of life,” said Secretary LaHood.

So far, Recovery Act funds have supported the purchase of nearly 12,000 buses, vans and rail vehicles, the construction or renovation of more than 850 transit facilities, and the performance of more than $620 million in preventive maintenance, which has helped to save transit service and jobs, and enhance service reliability.

In addition to the direct employment impact of the projects, domestic bus, seating and rail car manufacturers have received orders that are helping boost production and support jobs. For example, Orion Bus in Greensboro, NC has now received 10 contracts for nearly 300 buses with Recovery Act funds – orders the company says allowed it to maintain 176 jobs. Gillig Bus in Hayward, CA has received orders for 790 buses with Recovery Act funds – work the company says has allowed them to support 395 jobs. And American Seating Company in Grand Rapids, MI, a bus seating manufacturer, says they received $3 million in Recovery Act contracts last year, allowing them to add 11 full-time employees with additional job growth expected in 2010 thanks to the Recovery Act.

“Investing in modern, efficient transit systems will mean safe, reliable travel and clean air in our communities” said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff. “These projects are putting thousands of Americans to work right now while improving the lives of millions of Americans for years to come"

The U.S. Department of Transportation is making $48.1 billion available through the Recovery Act for all transportation projects, including highway and bridge, rail transit, small shipyards and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Of that, $36.8 billion already has been awarded.

The following FTA Recovery Act awards were announced today:

Alaska

Manley Village Council $140,000 Purchase one 35ft. bus.
State Total $140,000  

Alabama

Alabama Department of Transportation State of Alabama $7,040,547 Purchase 3 replacement vans, 3 expansion vans;, Eng. & Design for two facilities.; Renovation of a bus facility.; Construction of a new bus facility; Real Estate Acquisition.; Preventive Maintenance.; Operating Assistance; Purchase 11 35ft. Intercity buses
Alabama Department of Transportation State of Alabama $1,023,565 Acquisition/rehabilitation of parking facility; Operating assistance
State Total $8,064,112  

Arizona

Arizona Department of Transportation State of Arizona $2,166,936 Park & ride lots; administration buildings.; vehicle storage lot
Yuma Metropolitan Planning Org./Transportation Planning $14,991 Additional ARRA Funding to complete installation of card-readers in every MSTII (MB) vehicle
City of Phoenix $14,969,916 Purchase of 2 buses; Construction of four park and ride lots and Operating assistance
State Total $17,151,843  

California

City of Modesto $35,500 Preventive Maintenance
City of Turlock $194,532 Bus transfer hub facility
Orange County Transportation Authority $500,000 Purchase 3 35ft. AFI replacement buses for the City of Laguna Beach
City of Vallejo $439,212 Vallejo Multimodal Station
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority $69,776 Metro Blue Line traction power substation
Southern California Regional Rail Authority $4,675,477 Rehab Track, Positive Train Control, Keller Yard storage, Central Maintenance Facility Guard, Insurance.
City of Vacaville $115,330 Purchase 14 electronic fare boxes
City of Santa Clarita $2,385,864 Construction of Two Transit Parking Facilities
City of Fresno $1,200,000 Operating Assistance
City of Montebello $1,925,000 Purchase 3 40ft. CNG replacement buses; Operating assistance.
City of La Mirada $63,287 Bus security cameras and maintenance equipment
City of Fairfield $172,340 Install 63 fare boxes
Sacramento Regional Transit District $488,000 Purchase six replacement minivans; Operating Assistance

California

Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, San Rafael $244,279 Replacement of Bus Wash Equipment
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District $16,972,052 BART- Railcar and Station Equipment Improvements
City of Manteca $649,009 Bus Passenger Amenities
City of Vallejo $2,009,466 Vallejo Station
Municipal Transportation Agency/City and County of San Francisco $18,221,874 Rebuild LRVs and preventive maintenance
San Mateo County Transit District $2,045,371 Preventive Maintenance; purchase 2 40ft. repl. buses and 2 35ft. replacement buses.
Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco Counties) $2,684,596 San Mateo Bridges Replacement Project
Western Contra Costa Transit Authority $197,637 Preventive Maintenance and Generator Purchase
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority $12,251,784 Purchase of 20 40ft. buses
City of Union City $77,123 Purchase of 2 35ft. buses
Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority $1,054,888 Preventive maintenance; Bus Lifts; parking lot repairs
Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority $799,046 Preventive Maintenance
City of Santa Rosa $983,249 Purchase 2 Hybrid Electric Buses
City of Simi Valley $1,024,049 Garage modernization, ADA operations, and a wheelchair scale
Napa County Transportation Planning Agency $721,312 Bus Rehab and Shop Equipment
Sonoma County Transit $488,161 Replace 1 40ft. CNG Bus
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District $6,682,626 Preventive Maintenance
Central Contra Costa Transit Authority $1,107,398 Preventive Maintenance
City of Vacaville $527,655 Vacaville Intermodal Station
City of Fairfield $788,484 Purchase 6 35ft. repl. buses
State Total $83,937,377  

Colorado

Colorado Department of Transportation $2,152,195 Purchase 2 expansion buses; 1 replacement bus; 1 van. Rebuild 2 buses; equipment; operating assistance
City of Colorado Springs $4,238,893 Purchase 3 support maintenance vehicles., 30 paratransit vans; construction administration facilities renovate passenger facilities.; security equip.; bus stop enhancements; operating assistance
State Total $6,391,088  

Connecticut

Connecticut Department of Transportation $237,778 Marlborough Park and Ride Lot Improvements
State Total $237,778  

District of Columbia

Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority $1,605,000 Preventive Maintenance Costs
State Total $1,605,000  

Florida

Sarasota County Transportation Authority $4,618,693 Purchase 2 35ft. hybrid buses; ITS, equipment; Transfer Facility
Lake County Board of County Commissioners $180,067 Operating Assistance
Lakeland Area Mass Transit District $3,928,562 Purchase 1 35ft. bus; bus shelters; operating assistance; misc. bus equip.; construct rehab facility
Florida Department of Transportation $3,063,695 Purchase and installation of a metal structure to provide cover to vehicles; Intercity Bus Terminal Building; Operating assistance
Jacksonville Transportation Authority $9,313,745 Purchase 9 low-floor 40ft. repl. buses; transit enhancement; Facility Improvements; Bus shelter enhancements; Rehab/Renovation Admin. & Maintenance buildings.; Cooling systems for buses; Park and ride lots; Bus shelters; Misc. Bus support equip.
Martin County Board of County Commissioners $1,199,564 Administrative bldg./intermodal hub
Miami-Dade Transit Agency $5,255,528 Purchase 3 30ft. shuttle buses; 2 30ft. mini-buses; 3 30ft. minibuses for circulator bus routes; bus shelters; Operating Assistance
State Total $27,559,854  

Georgia

Cobb County Community Transit $244,880 Additional funds for Cobb Community Transits paratransit facility and Surveillance cameras.
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Agency $2,260,703 Operating Assistance
Henry County Board of Commissioners $120,000 Construction of a Lube Shop; misc. shop equip.

Georgia

Georgia Department of Transportation – Office of Intermodal Programs $3,233,800 Purchase 1 40ft. replacement bus, 3 replacement buses and 2 expansion buses; bus refurbishing, fare collection equip., ITS equip., surveillance and sec. equip.
Georgia Regional Transportation Authority $636,298 Operating Assistance
Georgia Department of Transportation – Office of Intermodal Programs $4,887,532 Purchase 21 Vans, 13 Shuttle Buses, and 2 Intercity Buses. Bus shelters; Computers systems, Automatic Vehicle Locator/Mobile Data, Security cameras, Communications System; misc. shop equip; Bus terminals; multimodal facility
Chatham Area Transportation Authority $449,039 Operating assistance
Cherokee County Commission $4,761 Additional support to purchase Miscellaneous Communications Equipment
Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners $217,880 Operating assistance
State Total $12,054,893  

Iowa

Keyline Bus System, East Dubuque $44,139 Purchase 4 Mobile Data Terminals
Des Moines Regional Transit Authority $1,300,000 Purchase 5 replacement buses; Admin./Maintenance Facility.; Misc. shop equipment; Operating Assistance
State Total $1,344,137 v  

Idaho

Kootenai County $720,202 Acquisition of 7 40ft. replacement buses; 6 30ft. replacement buses; 1 expansion bus.
State Total $720,202  

Illinois

City of DeKalb $5,063 Purchase a new Radio system
Commuter Rail Division of Regional Transportation Authority $122,165 Bridge rehabilitation and/or reconstruction on the Union Pacific North Line
Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District $1,250,493 Renovation of admin/maintenance facility
State of Illinois Dept. of Transportation $9,725,615 Rural Transit Facility Improvements
State Total $11,103,336  

Indiana

City of Columbus/Columbus Transit $888,815 Construction of Transfer Facility
Gary Public Transit Corporation $725,000 Operating Assistance
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission $216,000 Centralized scheduling and dispatching center
City of Anderson $1,550,513 Replace one 30ft. diesel bus; two replacement gas vans; three support vehicles; operating assistance
City of Kokomo $1,089,206 Transit Operations Control Center; 2 buses; operating assistance
Indiana Department of Transportation $7,644,142 Construction and renovation of administration/maintenance facilities
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission $1,669,770 Purchase 3 repl. vans, 1 expansion van; renovate bus station; miscellaneous bus support equip.; transit enhancements.
State Total $13,783,446  

Kansas

Kansas Department of Transportation $4,552,177 Vehicles, Riley Co. Facility, Bus Shelters, Bus Stop Signs, Misc. Equip
State Total $4,552,177  

Kentucky

Transit Authority of River City (Louisville) $247,300 Purchase 2 replacement buses; 2 expansion buses and miscellaneous support equip.
State Total $247,300  

Louisiana

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development $6,049,867 Miscellaneous Equipment; 4 50 passenger Inter City Buses; Bus Storage Facilities. St. Tammany Parish Government $1,000,000 Construction of Hwy 434 Park & Ride.
State Total $7,049,867  

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority $13,900,000 Improvements to Ashmont Station.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation $1,565,804 Rural Operating Assistance, procurement of 2 45ft. intercity coaches, 1 25ft. hybrid bus, AVL equipment, operating assistance.

Massachusetts

Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority $199,947 Repair and Replacement of Ornamental Fencing at the Attleboro Commuter Rail Station
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority $54,110,000 Operating Assistance and State of Good Repair Improvements to the MBTA’s Rapid Transit Network
Southeastern Regional Transit Authority $2,607,985 Operating Assistance and Procurement of 8 30ft. repl. buses
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority $90,000 Enhanced Security Camera System
State Total $72,473,736  

Maryland

Maryland Transit Administration (Baltimore) $2,874,205 Additional funds for MARC Public Address System
Maryland Transit Administration (Rural areas) $1,987,757 Purchase 3 replacement buses; 4 expansion buses and 2 45ft. intercity buses
Maryland Transit Administration (Statewide) $4,354,111 Facility renovations.; preventive maintenance; shop equipment, parking lot construction
Maryland Transit Administration (Baltimore) $17,100,000 Bus Loop Pavement Reconstruction at MTA's Mondawmin Transit Center; Heating and Ventilation upgrades; Light rail yard switches upgrade; Replacement/Overhaul of 24 Light Rail Substation circuit breakers
State Total $26,316,073  

Michigan

Michigan Department of Transportation $167,820 Modify buses with mini-hybrid components.
Michigan Department of Transportation $524,072 Purchase 1 replacement Van; 2 expansion vans; facility improvements; bus shelters; miscellaneous support equipment.
Detroit Department of Transportation $18,875,500 Purchase 42 40ft. low-floor diesel replacement buses and 4 40ft. low-floor hybrid electric replacement buses; operating assistance
Michigan Department of Transportation $12,443,615 Purchase 3 40ft., 4 35ft., 5 30ft., 28 replacement buses; Facility renovations; Miscellaneous support equipment; Operating Assist.
Ann Arbor Transportation Authority $2,290,056 Renovate/improve a transfer center; Expand bus storage capacity; Improve safety and accessibility of bus stops; Operating Assistance
Battle Creek Transit System $318,8889 Construction of a new off-street bus island facility for Battle Creek Transit`s buses
State $34,619,952  

Minnesota

Minnesota DOT Office of Transit $510,000 Transit Hub/Park-n-Ride Lot Red Wing,
Minnesota DOT Office of Transit $600,000 Web Base Routing, Automatic Vehicle Locators, and Hardware.
Minnesota DOT Office of Transit $1,380,588 Modify buses with mini-hybrid components.
State Total $2,491,588  

Missouri

Missouri Department of Transportation $4,904,603 Construction of two facilities and purchase of two intercity vehicles
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority $1,820,424 Preventive Maintenance, Shelters and Operating Assistance.
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority $1,092,881 City of Lee Summit Commuter Lot Improvements
State Total $7,817,908  

Mississippi

City of Hattiesburg, Department of Urban Development $492,447 Customer Service Kiosk; Route Match Software; GPS equipment; Miscellaneous support equipment; operating assistance.
State Total $492,447  

North Carolina

City of Fayetteville $31,290 ADA accessible sidewalks.
City of High Point $397,579 Operating Assistance & Misc Comm. Equipment
City of Greenville $99,000 Surveillance equipment
Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority $138,568 Operating Assistance
Goldsboro/Wayne Transportation Authority $90,000 Operating Assistance
Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority $138,568 Operating Assistance
Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation $2,553,823 Park and Ride lots; Purchase 3 40ft. expansion buses and 2 expansion buses
North Carolina Department of Transportation $8,081,515 Purchase 10 40ft. buses; 13 park and ride lot facilities.; construct 2 Administrative Buildings; Bus Storage lot; Renovate facility; signage
State Total $11,530,343  

Nebraska

Nebraska Department of Roads $4,629,554 Construction of Six Maintenance/Admin. Facilities
State Total $4,629,554  

New Hampshire

Manchester Transit Authority $92,282 Operating Assistance/24 Bus Bicycle Racks
Greater Derry-Salem Cooperative Alliance for Regional Transportation $14,975 Operation Assistance
Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation $67,282 Operating Assistance
University of New Hampshire $38,000 Dispatch/fleet communications system; New upgraded radios; miscellaneous support equip.
City of Nashua $67,282 Operating Assistance
New Hampshire Department of Transportation $502,769 Purchase 1 replacement bus; 1 expansion bus; additional funding admin./maintenance facility miscellaneous equipment; operating assistance
State Total $782,590  

New Jersey

New Jersey Transit Corporation $52,403,812 Purchase 114 expansion buses; track renovations; Intermodal Terminals; signal systems misc. support equip.
State Total $52,403,812  

Nevada

Nevada Department of Transportation $2,060,188 Purchase 2 replacement buses, 1 commuter replacement bus; Miscellaneous support equip.
State Total $2,060,188  

New York

Tompkins County $2,175,000 Purchase 6 40ft. replacement buses; surveillance and sec. equip.
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority $5,748,905 Purchase 14 40ft. CNG replacement buses
Chemung County Transit System $460,000 Purchase 1 40ft. Bus and Scheduling Software

New York

New York State DOT $3,245,850 Purchase 20 replacement buses; 1 35ft. expansion bus; intercity replacement buses; Bus Passenger Shelters; Misc Support Equipment; Bus Route Signs.
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority $4,396,596 Rail repair and rehab work at 5 stations
Orange County $1,686,778 Operating Assistance
City of Poughkeepsie $1,400,154 Design/Engineer work for transit hub project; Miscellaneous Communication equip.; Misc. electric/power equip.; mobile fare collection equip.; prev. maintenance. operating assistance.
Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority $6,351,718 Purchase 8 40ft. low-floor/heavy-duty diesel transit buses; Renovation of RTS Campus Facility.
Central New York Regional Transportation Authority $168,550 Purchase and install 21 replacement bus passenger shelters
State Total $25,633,551  

Ohio

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority $9,346,772 Operating Assistance and Track Rehab
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority $1,022,509 Station Rehab & Track Upgrades
Central Ohio Transit Authority $926,678 v Paratransit/Small Bus Facility Construction
City of Middletown $280,988 Operating Assistance, ADA Service, & Shelters
Portage Area Regional Transit Authority $316,820 Renovation of Transit Maintenance and Storage Facility
Lorain County Transit Board $11,532 Operating Assistance
Greene County Transit Board $704,997 Purchase 10 replacement buses; bus shelter and operating assistance.
Licking County Transit Board $216,355 Purchase of 3 expansion buses, communication & security equipment; bicycle racks for buses; resurfacing bus storage area/parking lot
City of Newark $394,392 Purchase 4 expansion buses; computer equipment & software; operating assistance
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority $2,150,816 Purchase 3 replacement. buses; Operating Expenses; Tire Changer; Preventive Maintenance; Rockefeller Bridge Demolition
Ohio Department of Transportion $9,197,000 Transit Facilities
State Total $24,568,859  

Oklahoma

Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority $3,950,000 Purchase 9 35ft. and 3 40ft. repl. buses; Rehab Admin./Maintenance.; ADA Paratransit Svc.
City of Lawton $17,501 Purchase One Van and Cost Under Runs
State Total $3,967,501.00v  

Oregon

Tri-County Metropolitan Transit Distirct of Oregon (Portland) $4,250,000 Construct the Willow Creek pocket track light rail line; Replace underground storage tanks; Install wayside horns on commuter rail line; Install replacement bicycle locker units
Lane Transit District (Eugene) $64,678 500 bus stop signs and poles along bus routes
Salem Area Mass Transit District $1,314,353 Operating Expenses and Transit Centers
Oregon Department of Transportation $38,400,000 Purchase two high-speed passenger rail train sets for use in commuter rail service
State Total $44,029,031  

Pennsylvania

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Malvern) $12,475,988 Renovations to SEPTA`s Malvern Station
Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority $1,686,820 Preventive Maintenance & Security Equipment
Cumberland-Dauphin-Harrisburg Transit Authority $2,035,039 Purchase four 40 ft. Buses and Bus Shelters
York County Transportation Authority $2,430,794 Administrative/Maintenance Facility Property Acquisition
State Total $18,628,641  

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority $400,000 Construct Bus Shelters
Municipality of Gurabo $650,000 ADA equip., communication equipment, security equip., prev. maintenance, operating assistance
Municipality of Vega Alta $325,000 Purchase of 4 cutaway small transit buses for Vega Alta Transit Expansion
Municipality of Humaco $150,000 Roof replacement
Municipality of Juncos $943,750 Purchase 3 expansion buses, (1) expansion van; Maintenance Facility rehabilitation

Puerto Rico

Municipality of Camuy $474,949 Purchase 2 20ft. repl. vans and 2 40ft. 25 passenger exp. trolleybuses; preventative maintenance
Municipality of Guaynabo $2,000,000 Purchase 8 35ft. expansion buses and 6 expansion buses; transit stop signs; radio comm. equip.
Municipality of Hatillo $400,000 Funds for the construction of Transit Terminal
Municipality of Villalba $680,000 Purchase 8 vans and 2 small trolleys
Municipality of Arecibo $675,000 2 Trolleys; 2 paratransit vehicles; 32 Shelters
Municipality of Dorado $710,000 Purchase 3 24 passenger explanation buses; 2 paratransit 10 passenger cutaway small buses; installation of 8 passenger shelters and administration costs
Puerto Rico Ports Authority Development Department $345,972 Completion of Ferry Terminal rehab/renovation; surveillance equipment; ticketing booth equipment
State Total $7,754,671  

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Transportation $253,273 Construction of Parking Garage and Station Platform for the Wickford Junction Station Project
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority $8,756,686 Kennedy Plaza Bus Lane Renovation., Bus Shelter. Install./Rapid Bus Program, Maintenance Facility Improvements; Operating Assistance
Rhode Island Department of Transportation $4,100,000 Construction of Parking Garage and Station Platform for the Wickford Junction Station Project
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority $238,972 Partial purchase of a low-floor hybrid electric propulsion bus
State Total $13,348,931  

South Carolina

City of Rock Hill $410,000 Purchase 6 buses; Operating Assistance
South Carolina DOT $604,111 IT communication equipment
City of Anderson $109,622 Operating assistance and preventive maintenance
Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority $1,155,912 Operating assistance; AVL; support equip.; preventive maintenance
South Carolina DOT $4,345,000 Purchase 1 replacement bus and 4 cutaway replacement buses; Renovation of maintenance facility;
State Total $6,624,645  

Tennessee

Tennessee DOT $3,175,314 Purchase 23 intercity buses; ADA enhancements for vehicles, a ramp and bathroom; preventive maintenance, 3 intercity support vehicles; bus station support items; security/surveillance equip. computers and ITS equip.
Regional Transportation Authority (Nashville) $1,900,000 Construct the Martha Station; Operating assistance
Metropolitan Transit Authority (Nashville) $2,590,151 Facility Rehab
State Total $7,665,465  

Texas

City of Port Arthur $1,159,928 Construct Bus Support Facility
Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority $7,496,704 Purchase 7 buses; Operating Assistance; Pedestrian Access/Walkways
City of Tyler $776,031 Purchase 1 bus; Shelters, Renovate Bus Parking, Tyler Transit Depot Improvements.
Via Metropolitan Transit Authority $1,000,000 Purchase One 40Ft. replacement bus; Acquire P&R Lot
State Total $10,432,663  

Utah

Utah DOT $1,088,016 Intercity Bus Service
State Total $1,088,106  

Virginia

City of Harrisonburg $142,563 Operating Assistance, Security and Shop Equipment
Williamsburg Area Transit Authority $350,000 Automatic Vehicle Locator
Transit District Hampton Roads $1,000,000 Preventive Maintenance
City of Fredericksburg $118,532 Operating Assistance
City of Danville $699,042 Operating Assistance; Facility Rehab and Misc Equip for Danville
City of Charlottesville $3,661,563 Purchase 4 Hybrid Vehicles; Operating Asst.; Shelters; Amenities; Miscellaneous Equipment
City of Winchester $150,000 Purchase new bus stop signs for fixed-route system and an automatic stop announcement system for fixed-route fleet
Town of Blacksburg $171,748 Operating Assistance for Blacksburg Transit
Greater Lynchburg Transit Company $349,901 Operating Assistance, Benches, Computer Hardware & Software, Signs, Bus Washing Equip
Greater Roanoke Transit Company $1,008,822 Operating Assistance & Misc Capital Projects
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation $4,940,400 Purchase 43 vans, 10 buses and 1 trolley bus and Miscellaneous Equipment for Rural Areas
City of Bristol $106,260 Purchase 1 bus; 1 support vehicle; radios; computers; operating assistance
State Total $12,698,831  

Washington

Washington State DOT $3,242,541 Vessel Preservation activities
State Total $3,242,541  

Wisconsin

Oshkosh Transit System $29,877 Additional funds for the hybrid bus purchase program
Wisconsin DOT/Bureau of Transit $8,830,634 Purchase 4 diesel buses;1 diesel bus; 16 gas buses; 1 diesel replacement bus; 15 replacement vans; 13 replacement sedan/station wagons; passenger bus shelters; bus terminal; engineering/design of admin./maintenance facility; Miscellaneous support equipment
State Total $8,860,511  

West Virginia

West Virginia DOT $4,430,758 Purchase 4 replacement 40ft. buses; 7 vans; 9 support vehicles; shop equip.; facility improvements and operating assistance.
State Total $4,430,758  
Grand Total $604,535,246  

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
March 04, 2010

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Call with Georgian President Saakashvili

The Vice President spoke to President Saakashvili earlier today. The Vice President affirmed U.S. support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He encouraged Georgia’s democratic reform process and the desire for an open, transparent, and free process during Georgia’s upcoming elections. The Vice President thanked President Saakashvili for Georgia’s important contribution to the international mission in Afghanistan.    

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
March 03, 2010

Statement from Vice President Biden on Government Accountability Office's Report on Recovery Act Implementation

“I’m pleased to hear that the Government Accountability Office has found what we have been hearing from people across the country: overall Recovery Act programs and projects are working effectively to create jobs and drive economic growth.  As GAO notes, Recovery Act investments have been critical for preventing massive budget cuts to programs like education and Medicaid, and because we’re delivering on-time – and in many cases under-budget – on Recovery Act projects, we’ve been able to get maximum bang for the employment buck on our infrastructure investments.”

“Both public and private forecasters now say the Recovery Act is already responsible for about 2 million jobs, so it’s clear that our work over the last year is delivering results.  Because the Recovery Act is an unprecedented program, we are constantly looking for ways to improve its implementation and appreciate some of the new recommendations GAO has made today.  As we have with previous reports, we have asked agencies to look at how they can act on the new guidance to sharpen management of the program even further.”

“One year in, there is growing consensus that the Recovery Act has worked to pull us back from the brink of economic disaster and lay a foundation for recovery – we’re pleased to hear today that GAO agrees.”

FACT SHEET
GAO Report Key Findings

Payments Will Shift from Rescue to Rebuild, Best is Yet to Come

GAO: “However, by fiscal year 2012, investments in highways, transit, high-speed rail, and other transportation infrastructure will be the largest share of state and local Recovery Act funding…  Thus, across the years, spending shifts from a primary focus on recovery to a primary focus on reinvestment.”

  • The Administration agrees and expects outlays for projects will double in the first two quarters of this year.  As the weather begins to thaw, thousands of construction projects funded in late 2009 are expected to break ground across the country.  And work is beginning on major project investments like broadband, health IT, smart grid and weatherization that were made last year.

Recovery Funds Helped Fill State Budget Shortfalls, Avoid Dangerous Cuts

GAO: “Given enrollment growth, most states reported that the increased FMAP funds were integral to their efforts to maintain current eligibility levels, benefits and services, and to avoid further program reductions. For example, Georgia reported using these funds to avoid reductions in eligibility and optional benefits, and Colorado reported using the funds to reduce planned cuts to provider payment rates.”

  • Approximately $130 billion in Recovery Act funds have now gone to states to provide budget relief in areas like Medicaid and education to help keep people employed and assist those most in need.  An additional $85 billion in funds have gone to states to administer other programs for a total $215 million to-date that is helping address state budget shortfalls.

Recovery Funds Spent Wisely

GAO: “While many officials noted that they selected projects that could be started quickly, states and transit agencies have used the considerable latitude they have under the existing federal surface transportation structure to address a variety of state and local goals.”

  • More than 55,000 projects across the country have already been funded through the Recovery Act ranging from green building retrofits and highway improvement projects to construction of renewable energy manufacturing facilities and establishment of a nationwide smart energy grid.  It’s clear from GAO’s assessment that the projects selected for Recovery funding are not only meeting immediate infrastructure needs and creating jobs up-front, but laying a new foundation for long-term economic growth.

Cost Savings Lead to Additional Job-Creating Projects

GAO: “Many highway contracts were awarded for less than the original cost estimates. These ‘bid savings’ allowed states to fund more projects with the Recovery Act funding than were initially anticipated.”

  • As GAO notes, Recovery Act cost-savings are always reinvested in additional projects to create even more jobs and drive even more economic growth.  GAO recognizes the Department of Transportation for regularly having projects come in under-budget, but this accomplishment is not limited to transportation projects.  For example, in August, the Department of Homeland Security was able to quickly reallocate $240 million in bid savings on current projects to new in-line baggage screening projects at ten additional airports across the country.

GAO Recognizes Improvements in Recipient Reporting

GAO: “[T]he second round of reporting appears to have gone more smoothly as recipients have become more familiar with the reporting system and requirements. GAO expects that the simplified jobs reporting guidance and reporting system enhancements will ultimately result in improved data quality and reliability.”

  • Because this level of recipient reporting is unprecedented, it is a constantly evolving process and we are pleased to hear that GAO recognizes the progress made with the most recent round of reporting.  We appreciate GAO’s continued input on strengthening the process and agree that both the process and the data quality will become even better with each reporting period.

GAO Recommends Improvements to Agency Implementation of Some Programs

GAO:
“The Secretary of Transportation should gather timely information on the progress states are making in meeting the maintenance-of-effort requirements and report preliminary information to Congress within 60 days of the certified period.”

“[W]e recommend that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development develop a management plan to determine the adequate level of agency staff needed to administer both the Recovery Act funds and the existing Capital Fund program going forward… We recommend that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development instruct housing agencies to discontinue use of the jobs calculator provided by HUD in the first round of recipient reporting for subsequent rounds of reporting to ensure the correct job calculation is used.”

“[W]e recommend that the Secretary of the Department of Education(Education) and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide clarifying guidance to recipients on how to best calculate FTEs for education employees during quarters when school is not in session.”

• The White House has directed agencies to assess GAO’s concerns and consider possible improvements.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
March 01, 2010

Vice President Biden Announces States Meet Deadline to Put 100 Percent of Recovery Act Highway Dollars to Work

States Head Into Spring Construction Season with Over 12,000 Recovery Act Projects Funded, Nearly 7,800 Already Underway

CLERMONT, FL – At a Recovery Act construction site outside Orlando today, Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that every state and the District of Columbia met the March 2 Recovery Act deadline to “obligate” – or commit to specific projects – 100 percent of their highway Recovery funds.  Once funds are obligated to a project, contracts can be bid, workers can be hired, equipment and supplies can be purchased and work can begin on construction projects that create jobs and drive economic growth.  Every state met the target by February 26 and more than 30 of them did so at least a week ahead of schedule, putting a total of $26.6 billion to work on highway projects nationwide.  Vice President Biden and Secretary LaHood were joined at the event by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (FL).

“Construction projects across the country are already creating jobs and upgrading our nation’s infrastructure, but we’re just getting started,” said Vice President Biden.  “Because these projects were funded on-time and, in many cases, under-budget, we’re going to be able to put even more people to work improving our highways just as the spring construction season kicks into high-gear.”

“I’ve been to Recovery projects all across the country, and I always hear the same thing from contractors – this work allows them to keep people working and hire new people, and that’s what it’s all about,” said Secretary LaHood.   “The states have done a great job in getting all these projects out the door, but to create more jobs and continue strengthening the economy, we have more work to do.”

In just one year, funding from the Recovery Act has improved more than 33,000 miles of pavement across the United States.  Of the more than 12,000 highway projects in all 50 states and the District of Columbia funded through the $26.6 billion Recovery Act investment in highway construction, almost 7,800 are underway – and activity on infrastructure projects like these is expected to ramp up even further this spring as the weather thaws and projects obligated over the winter break ground. 

In addition, states around the country routinely received low bids that were 10 to 20 percent - and sometimes as much as 30 percent - below estimates.  These lower than expected bids are allowing states to stretch taxpayer dollars, complete additional projects and create even more American jobs. For instance, last year Alabama used $37 million in ARRA funds to repave a crucial segment of I-59, a savings of 31 percent over the initial project estimate of $53.9 million.  And in Alaska, the Glenn Highway resurfacing project was awarded at nearly 50 percent below the original project estimate. 

The Vice President and Secretary LaHood made the announcement at the State Road 25/U.S. Highway 27 construction site in Clermont, FL, a Recovery project that is currently employing over 50 survey, design and construction workers.  The $20 million project, which will run through December 2011, is expanding nearly four miles of the road from four lanes to six lanes, reducing congestion and improving commute times.  Prince Construction, the contractor for the project, says that the Recovery Act project not only saved the jobs of its own employees, but nearly 60 percent of the funds will go toward hiring subcontractors and buying materials which will help stimulate the economy and put even more Floridians to work.

More than 800 miles of pavement across the state have already been improved thanks to the $1.3 million Recovery Act investment in Florida highway projects.  Of the 588 highway construction projects funded in Florida, 308 of them are already underway. 

"Without Recovery Act money, Florida's economy would certainly be in a much deeper hole," said U.S. Senator Bill Nelson.  "The faster we get going on new roads and high-speed rail, the better."

The one-year milestone comes only two weeks after ground was broken on the Dallas-Fort Worth Connector, the largest investment of ARRA highway funds - $250 million toward the overall $1.02 billion project cost. Several other major Recovery Act-funded projects under construction include:

  • I-4/Selmon Expressway in Tampa. Just today, construction begins on the $653 million I-4/Selmon Expressway Crosstown Connector in Tampa to provide direct access for the more than 12,000 commercial trucks that travel through the downtown to and from the Port of Tampa every day. The new Connector will alleviate congestion and create a quicker and easier way to get around for the city’s 340,000 residents.  The project relies on $105 million in ARRA funding.
  • Nelsonville Bypass in Southeast Ohio.  Ohio is constructing a new, 8.5 mile, four-lane highway to divert freight traffic from US 33, which bottlenecks in the town of Nelsonville. $138 million in Recovery funds are helping fund this final upgrade of the US 33 corridor in southeast Ohio that will take traffic off local roads, which carry 1,700 trucks a day on one of the busiest truck routes in the state. 
  • Merritt Parkway, near Fairfield, Conn. $67 million in ARRA funding is improving safety for the estimated 60,000 drivers who use the Parkway daily by widening shoulders and installing or updating guard rails along 9.3 miles of one of the East Coast’s most congested commuter routes.
  • South Westnedge Avenue Interchange on I-94 near Kalamazoo, Mich. Last fall, ARRA fully funded this $47.7 million project to fully reconstruct the interchange to ease traffic congestion along this key Midwest corridor that serves an estimated 87,000 drivers daily. One more lane will be added in each direction to widen the road from four lanes to six, allowing cars and trucks to move through Kalamazoo more safely and easily.

RECOVERY ACT HIGHWAY PROJECT ACTIVITY BY STATE

State Projects Funded Projects Underway Funds Obligated**
ALABAMA 320 129 $511,924,313
ALASKA 26 13 $170,461,487
ARIZONA 186 161 $520,911,019
ARKANSAS 114 81 $351,544,468
CALIFORNIA 907 438 $2,542,150,125
COLORADO 102 63 $385,324,130
CONNECTICUT 137 37 $299,253,956
DELAWARE 32 27 $121,828,650
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 15 12 $123,507,842
FLORIDA 588 308 $1,345,151,413
GEORGIA 361 150 $901,585,680
HAWAII 23 13 $125,746,380
IDAHO 74 63 $178,878,631
ILLINOIS 747 505 $935,592,704
INDIANA 1087 818 $657,727,707
IOWA 233 213 $357,623,007
KANSAS 144 63 $347,817,167
KENTUCKY 107 36 $420,139,347
LOUISIANA 108 51 $429,859,427
MAINE 72 72 $130,752,032
MARYLAND 169 98 $413,934,777
MASSACHUSETTS 84 40 $378,205,755
MICHIGAN 716 462 $846,598,715
MINNESOTA 204 147 $505,264,177
MISSISSIPPI 169 68 $354,564,343
MISSOURI 328 200 $637,121,984
MONTANA 82 67 $211,793,391
NEBRASKA 121 64 $231,739,279
NEVADA 69 18 $201,352,460
NEW HAMPSHIRE 34 29 $129,440,556
NEW JERSEY 161 46 $651,774,480
NEW MEXICO 92 35 $252,644,377
NEW YORK 442 326 $943,968,723
NORTH CAROLINA 381 304 $730,409,684
NORTH DAKOTA 162 118 $167,146,497
OHIO 388 209 $918,827,030
OKLAHOMA 275 178 $464,655,225
OREGON 315 245 $271,625,676
PENNSYLVANIA 303 279 $1,027,679,012
RHODE ISLAND 63 59 $137,095,725
SOUTH CAROLINA 173 105 $463,081,483
SOUTH DAKOTA 51 33 $186,877,359
TENNESSEE 316 288 $572,201,043
TEXAS 450 320 $2,233,015,146
UTAH 114 97 $213,545,653
VERMONT 70 42 $125,791,291
VIRGINIA 136 22 $646,030,364
WASHINGTON 212 171 $491,589,894
WEST VIRGINIA 145 105 $210,852,204
WISCONSIN 398 308 $529,111,915
WYOMING 65 60 $157,616,058
TOTAL 12,071 7,796 $26,163,333,761

**The $26.1 billion reflects the amount obligated by states prior to funds transferred to other DOT agencies.  The full amount states obligated was $26.6 billion.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
February 26, 2010

Vice President Biden Issues Middle Class Task Force Annual Report

Announces New Department of Labor Regulations to Protect Workers’ Retirement Savings

WASHINGTON, DC - Vice President Joe Biden, Chair of the White House Task Force on the Middle Class, today released the Middle Class Task Force’s Annual Report, which lays out a series of policy recommendations designed to tackle the challenges facing America’s middle class.  The Vice President was joined at this event by Director of the Office of Management and Budget Peter Orszag, Deputy Secretary of Labor Seth Harris, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Melody Barnes, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors Christina Romer, and Director of the National Economic Council Lawrence Summers. The Vice President delivered this report to the President earlier today.

The report brings together the work the Task Force has done over the past year; examines the state of the American middle class; and discusses steps that the Administration is taking to address the challenges facing middle class families across the country.

“The goal of this Task Force has been clear from the start - to make sure the middle class emerges from this recession able to grow stronger and more secure than before it began,” said Vice President Biden. “We’ve spent the past year traveling the country talking about the economic challenges facing the middle class. As a result, the initiatives we lay out in this report offer specific solutions to improve the quality-of-life for middle class families everywhere.”

Most importantly, the report offers a set of proposals targeted directly at the issues that are critical to the aspirations and everyday lives of middle class families, many of which are prominently featured in the President’s FY 2011 Budget. 

Some of these key FY 2011 Budget proposals supported by the Task Force include:

  • Helping Families with Soaring Child Care Costs. Parents are working harder but with less to show for it after paying for child care, which keeps getting more expensive. The Budget nearly doubles the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for middle-class families making under $85,000 a year, and nearly every family that makes under $115,000 will see its credit increase.  The Budget also provides a $1.6 billion increase in funding for the Child Care and Development Fund, which will fund services for approximately 235,000 children and improve quality.
  • Supporting Families Caring for Seniors and People with Disabilities. The Budget boosts funding for programs that support caregivers and allow seniors to live in the community for as long as possible.
  • Capping Student Loan Payments.  The Budget strengthens the Income-Based Repayment plan for student loans by limiting a borrower’s payments to 10 percent of his or her income above a basic living allowance and by forgiving all remaining debt after 10 years of payments for those in public service work and after 20 years for all others.
  • Enhancing Retirement Security.  The Administration will require most employers who do not currently offer a retirement plan to enroll their employees in a payroll-deduction IRA unless the employee opts out.  The Budget also simplifies and expands the Saver’s Credit to provide a 50 percent match on the first $1,000 of retirement savings for families earning up to $65,000 and providing a partial credit to families up to $85,000. We will also make this credit fully refundable.

The full Task Force Annual Report includes a more comprehensive discussion of the Administration’s proposals to help middle-class families. To read the Annual Report, please click HERE.

Since the release of the Budget, leading policy experts and advocates, many of whom have studied the issues facing the middle class for decades, have expressed support for the Task Force’s policy proposals. The Task Force received letters from organizations across the country backing the proposals to reduce student loan payments, help families with child care costs, enhance retirement security, and support family caregivers. To view a sampling of these letters, please click HERE.

Also at today’s event, the Vice President announced that the Department of Labor is proposing new protections for workers with 401(k)s and IRAs.  These new protections are an important step in the Administration’s efforts to make the retirement system more secure for middle class workers and families. The regulations will protect workers from conflicts of interest and expand the opportunities for employers to offer workers the expert investment advice they need to make the best possible decisions about how to save their hard-earned wages. 

“A secure retirement is essential to workers and the nation’s economy. Along with Social Security and personal savings, secure retirement allows Americans to remain in the middle class when their working days are done.  And, the money in the retirement system brings tremendous pools of investment capital, creating jobs and expanding our economy,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Seth Harris. “These rules will strengthen America’s private retirement system by ensuring workers get good, objective information. When that happens, workers make the kind of decisions that are good for their families and the nation as the whole.”   

About the Middle Class Task Force: The Task Force, Chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, includes top-level Administration agencies and councils whose policies and programs touch on many of the key issues facing middle-class families, including the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Energy, the Treasury, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Agriculture, as well as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Directors of the National Economic Council, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Domestic Policy Council, and the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers.

To read learn more about the Middle Class Task Force initiatives, please visit: www.WhiteHouse.Gov/AStrongMiddleClass.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
February 24, 2010

Statement by Senior Advisor for Recovery Act Implementation Ed DeSeve on Recipient Reporting Compliance

“In the fourth quarter of 2009, over 98 percent of Recovery Act recipients that were required to file reports on their spending did so.  This was a 76 percent reduction in non-filers from the previous quarter and is due, in larger part, to efforts Federal agencies have undertaken since then to eliminate cases of non-filing.  We have now delivered to the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board a list of those less than 2 percent of recipients who failed to file in the fourth quarter.  While we are pleased with the increased compliance, we are continuing to work with Federal agencies to reach 100 percent participation and have asked both Federal agencies and the Recovery Board to develop penalties for those who don’t comply.”

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
February 23, 2010

Vice President Biden Hosts Conference Call with Mayors and County Officials to Discuss Recovery Act Implementation

Earlier today, the Vice President hosted a conference call with Mayors and a county official from across the country to discuss implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The following officials participated:

  • Mayor Ron V. Dellums (D-Oakland, CA)
  • Mayor Bob Foster (D-Long Beach, CA)
  • Mayor Tom Martin (R-Lubbock, TX)
  • Mayor Raul G. Salinas (D-Laredo, TX)
  • County Commissioner David Ferdinand (R-Canyon County, ID)

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
February 23, 2010

Readout of the Vice President's Call with the U.N. Secretary General's Special Representative for Iraq, AD Melkert

Today, Vice President Biden called Ad Melkert, the Special Representative to the U.N. Secretary General for Iraq, to discuss preparations for Iraq’s March 7th elections. They agreed on the importance of broad participation in these elections by all Iraqi parties and voters, including Iraqis living abroad; and discussed the need for a timely and inclusive process of government formation following the vote.