Fighting for Jobs Today and Jobs Tomorrow

Senator Mikulski has fought hard for Western Maryland's economy:

• Assisted in efforts to bring technology jobs to the region by supporting grants for the Garrett Enterprise Information Center.

• Sponsored two seminars for small business owners on Small Business Administration's HUBZone Legislation.

• Funded the Hagerstown Telecommuting Center, which brought jobs to Hagerstown and saved workers from long commutes.

• Fought to bring new jobs to the region and protect existing jobs:

  • Worked to protect 1,300 CSX workers in Cumberland during the Conrail break-up.

  • Fought for a new federal prison that provides jobs for the entire region.
    

  • Secured funding for an industrial park in Allegany County to create over 200 jobs.

• Secured a job training grant for Hagerstown Junior College.

Keeping Western Maryland on the Move

Senator Mikulski works to keep Western Maryland on the move.

• Supported efforts to have the National Road declared an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration.

• Fought for funding for upgrade Western Maryland roads, including US-220, and interchanges at I-70/270 and I-81 and Halfway Blvd.

• Supported the rebuilding and upgrading of I 68 and its designation as a federal highway.
  

• Supported grant requests for expansion of Hagerstown Regional Airport.

• Secured funds to expand bus service in Hagerstown.

Improving Rural Health Care

Senator Mikulski works for Western Maryland's health care needs:

• Sponsored the Nurse Reinvestment Act of 2002 to help end the nursing shortage. Signed into law in July 2002, this legislation gives scholarships to nursing students in return for two years service in an underserved health care facility.

• Worked to bring two VA Clinics to Western Maryland that serve 15,000 veterans and continues to fight to secure funds for their operation.

• Funded Area Health Education Centers (AHECS) to increase access to health care services in rural areas.

Supporting Western Maryland Communities

Senator Mikulski works hard for strong and safe communities:

• Secured federal funding to expand the Grantsville Library.

• Helped put 67 new police officers on the beat in Western Maryland since 1994 through the federal Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) program.

• Fighting for full federal funding of special education. The federal government is supposed to pay 40% of special education costs, but currently is only paying 10% on average in Maryland. This forces counties to pay the bulk of special education costs.

• Working with state officials to set up a task force to deal with combined sewer overflow problems and sewer upgrades in Allegany County.

• Protecting area National Guard units from cutbacks.

• Supporting home loans, senior housing, day care and Head Start throughout Western Maryland.

Supporting Local Farmers

Senator Mikulski has fought to help Western Maryland farmers: