Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has secured funding for several Idaho projects in the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill FY09. 

“In Idaho there are many programs that really make a difference, and I’m happy to help support them,” said Simpson. “We must fund education programs if we are going to continue to be the world leader. This bill contains funding for our nation’s education programs and health care services that will help lead to a better way of life and a more prosperous future.”

Boise/Treasure Valley Programs in the House bill include:

· The Discovery Center of Idaho Expansion; Discovery Center of Idaho to create a new model of "hands-on" science center and develop a new approach to bridging the gap in science and technology education particularly for the underserved. ($300,000)

· Children’s Health Services Expansion; St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, Ltd. to complete the dedicated pediatric surgical suites and support areas for the nearly 3000 pediatric surgeries performed at St. Luke's each year. ($300,000)

· Life’s Kitchen:  Culinary Training for At-Risk Youth to become active members of society at the same time teaching life skills, giving kids a second chance at life. ($150,000)

· Idaho SySTEMic Solution: Plant Early for STEM Learning (science, technology, engineering, & math); Boise State University is a nationally relevant, hands-on, project-based STEM learning system (science, technology, engineering, & math) designed to spur achievement and confidence among elementary-age learners and their teachers. ($200,000)

CSI/Magic Valley:

· College of Southern Idaho Pro-Tech Program will provide funding to develop curriculum, implement new post-secondary educational-technical training degrees and programs in the fields of hi-tech manufacturing and engineering. ($300,000)

ISU/Idaho Falls/Upper Valley:

· ARTKade; would stimulate and re-awaken young people's interest in the visual arts by using interactive learning, computer technology and hands on festival style art projects to capture their imaginations and redirect them to art education. ($300,000)

· Idaho Oral Health Institute; Idaho State University to provide a center for oral health education, research, and clinical practice in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. ($350,000)

· Construction/Renovation Project at Madison County Memorial Hospital; Madison County Memorial Hospital to provide funding to expand the inpatient and outpatient surgeries at the hospital. ($400,000)

National Programs in the House bill include:

· Pell Grants: Provides $17.3 billion to help more than 5.7 million low- and middle-income students gain access to a higher education, an increase of 24,000 students over fiscal year 2008. 

· Title I Grants for Low-Income Students: Provides $15 billion to help support schools in high-poverty areas that have been identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring for failing to meet NCLB standards.

· Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Grants:  Provides $11.6 billion in grants to help States and localities pay for the rising costs of special education for 6.8 million children with disabilities.

· TRIO :  Includes $868 million to provide TRIO provide effective outreach and support services that encourage low-income, potential first-generation college students to enter and complete college. Under the bill, over 800,000 students will benefit in fiscal year 2009.

· Rural Health: Includes $293 million for rural health care programs. These programs support more than 1,200 small, at-risk rural hospitals, create health care networks for more than 775,000 rural residents in underserved communities, providing access to emergency defibrillation devices, and support rural health research centers and State rural health offices.

· Dental Health:  Provides $15 million within the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) block grant and the allied health program. These grants will expand access to oral health services by encouraging more dentists to practice in shortage areas, expanding or establishing dental health services in community-based facilities, expanding dental residency programs, and creating integrated Statewide dental programs. 

This bill was marked up in the House Labor Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee last Thursday and sent to the full House Appropriations Committee today.  Due to a disagreement over the FY09 Interior Appropriations bill, consideration of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill has been postponed to a later date.