Expressing Concern to U.S. DOT Officials About MATA's Financial Situation and Ongoing Mission
Dear Friend, This week, I wrote to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and senior federal transit officials about my concern for the Memphis Area Transit Authority’s (MATA’s) financial situation and service cuts, and I sought assistance to allow the agency to continue fulfilling critical transportation needs for its riders. I also praised the Biden-Harris response to Hurricane Helene and its aftermath and questioned the partisan motives of those who have falsely claimed the efforts have been ineffective or untimely; reintroduced the Fresh Food Act with Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia; announced an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant for air quality monitors for South Memphis; wrote an opinion column about the impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in Memphis; announced a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement for damage done to MLGW power distribution by July 2023 severe storms; welcomed a Department of Justice grant to the Shelby County Office of Re-Entry; provided details on labor leader Bill Lucy’s homegoing service on October 16; invited constituents to sign up for my grants e-newsletters; and offered a health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter (X), Facebook, and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Expressing Concern to U.S. DOT Officials About MATA’s Financial Situation and Ongoing Mission Praising Biden-Harris Response to Hurricane Helene Devastation and Condemning Partisan Sniping Introducing the Fresh Food Act with Senator Ossoff of Georgia Announcing EPA Grant for Enhanced Air Monitoring in South Memphis Showcasing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Impact on Memphis Announcing $11.4 Million FEMA Funding for MLGW Welcoming Justice Department Re-Entry Housing Assistance Grant Providing Details on Bill Lucy’s Homegoing Service Signing Up for Grants e-Newsletters Expressing Concern to U.S. DOT Officials About MATA’s Financial Situation and Ongoing Mission On Wednesday, I wrote to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and senior federal transit officials about the Memphis Area Transit Authority’s (MATA’s) serious financial situation and its impact on ongoing operations and the needs of transit riders. The operational and fiscal crisis MATA faces, including a $60 million deficit in the prior fiscal year and persistent deficits over several years, paints a troubling picture of an underfunded and overstretched transit system. I am seeking assistance for MATA and other transit systems in similar financial binds. See my release and the letter here. Praising Biden-Harris Response to Hurricane Helene Devastation and Condemning Partisan Sniping I have joined my Republican Congressional colleagues from Tennessee in requesting federal disaster assistance to address the devastation of Hurricane Helene and assist in the recovery of those affected, and I commend the Biden-Harris Administration for an extremely rapid response. I took the opportunity on Tuesday to condemn those who are making baseless criticism of the effort and called for unity in the face of a natural disaster. Those who want to make false accusations and offer partisan carping instead of constructive help, like former President Trump, are widely recognized as contributing to the problem. See my statement here. Introducing the Fresh Food Act with Senator Ossoff of Georgia Today I plan to reintroduce the Fresh Food Act that Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia introduced in the Senate last week. The measure would increase the rehabilitation tax credit for establishing supermarkets in urban and rural food deserts and increase the work opportunity tax credit for these supermarkets to hire local residents, veterans, disadvantaged youth and other workers facing barriers to employment. The bill would also create a tax credit for sales of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, and meat. The Fresh Food Act has the support of food justice and anti-hunger organizations. Announcing EPA Grant for Enhanced Air Monitoring in South Memphis On Tuesday, I announced a $411,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to Shelby County to establish 27 carbon monoxide monitors at five sites in South Memphis. See my release here. Showcasing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Impact on Tennessee Also on Tuesday, several news organizations including The Commercial Appeal published an opinion column I wrote calling attention to the many ways the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I alone among the current Tennessee Congressional delegation voted for, is helping transform our region. I mentioned in the article the $393.7 million invested to replace the Interstate 55 bridge over the Mississippi River, the largest federal investment in our region ever, but also a variety of projects, large and small, throughout Memphis. See the article here. Announcing $11.4 Million FEMA Funding for MLGW On Thursday, I announced that Memphis Gas, Light, and Water will receive $11,423,844 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the permanent repair of the electrical distribution system damaged by the straight-line wind storms of July 18-21, 2023. See that release here. Welcoming Justice Department Re-Entry Housing Assistance Grant The U.S. Department of Justice this week awarded a nearly $1 million grant to the Shelby County Office of Re-Entry for housing and job-placement assistance. I am a longtime advocate of these programs and recently visited a re-entry program house in Frayser. See my release here. Providing Details on Bill Lucy’s Homegoing Service As I mentioned last week, Bill Lucy, a monumental figure in labor and civil rights history and a leader in the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike, passed on September 25 at the age of 90. I placed a memorial statement in the Congressional Record this week. I felt it might be helpful for his friends and admirers who receive this newsletter to know that his homegoing will be held on October 16 at Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Washington, D.C., with the Reverend William Lamar IV officiating and the Reverend William Barber delivering the eulogy. It will also be livestreamed. Well-wishers can send messages of condolence to the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists’ special website, Lucy90.com. Letters of condolence can be sent to the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, 1155 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20036, and they will be delivered to his family. Signing Up for Grants e-Newsletters Each week, I send out targeted newsletters to constituents who request them to share information about federal grants they might be eligible to apply for and what business services or supply opportunities are being solicited by federal agencies. In order to begin receiving this information, please go to https://cohen.house.gov/grantsenewsletter and fill out the form. For more information about qualifications, how to apply, and other resources, please visit my website here: https://cohen.house.gov/services/resources/grants. For any additional inquiries, you may call my district office at 901-544-4131, or my Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-3265. Recent studies indicate more children 3 to 17 are being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but that nearly one-third of them are not receiving ADHD-specific treatment. See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on the condition, and its possible treatment, here. Also, free Covid tests are still available. Please see details on how to order four tests per household at CovidTests.gov. “I have always admired President Carter for many things. His accomplishments in the White House, his incredible impact since leaving office, and his fundamental decency. Jimmy, thank you for your friendship, your example, and for always finding new ways to remind us that we are all created in God’s image.” – Former President Barack Obama’s 100th birthday message to Jimmy Carter As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |