U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Statement on Appropriations Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) voted to pass the final Fiscal Year 2025 "minibus" appropriations bill, a package of 3 funding bills that will help address higher energy costs and build stronger and safer communities.

"It's heartening to see Democrats and Republicans come together to reject the harmful budget cuts proposed by the Trump Administration. Democrats also forced Republicans to strip many harmful policies from the funding bills and put guardrails on some of the worst tangents of the President. In the end, the appropriations package is good news for working families, seniors, students, Veterans, military families, and the economic engines of the Tampa Bay area.

"For example, the funding package rejects Trump's proposed cuts to lifesaving medical research that benefits patients, the Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida and local researchers. The package also rejects proposals to cut funding for K-12 education, including students in Hillsborough and Pinellas Public Schools. The package provides critical resources to modernize air traffic control facilities, hire thousands of new air traffic controllers, and keep our skies safe. And it fully delivers the 3.8 percent pay raise our service members have earned, honoring their sacrifice and ensuring military families can better keep up with rising costs."

"A significant number of Tampa Bay area community priority projects I championed are funded to support housing, transit, schools and neighborhoods across the Bay area. These investments will lower the cost of living, boost opportunities through skills training, create jobs, support Veterans, and address housing affordability.

"I'm grateful to my Democratic colleagues for standing strong to reject extreme cuts pushed by MAGA Republicans following shutdowns, showdowns and continuing resolutions."

The package now goes to the Senate for action next week and then to the President's desk.

Castor's previous Community Funding Projects have secured billions of dollars in investments in the Tampa Bay area for projects ranging from transportation and infrastructure to affordable housing to education and research.

Castor Community Funding Projects

Ed White Senior Housing Redevelopment - Housing Authority of the City of St. Petersburg - $3,150,000

This funding would be for the conversion of a former hospital into 71 units of affordable housing for low-income elderly residents with supportive services on site and clean, efficient energy upgrades.

Ferry Dock at the St. Pete Pier - Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority - $850,000

This funding would be used to construct a permanent ferry dock to be used by the ferry service to connect two major cities through efficient public transit, spur economic development, increase tourism opportunities, and reduce local congestion.

HCPS Family Community Center - Hillsborough County Public Schools - $2,000,000

This funding would be used to support the physical expansion of an integral support center for students and families in Hillsborough County to allow for more tutoring services and digital literacy activities for families.

Robles Park Village Critical Infrastructure - Housing Authority of the City of Tampa - $1,200,000

This funding would be used to support critical infrastructure for the new Robles Park Village Redevelopment, which will increase affordable housing, generate employment opportunities, and connect residents to community services.

Castor has secured significant federal investments in the Robles Park redevelopment, including $4,000,000 for an innovative Smart HUB and funding to support critical infrastructure, through previous Community Funding Requests and federal grants.

88th Avenue North Storm Drainage Improvements - City of St. Petersburg - $1,145,144

This funding would be used to alleviate flooding, bolster stormwater system capacity, and reduce risk to property damage in an area impacted by frequent heavy rain events.

Chamberlain High School Technical Training Center - Hillsborough County Public Schools - $250,000

This funding would be used to expand academic and workforce opportunities for high school students to meet Tampa Bay's growing economy and allow students to gain hands-on experience and industry-recognized skills.

Hillsborough Community College Artificial Intelligence Center - Hillsborough Community College - $250,000

This funding would be used to establish a high-tech Artificial Intelligence Center to provide a critical career pipeline to in-demand jobs, strengthen American competitiveness, and support a local community college as an economic engine.

MLK Street South Flooding Alleviation - City of St. Petersburg - $1,145,144

This funding would be used to elevate and improve MLK Street South from 30th Avenue South to 36th Avenue South to address persistent flooding events in a major thoroughfare in South St. Petersburg.

San Martin Boulevard Bridge Replacement - Pinellas County - $850,000

The funding would be used for the replacement of the San Martin Boulevard Bridge, improving connectivity for St. Petersburg residents, rehabilitating an important hurricane evacuation route, and providing the final link of the 75-mile Pinellas Trail loop for pedestrian and bicycle access.

SMART Tech Industry 4.0 Lab - St. Petersburg College - $850,000

This funding would be used to create a lab to provide training and education for today's high-tech manufacturing workforce in South St. Petersburg, improving the pipeline for jobs in the semiconductor, mechatronics, automation, and robotics industries.

USF Veteran Workforce Support Center - University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus - $3,000,000

The funding would be used to support a clean and efficient energy remodel of an aging, hurricane-damaged facility to expand resources, career counseling, and workforce training to student veterans and military-connected students.

West River Walk Expansion - City of Tampa - $250,000

This funding would be used to complete the 12.2-mile pedestrian and bicycle path along the Hillsborough River, expanding safe mobility options between jobs, schools, and homes while restoring the native shoreline.

Castor has championed the Riverwalk for nearly two decades-leading with $300,000 in community funding in 2007 and later securing $11 million in federal grants in 2012 and $24 million in 2020.