If you’ve sat in traffic on the 10, the 15, or the 215, you know the dire need for increased infrastructure funding for the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley. Our current representative, Ken Calvert, voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill that will provide millions of dollars for local transportation and infrastructure projects, such as the I-15 corridor project in Corona and the $12 million needed to widen Bundy Road in Menifee. He also voted against the American Rescue Plan, which yielded Riverside County with nearly $480 million in funding for economic recovery, infrastructure and aid for local governments’ COVID recovery needs.
Our communities deserve a fair share of federal support to fully fund the transportation and water infrastructure projects we need for efficient travel, business growth, and clean and reliable water. Unlike Ken Calvert, I would have proudly supported the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the American Rescue Plan. Fortunately, these bills passed Congress and were signed by President Biden and are already bringing valuable funding to our District, such as:
- $60 million to the Coachella Valley Water District for irrigation canal improvements – a project that will help our local farmers;
- $29 million to Corona, $15 million to Lake Elsinore, $13 million to Menifee, $11 million to Palm Springs; and $10 million to Palm Desert for city priorities in economic recovery, infrastructure, housing, and COVID relief; and
- $17 million to the Palm Springs International Airport for improvements to support growth in air travel for our region.
It’s time to send someone to Congress who will vote in our best interests and not play party politics with our tax dollars.
Will Rollins is endorsed by the Communication Workers of America; SW Regional Carpenters; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 400; International Union of Operating Engineers – Local 12; and Association of Flight Attendants.
