Kathy Castor RSS Articles

Castor Announces Grant for USF Upward Bound

Tue, 08 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today that the University of South Florida’s Upward Bound initiative has won a federal grant of nearly $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Education. Upward Bound at USF helps high school students prepare for the rigors of a college education and successful careers.

“Upward Bound at USF provides an intensive college readiness session for high school students every year,” Castor said. “The skills students learn by participating in Upward Bound help them understand higher education opportunities and become top-notch students. Without Upward Bound, too many of our students would fall through the cracks. This initiative is a lifesaver for students, helping them prepare for college and ultimately, their careers.”

The goal of Upward Bound is to give students the skills and motivation they need to complete high school and college. Participants must be potential first-generation college students or students from low-income families. Dr. Sharman McRae and USF educators have revamped Upward Bound to ensure that students understand the opportunities in science, technology, engineering, math and health sciences.

“The grant is giving our students the opportunity to explore various careers,” said McRae, program director at USF. “We’re going to be giving them hands-on experiences. They will have better knowledge of what fields they want to go into.”

According to USF, more than 99 percent of students who complete USF’s Upward Bound graduate from high school, and more than 99 percent of students who complete USF Upward Bound are accepted into college. During the past two years, more than 85 percent of USF Upward Bound graduates attending college remained in college the following year.

“Students who earn college degrees tend to make more money than those who do not. That benefits not only the individual student but the overall economy and our community,” Castor said.

USF’s Upward Bound initiative was established in 1965. Castor has been a strong supporter of Upward Bound and works every year to ensure the initiative is funded. In 2007, when the Bush Administration cut funding for Upward Bound at several Florida universities, Castor fought to keep funding intact.

Castor marks two year anniversary of BP Oil Disaster

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

On the second anniversary of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, Congresswoman Kathy Castor is renewing her call for the Justice Department to enter a legal settlement with the oil company that would put the environmental and economic needs of the Gulf Coast at the forefront. Castor has been advocating for 80 percent of the federal Clean Water Act settlement proceeds to be directed toward the Gulf of Mexico. Castor serves as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Gulf Coast Caucus.

“Two years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster devastated the Gulf of Mexico, the work to repair the Gulf of Mexico is not done,” Castor said. “While some restoration efforts have begun, a comprehensive Gulf recovery plan pursuant to legislation has stalled. Legislation to devote 80 percent of the BP fines and penalties under the Clean Water Act is mired in politics, and it appears more likely that the Justice Department and BP will devise a settlement that will guide the terms of Gulf recovery. I urge them to do so expeditiously as the long-term health of one of America’s greatest ecosystems and economies is at risk.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dramatically improve the environmental and economic vitality of the Gulf of Mexico and related communities and businesses,” Castor said. “The Gulf of Mexico supports millions of jobs in the tourism, fishing, recreation and wildlife industries. All of these jobs rely upon a healthy and resilient Gulf of Mexico.”

The University of South Florida has been at the forefront of Gulf research and recognizes the need for more research dollars.

“Sampling after the fact of the Deepwater Horizon spill revealed a significantly degraded marine environment in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Steven A. Murawski, professor of biological oceanography and the former director of scientific programs and chief science adviser for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service. “Attributing that degradation to its source and revitalizing the Gulf requires a sustained, robust scientific monitoring program that allows us to periodically evaluate the condition of the Gulf and take necessary management measures to improve the health of the ecosystem. The health of the Gulf of Mexico marine ecosystem is influenced by a host of stresses including nutrient inputs, ongoing loss of marsh and mangrove habitats, pollution from oil and gas exploration and production – including the Deepwater Horizon event - and commercial and recreational fishing. In order to restore the health of the Gulf and maintain its bounty we desperately need a sustained, robust environmental monitoring program, which largely does not exist today.”

In her letter (attached), Castor outlined the following recommendations to include in a settlement agreement:

· Endowment for Gulf of Mexico long-term scientific research and Gulf of Mexico Centers for Excellence

· Gulf of Mexico Observation System to monitor the Gulf similar to ocean observing systems across the U.S. and its waters

· Boost Gulf fisheries sustainability, monitoring and research

· Independent Sea Grant program to fund restoration projects carried out by sea grant colleges and universities

· Gulf of Mexico Seafood Marketing Program to promote the Gulf seafood that accounts for one quarter of the nation’s seafood catch

· Boost Gulf of Mexico National Estuary Programs

· Ensure natural resource damage assessment money and programs are not duplicated

A thoughtful settlement could provide an opportunity for improvement over legislative plans, like the imperfect RESTORE Act. For example, the vast nature of the Gulf and its communities and the need for long-term investment could result in more than 80 percent of the fines and penalties under the Clean Water Act being directed to Gulf restoration.

Click here to read the letter

Castor criticizes Republican proposal to cut education investments

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

At Hillsborough Community College today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor criticized the cuts to Pell Grants, work-study and other education investments under the Republican budget passed by the U.S. House. Castor, HCC President Ken Atwater and an HCC student explained the devastating impact of harsh Republican cuts to students, schools and colleges.

“Reductions in student aid, work study, and our public schools will do damage to the economic recovery and efforts to rebuild the middle class,” Castor said. “The harsh cuts are piled on top of cuts at the state level by Gov. Rick Scott and the GOP-controlled legislature. Tampa Bay is an "education community". When the GOP targets students and schools, they hurt our entire community.

Castor fought to increase the amount of the Pell Grant in recent years, and the Republican budget would unravel that progress. Pell Grants, Castor said, are a “lifeline” for our students.

“In targeting students, the GOP House will hurt the ability of thousands of students across the country to attend college, graduate and obtain a good job,” Castor said.

Estimates show that the Republican budget would have a severe impact on Florida students, with thousands of work-study opportunities eliminated and hundreds of millions of dollars of cuts to elementary and secondary education.

Angel Anchundia, an HCC student who wants to become a doctor, said he relies on the Pell Grant and his work-study job in the financial aid office.

“Without the Pell Grant, I would not be in school right now,” Angel said. “This Pell Grant has helped me tremendously. Without this Pell Grant, we wouldn’t be achieving our goals.”

Dr. Ken Atwater said approximately 18,000 HCC students are receiving some sort of financial assistance and cuts would preclude many students from being able to attend community college.

“Aid is a gateway for a majority of our students,” Atwater said. “Any reduction in aid closes the door for them, and we don’t want to close the door for them.”

President Obama Visit to Tampa Showcases Importance of Port to Our Economy

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

President Obama’s trip to Tampa tomorrow highlights the importance of the Port of Tampa in our community, our commitment to creating jobs, our local small businesses tied to international trade, and the vital role travel and tourism play in our economy, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said.

“The Port of Tampa supports thousands and thousands of jobs in our region,” Castor said. “Since taking office in 2009, President Obama has been focused on job creation, and we have worked to boost the economic recovery and bolster the port with investments in infrastructure, business opportunities and good policy decisions. We have had some great success stories in the Tampa area, and the President’s visit underscores the importance of a continued focus on new jobs and growing businesses.”

Many businesses throughout the Tampa Bay area have benefitted from investments and business opportunities, and representatives from several of these companies will be among Castor’s guests at tomorrow’s event.

“We’re very happy the President is here in Tampa Bay,” said Philip K. Bell, director of external communications and public affairs at Gerdau, a Brazilian steel company whose North American offices are in Tampa. “International trade has become an increasingly important component of our business. Our proximity to the Panama Canal and the goods and equipment that are brought in to the Port of Tampa are very important to the local economy and our business. The importance of infrastructure is underscored by projects such as the I-4 connector, one of the largest infrastructure projects in the state. Our company’s steel is being used in the project, which will promote growth in the region.”

Castor successfully advocated for significant small shipyard grants at the Port. She also has helped direct money to the Port for dredging, which leads to increased trade capacity. Castor also successfully pushed for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money to be directed to the Crosstown Connector project. The Crosstown Connector links the Port to Interstate-4 and is one of the largest Recovery Act projects in the country.

“The Crosstown Connector project is creating jobs and will lead to businesses being more productive because they won’t have to fight traffic congestion on the way from the Interstate to the Port,” Castor said.

Castor also has been a strong supporter of trade and tourism issues relating to Brazil due to the growing economic power of Brazilian visitors to Florida and business investments. Not only is Brazil one of the Port of Tampa’s main trading partners, but Brazilians are frequent visitors and account for a large amount of the local tourism. Castor supports supporting the inclusion of Brazil into the Visa Waiver Program, which would encourage more tourism from those countries.

“Many companies in our community are successful because of growing international trade, infrastructure investments, and travel and tourism,” Castor said. “We are working to make sure even more businesses can benefit from a thriving Port. Expanded trade opportunities would be a boon.”

“At Busch Gardens we know that travel and tourism equals jobs,” said Jim Atchison, SeaWorld Parks president and chief executive. “Tourists come from all over the world to visit our parks. Brazilian tourists in particular are visiting more, staying in our hotels and spending money in our communities. Making it easier for tourists to visit here is important. To accommodate more visitors from Brazil in a more timely and less expensive manner, we would like to see the United States government reduce visa interview times. We hope to see this goal accomplished with the opening of additional consular offices, hiring of more consular staff and other improvements in visa processing efficiencies.”

Every $1 invested in seaports has a $6.90 impact on the state’s economy, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

“To boost our economic recovery and create jobs, we must play to our strengths,” Castor said. “Supporting our port and the companies – large and small – that do business at the port is a surefire way to create jobs and put our economy back on track.”

Castor, AARP Highlight Problems with Proposed GOP Budget on Medicare, Medicaid

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and the AARP highlighted the harsh and negative impacts of the proposed privatization of Medicare and enormous rollbacks of nursing home and home-based care today at the Busansky Senior Center in Tampa. Castor and Jack McRay, state advocacy manager of AARP, noted the severe impact of the GOP plan on the Tampa Bay area and Florida families.

“The GOP plan that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week breaks the promise of Medicare and exacts massive cuts to elder initiatives for home-based care and nursing care,” Castor said. “Families across our community would struggle to remain in the middle class as thousands of dollars in costs would be shifted to our older neighbors and to families. This is a recipe for disaster.”

Last week, the U.S. House approved the Republican budget. The GOP House budget establishes the parameters for the specific appropriations bills for FY2013 that will be debated in the coming months.

The budget dismantles Medicare as we know it, shifts substantial costs to seniors and slashes current benefits. The House Republican budget sets up a voucher framework under which seniors would face higher premiums and fewer benefits. At the same time, the GOP budget protects millionaires and corporate tax loopholes and subsidies, including those to oil companies.

“The Republican budget breaks the fundamental promise this country has made to generations of Americans,” Castor said. “The promise is that if you work hard and pay into Medicare, it will be there for you in your retirement and allow you to live your retirement years in dignity. The Republican budget breaks this promise and will put Floridians at risk of falling out of the middle class.

“Medicare is a pillar of retirement security that keeps older Americans out of poverty,” Castor continued. “A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, cancer or other diseases can bankrupt a family. Medicare, if left intact, ensures that families remain free from economic ruin.”

The budget plan also cuts Medicaid, which many of our older neighbors and their families rely upon for long-term care in nursing homes. The proposal would raise the cost of nursing home care for millions of families, reduce the quality of nursing home care and slash support to help the disabled lead productive, independent lives.

Jack McRay of AARP said his organization has “grave concerns” about the Republican Medicare and Medicaid plans. Money will be taken from the pockets of seniors, he said. “People worked all their lives with the understanding Medicare would be there,” McRay said. “This program suggested in the House is absolutely headed in the wrong direction.”

Castor Criticizes House Republican Changes to Medicare

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor criticized the proposed House Republican budget today because of the dangerous repercussions it would have on older Americans and middle-class families. The budget, which is slated for a House vote this afternoon, would dismantle Medicare as we know it, shift substantial costs to seniors and slash current benefits.

“The Republican budget breaks the fundamental promise this country has made to generations of Americans,” Castor said. “The promise is that if you work hard and pay into Medicare, it will be there for you in your retirement and allow you to live your retirement years in dignity. The Republican budget breaks this promise.”

The House Republican budget sets up a voucher framework under which seniors would face higher premiums and fewer benefits. At the same time, the budget protects millionaires and corporate tax loopholes and subsidies, including those to oil companies. “Older Americans and their families will be left to wonder whether they will have the ability to pay for visits to the doctor and prescription drugs in their retirement years,” Castor said.

“Despite years of hard work and sacrifice, seniors facing increased health care costs risk falling out of the middle class due to these changes to Medicare,” Castor continued.

Yesterday, Castor spoke on the House floor about the need to preserve Medicare in its existing form.

Last week, Castor proposed an amendment to the Republican budget to protect Medicare benefits. The Castor Amendment would have preserved improvements in Medicare benefits that have been in place under the Affordable Care Act, including closing the prescription drug coverage gap (doughnut hole) and covering key preventive services and annual wellness visits without co-pays or deductibles. The amendment was defeated in the Budget Committee by a partisan 21-15 vote.

“Medicare and its assurance that a family will not be bankrupted by a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, cancer or other diseases must be protected,” Castor said. “This pillar of retirement security keeps older Americans and their families out of poverty. It is worth saving.”

Castor Fights to Save Medicare

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor proposed an amendment to the Republican Budget to protect Medicare benefits for seniors. Castor sought to preserve improvements in Medicare benefits that have been in place for two years under the Affordable Care Act, including closure of the prescription drug coverage gap (donut hole), coverage of key preventive services and annual wellness visits with no co-pays or deductibles.

“The Republicans propose to raise the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and slash the smart new benefits and popular consumer reforms that have been in place for two years now,” Castor said during debate on the amendment. “Congressional Republicans should not roll back these reforms that have improved the lives of our older neighbors.”

“My amendment would continue to close the donut hole and put money back into the pocket of our older neighbors,” Castor continued. “It would retain the important new screenings that are saving lives. And it would retain the annual wellness visit that has become very popular and is very smart policy.”

Under the Affordable Care Act, in Florida’s 11^th district, over 6,000 seniors have received the prescription drug discount and 70,000 seniors have received preventative screenings with no co-pay.

The Castor amendment would have protected benefits already being enjoyed by seniors today. It was defeated along party lines by a vote of 21-15.

Watch the video of Rep. Castor’s statement here.

Castor joins brief filed on behalf of José Godínez-Samperio

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Kathy Castor filed a letter of support with the Florida Supreme Court today on behalf of Jose Manuel Godinez- Samperio's application for membership in the Florida Bar. Castor's letter of support was filed in conjunction with the amicus brief of the Past American Bar Association Presidents.

“Here in the Tampa Bay area we are proud to claim Jose Godinez-Samperio as one of our own. As a valedictorian at Armwood High School, New College graduate and FSU law student, he has worked hard and achieved success that our community should be celebrating. Instead, he is being denied the opportunity to pursue his goals and becoming a practicing lawyer here in Florida.

I joined the Past ABA President’s brief because the Florida Supreme Court should not approve a policy that would deny admission to applicants who have passed the Florida Bar Exam and who are of good moral character. The only delay in admittance is a question over the impact of the applicant’s legal status, which is not a valid reason to question an applicant's moral character.

It is a shame that his legal status is even in question. I have championed passage of the DREAM act precisely for students like Jose. If the DREAM Act were in place right now, students like Jose Godinez-Samperio would automatically be admitted to the Florida Bar, and immigrants who meet the DREAM Act criteria would be able to access loans for college and even go on to law school or obtain other graduate degrees. We must encourage our nation’s next generation - not place obstacles in their path to success.

As Floridians, we are already investing time and money towards undocumented students through twelfth grade. To deny these students the opportunity to become doctors or lawyers or practice another profession is to deny the state of Florida and all of our neighbors an educated and talented workforce. This should not be the result for our great state.

It is short-sighted and arbitrary to deny students like Jose acceptance to the Florida Bar because of decisions that were made for him when he was a child. The correct result certainly is admission.”

Read the Letter here

Castor announces jobs coming to Tampa Port

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Kathy Castor announced another boost to jobs at the Port of Tampa under a $1 million grant from the Department of Transportation shipyard initiative to Gulf Marine Repair. The funds will be used for a drydock modernization and upgrade.

“To boost our economic recovery, we must play to our strengths and bolster our economic engines such as the port and small businesses,” Castor said. “The Port of Tampa can be a primary force in leading economic recovery in our region.”

Nationwide, $9.98 million in federal funding was available for small shipyards through the U.S. Maritime Administration for capital improvements. The only grant awarded in Florida was to the Port of Tampa and Gulf Marine repair.

“The small shipyard grant initiative has helped us retain and create jobs right here at the Port of Tampa,” said Aaron Hendry, President and Owner of Gulf Marine Repair. “I’d like to thank Congresswoman Castor for working so well with the administration and continuing to push for job creation opportunities for all of the small businesses that do business at the port.”

Rep. Castor has successfully advocated for a number of small shipyard grants to come to the Port of Tampa over the past several years:

FY09 Recovery Act
• Gulf Marine Repair Corporation, Tampa, FL: $4,159,857 for drydock expansion.
• International Ship Repair & Marine Services, Inc., Tampa, FL: $2,228,307 for drydock life extension.
• RiverHawk Marine, LLC, Tampa, FL: $1,290,246 for travelift and syncrolift control upgrade.
• Tampa Ship, LLC, Tampa, FL: $2,270,172 for a panel line.

FY10
• Diversified Marine Tech, Inc. (Tampa, FL)- $644,425 for 90-ton crane and modification of barge for crane use

FY11
• Hendry Corporation (Tampa, FL) - $1,000,000.00 for a new Drydock

FY12
• Gulf Marine Repair Corporation, Tampa, FL: $1,083,055 for a drydock modernization and upgrade.

Bipartisan Group Calls for Transportation Funding Reauthorization

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Kathy Castor and local transportation leaders urged adoption today of the Senate-passed transportation reauthorization bill when the U.S. House convenes next week. Nationwide transportation funding and initiatives expire on March 31 without House action. They gathered near the unfinished segment of the I-275 expansion. Excerpts of their comments are below:

“Jobs, business and road safety are directly tied to passage of the federal transportation bill. I urge my colleagues to act expeditiously as communities across the country are relying on us, and Florida's annual share is approximately $2 billion. Here in the Tampa Bay area, we can boost roadway projects, transit, sidewalks and bike lanes.”

- U.S. Rep Kathy Castor

“Whether you are in Washington or Tallahassee, you need to know that those of us in our local communities are counting on you to do something. We need to reauthorize transportation funding. Ridership is up on public transportation, we are doing well at the fare box, but we also rely on federal dollars to buy busses and other capital equipment. This local/federal partnership needs to continue.

- Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman

“I came in from the east side of town, traffic was backed up on the interstate to 22^nd street. It is clear that we need transportation reauthorization now. We need a long term approach, because the jobs are not just in the people you see in front building the road – there are even more jobs behind them. When you set out to do a huge project, like expand I-275, you invest in thinks like fill dirt, asphalt materials, and quarries, providing a boost and creating jobs across our economy.”

- J.C. Miseroy

Chairman Florida Transportation Builders Association

Granite Construction

“We have to keep investing in both highways and transit. When you go to attract businesses in Florida, we are always able to complete on quality of life issues – the best weather, the best beaches, but our infrastructure needs to meet that level. It is hard to attract new businesses if they get stuck in a traffic jam just trying to get from one site to the next.”

- Mark House

Managing Director for the Florida Division of The Beck Group

“Public transportation is a major driver of our economy. I know of a laundry mat at a bus stop, that when the bus stop was closed down for a time, that small business owner suffered major losses. Investments in transit and infrastructure are an investment in the economic growth of our community.

The best thing for Florida is for Congress to take up and pass the Senate bill. We cannot have these funds dry up on March 31^st, and we cannot leave Floridians out to dry with the House bill that does not provide the investments we need.”

- Alison Hewitt

President Central Florida chapter of the

Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed S.1813, a bill to reauthorize surface transportation programs for two additional years by a vote of 74-22. The current authorization is set to expire on March 31, 2012 if the House does not act. Under the bill passed by the Senate yesterday, Florida would receive an increase of $23 million dollars in transportation funding. Current proposals in the House would cut $800 million for Florida over the duration of the authorization.