Congressman Jeff Denham hopes President Trump’s infrastructure plan will help expand Highway 99.
Speaking one-on-one with GV Wire, Denham talked about water, infrastructure and immigration. He also touched on his plan to help Californians protect special projects they approve.
While his district does not represent Fresno County (he has represented the area in the best before redistricting), the characteristics of the 10th District centered in Modesto and Fresno are similar.
To watch the full 12-minute interview, click above.
Water and Infrastructure Projects
The Turlock Republican said infrastructure dollars go beyond just improving highways.
“Expanding our highways are important, especially with gas tax dollars going to both federal and state. We need to make sure we are using those dollars appropriately. We need to make sure we are using those dollars much quicker. We need to cut regulations. In this state, we have CEQA,” Denham said.
He felt that state and federal environmental regulations overlap and need to be streamlined.
Denham highlighted ports, railways and most importantly water storage projects as part of the federal package. He called the recent holdups of dam projects like Temperance Flat and Sites “very frustrating.”
Recently, the California Water Commission rejected all applications for water infrastructure funding.
“Now for (the state water agency) to pull the rug out from under us and say none of our projects qualify for the $2.7 billion (of voter approved bonds), I think is dishonest.”
Denham would like to see the creation of a water bank that he estimated could save billions of dollars.
Desire for Transportation Chairmanship
“If I become chairman, that helps me to continue to fight for water storage here in California.”—Congressman Jeff Denham
Denham says Trump’s plan will spend $2 billion on projects. How does Denham plan to steer that money for the Valley? He says the bill has a rural focus.
“A lot of rural America has been left behind. That is one of the challenges we’ve seen with Highway 99.”
Denham also revealed his aspirations to be the next chairman of the
House transportation committee. Denham currently serves on that committee, chaired by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pennsylvania). Shuster
announced his plans to retire after his current term.
“If I become chairman, that helps me to continue to fight for water storage here in California.”
Those plans are contingent upon Denham’s re-election and the Republicans maintaining control of the House of Representatives.
Immigration and DACA
When the Supreme Court provided a reprieve on the DACA program, it made the March 5 expiration date set by President Trump moot.
Does a lack of deadline pressure affect the way Congress handles the immigration issue?
“I’m certainly concerned about it. Congress operates best when there is a deadline. With immigration reform, there hasn’t been a deadline in decades,” Denham replied. “This is not something we can afford to punt to October.”
Denham remained consistent in his support for Dreamers.
“These Dreamers have done everything their government asked them to do,” he said. “If we want to have a strong economy, we need to solve this issue with our Dreamers. Also, it is the right thing to do.”
It is frustrating for Denham that immigration reform continues to drag along. He feels some bi-partisan progress is being made, but it is still too slow.
Against Sanctuary
“I believe in the rule of law.”—Congressman Jeff Denham
Denham said he is against sanctuary cities and California as a sanctuary state.
“I believe in the rule of law. Our sheriffs here in the Valley work closely with all their counterparts at state, local and federal levels. To say that you are going to release a felon back in the community without alerting ICE and the federal authorities, I think it is just wrong for our community.”
He noted that baring cooperation actually endangers a community. “That means (ICE) goes out into the community, the house in a neighborhood, or maybe a hospital. ICE still has to do its job.”
“It is the wrong way to approach immigration and keep trust in the community.”
Voter Protection Act
To make sure voter approved spending goes where it is meant to, Denham is advocating for his Voter Protection Act referendum on the November ballot.
“When you pass a water bond, that water bond should go exactly where voters approved it,” Denham said. “It will guarantee that our state dollars stay where they are supposed to be. It will allow us to leverage those dollars with federal dollars as well.”
Read more about the act here.
2018 Election
Denham is running for his fifth term in office, winning his first Congressional election in 2010. Multiple Democrats have filed to run against him. Michael Eggman, whom Denham defeated in 2016, and attorney Mike Barkley are the most prominent names.
The 10th District covers portions of Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, with Modesto the largest city.
micheleryan
March 9, 2018 at 5:22 pm
If your here illegally you should be deported. 40,000 veterans homeless, 1-4 citizens unemployed and this is the priority for the Democrats. Remember these “immigrants” have cost American taxpayers billions of dollars and could care less. There is an estimated 800,000 DACA recipients in the US. That is 800,000 jobs American Citizens don’t have or will be in competition for. There not all picking strawberries they take great Jobs. Good enough jobs to buy homes put their kids through college. So when you hear of the “contributions” by illegal aliens paying taxes. Remember that also is at a cost in jobs citizens should have.
Some of the costs associated with illegal immigration, that we will pass this burden on to our children as has been passed on to us. We’ve been paying this for decades.
*The CBO (congressional budget office) estimates it will cost American taxpayers 26 billion over the next 10 years if 1.8 million re legalized.
*The cost of educating illegal aliens children is staggering. From K-12 it costs taxpayers $122,000 for EACH illegal alien student. This does not include the billions spent on bilingual education for illegal aliens.
*Currently city, and state officials are appropriating millions of taxpayer dollars for legal
fees to to file law suits and in defense of illegal aliens being deported.
*2012 illegal aliens sent home $62 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin. This is why Mexico isgetting involved in our politics.
*30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens. Does not include local jails and State Prisons. At $21,000 per year expense per inmate in Federal Prison—U do the math.
*$3Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens, I repeat 3 MILLION a DAY to process Illegals in the Criminal justice system.
*$2.2Billiondollars a year is spent on is spent on food assistance programs such as
SNAP (food stamps),WIC, & free school lunches.—All can be found on google.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/uscis-daca-criminals-dreamers-at-large/2018/01/22/id/838627/