Latest news with #BipartisanInfrastructureLaw
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas City secures $3.5 million grant to clean up polluted lots around city
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced on Wednesday that the city of Kansas City has been given a federal grant of $3.5 million to help clean up — properties that are potentially contaminated by pollutants or hazardous materials — within the city. The federal funds, awarded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will invest in the city's Brownfields Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund, providing loans and subgrants to clean up and redevelop projects at these polluted properties. KC Irish Fest to bring back annual breakfast in honor of late chef Shaun Brady 'From investments in new roads and bridges to funding that enables the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites like the Hardesty Federal Complex, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to fuel a remarkable economic comeback in Kansas City,' said Congressman Cleaver. The funding is expected to help Kansas City's Revolving Loan Fund, giving the city the opportunity to not only clean up these sites but also ensure more projects can be funded. According to Cleaver, the grant is largely attributed to former President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allotted $1.5 billion to these efforts. 'While we've come a long way since the dark days of the global pandemic, thanks in part to investments like this, there is still so much work that can be done to boost economic development in underserved communities across the metro area – and this funding will help support those efforts,' Cleaver added. Since the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed, Kansas City has been awarded more than $18.5 million in brownfields grants. Jackson Co. Executive responds to litigation alleging attempt to delay recall election In 2022, these grants were seen in action when Cleaver allocated $5.5 million of these funds to cleaning up the . Now, the latest project, which passed in May, is focusing on fixing 47 vacant parcels in Kansas City, known as the Washington Wheatley Vacant Lots Site, as well as the former Benson Manufacturing Site. 'I'm proud to have helped secure this $3.5 million for Kansas City, and I'll continue fighting every day to bring more investments that support Missouri workers and small businesses back to the Fifth Congressional District,' Cleaver said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Ernesto Morales Calls for Stronger Community Engagement Strategies in Public-Private Projects
Los Angeles Executive Says Listening First Is the Key to Lasting Impact Ernesto Morales, CEO of North Star Alliances and longtime advocate for community-centered strategy, is calling on public agencies, corporations, and nonprofit leaders to deepen their commitment to authentic engagement practices. The call to action comes on the heels of Morales's recent feature in a career spotlight article titled 'Ernesto Morales: Building Big Ideas That Bring People Together.' Drawing from more than two decades of experience across public outreach, corporate relations, and strategy, Morales is using his platform to raise awareness about how misaligned partnerships can miss the mark-and how better listening could change that. 'Big ideas only matter if they solve big problems,' Morales says. 'Engagement isn't a checkbox. It's a responsibility.' Why This Matters: Trust, Equity, and Outcomes Across the U.S., over $1.2 trillion in federal infrastructure and economic development funding is flowing into local projects through programs like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Yet many efforts struggle to earn local buy-in, often because they lack culturally relevant communication and input. A 2023 Urban Institute report found that fewer than 35% of residents in high-impact areas felt meaningfully included in planning decisions that affect them. That's where Morales sees an opportunity. 'We need to stop designing solutions in silos,' he explains. 'Communities already have the answers. The job is to make room for them at the table.' From Theory to Practice: North Star's Model Through North Star Alliances, Morales has helped execute over 1,100 projects with clients such as Google, The White House, Coca-Cola, LA Metro, LAUSD, and L.A. Care. The common thread across all of them? Building trust before offering solutions. At Rose Hills Memorial Park, he led culturally specific outreach to Hispanic families around end-of-life services. At Pepperdine University, he helped raise $14 million by aligning university programs with industry needs. And today, he serves as a California State Commissioner on the Employment Training Panel, where he helps guide investment in workforce development. 'It's not just about launching programs,' says Morales. 'It's about listening, learning, and earning the right to lead.' What You Can Do Morales believes that anyone – regardless of profession – can help create more connected, community-focused outcomes. His call to action: Start by listening. Ask your community what they need. Don't assume. Engage early and often. Don't wait until decisions are made to bring people in. Invest in relationships, not just deliverables. 'The most powerful thing we can do is slow down and listen,' Morales emphasizes. 'That's where every lasting solution begins.' To read more, visit the website here . About Ernesto Morales Ernesto Morales is the CEO and founder of North Star Alliances, a Los Angeles-based firm specializing in public engagement, outreach strategy, and strategic partnerships. His career spans roles in healthcare, education, and nonprofit leadership, including at Children's Hospital LA, Pepperdine University, and the Latin Business Association. Morales holds an MBA and a Bachelor's in Business Management from Pepperdine University. Contact: info@ SOURCE: Ernesto Morales View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Federal judge orders Trump administration to release EV charger funding in 14 states
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal judge Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to release billions of dollars in funding for the build out of electric vehicle chargers in more than a dozen states. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin in Washington state partially granted a preliminary injunction that sought to free up the money approved under then-President Joe Biden that the Trump administration withheld earlier this year. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia sued over the move, arguing that the administration did not have the authority to block the congressionally approved funds. The program was set to allocate US$5 billion over five years to various states, of which an estimated $3.3 billion had already been made available. Lin ordered that funding be released in 14 of the states, including in Arizona, California and New York. But she denied granting the preliminary injunction for D.C., Minnesota and Vermont, saying that they did not provide enough evidence that they would face 'irreparable harm' if the money wasn't immediately freed up. Lin said the Trump administration overstepped its constitutional authority when it froze the funding previously approved by Congress in 2021 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 'When the Executive Branch treads upon the will of the Legislative Branch, and when an administrative agency acts contrary to law, it is the Court's responsibility to remediate the situation and restore the balance of power,' she wrote. The order will go into effect July 2 unless the Trump administration appeals. The Federal Highway Administration did not immediately respond to an email request for comment on the decision. The Trump administration in February directed states to stop spending money for electric vehicle charging under the program. The move was part of a broader push by the Republican president to roll back environmental policies advanced by his Democratic predecessor. States suing the Trump administration said the decision to freeze funding halted projects midstream, requiring immediate court intervention. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, said after the ruling that the Trump administration could not 'dismiss programs illegally.' 'We are pleased with today's order blocking the Administration's unconstitutional attempt to do so, and California looks forward to continuing to vigorously defend itself from this executive branch overreach,' he said in a statement. The Trump administration argued that it was working on new guidance for the program and was only pausing future funding in the meantime. The program was meant to assuage concerns about electric vehicles and build infrastructure along highway corridors first, then address gaps elsewhere once the state highway obligations were met. Some states with projects running under the program have already been reimbursed by the Biden-era federal funds. Others are still contracting for their sites. Still more had halted their plans by the time the Trump administration ordered states to stop their spending. Regardless, getting the chargers installed and operating has been a slow process with contracting challenges, permitting delays and complex electrical upgrades. It was expected that states would fight against the federal government's efforts to slow the nation's electric vehicle charger build out. New York, for example, which is part of the lawsuit, has been awarded over $175 million in federal funds from the program, and state officials say $120 million is currently being withheld by the Trump administration. Sudhin Thanawala And Sophie Austin, The Associated Press
25-06-2025
- Automotive
Federal judge orders Trump administration to release EV charger funding in 14 states
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A federal judge Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to release billions of dollars in funding for the build out of electric vehicle chargers in more than a dozen states. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin in Washington state partially granted a preliminary injunction that sought to free up the money approved under then-President Joe Biden that the Trump administration withheld earlier this year. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia sued over the move, arguing that the administration did not have the authority to block the congressionally approved funds. The program was set to allocate $5 billion over five years to various states, of which an estimated $3.3 billion had already been made available. Lin ordered that funding be released in 14 of the states, including in Arizona, California and New York. But she denied granting the preliminary injunction for D.C., Minnesota and Vermont, saying that they did not provide enough evidence that they would face 'irreparable harm' if the money wasn't immediately freed up. Lin said the Trump administration overstepped its constitutional authority when it froze the funding previously approved by Congress in 2021 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 'When the Executive Branch treads upon the will of the Legislative Branch, and when an administrative agency acts contrary to law, it is the Court's responsibility to remediate the situation and restore the balance of power,' she wrote. The order will go into effect July 2 unless the Trump administration appeals. The Federal Highway Administration did not immediately respond to an email request for comment on the decision. The Trump administration in February directed states to stop spending money for electric vehicle charging under the program. The move was part of a broader push by the Republican president to roll back environmental policies advanced by his Democratic predecessor. States suing the Trump administration said the decision to freeze funding halted projects midstream, requiring immediate court intervention. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, said after the ruling that the Trump administration could not 'dismiss programs illegally.' 'We are pleased with today's order blocking the Administration's unconstitutional attempt to do so, and California looks forward to continuing to vigorously defend itself from this executive branch overreach,' he said in a statement. The Trump administration argued that it was working on new guidance for the program and was only pausing future funding in the meantime. The program was meant to assuage concerns about electric vehicles and build infrastructure along highway corridors first, then address gaps elsewhere once the state highway obligations were met. Some states with projects running under the program have already been reimbursed by the Biden-era federal funds. Others are still contracting for their sites. Still more had halted their plans by the time the Trump administration ordered states to stop their spending. Regardless, getting the chargers installed and operating has been a slow process with contracting challenges, permitting delays and complex electrical upgrades. It was expected that states would fight against the federal government's efforts to slow the nation's electric vehicle charger build out. New York, for example, which is part of the lawsuit, has been awarded over $175 million in federal funds from the program, and state officials say $120 million is currently being withheld by the Trump administration.
Winnipeg Free Press
25-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Federal judge orders Trump administration to release EV charger funding in 14 states
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A federal judge Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to release billions of dollars in funding for the build out of electric vehicle chargers in more than a dozen states. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin in Washington state partially granted a preliminary injunction that sought to free up the money approved under then-President Joe Biden that the Trump administration withheld earlier this year. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia sued over the move, arguing that the administration did not have the authority to block the congressionally approved funds. The program was set to allocate $5 billion over five years to various states, of which an estimated $3.3 billion had already been made available. Lin ordered that funding be released in 14 of the states, including in Arizona, California and New York. But she denied granting the preliminary injunction for D.C., Minnesota and Vermont, saying that they did not provide enough evidence that they would face 'irreparable harm' if the money wasn't immediately freed up. Lin said the Trump administration overstepped its constitutional authority when it froze the funding previously approved by Congress in 2021 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 'When the Executive Branch treads upon the will of the Legislative Branch, and when an administrative agency acts contrary to law, it is the Court's responsibility to remediate the situation and restore the balance of power,' she wrote. The order will go into effect July 2 unless the Trump administration appeals. The Federal Highway Administration did not immediately respond to an email request for comment on the decision. The Trump administration in February directed states to stop spending money for electric vehicle charging under the program. The move was part of a broader push by the Republican president to roll back environmental policies advanced by his Democratic predecessor. States suing the Trump administration said the decision to freeze funding halted projects midstream, requiring immediate court intervention. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, said after the ruling that the Trump administration could not 'dismiss programs illegally.' Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. 'We are pleased with today's order blocking the Administration's unconstitutional attempt to do so, and California looks forward to continuing to vigorously defend itself from this executive branch overreach,' he said in a statement. The Trump administration argued that it was working on new guidance for the program and was only pausing future funding in the meantime. The program was meant to assuage concerns about electric vehicles and build infrastructure along highway corridors first, then address gaps elsewhere once the state highway obligations were met. Some states with projects running under the program have already been reimbursed by the Biden-era federal funds. Others are still contracting for their sites. Still more had halted their plans by the time the Trump administration ordered states to stop their spending. Regardless, getting the chargers installed and operating has been a slow process with contracting challenges, permitting delays and complex electrical upgrades. It was expected that states would fight against the federal government's efforts to slow the nation's electric vehicle charger build out. New York, for example, which is part of the lawsuit, has been awarded over $175 million in federal funds from the program, and state officials say $120 million is currently being withheld by the Trump administration.
