Friday, March 13, 2009

AS CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF NURSES GROWS, REP. ROB J. WITTMAN PUSHES THROUGH FEDERAL FUNDING FOR GERMANNA NURSING PROGRAM


Federal omnibus spending bill will help GCC Nursing Program in part through expansion of Virtual Hospital.
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The Culpeper Star-Exponent reports that Germanna's nursing program will be getting a boost from Washington:

RICHMOND — Germanna Community College will receive $285,000 in federal money thanks to Rep. Rob J. Wittman, R-1st.

The Westmoreland native requested the funds through the omnibus spending bill signed into law by President Barack Obama on Wednesday, granting $155.1 million to 186 projects into Virginia localities, university and nonprofit groups.

That spending amounts to $19.97 per capita for Virginia, less than the national per capita figure of $22.39, according to the government watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense.

The GCC money would help pay for a nurse training initiative and state-of-the-art equipment.


The spending bill allocates $287,000 for upgrades to the combined sewer overflow system in Richmond, $400,000 for security upgrades at the Oliver Hill Courts Building and $617,500 for GRTC buses.

While pet projects continue to benefit, Virginia’s congressional delegation varies on the view of earmarks and the method for doling them out.

Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, didn’t put in for any. He favors a freeze on earmarks because he thinks they contribute to the federal deficit.

Sen. Jim Webb, on the other hand, sent out news releases Wednesday about project money he secured.


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