North Austin News

Congressional Community Funding requests, including those from U.S. Representatives Lloyd Doggett and Greg Casar intended to benefit Austin, will not proceed for Fiscal Year 2025. This development follows the approval of a continuing resolution by President Donald Trump on March 15, which maintains federal budget funding at levels similar to Fiscal Year 2024.

Rep. Doggett expressed his frustration with the situation, stating, “The fiscally irresponsible insistence of House Republicans that federal government funding limp along from one short-term continuing resolution to another rather than approving annual appropriation bills also eliminates every community project direct appropriation proposed by any Congressmember.” He added that he had collaborated extensively with local entities like the City of Austin and the SAFE Alliance to secure Appropriation Subcommittee approval for several projects, efforts now regrettably lost. However, Rep. Doggett remains hopeful about trying again in next year’s Appropriation bill.

For Austin, this means approximately $9.7 million in requested funding will not be available this year. Projects affected include the Waterloo Greenway Creek Restoration and Water Quality Improvements, Austin Community Violence Intervention, Dove Springs Early Childhood Education Center, and an extension of the Northern Walnut Creek Trail.

Congressional Community Funding (CCF) requests are allocations directed by Congress members to specific district projects. After a decade-long hiatus ending in Fiscal Year 2022, these funds have provided about $23.6 million to Austin through Congressional Priority Funds (CPF).

Despite the setback, Mayor Kirk Watson stated that efforts would continue: “While the news that anticipated funding for these important community projects will not be available this fiscal year is certainly disappointing, we will not abandon these efforts.” The mayor emphasized that the city remains committed to finding alternative ways to fund crucial projects and looks forward to potentially submitting CCF requests for Fiscal Year 2026.

“Mayor Watson also acknowledged the contributions of Congressman Casar and Congressman Doggett: "I want to thank Congressman Casar and Congressman Doggett for their hard work."