Interview: US Rep. Josh Harder on Central California floods, Stockton youth health center
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From the set of storms lashing Northern California to the $1.7 trillion federal budget packed with “big wins” for Stockton and San Joaquin County, Congressman Josh Harder has a lot to say and do as new 9th Congressional District’s representative in Washington.
“I think I (now) have a better appreciation for how to actually be effective and how to identify areas of common ground,” Harder said. The third-term congressman — his first term representing Stockton and most of San Joaquin County — touts himself for being able to work with both sides of the aisle to pass legislation.
“People are frustrated that they are often overlooked and ignored. We need folks that are going to stand up for our values, and we have a lot of opportunities to do that coming up.”
More federal flood attention
Stockton and San Joaquin Valley communities have been marked as most vulnerable to be America’s next Katrina, a reference to the hurricane-induced floods that devastated New Orleans in 2005. He said he’ll be keeping a close eye on the storm systems moving through Northern California this week and called for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to step up their presence in his district.
“I think the last couple of weeks should be a reminder that we have not made the critical investments necessary to protect one of the most densely populated floodplains in America,” Harder said. The region is rounding up funding for a $1.4 billion Lower San Joaquin River Project to shore up critical levees and flood control infrastructure to protect against mass loss of life and property from flooding.
Harder said local officials have worked hard to keep people safe and recover from storm damage, but state and federal officials continue to work too slowly and get too little done.
“Over the next couple of weeks, obviously, we need to make sure we’re protecting people’s homes and livelihoods, getting FEMA involved,” Harder said, “but long term, we need to fix our infrastructure. It’s beyond time that we do it.”
Included in the $1.7 trillion federal spending bill Harder helped pass at the end of 2022 is $200 million for San Joaquin and Stanislaus County water projects.
“We’ve got to make sure we are both strengthening our levees and making sure that we’re protecting our farmers from drought years ahead,” Harder said. “Those (dollars) are going to go to those two exact types of projects, which will roll out over the next months and years.”
Stockton adolescent health center
Also included in the federal spending bill is $500,000 for an adolescent health center in Stockton, Harder said. Stockton and San Joaquin County have struggled with a shortage of mental health workers before, during and after the pandemic.
More:SJ County supervisors approve $5.2 million to increase number of mental health workers
“Walking around Stockton, I heard from so many people who were concerned about the future of young people. We saw from COVID a real rise in behavioral health issues, anxiety, depression and substance abuse issues — our kids have been hit hard,” Harder said.
The funds will be awarded to nonprofit Community Medical Centers, a federally qualified health center, for a building rehab at 701 E. Weber Ave in downtown Stockton — no timeline is available for completion.
As the father of a 10-month-old girl, Harder said early intervention is near and dear to his heart.
“It’s just good, basic, common sense public policy: help somebody as early as you can, and they’re going to make a big difference in our community later on,” Harder said. “(The facility) is going to be laser-focused on young people and will have everything from opioid addiction treatment to preventative care and behavioral health.”
Additional local projects included in the $1.7 trillion spending package:
$4 million to upgrade the nurse training facility at Delta College to train 80 more nurses per year
$7 million for expanding and improving the Highway 99 and 120 interchange in San Joaquin County
Automatically enroll World War II veterans with free Veterans Affairs services
$4 million for 8-bed expansion and full remodel of St. Joseph's NICU pediatric center
This article originally appeared on The Record: After California floods, Josh Harder calls on FEMA to step up presence
