Thanks to Reston's elected officials, more than $2.3 million has been earmarked for new local programs in the just-approved FY2006 federal budget.
Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) had requested that U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D) and other members of the Northern Virginia delegation approve the funding for four new projects.
The most expensive new Reston project in the federal budget would use a $1 million transportation grant to build pathways along Glade Drive in Reston. The new pathway will help connect segments of the Fairfax County Cross-Trail, which links the three major stream valley greenways between the Potomac and Occoquan rivers.
A $750,000 grant would fund the second-largest project, which is a program to expand "smart bus" technology that teaches the public how to use public transportation.
A $500,000 vocational, educational and rehabilitation training program for inmates is also funded in the new budget. Inspired by a similar program used in a San Francisco prison, the program would provide job training to short-term inmates.
The new budget will also fund a $100,000 literacy program, which will expand child and adult literacy courses in Fairfax County partly by encouraging positive parental involvement in children's education.