CALIFORNIA MISSIONS GET HELP FROM WASHINGTON VS

AN AMENDMENT PASSED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY THAT WILL IMPACT THE CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA. THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS PRESERVATION ACT WAS ORIGINALLY AUTHORED BY CONGRESSMAN SAM FARR. THE ACT AUTHORIZES THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO MAKE GRANTS TO THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS FOUNDATION, A SECULAR, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED IN 1998. THE FOUNDATION FUNDS AND OVERSEES THE RESTORATION OF THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS. THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE $10 MILLION OVER 5 YEARS. THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS FOUNDATION WOULD HAVE TO MATCH ALL FEDERAL GRANTS WITH PRIVATE AND STATE FUNDING. THE ACT WILL NOW GO TO THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS SIGNATURE.