News
By Zach Smith, March 6, 2013
In this issue:
- Join a pre-lobby day conference call on Tuesday, March 12th at 4 p.m. EST
- Federal Policy Update
- Brownfields Reauthorization Bill being introduced in the Senate this week
- Transportation for America is hosting a call on how sequestration effects transportation funding – Thursday, March 7th at 2pm EST
- Save the Date! Join the Complete Streets Coalition during the American Planning Association Conference in Chicago – April 16th
- Register for the 2013 National Main Streets Conference: Main Street and the cultural economy – April 14-16, 2013
Join a pre-lobby day conference call at 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday, March 12th – (218) 632-0550 Access code: 208232#
In preparation for SGA’s Lobby Day, please mark your calendars for next Tuesday, March 12th at 4pm for a brief call with the coalition members who will be lobbying. We will be going over the asks and how the day will run. Contact Jeri Mintzer if you have any additional questions
Federal Policy Update
Sequester was triggered on March 1st, 2013 and with it brings $85 billion in automatic, across-the-board spending cuts. As a result of sequester, federal agencies must makes cuts of about 9 percent for non-defnse programs and about 13 percent for defense programs. These cuts must be achieved over the remaining seven months of the fiscal year. Agencies have not yet announced the specific cuts to programs they will make as a result of sequestration.
On March 27th, the continuing resolution (CR), that Congress passed last September to fund the federal government for the first six months of the fiscal year, expires. Both chambers are now working on spending packages to carry the federal government through the rest of FY 2013.
The House of Representatives has proposed a spending package that would cap federal operating expenses at $982 billion, leaving most agencies to continue to operate under FY 2012 funding levels, while giving military and veterans programs flexibility in dealing with the cuts of the sequester. The Senate will consider their own proposal to deal with the expiration of the current funding measure in the coming weeks, with some pushing for new spending bills instead of another CR.
President Obama has tapped Gina McCarthy to replace outgoing EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. McCarthy is currently the assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation at the EPA. McCarthy is awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Brownfields Reauthorization Bill being introduced in the Senate this week
Senators Lautenberg (D-NJ), Inhofe (R-OK), Udall (D-NM) and Crapo (R-ID) will introduce a brownfields reauthorization bill on Thursday, March 7th.
Please keep in mind that this information should not be shared and nothing should be issued until Thursday, March 7th. We will let you know on Thursday when the legislation has been introduced.
Some highlights of the bill include:
– Increased the limit for site remediation grants
– Allows the award of multipurpose grants to fund multiple elements of a project
– Allows non-profits and others qualify for site assessment grants
– Eliminate the prohibition on using grants funds for administrative costs
If you can, we encourage you put out a statement showing your support for the bill once its released on Thursday. In the next few weeks, we will be doing a push for additional co-sponsors, as well as other advocacy push so keep an eye out for emails from SGA. If you need any more information, or are able to issue a press release please contact Katy Hartnett.
Transportation for America is hosting a call on how sequestration effects transportation funding – Thursday, March 7th at 2pm EST
Automatic federal budget cuts called sequestration are taking effect today. Some transportation programs—especially innovative and popular programs like New Starts, TIGER, and passenger rail funding—will take a serious hit, while others will be largely protected. What will these cuts mean for key transportation programs? Will new infrastructure programs, advocated by President Obama, be a part of a federal budget agreement?
Join T4 for a partner briefing call on March 7 at 2:00 PM EST (11:00 AM PST) to learn how these federal budget debates are affecting transportation programs.
T4 Partner Call on Sequestration
Thursday, March 7 at 2:00 PM EST (11:00 AM PST)
Call-in number: 719-387-5500
Passcode: 753793
This is a crucial moment for transportation spending. Understanding what these decisions mean for the programs and projects you care about will be critical. We hope that you are able to join us for this discussion. Contact Rochelle Carpenter if you have any additional questions.
Save the Date! Join the Complete Streets Coalition during the APA National Planning Conference in Chicago – April 16th
The Complete Streets Coalition is hosting a networking breakfast event during the APA National Planning Conference in Chicago on April 16th. Details for the event are still being planned, but contact Laura Searfoss for more information and to receive an invitation.
Register for the 2013 National Main Streets Conference: Main Street and the cultural economy – April 14-16, 2013
- Art Walk FUNraising in Farmington
- Creative Funding Mechanisms for “Start-Ups” and Established Small Businesses
- Finding Funding for Local Projects: What, Where, When and How?
- Historic Tax Credit Workshop
- I Hate Fundraising! Removing Anxiety and Boosting Board Participation
- Never Stop Selling…Sponsorships for Improved Profitability
- What the Heck is a CLG? And How Can It Benefit My Main Street?
Register for the conference on the Main Streets website.
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