In this issue:
Federal Policy Update
Transit Conference Discount Extended for SGA Members
SGA released Building Better Budgets, a report on how smart growth benefits municipal budgets
Join LOCUS for the 2013 Leadership Summit Congressional Reception in Washington, DC – June 5th, 2013
Greater Ohio Policy Center releases a report on the economic benefits of brownfield remediation
Register now for the Safe Routes to School National Conference in Sacramento, CA – Aug. 13-15, 2013
Apply for the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge
Federal Policy Update
Nominations
At the end April, President Obama nominated Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to be the next Secretary of Transportation. Last week, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee held his confirmation hearing. During the hearing, Mayor Foxx highlighted the priority of improving the efficiency and performance of our existing transportation system. Additionally, he highlighted the need to invest in a multimodal transportation system that meets the needs of the next generation of Americans. Mayor Foxx steered his way through the hearing without facing any objections from members of the Committee. The next step for his confirmation will be a vote by the Senate Commerce Committee followed by consideration by the full Senate.
On May 16th the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the nomination of Gina McCarthy to serve as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on a party line vote. McCarthy currently serves as the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation at the EPA. The next step for her conformation is consideration by the full Senate where it is not clear if there are the 60 votes needed.
Appropriations
The House Appropriations Committee released Fiscal Year 2014 302(b) allocations last week, which set the overall spending for each of the annual appropriations bills. Their cap in funding for the collective 12 spending bills is $967 billion. From a smart growth perspective, the House’s spending levels propose devastating cuts in funding to agencies that are critical to advancing smart growth at the federal level, including the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Senate Appropriations Committee is going to act as if sequester will be repealed and will set their cap in funding for the collective 12 spending bills at $1.058 trillion. The Senate has not set allocations for each of the spending bills.
Transit Conference Discount Extended for SGA Members
Why are yard signs inefficient campaign tools? How do you really use social media to turn out people at public meetings and voters at the ballot box? What are some of the best ways to raise funds for your transit campaign?
The Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference is the only national conference devoted to understanding how to build and win ballot measures that substantially increase public transit investment. Activists, business leaders, transit agencies officials and elected leaders will gather in Atlanta, GA from June 23rd to 26th to talk frankly about what it takes to win at the ballot box. Hear from those who have gone through it, share your own insights, and meet others looking to position their community for a new transit initiative.
SGA Coalition members will be granted the early bird discount (which has expired for the general public) and there are still a few reduced rate hotel rooms available. Come be a part of this practical knowledge meeting about how to win big for transit. Contact Allison to sign up (aleach@cfte.org). Details available here.
SGA released Building Better Budgets, a report on how smart growth benefits municipal budgets
Local leaders everywhere can use information in Building Better Budgets: A National Examination of the Fiscal Benefits of Smart Growth Development to make better fiscal decisions about development in their region. The evidence presented in the report suggests improved strategies for land use and development can help local governments maintain and improve their fiscal solvency. The report will show how smart growth development can reduce costs and in many cases increase tax revenue—and this is true for any rural, suburban or urban community, anywhere in the country. Local governments throughout the United States are already facing unprecedented challenges in providing high-quality infrastructure and adequate public services to their residents on a tight budget. Choosing financially responsible development patterns can help communities across the country support their future fiscal health and overall economic success for generations to come.
Download the full report on Smart Growth America’s website.
Join LOCUS for the 2013 Leadership Summit Congressional Reception in Washington, DC – June 5th, 2013
LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors is hosting The 2013 LOCUS Congressional Reception on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 between 5:00 PM—8:00 PM at Capitol Visitors Center, Room SVC 201-00 in Washington, DC.
This reception is part of the 2013 LOCUS Leadership Summit. This year’s summit is themed “Bringing the Market to the Hill: Realigning the Federal Role in Real Estate,” and will convene real estate professionals from across the country to connect with members of Congress and discuss how federal policies and investments can support more walkable, sustainable developments and lead to a growing economy.
Please register by June 1st if you would like to attend. Contact Zach Smith with any questions.
Greater Ohio Policy Center released a report on the economic benefits of brownfield remediation
Greater Ohio Policy Center released ““Investing in Brownfields: The Economic Benefits of the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund,” quanitifying the substantial return on investment, job creation and tax benefits, among other financial advantages of the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund investments in brownfield site remediation and redevelopment.
Greater Ohio’s report shows the brownfield effort has not just cleaned up old, contaminated sites, but has shown positive economic outcomes as well. It examines 21 sites the group says reflect the 160 that have been redeveloped or are still in the process over twelve years. Among it’s most telling findings: a return on investment of nearly $5 of economic activity for for each dollar spent on clean-up and redevelopment.That’s meant more than a billion dollars added to the state’s gross domestic product, $350 million in individual and business earnings, and $42 million in state and local tax revenues.
Visit Greater Ohio Policy Center’s website to view the report.
Register now for the Safe Routes to School National Conference in Sacramento, CA – Aug. 13-15, 2013
Registration is now open for the Safe Routes to School National Conference. Learn how Safe Routes to School programs across the nation are changing the habits of an entire generation of schoolchildren while improving the health and environment of numerous communities. This fourth national conference will feature workshop sessions, mobile tours, inspirational presentations, and networking opportunities to help you start or expand your SRTS program.
This bi-annual conference is sponsored by the National Center for Safe Routes to School (NCSRTS) and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership (SRTSNP), with the 2013 event being hosted by the Local Government Commission (LGC). The LGC has partnered with several local, regional, and statewide agencies and organizations that reflect the range and diversity of the topic itself.
Visit the Safe Routes to School National Conference website to learn more about the conference and to register.
Apply for the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge
To enable 100 cities to better address major 21st century challenges, the Rockefeller Foundation is inviting cities from around the world to apply for the 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge.
In August, cities can be nominated through a formal application process. Winning cities will be announced in three rounds over the next three years, with the final round of winners named in 2015.
Each winning city will receive:
Membership in the 100 Resilient Cities Network which will provide support to member cities and share new knowledge and resilience best practices.
Support to hire a Chief Resilience Officer to oversee the development of a resilience strategy for the city and be part of a learning network of other CROs.
Support to create a resilience plan, along with tools and resources for implementation.
Now is the time for action to ensure our cities remain places of opportunity for the next 100 years.
Learn more about the new initiative on the Rockefeller Foundation’s website.