SGA Coalition Call Notes are below and can also be downloaded here (doc).
Attendees:
Rhonda Sincavage – National Trust for Historic Preservation
Rachel DiResto – Center for Planning Excellence (Louisiana)
Adam Snyder – Conservation Alabama Foundation
Ashley Futrell, Dan Chapin – Trust for Public Land
Mary Kyle McCurdy and Tara Sulzen – 1000 Friends of Oregon
Dru Schmidt-Perkins – 1000 Friends of Maryland
Betsy Hands – Montana Smart Growth Coalition
Christopher Coes, Rayla Bellis, Abigail Gardner, Melissa Schreiber-Stahl, Elisa Ortiz, Katy Hartnett – SGA
DOT Fiscal Crisis National Report Release (UPDATE)
Repair-Priorities Report is being released next Wednesday (telebriefing at 11 a.m.). UPDATE: report has been released and is on SGA’s website.
All are invited to do state-specific releases on that report. Materials will be sent out Friday, May 27, including blog samples, advisory materials, etc.
We would appreciate final press releases in order to do state-by-state pitching from here.
For target states, it would be nice to have a reporter contact each of you and get a direct quote.
Questions:
Will the materials you send out tomorrow be different from what we’ve received so far? A: Yes, new materials include sample blog posts, email blasts, and template press releases to organizations without such.
The report is dated January 2011 and 2010 polling data – worried about the news being dated. Have we crafted the message to get around that? A: you can compare what your state is doing to other states. Highlight states with similar circumstances – one is a model and one can strive to improve. Comparing national averages and varying conditions among states is useful.
Contact Abby, Elisa or Rayla if you need additional support within the next few days.
ON THE HILL REPORT (Katy Hartnett)
TRANSPORTATION: In House and the Senate, “Complete Streets” legislation has been introduced. Senator Harkin (& others) introduced it – trying to get that included in reauthorization
PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES: Still working to get funding for FY2012. We will reach out as we need your help.
In full-force “influence mode” regarding reauthorization and appropriations.
Feel free to follow up with Katy if you have additional questions.
LOCUS REPORT (Christopher Coes)
LOCUS has unveiled its new website! www.smartgrowthamerica.org/locus/
Focus on real estate developers and investors. Work with a range of smart growth focused developers to developers who want to learn more.
Facilitate progress in 3 main areas: (1) transportation issues; (2) connect smart growth opportunities – investors, electeds and developers; (3) connect SGA Coalition partners (i.e. believers of smart growth, infill, etc.) to LOCUS friends (e.g. real estate developers, etc.).
Focused on the transportation bill, but beginning to focus on tax reform.
Amount of federal investment going into real estate — $5 billion/year
Identify which direct subsidies and/or tax breaks encourage sprawl and which encourage downtown development and other smart growth practices?
Main goal is to connect communities who often are unable to talk with each other
Questions:
Update on regional level? What’s going on in Maryland?
A: Based on our most recent communication, we can expect something positive shortly. We want Governor O’Malley to get involved – have been meeting with the Governor, MD DOT, Planning and key Governor’s Office Staff to discuss advocacy and speaking engagements.
Update regarding how LOCUS messengers can be sending a strong message as to why LOCUS priorities are pragmatic and great for economic development?
A: a great example is how LOCUS is organizing and connecting developers and local DC and MD coalition (e.g. ULI – Urban Land Institute, Baltimore) to further policy
Homebuilders have a particular viewpoint on our issues. Being strategic about selecting voices does showcase that there are always winners and losers, but certainly plenty of winners among LOCUS champions.
Feel free to contact Christopher Coes and please visit our website for talking points, and other valuable resources. Please let us know if we can include other helpful materials/tools on the website.
General Questions
Updates to sustainable communities messaging?
Dru needs urban help on messaging and polling for her current efforts (water issues primarily) – how can MD work with SGA on that to be a better national voice?
An upcoming statewide smart growth conference in Louisiana (Rachel). Any ideas regarding a dynamic speaker on real estate?
Suggestion: Chris Leinberger (LOCUS); Governor O’Malley?
Next Coalition Call is Thursday, June 30th @ 4pm Eastern