SGA Coalition Call, 2/24/2011, 4:00PM EST
ATTENDANCE
Michele Warren – Local Government Commission
Kevin Doyle – Livable Communities Coalition
Mary Kyle McCurdy – 1000 Friends of Oregon
Adam Garcia – Greenbelt Alliance
Alison Van Gorp – Cascade Land Conservancy
Ashley Futrell – Trust for Public Land
Ben Starett – Funders Network for Smart Growth
Elisa Ortiz, Jessica Holmberg, Beth Zgoda, Stacey Williams, Will Schroeer, Devon Barnhart – SGA
CONTINUING RESOLUTION (CR) UPDATE (Devon Barnhart)
A full update on the CR will be available in an email that Devon is preparing
House passed devastating cuts to the Sustainable Communities Partnership (SCP) and other programs last week
Slashes CDBG funding and bars other funds from being redirected their or to HUD Regional Planning and Challenge grants
Rescinds unobligated funds for already-approved SCP grants: TIGER I/II, HUD Challenge, etc.
SGA is currently working on its Senate strategy, as both chambers must agree on the bill—either by passing separate but identical cuts or by reconciling their differences through the Conference Committee process
We will be sending out an SGA Action Alert email aimed at the Senate—please contact your Senators to let them know how much these programs matter to you
If you have a particularly close relationship with either or both of your Senators, now is the time to contact him/her
SGA will provide messaging guidelines and talking points to frame your outreach
We cannot overemphasize the importance of Senate outreach at this time—CALL YOUR SENATOR NOW AND PUSH HIM/HER TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS
Question: how quickly can SGA provide talking points?
These will be available early next week to use in contacting your Senators
Blanket “blast” calls to your Senators, as well as targeted interaction, will both be important at this time
Please update SGA on your activities and legislative contacts; we’d like to keep track of who is being contacted and how it’s going
Question: when will the Senate debate the CR?
They are currently looking at it and we are unsure when it will be up for floor debate
Vague details right now as to the level/severity of proposed cuts
Your Senators might not know that these programs are happening in your state; SGA is working to provide this information to Member offices
Question: besides CDBG and rescinding funds, what else?
This is completely separate from discussion of the President’s budget. Brownfields funding in EPA took a big hit. Besides TIGER II, New Starts was also cut in DOT, as well as high-speed rail. Across-the-board cuts may also affect these programs and others.
President’s FY12 budget outlook is overwhelmingly positive. But losing these battles in the CR will make it nearly impossible to achieve the funding levels he proposed.
CR battle is indefinite; we are unsure how long it will take the Senate to respond or what the conference process will look like
CR must be figured out by March 4 or else another CR must temporarily be passed to continue funding the federal government and avoid a shutdown
Question: does this give folks time to get things signed?
Yes, people should have time, hopefully, to get their grant agreements signed. But if you haven’t already done so, sign your grant agreement ASAP and return it to the granting agency.
Question: has there been any outreach to grantees?
SGA has contacted all HUD and DOT grant recipients to inform them of the urgency.
OTHER SGA UPDATES (Elisa Ortiz)
Stimulus report update with Will Schroeer
Good media attention in some regions, mostly in states that did well, but also Louisiana who ranked 49th
Coalition members have reported using the document
Jobs, jobs, jobs is still the message, as well as getting the most “bang for your buck” moving forward
Coalition meeting and lobby day update
We will discuss SGA’s federal policy work
National, regional and state partners will all discuss their policy work and share communication strategies
Date was moved to April 14 and 15
Hill day on April 14, Coalition meetings the morning of April 15
All coalition members are invited, registration form was included in a prior email
You can note particularly important Members of Congress that you’d like to meet with on your registration form
Agenda suggestions are also appreciated
Registration ends March 25; register today.
COMMENTS, QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS; COALITION UPDATES
Trust for Public Land information on “America’s Great Outdoors” report (Ashley Futrell)
President’s report had some information on urban parks and how to fund them
Messaging input from stakeholders (coalition members) to accompany this report will be helpful
Call next Tuesday, March 1 at 2pm to provide input
Please contact Ashley at TPL for more information
Greenbelt Alliance report release (Adam Garcia)
Greenbelt Alliance just released “Green Your City’s Blueprint” report
Could be useful not only for professionals but also community members to provide insight into the planning process and GHG reduction strategies
SGA will share this report on our website as a resource
Michele Warren: are any other organizations anticipating cuts, and what can coalition members do to impact legislative actions relevant to public health or CDC-sponsored programs?
This question will be put out the listserv for wider distribution
Reminder: next coalition call is March 31 at 4pm EST