2011 Legislative Advocacy
NLC’s federal advocacy efforts are central to its mission to protect municipal interests, seek federal funding to support local investments, and ensure national attention is focused on the needs of cities and towns across the country.
Leadership—with input from membership, Policy & Advocacy Committees, and Federal Relations staff—sets the organization’s annual legislative agenda, which helps to guide advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. Following are the top legislative priorities identified by NLC for this year.
2011 Agenda for Economic Growth
For nearly four decades, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has served as a catalyst for financing housing, infrastructure, and economic development in America’s cities and towns. Any cut to this essential program will severely hamper local efforts to put people to work and spur local, regional, and national recovery.
The time has come for Congress and the Administration to commit to crafting a new, lasting transportation plan that acknowledges local decision-making authority, collaborates with state and local governments, supports sustainable multimodal choices, invests in outcome-oriented solutions, and maintains a strong federal role.
Cities and towns are caught in the middle of a complex national debate. Barring consensus at all levels of government on a solution to immigration reform—one that supports both enforcement of laws and integration efforts—communities across America will continue to face financial, cultural and political strains.