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House and Senate Return To Washington
HUD Releases FY2011 CDBG Estimates
FY 2011 COPS Hiring Grants Now Open
Administration Releases Clean Water Framework, Waters of the U.S. Guidance
Upcoming Webinar: Update on Japanese Nuclear Crisis and U.S. Reaction
House and Senate Return To Washington
House and Senate members returned to Washington this week for another round of debates and negotiations on issues around which there is little consensus. Before departing for spring recess a few weeks ago, the House adopted a budget resolution that would allow for $1.02 trillion in discretionary spending in FY 2012. This is $30 billion less than the $1.05 trillion spending measure adopted a few weeks ago for FY 2011, which included a 16 percent reduction in the Community Development Block Grant program and cuts to other local government federal program priorities. Although the Senate is unlikely to agree to the House number and may push for a higher spending threshold, there should be no doubt that cities will need to continue to fight to preserve funding for our priorities as the process moves forward.
In addition to these spending debates, congressional negotiators were scheduled to meet with Vice President Biden Thursday morning to try to reach a compromise on budget deficit reduction strategies and raising the debt ceiling. Congress and the White House have a little more time to try to reach agreement on the debt ceiling issue since Treasury Secretary Geithner signaled earlier this week that the new deadline by which the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling must be raised in order for the federal government to avoid defaulting on its obligations is August 2. (Carolyn Coleman, coleman@nlc.org, 202.626.3023)
HUD Releases FY2011 CDBG Estimates
Last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released estimates of how the $3.3 billion in FY 2011 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will be allocated to cities and states. The estimates, which reflect a nearly 16 percent cut in CDBG funding from FY 2010, can be viewedhere.
Although it is uncertain when final allocations will be available to city and state grantees, HUD and the Office of Management and Budget are working to expedite the process, which typically takes 75 to 90 days.
For more details on FY 2011 CDBG funds, go to HUD Frequently Asked Questions. (Mike Wallace,wallace@nlc.org, 202.626.3025)
FY 2011 COPS Hiring Grants Now Open
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) began accepting applications for the FY 2011 COPS Hiring Program, a federal grant program designed to promote community policing among law enforcement agencies.
The COPS Hiring Program provides local governments with funding for three calendar years of entry-level salaries and fringe benefits for newly-hired, full-time sworn law enforcement officer positions or rehired officers who have been/are scheduled to be laid off as a result of local budget cuts. In return, the local government must retain employment of the officer for at least one year after the grant funds are terminated.
Additional information, including step-by-step instructions, frequently asked questions, and application guidance is available on the FY 2011 COPS Hiring Grant website. The application deadline is May 25. (Mitchel Herckis, herckis@nlc.org, 202.626.3124)
Administration Releases Clean Water Framework, Waters of the U.S. Guidance
Last week, the Obama Administration released a national Clean Water Framework that emphasizes the importance of partnerships and coordination with states, local communities, stakeholders and the public to protect public health and water quality and promote the nation's energy and economic security. The framework outlines a series of actions already underway, as well as additional efforts planned across federal agencies to ensure the integrity of the waters Americans rely on every day.
Included in the framework is draft guidance developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for determining whether a waterway, water body, or wetland is protected under the Clean Water Act. A careful review of this guidance is important to cities and towns because the final guidance could increase a city's permitting costs or the mitigation expenses associated with discharging pollutants into local rivers and streams.
Once the draft guidance is published in the Federal Register, it will be open for 60 days for public comment. NLC is currently reviewing the guidance and will likely submit comments; if your city decides to file comments on the guidance, please let us know. (Carolyn Berndt, berndt@nlc.org, 202.626.3101)
Upcoming Webinar: Update on Japanese Nuclear Crisis and U.S. Reaction
In response to requests for additional information from city leaders, on Tuesday, May 17 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. EDT, NLC and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) will host a free webinar examining the current status of the nuclear reactors in Japan, activities to stabilize the complex, and efforts to prevent the spread of radiation following the country's recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
The NEI is the policy organization of the nuclear energy and technologies industry and participates in both the national and global policy-making process. NEI's objective is to ensure the formation of policies that promote the beneficial uses of nuclear energy and technologies in the United States and around the world.
The webinar will also examine the important implications for the U.S. nuclear energy industry, steps U.S. nuclear facilities are taking to respond to safety concerns, and the role of local communities in ensuring the safety of citizens. In addition, NEI staff will answer questions about both the events taking place in Japan and the U.S. reaction. Please register for the webinar by Friday, May 13. (Carolyn Berndt, berndt@nlc.org, 202.626.3101)
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