News

Federal Policy Update (Katy Hartnett)

• Senate in currently in recess; We expected them to pass the minibus (THUD, Ag, CJS) next week
• The House could take up similar minibus or take another path forward in terms of appropriations
• By midnight on November 18th Congress must pass a CR or a full appropriation bill.
• Senator Boxer has announced that the Environment and Public Works committee is going to markup their part of the environment and transportation bill.

 LOCUS Update (Christopher Coes)

• Currently at the ULI fall conference in Los Angeles
• Working with developers on the ground to come up with an action plan. What do we need to do to move sustainable development forward? Do we need greater transit funding, resources to state dot or local planning board?
• Over the next 18 months we will be working to create state based LOCUS committees

Leadership Institute (Garett Ballard-Rosa)

• Free technical assistance for the next 5 years!
• 12 ready to go tools, ranging from Complete Streets, to climate change at local level.
• “Planning for economic and fiscal health.” – How can smart growth save communities money now and in the future? Increase local capital circulation. Long-term fiscal health.
• Visit EPA’s Sustainable Communities Building Blocks website for more information

Other Updates

• Greenbelt Alliance has released a new report with the Center for Community Innovation at UC Berkely: “Strategies for fiscally sustainable infill housing.” The report is available here (PDF).