News

Attendance:

• Rhonda Sincavage – National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Marley Clement – PolicyLink
• April Putney – Futurewise (WA)
• Stewart Schwartz – Coalition for Smarter Growth (DC area)
• Sally Wakefield – Envision Minnesota
• Elisa Ortiz, Zach Smith, Ilana Preuss, Katy Hartnett – SGA

Federal Policy Update

• SAFETEA-LU expires on 3/31. Both the House and Senate cleared a 90-day extension today, which will go through the end of June.
• The House is considering their budget resolution, which will cut discretionary spending for the next fiscal year.
• Thank you for encouraging your Senators to sign on to the Landrieu/Menendez letter in support the Partnership for Sustainable Communities
• Congress will recess next week

Federal Financing of Real Estate Project

SGA wants to understand the different ways the federal government funds real estate. We have commissioned a report that details the budget and spending priorities of the federal government, and we are working with consultants to create a set of policy recommendations to be released in June. We will share more information at the coalition meeting in April but if you have any questions about the project or how to help before then, contact Katy Hartnett or Ilana Preuss.

Communicating with the opposition

SGA is developing a strategy on a broader initiative to push back the opposition (sometimes named as anti-Agenda 21) that is attempting to shut down local conversations about development and growth. But we need to know where this is taking place in order to best organize the kinds of materials and support we can provide to folks.

We are working with some other national organizations on this strategy and scan of local and state hot spots, but we need this information from you too. We will provide you with more information about our ideas, and get your input on strategy, when we see you at the end of April in DC. But we need you to send us detailed information about locations (city, county, state) where this is coming up Wednesday, April 4. Yes, you can send more in the future but we are trying to pull together an initial scan quickly. So, please send your locations to Jeri Mintzer.

Member Updates

• Stewart Schwartz (Coalition for Smarter Growth) – Developing a “next generation” transit campaign focusing on the corridors that we need and getting the right mode for the right density
• April (Futurewise) –  won funding for transit and the organization is working on a strategy for the upcoming gubernatorial elections
• Sally (Envision MN) – EPA building block grant application period is open

Coalition Meeting and Lobby Day (April 25^th and 26^th)

We will have a call to discuss the lobby day issues on Thursday, April 19^th at 3 p.m. EST to go over talking points and other issues. Please register for the coalition meeting ASAP. An agenda will be forthcoming.