News

In this issue:

• New Schedule for regular coalition calls
• Call about upcoming SGA Report – Thursday, February 14th at 3 pm
• Register for the SGA Annual Coalition Meeting and Lobby Day, March 20-21
• Federal Policy Updates
• SGA Coalition Member Survey
• Call for proposals – EPA’s Smart Growth Implementation Assistance – due March 1
• Transportation for America has released a new guide to understanding the changes in MAP 21
• Register for the 2013 National Main Streets Conference: Main Street and the cultural economy – April 14-16, 2013

New Schedule for Regular Coalition Calls

As many of you know, for the last few years SGA has hosted monthly coalition calls in which we offer updates on federal policy, upcoming report releases, various smart growth issues, etc. Based on the low attendance on these calls and preferences expressed by many of you during our on-going coalition survey, we’ve decided to change the schedule for coalition calls. From now on, we will schedule calls around key report releases (see below), major federal policy movement, upcoming events, etc. Obviously, these calls will not necessarily take place in a regular monthly format, but we will strive to provide at least 2 weeks notice whenever possible, take notes on calls and post them on the coalition website ASAP. If you have any questions, please let Elisa know. Otherwise, stay tuned for call notices in the future!

Call about upcoming SGA report release – Thursday, Feb. 14th at 3 pm

This month SGA will release Federal Involvement in Real Estate II, which will include recommendations for policy and lawmakers on how to ensure that the $450 billion the government spends on real estate is used for its intended purpose.

Katy Hartnett will lead the conference call where participants will have an opportunity to hear an outline of the report and ask questions.

The call-in information is 712-432-0111, 668783#. Please contact Zach Smith if you have any additional questions.

Federal Policy Updates

• President Obama has yet to release his budget for the year, but he has been working to fill spots in his Cabinet. The Administration has announced that Sally Jewell, CEO of REI, will replace Ken Salazar as the head of the Department of the Interior. House U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that he will be leaving the Obama Administration once a replacement is found. Jack Lew, former White House Chief Staff, has been tapped to replace Tim Geithner as the Treasury Secretary.
• On Tuesday, President Obama called on Congress to pass a small package of spending cuts and tax changes to delay the start of next month’s deep reductions in domestic and defense spending. $85 billion in cuts are expected to take effect if Congress does nothing to stop it. Members in both parties in the House continue to work on plans to avoid the cuts, but no formal legislation has been presented.

SGA Coalition Member Survey

Transportation for America is hosting a webinar on using MAP-21 to fund rural transportation priorities – Wednesday, February 27th at 1pm EST

Investing in a variety of transportation options — like public transportation, vanpooling, bicycling, walking and safe roads and bridges — are crucial for stronger, more resilient communities in our nation’s rural areas. It’s important to know how our new federal transportation bill (MAP-21) has changed the way communities can access transportation dollars and what these funds may be used for.

Panelists for this discussion include:

• Commissioner Kathy Rinaldi, Teton County, Idaho
• Charles W. Fluharty, President and CEO, Rural Policy Research Institute
• Chris Zeilinger, Director of Policy Development, Community Transportation Association of America
• Georgia Gann, Deputy Director of Government Affairs, Transportation for America
• John Robert Smith, President and CEO, Reconnecting America and Former Mayor of Meridian, MS (moderator)

Register for the webinar on the T4America website.

Call for proposals – EPA’s Smart Growth Implementation Assistance, due March 1

The SGIA program focuses on complex or cutting-edge issues, and projects can take about 18 months to complete. These projects explore innovative ideas to overcome barriers that are preventing communities from getting the kind of development they want. Since 2005, the SGIA program has allowed the Office of Sustainable Communities to work with a diverse array of communities from across the country on issues such as stormwater management, code revision, transit-oriented development, affordable housing, infill development, corridor planning, green building, and climate change.

This year categories include:

• Community Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change
• Redevelopment for Job Creation
• The Role of Manufactured and Modular Homes in Sustainable Neighborhood Design
• Medical and Social Services Facilities Siting

Applications are due on March 1.

Register for the 2013 National Main Streets Conference: Main Street and the cultural economy – April 14-16, 2013

Register for the conference on the Main Streets website.