News

In this issue:

• Federal Policy Update
• Follow up to the SGA Coalition Lobby Day
• Brownfields Reauthorization Bill being introduced in the Senate – Let us know if you have sent a co-sponsor letter!
• New Complete Streets Resources: State Legislation Toolkit, Policy Analysis
• Coalition Call on the 2012 Complete Streets Policy Analysis – 4 pm ET on Thursday, April 11th
• Application Period Open: National Award for Smart Growth Achievement – deadline April 12, 2013
• Register for the Good Jobs Green Jobs Conference – April 16-18, 2013
• Register for the 2013 National Main Streets Conference: Main Street and the cultural economy – April 14-16, 2013

Federal Policy Update

Congress was in recess last week. However, On March 26, President Obama signed into law a final Fiscal Year 2013 spending package which retained the automatic $85 billion in spending cuts known as the sequester. Most federal agencies—including HUD, DOT and EPA—will have to make reductions in spending by the end of FY 2013 on September 30, 2013.

Next week Congress will turn its attention to the Fiscal Year 2014′s budget. On March 21, the House of Representatives voted in favor of adopting the resolution sponsored by Congressman Paul Ryan that leaves the sequester intact. The resolution also cuts domestic programs, repeals the 2010 health care act, and overhauls the income tax code, resulting in reduced spending of $4.6 trillion.

Follow up to the SGA Coalition Lobby Day

Thank you again to everyone who attended the SGA Coalition Meeting and Lobby Day a couple of weeks ago. As follow up to our visits to Congressional offices, we ask that you please send a thank you letter to the staff members that you met if you haven’t already. Please include Jeri Mintzer (jmintzer@smartgrowthamerica.org) on any follow up you have with member’s offices in case they have additional questions.

Also, feel free to contact Jeri if you would like us to draft a thank you letter for you.

Brownfields Reauthorization Bill introduced in the Senate – Let us know if you have sent a co-sponsor letter

Senators Lautenberg (D-NJ), Inhofe (R-OK), Udall (D-NM) and Crapo (R-ID) introduced a brownfields reauthorization bill, the BUILD Act,  on Thursday, March 7th.

Some highlights of the bill include:

New Complete Streets Resources: State Legislation Toolkit, Policy Analysis

The National Complete Streets Coalition is releasing two new resources that will help advance your Complete Streets efforts. The new Complete Streets in the States: A Guide to Legislative Action, produced in collaboration with AARP, is an advocacy-oriented guide for stakeholders looking to advance Complete Streets legislation in their state houses and with their DOTs. Model legislation, strategic guidance and short implementation-focused case studies are included.

And, on April 8, the Coalition will release its annual policy analysis report. The report highlights those communities that have adopted well-written policies in accordance with the ten elements of an ideal Complete Streets policy. Join our call on April 11 at 4 pm ET to learn more about these tools.

Contact Stefanie Seskin if you have any questions about the new resources.

Coalition Call on the 2012 Complete Streets Policy Analysis – April 11th at 4 pm ET

On Thursday, April 11 at 4pm Eastern, we will host a call for SGA’s coalition partners featuring Stefanie Seskin of the National Complete Streets Coalition. Stefanie will brief you about two new Complete Streets resources and answer any questions you have. Please share this info far and wide with your staff and partners – all are invited!

The call will happen on this conference line: 712-432-0111, 668783#. Email Stefanie Seskin with any questions about the call.

Application Period Open: National Award for Smart Growth Achievement

The application period for the 12th annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement is now open. This competition is open to public- and private-sector entities that have successfully used smart growth principles to improve communities environmentally, socially, and economically. The application deadline is April 12, 2013.

There is one application form for four categories:

• Built Projects
• Corridor and Neighborhood Revitalization
• Plazas, Parks, and Public Places
• Policies, Programs, and Plans

In addition, the review panel will choose an Overall Excellence winner from those that apply in these four categories.

Visit the EPA’s Office of Sustainable Communities website for the application and more information.

Register for the Good Jobs Green Jobs 2013 Conference – April 16-18, 2013

The 2013 Conference will focus on how to grow the clean economy to scale; the role of strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors in solving the country’s pressing economic and environmental challenges; how regulations protect us while creating new markets; and how people in every part of the U.S. are working collaboratively for social, economic and environmental justice, while building an economy with good jobs.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will be joining leaders in the environmental, labor, business, non-profit sector, as well as elected champions working to address issues such as climate change like U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, at the 2013 Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference on April 16-18 at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.

With new, flexible registration options, you’re sure to find one to fit your needs and budget. Take a look at the attendance options:

• Full-Conference Attendee: Full access to the two-day Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference complete with four plenary sessions, dozens of workshops, the Wednesday evening reception, and ample networking opportunities. Registration will be $225.
• One Day Pass: Access to one day of the Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference that includes two plenary sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. A One Day Pass for either April 16 or April 17 is $125.
• Plenary Pass: Access to all four plenary sessions during the two days of the Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference for only $50.
• Networking Reception Pass: Access to the Wednesday evening Networking Reception for only $50.

Visit the Good Jobs Green Jobs 2013 Conference website to view the agenda and register.

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.