News

In this issue:

• Federal Policy Updates
• Join the National Complete Streets Coalition and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) for a briefing on Capitol Hill – June 20th (2:30 – 4:00 p.m.)
• SGA released a workbook to help communities organize for effective public outreach
• Register for the Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference using the SGA member discount in Atlanta, GA – June 23rd-26th
• Register now for the Safe Routes to School National Conference in Sacramento, CA – Aug. 13-15, 2013
• Submit session proposals for the 13th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Denver, CO – Feb. 13-15, 2014
• Apply for the Rockefeller’s Foundation 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge

Federal Policy Updates

On June 3rd, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D -NJ), a longtime supporter of America’s towns and cities passed away. Please read Smart Growth America’s statement on the Senator’s passing on SGA’s website..

• Last Thursday and Friday, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate that would create permanent parity for the transit benefit. In the House, the measure was introduced by Congressman Grimm (R-NY), Congressman McGovern (D-MA), Congressman King (R-NY), and Congressman Blumenauer (D-OR). The House legislation, HR 2288, would create a monthly cap of $220/month. This is down from the current level of $245. It was reduced in order to make the legislation revenue neutral. In the Senate, Senator Schumer (D-NY) introduced it and parity would be established at $245 (same as present day).
• The Senate will begin marking up appropriations bills next week. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has said he will join fellow GOP appropriators next week in rejecting a plan from Appropriations Chair Barbara Mikulski (D-MD as the democrats’ proposed spending levels exceed the discretionary spending cap set in the 2011 deficit reduction law.
• Gina McCarthy’s confirmation as EPA Secretary continues to be delayed in the Senate. Senator Sessions (R-AL) has said that questions he submitted to McCarthy have not been adequately answered.
• The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation unanimously confirmed Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to be the next U.S. transportation secretary on Monday, a final step toward what’s expected to be an easy confirmation by the full Senate. If Sessions or another GOP senator impose a filibuster on McCarthy’s nomination, Democrats would need to get 60 votes to break the gridlock.

Join the National Complete Streets Coalition and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) for a briefing on Capitol Hill – June 20th (2:30 – 4:00 p.m.)

The National Complete Streets Coalition and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) are hosting a briefing Thursday, June 20th from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building. Speakers will discuss national and local trends in the adoption of Complete Streets policies and how they can be incorporated into fiscally-sound federal transportation policy to support the creation of safer streets in communities across the country. Speakers for this event include:

• Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA)
• Lynn Peterson, Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation (invited)
• Danny Pleasant, Transportation Director, City of Charlotte, NC
• Angela Vance, Associate State Director for Advocacy, AARP West Virginia
• Caron Whitaker, Vice President, Government Relations, League of American Bicyclists
• Geoff Anderson, President and CEO, Smart Growth America

Please RSVP on EESI’s website if you plan to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Searfoss.

SGA released a workbook to help communities organize for effective public outreach.

SGA has created a tool designed to help the people who live and work in the neighborhoods around brownfield sites participate in redevelopment decisions. These citizens have information and opinions, investments and energy that can drive revitalization forward. By getting organized and learning about the redevelopment process, you can help create OPTIONs for reuse – thus the title of this guide, “Organizing to Promote Targeted Improvements in Our Neighborhoods.” The worksheets in the guide will help you think through the information you need, the people you need to know, and the questions you need to answer to support and even lead redevelopment efforts. They can be used to initiate community conversations, share information and ideas, and prompt strategic thinking about others who could help you.

View the community engagement workbook on SGA’s website.

Register for the Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference using the SGA member discount – June 23rd-26th in Atlanta, GA

Why are yard signs inefficient campaign tools? How do you really use social media to turn out people at public meetings and voters at the ballot box? What are some of the best ways to raise funds for your transit campaign?

The Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference is the only national conference devoted to understanding how to build and win ballot measures that substantially increase public transit investment. Activists, business leaders, transit agencies officials and elected leaders will gather in Atlanta, GA from June 23rd to 26th to talk frankly about what it takes to win at the ballot box. Hear from those who have gone through it, share your own insights, and meet others looking to position their community for a new transit initiative.

SGA Coalition members will be granted the early bird discount (which has expired for the general public) and there are still a few reduced rate hotel rooms available. Come be a part of this practical knowledge meeting about how to win big for transit. Contact Allison Leach to sign up (aleach@cfte.org). Details available here.

Register now for the Safe Routes to School National Conference in Sacramento, CA – Aug. 13-15, 2013

Registration is now open for the Safe Routes to School National Conference. Learn how Safe Routes to School programs across the nation are changing the habits of an entire generation of schoolchildren while improving the health and environment of numerous communities. This fourth national conference will feature workshop sessions, mobile tours, inspirational presentations, and networking opportunities to help you start or expand your SRTS program.

This bi-annual conference is sponsored by the National Center for Safe Routes to School (NCSRTS) and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership (SRTSNP), with the 2013 event being hosted by the Local Government Commission (LGC). The LGC has partnered with several local, regional, and statewide agencies and organizations that reflect the range and diversity of the topic itself.

Visit the Safe Routes to School National Conference website to learn more about the conference and to register.

Submit session proposals for the 13th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference – Feb. 13-15, 2014 in Denver, CO

The Call for Session Proposals (CFSP) for the 13th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference has officially opened! The conference will be held February 13-15, 2014 in Denver, CO.

The CFSP Submittal Instructions and online Form are now available on the conference web site. All proposals must be submitted using the online form under the link below. This process should be used to submit any proposals for breakouts, workshops, tours, or networking activities. The CFSP process is open from June 3 through July 8, 2013. All proposals will be reviewed from mid-July through August 2013.

To access the form and instructions, visit the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference website.

Apply for the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge

To enable 100 cities to better address major 21st century challenges, the Rockefeller Foundation is inviting cities from around the world to apply for the 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge.

In August, cities can be nominated through a formal application process. Winning cities will be announced in three rounds over the next three years, with the final round of winners named in 2015.

Each winning city will receive:

• Membership in the 100 Resilient Cities Network which will provide support to member cities and share new knowledge and resilience best practices.
• Support to hire a Chief Resilience Officer to oversee the development of a resilience strategy for the city and be part of a learning network of other CROs.
• Support to create a resilience plan, along with tools and resources for implementation.
• Now is the time for action to ensure our cities remain places of opportunity for the next 100 years.

Learn more about the new initiative on the Rockefeller Foundation’s website.