News

In this issue:

• Federal Policy Updates
• Transportation for America releases a new report “The Fix We’re In For: The State of Our Nation’s Bridges 2013”
• The Governor’s Institute on Community Design held a one-day workshop on implementing policies in the federal transportation bill, MAP – 21
• National Complete Streets Coalition and the Environmental Energy Institute (EESI) held a briefing on Capitol Hill on complete streets policy
• Tell us your favorite street for our ‘Favorite Street’ campaign on Facebook
• 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 – due July 8th
• Apply for the Rockefeller’s Foundation 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge

Federal Policy Updates

Last week, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) introduced a bill that did not include funding for programs that make up the Partnership for Sustainable Communities in HUD and the DOT and made cuts to the Federal Transit Administration and Community Development Block Grant program. These proposed cuts would have a harmful impact on communities across the country and their ability to create strong local economies.

Yesterday, the THUD Subcommittee in the Senate took a different course of action and included $75 million of funding for the Partnership in their bill. The subcommittee’s decision to fund the programs is due in no small part to your calls and emails to the Senate demanding that these programs receive the funding they deserve.

For a more in-depth analysis of the Appropriation bills and how you can take action read Smart Growth America’s blog

Other Updates:

• Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA/06) and Congressman David Joyce (R – OH/14) introduced bipartisan legislation to make complete streets a nationwide standard.  The Safe Streets Act of 2013 would require each state to implement a Complete Streets policy within two years that ensures all new federally-funded transportation projects accommodate the safety and convenience of all users.
• The House defeated a five-year farm policy bill (HR 1947). The bill would cut $20.5 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Benefit Program, the nation’s largest nutrition program, and end direct payments to farmers. Overall, the bill would reduce agricultural program authorizations by $33 billion from current law.
• The Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee approved a spending bill to provide $34.8 billion for the Energy Department, Army Corps of Engineers and related agencies through fiscal 2014. It would provide about $500 million more than post-sequester levels and $4.4 billion more than the House version.
• The House defeated a five-year farm policy bill (HR 1947). The bill would cut $20.5 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Benefit Program, the nation’s largest nutrition program, and end direct payments to farmers. Overall, the bill would reduce agricultural program authorizations by $33 billion from current law.
• On Thursday, the Senate will vote on the nomination of Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Foxx to become the next Secretary of the US DOT. Foxx received unanimous approval from the Transportation Committee in the Senate earlier in the month and is expected to be confirmed by the full chamber.

Transportation for America releases a new report “The Fix We’re In For: The State of Our Nation’s Bridges 2013”

T4America’s new report  shows that progress to repair structurally deficient bridges has slowed, even as our bridges continue to age.  Laid end-to-end, the nation’s 66,000 structurally deficient bridges would stretch more than 1,500 miles—farther than from Mexico to Canada. Yet as our bridges age far past middle age, the rate of bridge repair is steadily slowing, and Congress has actually stripped away dedicated funding for bridge repair.

To learn more about this critical issue and where deficient bridges are located in your community, download the report (pdf) on T4America’s website.

Tell us your favorite street to post for our ‘Favorite Street’ campaign on Facebook

We are continuing our Facebook campaign showcasing people’s favorite streets, and we want to highlight our coalition members’ favorites. You can see an example of it if you haven’t been following it on our Facebook page. It gets some great local press and love each time it goes up for a new place – main street, residential block or some other local favorite that is a diverse example of what smart growth looks like.

Will you send us your favorite? We need a street address or block, a person (whose favorite from your staff), and a sentence about why it is special to that person. (This takes 2 minutes time – max!) We pull photos, get it all lined up and connect it back to the person and your organization (if you want). Send us a picture of your staff on that street for extra points, but not required.

If you have any questions or are ready to start sharing, please contact Aidan O’Shea.

The Governor’s Institute on Community Design held a one-day workshop on implementing policies in the federal transportation bill, MAP – 21

The Governors’ Institute on Community Design hosted a 1-day workshop for State Departments of Transportation officials on June 19 in Washington, DC. The workshop focused on the implementation of MAP-21 to promote better alignment of policies and implementation strategies of state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) with the federal Partnership for Sustainable Community’s livability goals.  to help state DOTs utilize the new tools in MAP-21 in a way that achieves smart growth outcomes and transportation reform. Four main topic areas were addressed, including performance management, innovative finance, transportation alternatives and safety in order to help state DOTs utilize the new tools in MAP-21 in a way that achieves smart growth outcomes and transportation reform.

US DOT Deputy Secretary John Porcari gave opening remarks to frame the discussion, encouraging innovation at the state and local levels. Beth Osborne, US DOT Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy was also present for the majority of meeting to provide important insights for participants. Other featured contributors included Federal DOT officials from FHWA and NHTSA. The workshop also provided an important venue for state officials to talk to and learn from one another.

Overall, representatives from 8 different State DOTs were present, including Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, California, Vermont, Maryland, Illinois, and the District of Columbia.

For more information on implementing MAP -21 or the Governor’s Institute on Community Design, contact Sarah Absetz.

The National Complete Streets Coalition and the Environmental Energy Institute (EESI) held a briefing on Capitol Hill on complete streets policy

The National Complete Streets Coalition and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing to 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. Nationwide, nearly 500 states and localities have adopted a Complete Streets Policy directing their transportation planners and engineers to routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for all users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation.

The Safe Streets Act of 2013, co-sponsored by Rep. Matsui and Rep. David Joyce (R-OH), was introduced at the briefing and illustrates how federal policy can support local efforts to address roadway safety.

Visit EESI’s website to watch the briefing, and read the National Complete Streets blog for more information on The Safe Streets Act.

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 – due July 8th

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.