News

SGA Coalition Call Notes are below and can also be downloaded here (doc).

Attendees:

• Rhonda Sincavage – National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Rachel DiResto – Center for Planning Excellence (Louisiana)
• Adam Snyder – Conservation Alabama Foundation
• Ashley Futrell, Dan Chapin – Trust for Public Land
• Mary Kyle McCurdy and Tara Sulzen – 1000 Friends of Oregon
• Dru Schmidt-Perkins – 1000 Friends of Maryland
• Betsy Hands – Montana Smart Growth Coalition
• Christopher Coes, Rayla Bellis, Abigail Gardner, Melissa Schreiber-Stahl, Elisa Ortiz, Katy Hartnett – SGA

DOT Fiscal Crisis National Report Release (UPDATE)

• Repair-Priorities Report is being released next Wednesday (telebriefing at 11 a.m.). UPDATE: report has been released and is on SGA’s website.
• All are invited to do state-specific releases on that report. Materials will be sent out Friday, May 27, including blog samples, advisory materials, etc.
• We would appreciate final press releases in order to do state-by-state pitching from here.
• For target states, it would be nice to have a reporter contact each of you and get a direct quote.
• Questions:
  • Will the materials you send out tomorrow be different from what we’ve received so far? A: Yes, new materials include sample blog posts, email blasts, and template press releases to organizations without such.
  • The report is dated January 2011 and 2010 polling data – worried about the news being dated. Have we crafted the message to get around that? A: you can compare what your state is doing to other states. Highlight states with similar circumstances – one is a model and one can strive to improve. Comparing national averages and varying conditions among states is useful.
• Contact Abby, Elisa or Rayla if you need additional support within the next few days.

ON THE HILL REPORT (Katy Hartnett)

• TRANSPORTATION: In House and the Senate, “Complete Streets” legislation has been introduced. Senator Harkin (& others) introduced it – trying to get that included in reauthorization
• PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES: Still working to get funding for FY2012. We will reach out as we need your help.
• In full-force “influence mode” regarding reauthorization and appropriations.
• Feel free to follow up with Katy if you have additional questions.

LOCUS REPORT (Christopher Coes)

• LOCUS has unveiled its new website! www.smartgrowthamerica.org/locus/
• Focus on real estate developers and investors. Work with a range of smart growth focused developers to developers who want to learn more.
• Facilitate progress in 3 main areas: (1) transportation issues; (2) connect smart growth opportunities – investors, electeds and developers; (3) connect SGA Coalition partners (i.e. believers of smart growth, infill, etc.) to LOCUS friends (e.g. real estate developers, etc.).
• Focused on the transportation bill, but beginning to focus on tax reform.
• Amount of federal investment going into real estate — $5 billion/year
• Identify which direct subsidies and/or tax breaks encourage sprawl and which encourage downtown development and other smart growth practices?
• Main goal is to connect communities who often are unable to talk with each other
• Questions:
  • Update on regional level? What’s going on in Maryland?
    • A: Based on our most recent communication, we can expect something positive shortly. We want Governor O’Malley to get involved – have been meeting with the Governor, MD DOT, Planning and key Governor’s Office Staff to discuss advocacy and speaking engagements.
  • Update regarding how LOCUS messengers can be sending a strong message as to why LOCUS priorities are pragmatic and great for economic development?
    • A: a great example is how LOCUS is organizing and connecting developers and local DC and MD coalition (e.g. ULI – Urban Land Institute, Baltimore) to further policy
• Homebuilders have a particular viewpoint on our issues. Being strategic about selecting voices does showcase that there are always winners and losers, but certainly plenty of winners among LOCUS champions.
• Feel free to contact Christopher Coes and please visit our website for talking points, and other valuable resources. Please let us know if we can include other helpful materials/tools on the website.

General Questions

• Updates to sustainable communities messaging?
• Dru needs urban help on messaging and polling for her current efforts (water issues primarily) – how can MD work with SGA on that to be a better national voice?
• An upcoming statewide smart growth conference in Louisiana (Rachel). Any ideas regarding a dynamic speaker on real estate?
  • Suggestion: Chris Leinberger (LOCUS); Governor O’Malley?

Next Coalition Call is Thursday, June 30th @ 4pm Eastern