Local officials have one more chance to influence fiscal year 2012 funding levels for many programs of importance to local communities. Now that the House and Senate have passed their own appropriations bills, a joint House-Senate conference committee will make final decisions.
Funding for housing and community development, public safety, and transportation and infrastructure remain up in the air until the conference committee does their work. Local officials are strongly encouraged to contact not only their own congressional representative as well as Senators Levin and Stabenow, but especially Congressman Dave Camp who serves as chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Urge them to:
• Oppose any efforts to further reduce overall spending for programs under the minibus;
• Support level funding for CDBG at $3.5 billion as it appears in the House bill;
• Support funding for the HOME program at $1.2 billion as it appears in the House bill;
• Support the Senate’s funding for COPS hiring grants and the House’s funding for Second Chance; and
• Support Senate transportation spending levels and transit new starts funding.
Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Intiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
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