Congress back in session

Congress will return to session after Labor Day and as was the case when it left for summer recess, the same issues will continue to be front and center -- namely health care reform and the energy/climate bill.  Both have implications for local governments.  Even more pressing for locals is resolution of the transportation reauthorization bill.  With a September 30th deadline fast approaching, and the fact that no one appears ready to pass a gas tax increase to fund a new bill, it appears that a extension of some type will be passed.  Whether its the 18th month extension sought by the administration and Senate or something shorter remains to be seen.  Those in favor of an extension see it as a opportunity to engage in a much broader discussion of the nation's transportation policy, one that could have positive implications for local communities and metropolitan areas.  The League asks that you continue to speak with your ccngressional representative on the need for transportation funding to come directly to locals. And on the matter of the energy/climate change bill tell them that if a bill is to pass, a portion of the funds derived from the program must go to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program (EECBG).  Once the funds from the Recovery Program are gone, that's it and the climate change bill presents an excellent opportunity for a permanent source of funds to further local energy programs.