The Senate Banking Committee has approved legislation, S. 1619, authorizing new competitive grants for local governments and regional planning organizations working together on community planning initiatives that coordinate housing, transit, and energy efficiency. However, due to budget pressures funding was reduced from $4 billion to $2.7 billion over three years.
The bill, known as the Livable Communiteis Act, will improve the alignment of housing, transit and energy efficiency programs at the federal level and continues to showcase the changes taking place in federal policy and once again shows the need for Michigan communities to be working on a regional basis to further such efforts.
The National League of Cities, along with the US Conference of Mayors and National Association of Regional Councils worked with the committee to support the legislation.
Arnold Weinfeld covers federal issues for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
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