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CDBG from page 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . · ... ... · · · ..... · · · · · .... · · · · · · · · A key concern for cities is the Community opment officials have come to rely on the program Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. as the cornerstone of any new community revital- The budget proposes that this program would ization effort. Every dollar of the CDBG pro- remain at the Department of Housing and Urban gram invested in communities is leveraged by Development (HUD) - something that the League three dollars in private funding, bringing much- of California Cities and its members, along with needed investment, jobs, and the chance for a cities throughout the nation, fought successfully to fresh start to blighted communities. retain last year. The budget proposal, however, reduces the CDBG program to $3.03 billion - 25 Last year, a national coalition that included percent lower than its current funding level of thousands of cities, counties and other local $4.18 billion. organizations, successfully convinced Congress to reject the Bush administration's proposal to In Washington, D.C., the National League of eliminate the CDBG program in the FY 2006 Cities (NLC) joined with a coalition of organiza- federal budget. Members of Congress were tions representing local elected officials, cities and impressed with the number and scope of projects counties, and housing and community develop- made possible by the CDBG program in urban ment organizations, in calling on Congress to and rural communities. Just a few months ago, reverse the CDBG cuts. If approved, the $1 billion the Bush administration and Congress recognized cut for formula grants for cities and states would once again the effectiveness of the CDBG pro- represent the lowest level of funding for this gram and delivered $11.5 billion in targeted CDBG program since 1990. funding to the Gulf Coast for reconstruction activities after the 2005 hurricane season. NLC and the national coalition also expressed concern that the 25 percent reduction in CDBG The League of California Cities board of funding will pose serious threats to cities' ability to directors will meet February 10-11 to consider this provide important services and economic recov- issue and others when it adopts federal priorities ery for their citizens. (For more information on for the League in 2007. NLC's reaction to the federal budget, and the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . coalition of other national organizations working SUNSHINE from page 1 with NLC, please visit www.nlc.org.) To view a list of budget proposals for key federal programs of In its second year, this national event features interest to city, visit the League's Federal Issues participating daily and weekly newspapers, maga- page at www.cacities.org/fedoriorities. zines, online sites, and radio and television broad- casters running editorials, op-ed columns, and Why CDBG Matters other content focused on driving public discussion about why open government is important to CDBG is an important tool used by local and everyone, not just journalists. state officials as they tackle their most serious community development challenges. It provides Last year, 50 news organizations in California funding for public works and infrastructure, decent participated in the event. This year, Hodding affordable housing, public services and economic Carter III, an award-winning print and broadcast development. Many of these activities are carried journalist, former State Department spokesman, out at the local level by private companies, such and past president of the John S. and James L. as construction contractors, plumbers and electri- Knight Foundation, has joined the Sunshine Week cians, as well as by non-profit community-based national open government initiative as honorary providers. chairman. Because of its flexibility and use in a variety of For more details on Sunshine Week, visit projects, local and state governments and devel- www.sunshineweek.org. PAGE 2 - PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Website--www.cacities.org February 10, 2006 . Issue #6