AgdaPkt 2008-06-30 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

8A Page 3 'Prop.1S' Continued from Page 1... Unfortunately, the ability for cities to receive a second allocation of Prop. 1 B Local Streets and Roads funds in FY 2008-09 and begin their next phase of projects is being hampered by the fact that more than $120 million remains to be allocated to cities who have not yet requested their portion from the Department of Finance. Cities who have not yet submitted their request for their share of funds should do so immediately. . To date, $422 million of the $550 million of Prop. 1B local Street and Road funds for FY 2007-08 have been allocated. The current city-by-<:ity list of the funds is posted bn the infrastructure page of the League's Web site at www.cacities.oro/infrastructure. The DOF sent all California cities a letter in January with Prop. 1 B application instructions and a list detailing each city's proportional share of the funds. These materials and the Prop. 1 B Implementation Guidelines are posted on the infrastructure page of the League's Web site at www.cacities.ora/infrastructure. Congress Moves Forward on Housing and Public Safety Proposals Periodically. the League updates its members on policy-making at the federal level and our lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. on behalf of cities. Local Law Enforcement Program Reauthorization Legislation that would reauthorize the Edward Byme Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program at $1 billion annually through FY 2012 was approved by the House Judiciary Committee on June 18. The program supports state and local law enforcement efforts by providing grants for drug task forces, community crime prevention programs and substance abuse treatment and prosecution initiatives. The bill (HR 3546) is expected to receive consideration on the House floor before Congress breaks for the Fourth of July recess. The League organized a joint effort with the California State Association of Counties to urge California congressional delegation support for the measure. The joint letter sent to California representatives is available on the federal section of the League's Web site at www.cacities.orq/federal. The Senate passed a companion measure (S 231) sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein on May 24. Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Foreclosure Crisis legislation House and Senate housing committee leaders continue to work to resolve differences between the measures passed by the respective chambers to address the national foreclosure crisis. The final compromise package is expected to contain provisions creating a national affordable housing trust fund (HTF) as well as funding for state and local governments for the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed properties. The HTF provisions proposed in both the House and Senate housing packages would provide funding for construction, rehabilitation, acquisition and preservation of affordable housing. However, administrative costs, advocacy, counseling or tax-preparation assistance would be ineligible uses under the bills. In addition, the measures include resources for state and local governments to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed properties. Currently, the House package would authorize a one-year $15 billion loan and grant program ($7.5 million for federal grants and $7.5 billion for federslloans) to help sustain neighborhoods and communities experiencing the highest rates of home foreclosure. Funding could be used to purchase qualified houses made vacant by foreclosure, to rehabilitate the houses to restore compliance with local codes and general habitab~ity, including energy-efficiency improvements, and to re-sell or rent the houses to income-targeted families. 3