Obama seeks tax credit for lead mitigation
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Printable FormatSenator will also pressure feds on screening grants
PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
By Clare Howard, Journal Star
Calling Peoria's childhood lead poisoning rates a "tragedy," U.S. Sen. Barack Obama introduced legislation Friday to protect children and financially assist landlords and homeowners with the cost of lead mitigation.
Widely hailed by Peoria-area officials working to combat childhood lead poisoning, the legislation could affect hundreds of property owners in Peoria County. It would be a significant tool in fighting Peoria's disproportionately high levels of childhood lead poisoning.
Peoria County has the highest rates of childhood lead poisoning in the state, and Illinois leads the nation. One of seven children tested in Peoria County has lead poisoning with rates at or above 10 micrograms per deciliter, the threshold for referring cases to the Peoria City/County Health Department.
"This is a really smart bill," said Ruth Ann Norton, executive director of the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning. "This bill has a great chance of passing."
The legislation rewards private investment and will be a major help in reaching the national goal of eliminating lead poisoning by 2010, she said.
Obama, D-Ill., contacted Peoria officials earlier this week after learning Peoria was turned down three times by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a grant for lead screening and mitigation. Obama has drafted a letter to HUD Secretary Alfonso Jackson asking why Peoria was repeatedly denied.
"We will look at this issue comprehensively and do whatever it takes to resolve this tragedy," Obama said.
U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, has provided assistance with the HUD application in the past. His staff is prepared to work on the grant application again for 2006.
Removing lead from a home can cost up to $30,000. The tax credit Obama is proposing would provide for a credit of 50 percent of allowable costs up to $3,000. Taxpayers could write off that portion of their federal income taxes.
"Landlords would be willing to do this (mitigation) if they were not so daunted by costs," Obama said.
The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and Gordon Smith, R-Ore.
Lead in residential properties is found primarily in buildings constructed before 1978, when lead was banned from residential paint. In Peoria County, 81.5 percent of the housing stock was constructed before 1978 and likely contains lead. Obama's bill targets properties constructed prior to 1960.
Eligibility standards spelled out in Obama's bill include occupancy of the residence by a child under age 6 or a woman of childbearing age. Lead crosses the placenta and can poison fetuses.
Obama also introduced legislation to ban children's products containing lead, including lunch boxes, toys and Halloween costumes.
McFarland Bragg, president of Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity, said, "This could be extremely helpful. Money has been a major stumbling block."
His agency has a long involvement in lead mitigation.
"I have been involved in child development for a long time. I have seen the effects of childhood lead poisoning. It is serious, not insignificant. Peoria's rates are a tragedy."
Curt Fenton, director of nursing at the Health Department, said, "If landlords can use this, the impact could be significant. I'm interested in prevention. That is what will have the most impact. This legislation seems to provide that. It would be very good news. I'm glad in the current environment to see this legislation."
Following stories in the Journal Star last week, Obama's staff contacted Peoria city and state health department officials to explore ways to pursue solutions.
Dr. Brian Bostwick, assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, said, "This is a step in the right direction. This is excellent, and I applaud this effort. The lead elimination work group will work closely with Sen. Obama's office on this."
Andrea Parker, public health administrator with Peoria's health department, said, "I'm glad Peoria is on his radar."
She expects Peoria's next HUD grant application will request $3 million to $4 million.