Issues

 

Congressional Urban Caucus Issues
 
The Congressional Urban Caucus understands that for the nation to deal with today’s rapidly changing global financial realities metropolitan areas will require a new approach to meeting its current and future challenges. We propose a new partnership between federal, local, and private-sector players to help metropolitan areas build on their economic strengths, foster a strong and diverse middle class, and grow in environmentally sustainable ways. 
 
With the 111th Congress, and the Obama Administration, an opportunity exists to create this federal-metro partnership which can not only bolster metropolitan areas economically but allow them to grow in more productive, inclusive, and sustainable ways.  The nation cannot let this opportunity pass because America’s metropolitan areas are at the center of the nation’s economic prosperity (according to the Brookings Institution close to 75% of the nation’s GDP and 68% of the nation’s jobs are located in metropolitan areas).  Consequently, it is in the best interest of the nation economically, environmentally and socially to work toward their continued health, vitality and prosperity. 
 
Although there are numerous areas that we could focus on, we focused on six main areas (infrastructure, sustainable development, housing, economic security, and education) that are of the most critical importance. 
 
Infrastructure
 
The nation’s long-term competitiveness depends on its ability to invest in its critical infrastructure. Maintaining and upgrading the nation’s infrastructure is a multi-faceted project that requires federal assistance. Although local governments have taken a highly aggressive approach to tackling their local infrastructure needs, their ability to finance their infrastructure projects is limited by both the escalating costs of these commitments along with a decreasing ability to borrow from credit strained markets.
 
Fortunately the incoming administration has committed the federal government to increasing it’s financing and support for infrastructure improvement throughout the country. However, any federal commitment must take into account the unique infrastructure related issues that metropolitan areas face. In order to upgrade our infrastructure to 21st century standards the Urban Caucus proposes that a number of steps be taken to ensure that America’s infrastructure remains strong well into the future.
 
Issue Areas
 
  • Address future infrastructure needs through a mix of funding sources: An infrastructure bank, that recognizes the unique challenges facing urban areas, could be a viable and efficient means by which the federal government provides financing for infrastructure projects. The Bank could provide up to $60 billion over 10 years to help finance selected infrastructure projects across the country. For oversight, these projects would have to be approved by the Bank’s independent commission (whose members would be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate). This commission would use its expertise in evaluating projects to target those projects that are in most need of financing.
 
  • Support Redevelopment of Brownfields:  Brownfield Redevelopment not only reduces environmental contamination in metro communities, but it provides jobs and new sources of tax revenues (from the redeveloped properties). According to a recent US Conference of Mayors survey, 188 cities (out of 209) estimated that they had about 24,896 Brownfield sites (average size: 13.92 acres). Of these sites, 3,282 had been classified as sites in which the current owner had no plans to either redevlop or sell (because of environmental liability). To help to improve these sites, Congress should support programs that help to redevelop these sites and place them back into productive use. 
 
  • Prioritize alternative energy and public transit projects: To ensure that the nation continues to move toward a cleaner and greener future, the federal government needs to make use of alternative energy and expanded public transit as a priority for the next surface transportation law. Moreover, metro areas should be given more control and flexibility in implementing programs involving green infrastructure projects.
 
  • Fund rehabilitation of aging water infrastructure: Help urban communities rehab aging water infrastructure by providing increased SRF loan funding.
 
  • Support Repair of the nation’s school buildings: (1) Conduct an updated study on the state of the nation’s school buildings; (2) increase federal grants for school building repair in high poverty/high need school districts; (3) promote school construction through the use of federal tax credits; and (4) provide direct federal aid for school construction and repair.
 
Environmentally Sustainable Growth
 
In a world where it has become increasingly difficult to maintain access to long-term energy resources, the nation must adopt an energy strategy that values conservation, energy efficiency and greater alternative energy use. During the majority of 2008, the nation found itself in the grip of escalating gasoline and home heating prices. Although the nation appears to have been given a respite from these increasing costs, experts warn that the days of over $100 oil may not be over. 
 
With a growing population, Americans are invariably driving, building, and consuming more. Along with this increase in activity come more energy consumption and rising carbon levels. Moreover, although the world is in recession now, eventually the tide will come back in and the global economy will begin to consume at a pace that the nation saw in 2006 and 2007. With this increased consumption will come sharply rising energy prices, continued dependence on imported fuels, and accelerating global climate change (not to mention increased geopolitical instability caused by the competition over energy resources and the changes brought on by changing climate).
 
As set forth above, America’s carbon footprint is expanding; therefore, the nation must focus on prioritizing smart growth policies, public transportation, and smart commuting. America’s communities become more livable and sustainable, and the only way to do that is for the nation to re-evaluate how it funds its transportation needs.
 
Issue Areas
 
·        Support Urban Communities Initiatives on Sustainable Development: Fully fund the Energy Block Grant Program.  Local governments are uniquely positioned to foster a grass-roots approach to the development and deployment of energy efficiency and conservation projects. Government leaders understand that since metropolitan areas are big sources of the carbon emissions and big users of energy resources, they need to be on the forefront of efforts to encourage energy efficiency and independence (through the use of renewable energy technologies like wind, solar, and geothermal, support the use of smart growth planning and zoning to reduce automobile usage, create more energy efficient buildings, and implement energy savings campaigns). The Energy Block Grant enables local governments to do just that, it enables them to support projects that create new employment opportunities in their communities while presenting real world examples of renewable energy projects that work.
 
·         Diversify America’s energy supplies: The nation must continue to diversify its current energy mix to include more alternative energy resources. To do this a number of different strategies need to be undertaken. First, expand federal tax credits for wind and other energy power supplies (to promote the stability and long term growth of these industries, private businesses need to have the assurance that these credits will be around long term and not subject to constant renewal every few years). Second, the federal government, following the lead of many states in this area, should adopt a national portfolio standard that requires utility companies to use alternative energy supplies. Finally, create incentives and programs that promote energy storage and smart grid policies.
 
·         Invest in a Smart Energy Grid: To truly create a greener future, the federal government must ensure that the power created from these energy resources actually reaches major population centers (unfortunately, most of the power generate through alternative energy resources - solar, wind, geothermal, tidal - are often located in remote areas). Current alternative energy incentives that only focus on growth of separate industries is not enough. To ensure that government resources are not wasted on nonviable industries, the nation must invest in new transmission lines and other facilities to guarantee that alternative energy projects are a viable means of power production.
 
·         Invest in Weatherization of Homes and Commercial Buildings: The nation could reduce its dependence on foreign energy resources simply by being more energy efficient. Weatherizing (i.e. upgrading home furnaces, ducts, windows, and insulation) the nation’s current housing stock (or just the government’s considerable public housing stock) could help reduce current energy demand by a significant number.
 
·         Create Jobs in Green Industries: The project to make America more energy efficient and independent presents a tremendous opportunity to the residents of America’s urban areas. The federal government in addition to investing in a new smart grid, alternative energy, weatherization programs, should also fund initiatives for advanced green manufacturing training, job transition programs for new green industries, and apprenticeships with private sector employers and unions that will work in new green industries. By allowing individuals to participate in new green industries, the government can help to break the cycle of poverty that has gripped many urban communities.
 
Housing: Making our Homes and Neighborhoods Affordable and Sustainable
 
Lack of affordable type of housing in metropolitan regions creates a mismatch between where people live (in the metropolitan core) and where the jobs are (often in expanding suburban or exurban areas). This mismatch drives up overall workforce costs for employers who must raise wages to entice potential entry level employees. Even though these problems have been known for years, and the need for affordable housing has grown, low income housing assistance has been steadily cut in order to deal with large budget deficits.
 
Issue Areas
 
·        Increase funding for the Community Development Block Grant Program: The CDBG program has helped to strengthen urban communities by providing funds that are used to create housing and jobs in urban areas. However, over the last few years, funding for this program has repeatedly taken a backseat to other funding priorities. Increasing funding for the Block Grant Program would help urban communities deal with rising unemployment and foreclosures affecting their communities.
 
·        Restore funding for the HOPE VI Program: The nation’s public housing stock is in need of repair if it is to continue its mission of providing adequate housing to the public. The HOPE VI program was designed to help housing authorities continue their mission as providers of housing to those most in need by providing grants for the rehabilitation, construction, and demolition of old public housing projects. However since 2001, the HOPE VI program has seen its’ funding drastically cut from $875 to $100 million. To ensure that the government can continue to provide adequate and temporary housing to those who need it, funding for this program must be restored to its pre-2001 levels.
 
  • Increase funding for the Housing Choice Program: to helpclose the gap between those currently receiving Section 8 assistance (around 1.95 million households) and those who could qualify for it (6.5 million households). 
 
Crime Prevention, Safety and Criminal Recidivism
 
Funding for law enforcement programs through the Department of Justice have been routinely slashed over the past few years. While this news is indeed disheartening, the good news is that in the past many metro areas throughout the U.S. have successfully confronted the inter-related problems of youth gang violence, drug abuse, gun trafficking, and street crime. Providing metro areas with the funding to reinvigorate programs that have been successful in the past will go a long ways towards dealing with an uptick in crime rates. Listed below are some of the ways that the federal government can assist metro areas in reducing crime and criminal recidivism.
 
Issue Areas
 
  • Increase funding for the COPS program: The COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) program was established in 1994 under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. Since its enactment, the program has provided over $11.3 billion in assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies for a number of activities including purchase of equipment, hiring and training law enforcement officers, and neighborhood policing programs. However, since 2000, this program has often seen its funding cut as money was diverted elsewhere.
 
  • Reduce Criminal Recidivism by Providing support to Ex-Offenders: Each year, ex-offenders who return to urban communities often find it difficult to reengage in their communities because they lack access to jobs, education, and healthcare.  To ensure that individuals have the opportunity to truly start over and to help break the cycle of recidivism, the federal government must continue to invest in programs that provide these much needed services to returning ex-offenders.
 
Economic Security: Employment and Business Development
 
As the nation faces a long economic recession, it is imperative that that the federal government renews its commitment to workforce development programs that have a proven track record of success. Ensuring that workers find success in an increasingly complex and competitive job market is one key to lifting the country out of this economic malaise.
There are a number of initiatives that the federal government can adopt to ensure that the nation’s workforce remains competitive. These include incentives that support the development of competitive businesses, quality schools to train an educated workforce, and programs that  support basic research and development, and innovation (to ensure that US business remain technologically relevant).
 
Issue Areas
 
  • Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit: Because the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) supplements the income of many low income households and communities, it has played an important role in helping to support these communities in times of need. Wishing to mirror the success of the federal program, many states and localities have enacted their own versions of the credit. However, even with the apparent success of the program, there are still ways that the credit could be made better. The credit should be increased to for families with three or more children and expanded to include non-traditional families. Right now, many nontraditional families find themselves unable to benefit from the program because parents do not have custody of their children even though they support their families through child support payments.
 
  • Support a National Innovation Council: Different regions of the country have a proven track record of facilitating economic clusters that are not only centers for economic growth but also serve as hotbeds for innovation. The federal government should help to create more of these regional economic clusters. The creation of an Innovation Council responsible for creating and advocating for a unified federal innovation policy would help to do just that.  This council would provide grants that enable regional businesses, government and educational leaders in maximizing their region’s existing assets to promote long term economic growth.  Moreover, the council would collaborate with other major statistical agencies to collect data concerning the impact on productivity of the Council's programs, and annually report to Congress on national innovation and productivity. 
 
  • Increase Funding for Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC): many low income individuals use public transportation to commute to new entry level jobs in suburban areas. Because these jobs often require night and weekend work (times during which public transportation is not readily available), many individuals find it difficult to get to work on a consistent and regular basis. JARC was designed to help eliminate some of the transportation disparities affecting city residents by providing funds for programs that transport individuals to jobs located in suburban areas. The program was authorized to provide up to $727 million in grant money for fiscal years 2006 through 2009. Because of the program’s successful track record, its funding should be increased.
 
  • Expand Access to Bank Accounts: Having no access to a bank account often leaves residents of urban communities subject to high check cashing fees payday lenders. The federal government should support programs that expand bank account use among working families.
 
Education: Investing in the Nation’s Future
 
Our country has witnessed tremendous progress in the area of education reform over the last fifty years: On the one hand, the educational achievement gap between those of different races has narrowed significantly; while at the same time, increasing numbers of students are finding the resources necessary to pursue higher education.
 
However, we still have not solved one of the most persistent and pervasive injustices in our educational system: poorer communities suffer from under-qualified teachers, substandard facilities and inadequate instructional resources. Meanwhile, children in wealthier communities are provided with a superior education.  Because of their disproportionate representation in low-income communities, students of color are disproportionately affected by the current inequitable education system. 
 
The federal government should seek to improve the entire school system by holding schools accountable and by providing programs for students, so that they have the educational resources they need to succeed in today’s world. 
 
Issue Areas
 
  • Increase Opportunities for Early Childhood Education:  The federal government needs to help promote early childhood development in urban communities by promoting a quality pre-school education that is both accessible and affordable. Studies have shown that low income children, when they have access to quality early childhood education, benefit greatly in terms of educational achievement in elementary school and beyond. To help close any achievement gaps that result from lack of early childhood education, the federal government should adopt a number of measures: (1) expand access to preschool for all children; (2) increase the number of eligible children for Early Head Start; and (3) increase Head Start funding.  The federal government should work to ensure all children have access to pre-school as well as provide affordable and high quality child care that will promote child development and ease the burden on working families.
 
  • Expand Afterschool Opportunities: Like repairs of housing, bridges, and roads, high quality after school programs are a long term investment in the nation’s communities. Not only do these programs allow students to develop skills that cannot be easily taught in the classroom (and offer opportunities for mentorships and apprenticeships), they also provide relief to working families who often find themselves having to juggle (and sometimes choose between) their work and childcare responsibilities. Funding should be increased for programs that develop and implement these types of programs. Moreover, this money should be funneled directly to metro areas so they can take the lead in ensuring that quality afterschool programs are not neglected.
 
  • Expand financial literacy programs: In a world of complex financial products, mortgages, and credit cards, programs that teach financial literacy are key to protecting individuals against the tactics of predatory lenders and the high fees associated with payday lenders. By helping individuals to make sound financial decisions, the federal government protects not only the individuals themselves, but also protects the wider financial system by decreasing the amount of bad loans and mortgages that enter into the system. As a result, the federal government should invest in expanded financial literacy programs to educate city inhabitants about a number of financial topics.