HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-17 Correspondence
To the members oftbe Univ~rsity of Iowa Community:
We write this letter in response to recent events in our community involving assaults by unknown men against women near our campus. Such actions
transgress against each member of our community and work against our goals of a community rooted in respect and safety for people of all genders. We
believe that we must speak up. If we do not speak up, we allow those who are committing these acts to speak for us. Each of us has a responsibility to
never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women. As part of our dedication to these goals, we will engage in the following actions:
'"
',,"
We will not remain silent.
We will not look the other way.
We will confront disrespectful or abusive behavior towards women.
We will examine our attitudes about women and men that may perpetuate sexism and violence against women.
We will interrupt actions, comments, or jokes that support rape and other acts of violence.
.
.
.
.
.
and safety.
in these same actions and to get involved in returning our community to a place of respect
Take a stand. Speak up. Speak out.
We encourage other men to engage
BryanJohn Traeger, Delta Chi Fraternity
Thomas R. Baker, Student Services
Chuck Hauck, Academic Advising Center
Emil Rinderspacher, Office of Admissions
Jerrod Koon, Counseling Psychology
Ren Stinson, Counseling Psychology
Phillip E. Jones, Student Services
Dan Schropp, Human Resources
Derek Turesky,Counseling Psychology
Barty Greenberg, Iowa Memorial Union Food Service
Jon Yankey, College of Public Health
Steve Parrott, University Relations
Cory Lockwood, Iowa Memorial Union
William Davies, Department of Linguistics
Nick Gaul, Knights of Columbus
Eric Luckett, University of Iowa
Brett Larson, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity
Jonathan Chaparro, Hillcrest Residence Hall
Robett Ingram, University of Iowa
Jake Riley, Delta Chi Fraternity
Nick Hoeger, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
Jake Gabelmann, Hillcrest Residence Hall
Paul Russum, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
John Rapson, Depattment of Music
John Fraser, Tippe School of Management
Bryan Benson, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Jay M. Greenfeld, Counseling Psychology
Henry Weigle, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
Justin O'Rourke, Counseling Psychology
Scott Liu, University Counseling Service
John Westefeld, Counseling Psychology
Rod Martin, Office of Admissions
Thomas Paulsen, Office of Admissions
Terry Johnson, Controller
Thoy Vfulf, Athletics Coordinator
Todd]. Stanhope, Carver College of Medicine
Will Heise, Carver College of Medicine
Patrick Hahn, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Constantine Anton, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
Steven Vlasvich, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Christian Jensen, Departtnent of Political Science
Jesse Hinckley, Carver College of Medicine
Paul Wmdschid, Depattment of Psychology
Marc Frank Doobay, Carver College of Medicine
Paul Weller, Tippe College of Business
Benjamin Tallman, Counseling Psychology
Matthew Fuller, Carver College of Medicine
Morgan Keedy, University of Iowa Alumnus
John Moloney, Iowa Memorial Union
Coo Graff, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Michael Sauder, Depattment of Sociology
Andy Norris, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatrics
Brian Corkery, Academic Advising Center
Flip Arkulary, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity
David Levinson, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Dan Berkowitz,Journalism and Mass Communication
D. Wolfgang Homolka, Residence Life
Jose Padilla, University Hospitals and Clinics
Dale Eric Wurster, Graduate College
Mathew Zapone, Student, University of Iowa
William R. Nelson, University Life Centers
Oguz Poroy, Academic Advising Center
Cody R. Gremore, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
Alberto R. Whitlatch, Accounting
Andy Borst, University Housing
Aaron Parker, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Rene Rocha, Depattment of Political Science
Greg Thompson, University Housing
Steven Patterson, Academic Advising Center
John Laverty, Office of Admissions
Richard G. Saunders, Human Resources
Aaron Naiditch, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Christopher Smith, AcademiG Advising Center
Peter Gerhard, Academic Advising Center
Cory Connor, Sigma Chi Fraternity
David Tatman, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Tim Chalik, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Christopher Clark, Information Technology Services
Justin Vavroch, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Matt Kroeger, Office of Admissions
Andy Cinoman, Orientation Services
Joe Bolkcom, Iowa House of Representatives
Bruce A. Kittle, Faith United Church of Christ
Kevin Ward, Human Resources
Stanley Sedore, University of Iowa
College Knights of Columbus
Jim Seyfer, Pomerantz Career Center
Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa Head Football Coach
Steve Fausch, University Housing
Brian Goedde, Academic Advising Center
Ben Halle, Sigma Chi Fraternity
William James Heathershaw; University of Iowa College
Knights of Columbus
Ben Parks, Hillcrest Hall Coordinator
Andrew Freeman, Center for Diversity and Enrichment
Dan O'Brien, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Phil Kean, Newman Center Knights of Columbus
Chris Tank, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
Randy Ebling, University Housing
Greg Clancy, Knights of Columbus
Rajeev Vibhakar; MD, PhD, Depattment of Pediattics
Peter Hubbard, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Christopher Harder, Hillcrest Residence Hall
Steven Hitlin, Depattment of Sociology
Drew Cumings, Mayflower Residence Hall
Jason Pierce, Office of Student Life
Michael Venzon, Student Disability Services
Nick Hobatt, University of Iowa Alumnus
Enrique Leira, Depattment of Neurology
Parker Thirnbeck, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Gio Morici, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Doug Kirt, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Mark G. Moser, Medicine Administration
Thomas W Loew; University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Pedro Gonzalez-Alegre, MD, Depattment of Neurology
Richard E.Jorge, MD, Depattment of Psychiatry
Joey Petersen, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Jorge DiPaola, MD, Depattment of Pediatrics
Ozzie F. Diaz-Duque, Depattment
of Spanish and Pottuguese
Jeff Murray; Departtnents of Pediatrics,
Biology; and Epidemiology
Matt Logan, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Mark M. Harris, University Counseling Service
Mark A. Graber, MD, Departtnent of Emergency Medicine
Phil Tollios, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Paul Cody Smith, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
Nick Wilkins, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Jon M. Raftis, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Matthias]. Franzen, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Andy Greever, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Jared C. Hansen, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
Jonathan Karch, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Bradley Nolden, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
Adam Duggleby, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Rick Dobyns, MD, Depattment of Family Medicine
Gary Gaeth, Tippe School of Management
Joshua Pinkney, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Jared Bogue, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Ben Rayas, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Gregory Paul Johnson, Resources for Life.com
Jeff Renaud, Departtnent of Spanish and Pottuguese
Al Smith, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
"Von Stange, University Housing
James A. Elliott, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Jason Parker, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Nic Daane, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
Jonathan David Groves, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Jeff Krugler, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Nicholas Rutzinski, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Dan Hogan, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Ccidy Kiroff, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Grant Brown, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Ryan Howard, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
Michael Lee, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
Thevor Glanz, Human Resources
Randall Ney, Faculty and Staff Immigration Services
John Keller, Graduate College
Scott King, Office of International Students and Scholars
Timothy M. Rowley, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Sean Nehf, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Samuel]. Shepard, Counseling Psychology
Vmce Nelson, UI Alumni Association
Andy Wmkelmann, UI AtWetics Student Services
Dan Fick, MD, University of Iowa Physicians
Sam Cochran, University Counseling Service
Thomas R. Rocklin, Provost's Office
David Braun, MD, Student Health Service
Jeff Poe, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Eric R. Evans, MD, Student Health Service
Craig C. Potter, University Ombudsperson
Darren Bryan, University of Iowa Student
Jimmy Centers, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Matthew 1. Bata, Tippe College of Business
Stewart EWy, College of Education
David Fitzgerald, Pomerantz Career Center
Ethan Canin, English Depattment
Ed Haycraft, LMSW; CADC, Health Iowa
Ryan McKelley, University Counseling Service
Daniel Benton, Departtnent of Pediatrics
Byron Stokes, UlSG BSU Senator
David Grady, Student Services
Chuck Swanson, Hancher Auditorium
Nicholas Colangelo, Belin Blank Center
William C. Hunter, Dean, Tippe College of Business
Wayne Fett, Recreation Services
Michael Barron, Director of Admissions
Dean Olson, President, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Alan Cosby, President, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Frank Durham,Journalism and Mass Communications
Thomas Baldridge, Iowa City Foreign Relations Council
David S. Shen Miller, University Counseling Service
David Bedell, MD, Depattment of Family Medicine
Jason Wilbur, MD, Depattment of Family Medicine
Michael Murphy, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Robert E. Garrett, MD, Depattment of Family Medicine
Peter Thorne, College of Public Health
Dan Ludgate, Sigma Chi Fraternity
John Mullen, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
Steve Rume1hart, Departtnent of Pediatrics
Val Sheffield, Departtnent of Pediatrics
Tyler Keoppel, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Jerry Kyle, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
Ronald D. Rainey, Intercollegiate AtWetics
Ben Dickerhoff, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity
M. Ben Haiman, Office of Student Life
and Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Sean Carr, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
Nate Bock, RE/MAX Real Estate
David Hartwig, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
This project was supported by Grant No. 2oo6-WA-AX-0003 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, u.s. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this
publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department ofJustice, Office on Violence Against Women.
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JCCSA
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al5 1/;7
The Johnson County Consortium on Successful Aging
Universal Design Policies and Approaches Report
Bolingbrook, IL
approach:
voluntary program to man-
datory ordinance
application:
all new single-family
homes
In 1999 the city of Bolingbrook,
IL began a grassroots, voluntary
program in which area home
builders began making new
single-family homes more ac-
cessible. Over a dozen builders
participated in this program,
with one developer, Pasquinelli
Minimum standards:
1. One zero-step entrance.
2. One first floor bathroom with
wheelchair accessibility.
3. Reinforced blocking in bath-
room walls for future grab
bar installation.
4. 42" hallways and 36" doors
(with 32" clearance).
5. Environmental controls in-
stalled at accessible heights
(outlets at min. 15"; switches
and other environmental
controls at max. 48").
Homes, leading the way. Roger
Claar, the mayor of Bolingbrook,
was also very supportive of the
program after realizing how
expensive it was to retrofit his
mother's house to increase
accessibility for her. Because so
much of the city supported this
Strengths:
1. 2000 accessible homes built
by 2005; est. 3500 more by
2015.
2. Strong support of local devel-
oper (Pasquinelli Homes).
3. Strong support from the
mayor.
4. Home sales not adversely
affected by inclusion of
standards.
5. Bolingbrook.IL nowrecog-
nized as national leader for
accessible homebuilding;
regularly consulted by other
communities around the
country (Silver Springs, CO.
San Diego, CA).
program and local developers
were already building accessible
new homes, the city's Visitability
Ordinance passed on June 24,
2003 was an official recogni-
tion of what was already true
of Bolingbrook's homebuilding
practices.
Barriers:
1. Did not remain voluntary.
2. Higher cost due to compre-
hensive standards (approx.
$2900 or 1.5% home's cost).
Atlanta, GA
In 1986. a small. local disability
group called "Concrete Change"
was initiated by a woman named
Eleanor Smith. Ms. Smith has
played an integral role in the dis-
tribution of knowledge surround-
ing home visitability and acces-
sibility throughout the county.
The Atlanta City Ordinance of
1992 was the first law in the
United States to mandate a zero-
step entrance in certain private.
single-family homes. Concrete
Change reported in 1994 that
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity had
built zero step entrances on more
than 30 homes at an average
additional cost of less than $200
per home. In 1996, Concrete
Change reported that a director
of an Atlanta-area affordable
housing group confirmed their
added costs for the wider doors
and zero step entrance on more
than 120 private, mid-price
single-family homes on concrete
slabs to have been less than $75
per home.
JCCSA
The Johnson County Consortium on Successful Aging
Universal Design Policies and Approaches Report
Atlanta, GA
approach:
mandatory city
ordinance
application:
all new. single-family,
duplexes. and triplex dwell-
ings which receive city
assistance
Minimum standards:
1. One zero-step entrance from
the street or driveway; may be
at the front, back, or side of
the house.
2. 32" interior doors, with easy-
open hardware, along acces-
sible route on the ground floor.
3. 36" level route through ground
floor, except at doorways.
4. Reinforced blocking in the
ground floor bathroom walls
for future grab bar installation.
5. Environmental controls installed
at accessible heights.
Strengths:
1. Over 600 visitable homes
have been constructed under
the ordinance as of 2002.
2. Added costs for the wider
doors and zero step entrance
on mid-price single-family
homes on concrete slabs are
less than $200 per home.
3. Concrete Change initiative
started in Atlanta by Eleanor
Smith who used a wheelchair
for her disability.
4. First law in U.S. to mandate
zero entry homes.
Barriers:
1. Small additional expense.
2. Some community resistance.
Pima County, AZ
approach:
ma ndatory /requ ired
application:
all new homes
In response to the needs of a
rapidly growing number of senior
citizens and others with disabili-
ties, the Pima County Board of
Supervisors unanimously passed
the Inclusive Home Design
Ordinance in 2002. The Pima
County Board of Supervisors
commissioned an independent
study to determine what the ad-
Minimum standards:
1. One zero-step entrance from
the street or driveway; may be
at the front, back. or side of
the house.
2. 32" interior doors. with easy-
open hardware, along acces-
sible route on the ground floor.
3. 36" level route through ground
floor, except at doorways.
4. Reinforced blocking in the
ground floor bathroom walls
for future grab bar installation.
5. Environmental controls in-
stalled at accessible heights.
ditional cost would be. The study
revealed that the accessibility
features under consideration
would add less than $100 to
the price of a typical new home.
However, to retrofit a home. the
cost could be over one hundred
times more than that. The In-
clusive Home Design Ordinance
required all new house plans for
Strengths:
1. Population: 905,000. with an
increasing number of seniors.
2. Extensive community support
for the ordinance.
3. 11,000+ Inclusive Homes built
as of Spring 2006.
4. Cost analysis revealed
incorporation of Inclusive
Home Design would result in
minimal expense lest. $1001.
5. Arizona Court of Appeals
upheld the Ordinance in a
law suit filed by the Southern
Arizona Home Builders As-
sociation.
single-family houses. duplexes
and triplexes in unincorporated
Pima County to have at least a
basic level of accessibility. This
ordinance was the first in the
country to require a zero-step
entrance and certain interior
features in ALL new homes.
Barriers:
1. There is an additional,
although minimal. expense to
builders and consumers.
2. Builders initially claimed the
ordinance was "unconstitu-
tional".
JCCSA
The Johnson County Consortium on Successful Aging
Universal Design Policies and Approaches Report
Irvine, CA The city of Irvine passed a mandaroy consumer education law which stipulates that builders must give
buyers a list of accessibility features that could be added to the new home. Both builder and buyer are
required to sign an acknowledgment that the list of features was presented to the buyer.
approach: Universal Design Builder Acknowledgment Checklist
mandatory consumer General
education _1. Accessible path of travel to dwelling
_2. Maximum W' vertical change in level at thresholds
application: _3. 32" wide interior doors
all buyers of new homes _4.18" to 24" strike edge clearance at doors
_5. Lever door hardware
_6. Entry door sidelight of high/low peep hole viewer
_7. Doorbell at 48" maximum height in accessible location
_8. Visual fire alarms and visual doorbells
_9. Switches, outlets and thermostats at 15" to 48" above the floor
_10. Rocker light switches
_11. Closet rods and shelves adjustable from 3' to 5' 6" high
Kitchen
_12. 30"x48" clear space at appliances or 60" diameter U-shape kitchen
_13. Removable base cabinets at sink
_14. Countertop height repositioning to 28" high
_15. lever controls at kitchen sink faucet
_16. Base cabinets with pull-out shelves
_17. Base cabinets with lazy Susans
_18. Contrasting color edge border at countertops
_19. Microwave oven at countertop height
_20. Under cabinet task lighting
Bathrooms
_21. Grab bar backing in walls
_22. Grab bars
_23. 5' diameter turning circle
_24. 36"x36" or 30"x48" clear space
_25. lavatory with level faucet controls
_26. Open-front lavatory with knee space and protection panel
_27. Contrasting color edge border at countertops
_28. Anti-scald devices on all plumbing fixtures
_29. 17" to 19" high water closet seat
_30. Roll-in shower in lieu of standard tub or shower
_31. Shower stall with 4" lip in lieu of standard tub
_32. Hand-held adjustable shower head
prepared for the JCCSA by Rachael Gehlbach, Samantha Karrel, and Bryan Hutchinson-Reuss, U. of Iowa students
Page 1 of2
Marian Karr
From:
Dee Vanderhoef
Friday, September 14, 2007 12:09 PM
Marian Karr
Sent:
To:
Subject: FW: CDBG, Other Funding for Cities in Just-Passed Bill
Marian please distribute to Council at the work meeting
Thanks, Dee
From: Sherry Appel [mailto:Appel@nlc.org]
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 10:41 AM
To: A. Keith McDonald; Angie Thomas (Samuel); asamuel@cLbeaumont.tx.us; Carol Alvarado; Debbie Quinn;
Dee Vanderhoef; Dennis Zine; Diane Neighbors; Doug Echols; Ed Reyes; Elaine Hullinger (Charles Henderson);
Elizabeth Paterson; Felicia Moore; Greg Pettis; Jackie Nytes; James Perkins; James Taylor; Janet May; Jeanie
Underwood (McDonald); Kathleen Kingsburg (Moore); Lisa Flores (Reyes); M. Margaret Bates;
mayor@brgov.com; Otto Lee; R. Michael Amyx; Robin Beltramini; Rozelle Boyd; Sindy Tew (Lee); Sonja Reece;
selkins@ci.bloomington.mn.us; Ted Ellis; Terry M. Riley
Cc: Don Borut
Subject: CDBG, Other Funding for Cities in Just-Passed Bill
Message from Don Borut:
I wanted to share with you the following press release on Wednesday's Senate appropriation vote for programs
critical to cities. The bill is very close to the House-passed bill and we expect that the two bills will be easily
reconciled in the Senate/House Conference Committee. The challenge will be with the President who has
threatened to veto appropriations that exceed his budget request.
Don
News from the National League of Cities
CDBG Funding, Other Programs Critical to Cities Find Support in Congress
Washington, DC, September 13,2007 - Funding for key federal programs critical to America's cities
was included in a just passed Congressional spending bill, providing hope and support for local officials
grappling with increasing numbers of foreclosures, failing infrastructure and economic downturns in
their communities. At the same time, however, municipal officials are voicing concerns over a possible
veto threat, given the relatively modest increases included in the measures.
"Yesterday's Senate vote, along with the recent action in the House to secure transportation funding and
bolster the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) are great victories for cities," said
Bart Peterson, president of the National League of Cities and mayor of Indianapolis, Ind. "Local leaders
have been fighting to preserve CDBG for years, and yesterday's vote recognizes what we all know:
That CDBG is one of the most important federal programs cities use to revitalize their communities. We
must continue to invest in our cities, which are the lifeblood of America, and will urge the President to
sign this important legislation when it gets to his desk."
Securing funding for important domestic programs is a top priority of the National League of Cities,
9/1412007
~
Page 2 of2
which represents more than 19,000 cities, towns and villages across the country. The Senate and House
versions of the bill to fund the federal Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban
Development include $3.7 billion for CDBG. Although this is the same funding amount as last year, it
is $735 million more than what the President requested. The Senate bill also includes $100 million in
new money to make available grants to agencies working to assist homeowners facing foreclosures.
Other housing programs, including the HOPE VI program which the Administration had proposed to
eliminate, received modest increases.
The bills also include $55 billion for highways, transit, airport improvements and Amtrak, representing
slight increases over last year's funding levels, but were significantly larger than the Administration's
proposal.
####
Sherry Conway Appel
Director, Media Relations
National League of Cities
202-626-3003. fJIlJ.@I@JJJr;~QIg
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20004
Register now for the 84th Annual Congress of Cities and Exposition New Orleans, November 13-17.
For more information visit www,l'}lc.org
9/14/2007
Dee Vanderhoef
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
National League of Cities [nlcmail@nlc.org}
Monday. September 17, 2007 11: 1 0 AM
Dee Vanderhoef
Federal Relations Update - September 14. 2007
Federal Relations Update <http://www.nlc.org/ASSETS/C699430AF4844E5EB92CB7664D3CAE64/07
_FedRelationsUpdate.jpg>
September 14, 2007 <http://www.nlc.org/email/64590.1/LH/www.nlc.org/>
Appropriations Bills Continue to Move, But Slowly Efforts to pass all 12 Fiscal Year (FY)
2008 appropriations bills have slowed to a snail's pace in the Senate. While the House
has passed its versions of all 12 appropriations bills, the Senate has passed only four,
including Transportation-HUD and Homeland Security, and differences between the House and
Senate versions of those bills have not been resolved in conference. It now appears
certain that none of the appropriations bills will be ready for the President to sign or
veto prior to the September 30 deadline, and that a continuing resolution funding the
government at FY 2007 levels will be necessary. (Carolyn Coleman, coleman@nlc.org
<mailto:coleman@nlc.org> , 202.626.3023)
Senate Passes Transportation-HUD Appropriations Bill
On September 12, the Senate passed the Transportation-HUD appropriations bill (H.R. 3074)
by a veto-proof margin of 88-7. The bill, which totals $104.6 billion in overall spending
for FY 2008, has drawn a veto threat from the President because the overall spending level
exceeds his requested amount. In July, the President issued a veto threat against the
House-passed $104.4 billion Transportation-HUD appropriations bill, calling the funding
levels "irresponsible and excessive."
The Senate proposed funding for transportation programs in the bill includes: $40.2
billion for highways (an increase of $1.2 billion over FY 2007); $9.7 billion for mass
transit (an increase of $700 million over FY 2007); $3.5 billion for the Airport
Improvement Program (the same as FY 2007); and $1.4 billion for Amtrak (an increase of
$100 million over FY 2007) .
Senate proposed funding for housing programs includes: $3.7 billion for Community
Development Block Grants (the same as FY 2007); $16.6 billion for Section 8 Tenant-Based
housing ($700 million over FY 2007); $2 billion for HOME (the same as FY 2007); $100
million for HOPE VI (the same as FY 2007); $1.6 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants
($200 million over FY 2007).
The bill also includes $1 billion in grants for bridge repairs and sets aside $100 million
in HOME funds for home foreclosure mitigation activities, not including direct payments to
lenders or homeowners.
Next up for the bill is a conference committee to reconcile differences with the House
version. (Carolyn Berndt, berndt@nlc.org <mailto:berndt@nlc.org> , 202.626.3101 and Mike
Wallace, wallace@nlc.org <mailto:wallace@nlc.org> , 202.626.3025)
1
Mandatory Collective Bargaining Bill Not Yet Introduced in the Senate
Despite expectations that a mandatory collective bargaining bill would be introduced in
the Senate earlier this month, no bill has been introduced and no date has been set for
its introduction. The bill, which is being authored by Sen. Judd Gregg, would be a
companion bill to H.R. 980, Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007, which
has already passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly.
NLC and other state and local organizations are continuing to meet with Senate staff to
express our opposition to any bill that would mandate that states, cities, counties and
towns enter into collective bargaining agreements with their first responders. State
municipal leagues, cities, and towns are urged to continue communicating with their
delegations to oppose this legislation. For additional information and a sample letter
please see: "Action Alert: Mandatory Collective Bargaining
<http://www.nlc.org/email/64590.1/LH/www.nlc.org/ASSETS/58E2DFB54714474F98233A46FAF5F6FE/S
ept%20Action%20Alert%20Mandatory%20Collective%20Bargaining.pdf> .. (Neil Bomberg,
bomberg@nlc.org <mailto:bomberg@nlc.org> , 202.626.3042)
Conference Committee Work Ahead for House and Senate Energy Bills
On August 4, the House passed a comprehensive energy package, H.R. 3221, The New Direction
for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act, aimed at moving
the United states toward greater energy independence. Like the Senate version of a
comprehensive package passed earlier this year, the House bill contains authorization for
a new grant program to fund local government energy efficiency and environmental programs.
A conference committee to reconcile differences between the two versions of this
legislation is likely to be scheduled shortly. (Carolyn Berndt, berndt@nlc.org
<mailto:berndt@nlc.org> , 202.626.3101)
Housing Bills Set to Receive Priority Consideration
Amidst the troubles on Wall Street precipitated by the defaults on the subprime market,
congressional leaders, the President, and federal regulators spent the month of August
urging action. The President announced steps the Administration will take to help
homeowners avoid foreclosure and urged Congress to pass legislation to modernize the
Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and suspend taxes on cancelled mortgage debt.
Meanwhile, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) and Senate
Banking Committee Chair Chris Dodd (D-CT) urged the President to exercise his authority to
enact certain provisions of a bill to overhaul the government-sponsored mortgage finance
companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. As a result, several bills are likely to receive
priority consideration before the end of the year.
H.R. 1852, the Expanding American Homeownership Act, would allow the FHA to insure a
larger range of mortgages for low- and middle-income families. Specifically, the bill
raises FHA loan limits, so that FHA can serve higher cost housing markets, gives HUD
authority to require pre-purchase counseling for borrowers, requires a number of
disclosures spelling out the costs and risks of zero down and lower down payment loans,
and requires borrowers to receive notice of availability of counseling in the event they
fall behind on their loan payments.
S. 1988, the First-Time Homebuyers' Tax Credit Act, and H.R. 1876, the Mortgage
Cancellation Relief Act, would suspend temporarily taxes owed on cancelled mortgage debt.
H.R. 1427, the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act, would permit Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
to purchase higher-risk loans from borrowers with less than perfect credit and to purchase
2
a larger overall number of loans from lenders to resell on the secondary mortgage market.
The bill creates an off-budget and non-taxpayer financed Affordable Housing Fund, which
will dedicate hundreds of millions of dollars to the construction, maintenance and
preservation of affordable housing. (Mike Wallace, wallace@nlc.org
<mailto:wallace@nlc.org> , 202.626.3025)
NLC Supports FHLB Legislation
NLC joined representatives of the housing, banking and finance industries in support of
legislation allowing the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) to issue standby letters of
credit to community banks in support of tax-exempt bonds for community and economic
development purposes. The bills (H.R. 2091/S. 1963), sponsored by Sander Levin (D-MI) and
Phil English (R-PA) in the House and John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) in the
Senate, would add the FHLBanks to the list of government- sponsored enterprises authorized
to provide credit enhancement for tax-exempt bonds. (To view a copy of the letter, click
here
<http://www.nlc.org/email/64590.1/LH/www.nlc.org/ASSETS/AOA1831AA1554C40A016284B292913C6/S
ept%2012%20Ltr%20Supporting%20H.R.%202091.pdf>.) (Mike Wallace, wallace@nlc.org
<mailto:wallace@nlc.org> , 202.626.3025)
House Introduces Streamline Tax Proposal
Just before the August recess, Rep. William D. Delahunt (D-MA) introduced the Sales Tax
Fairness and Simplification Act (H.R. 3396), a bill designed to simplify the
administration and collection of state and local sales taxes. Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL)
and Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL) are the co-sponsors of the legislation. The bill would allow
those states that have complied with the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA)
the authority to require out-of-state sellers to collect sales tax on remote sales.
Collection of sales and use taxes on catalog and Internet purchases could result in
billions of additional dollars in sales tax revenue for states and local governments each
year. H.R. 3396 is a companion to s. 34, which was introduced by Senator Michael Enzi (R-
WY) on May 22, 2007, and has one co-sponsor, Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI).
NLC supports simplification of the sales and use tax system, but opposes language in the
bill that mandates state administration and collection of local telecommunication taxes
and fees. NLC continues to work with its national partners to form a strategic approach
to opposing any preemption of local governments' authority to administer and collect its
own telecommunications revenues. (Christina Fletcher Loftus, loftus@nlc.org,
202.626.3173)
Community Broadband Legislation Introduced in House and Senate Prior to the August recess,
Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Community Broadband Act of 2007 (5. 1853). Co-
sponsors include Senate Commerce Committee Chair Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) and Ranking
Member Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK). S. 1853 is a companion bill to H.R. 3281, which Reps.
Rick Boucher (D-VA) and Fred Upton (R-MI) introduced in July.
The bills seek to encourage the deployment of high speed networks by preserving the
ability of local governments to offer community broadband infrastructure and services. NLC
supports the proposals and applauds the bills' cosponsors for recognizing that that states
should not be able to preempt municipal authority to make services available to their
citizens, especially in areas where fully competitive and affordable high speed internet
services do not otherwise exist. NLC is working to communicate its support of these bills
to the sponsors. (Christina Fletcher Loftus, loftus@nlc.org, 202.626.3173)
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NCLB Reauthorization Discussion Draft Released
In late August, the bi-partisan leadership of the House Committee on Education and Labor
distributed a discussion draft of a bill that would reauthorize Title I of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, also known as No Child Left Behind or NCLB.
On Monday, August 10, the Committee held a hearing on the draft to get suggestions for
improvement; over 30 witnesses testified.
The draft, which addresses a wide range of concerns that the National League of Cities has
raised over the past several years, focuses on low graduation rates, parental involvement,
student and school performance, job skills-related benchmarks, and English language
learners. During the hearing, most who testified supported the draft reauthorization and
commended Chairman George Miller, Ranking Member Buck McKeon, and the Committee for
identifying key problems with the current version of NCLB and proposing workable
solutions.
Draft language for additional titles of the bill was released late this week, and a mark-
up of the bill may begin as early as September 24. (Neil Bomberg, bomberg@nlc.org
<mailto:bomberg@nlc.org> , 202.626.3042)
NLC Testifies at House Transportation Hearing
In a hearing before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Mayor Kathleen
Novak, NLC Second Vice President and mayor of Northglenn, CO, testified that a proposal to
fund a separate bridge program is a step in the right direction toward meeting our
infrastructure investment needs and national goals, but a more comprehensive approach to
infrastructure and bridge repair is critical for the long term.
Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) called the hearing to get feedback on his proposed National
Highway System Bridge Reconstruction Initiative, which calls for a five cents per gallon
increase in the gasoline tax to pay for repairs to the nation's structurally deficient
bridges. (For a copy of Mayor Novak's testimony, click here
<http://www.nlc.org/email/64590.1/LH/www.nlc.org/ASSETS/4EB455E3D9C54D99BAD187A9EF9B75BB/K
athie%20Novak%20Testimony%20v2.pdf> .)
(Carolyn Berndt, berndt@nlc.org <mailto:berndt@nlc.org> , 202.626.3101)
Unsubscribe <http://www.nlc.org/email/64590.1/LU/>
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