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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. ---. ^ ,. J JCCSA !/"C'lil' ~ C:orreid/ 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) 3 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/> <http://portal.mxlogic.com/images/transparent.gif> 4