Update from the Mayor – February 25, 2005
February 25, 2005
Federal CDBG Cuts
The Bush Administration is proposing to consolidate 18 community and economic development programs, including the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG). The combined budget for these 18 programs was $5.3 billion last year. The President has proposed to combine them, move them to the Commerce Department, and fund the new program at $3.7 billion. This new program would be funded at a level $1 billion less than CDBG alone was funded last year ($4.7 billion). This proposal would squeeze CDBG into the new Commerce Department program where it would compete with the other 17 programs within the $3.7 billion allocation.
The City of Minneapolis received $16.3 million in CDBG funds last year. In Minneapolis the program primarily funds the creation of affordable housing. Last year the City allocated CDBG funds to help create approximately 300 affordable homes and remove neighborhood blight. In addition, last year the program funded adult and youth employment programs, truancy centers, legal aid, graffiti removal and non-discriminatory housing programs.
I am worried that this "consolidation" of community development programs today is but a precursor to eliminating these crucial programs sometime in the future.
Last month I called a meeting attended by about 80 community and faith leaders to discuss the President's proposed budget, specifically as it related to proposed cuts to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other community development programs. The meeting began by several attendees outlining what the cuts to CDBG and other federal programs would mean for their consumers and constituents. Several faith leaders also commented on the cuts, including the Senior Minister from Plymouth Congregational Church, Rev. Jim Gertmenian, who noted that the budget was a "moral document" that reflects our values and beliefs.
I then reported on some of the work I have been doing with other Mayors from around the country and around the State to mobilize against these cuts. I have been in contact with Mayor Kelly of St. Paul and the Mayors from Rochester and Duluth, both of whom are working to mobilize their constituencies against these cuts and call attention to what theses proposed cuts would mean to their communities.
I also have talked to and met with members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation including Representative Sabo, Representative Ramstad and Senator Dayton. Sabo and Dayton have indicated that they would oppose such detrimental cuts in funding to help those most in need.
The President's proposed budget is just that, a PROPSED budget. It needs to be acted on by Congress sometime before the beginning of the Federal Fiscal Year in October. Congress will probably act on it sometime in the September. It was agreed that between now and then, it is crucial that we mobilize our different networks and let Congress know that the President's proposed budget and cuts to spending for community development are not acceptable.
Since our own Representative Sabo is on our side, it is particularly important to mobilize outside of Minneapolis. Anybody who has a network of family or friends in other congressional districts should urge them to voice their opinion on these drastic cuts since often people from a Congressman's home district will have a bit more credence. Here is the contact information for our Congressional Delegation:
District | Name | Location of District | Phone | E-mail and/or website |
1 st | Gil Gutknecht | Southern MN: Rochester | 202.225.2472 | |
2 nd | John Kline | South Metro and beyond: Northfield, Red Wing, Le Center | 202.225.2595 888.808.6644 | |
3 rd | Jim Ramstad | Western Suburbs: Minnetonka, Plymouth | 202.225.2871 952.738.8200 | |
4 th | Betty McCollum | St. Paul, Ramsey County, NE suburbs | 202.225.6631 651.224.9191 | |
5 th | Martin Sabo | Minneapolis and Inner-ring Western Suburbs | 202.225.4755 612.664.8000 | sabo.house.gov |
6 th | Mark Kennedy | Northern Suburbs, St. Cloud to Stillwater | 202.225.2331 | |
7 th | Collin Peterson | Northwestern MN: Marshall, Willmar, Detroit Lakes, Redwood Falls | 202.225.2165 | |
8 th | Jim Oberstar | Northeast MN: Duluth, Brainerd, Forest Lake | 202.225.6211 | oberstar.house.gov |
Senator | Norm Coleman | Statewide | 202-224-5641 651-645-0323 | coleman.senate.gov |
Senator | Mark Dayton | Statewide | 202.224.3244 612.727.5220 | dayton.senate.gov |
Neighborhood Gateways
There is now a web tour with a map of the sixteen completed Neighborhood Gateways (although you may want to begin your actual walking tour on a warmer day.)
Public art and neighborhood gateways are important community builders that help create a common identity and bond that residents of an area can share. I salute the artists and neighborhood committees that have contributed to these gateways and look forward to more!
Published Feb. 25, 2005