URBAN ECONOMIC POLICY
Supporting the U.S. Census Bureau's Revised Census 2000 Plan
Tax Incentives to Revive Distressed Communities and Promote Smart Growth in the 21st Century
Opposing Mandatory Social Security Coverage for State and Local Employees
Increasing the Limit on Small Issue Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds
Post Office Community Partnership Act of 1999
A National Agenda for Cities and Metropolitan Areas
Revising the Federal Budget "CAPS"

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URBAN ECONOMIC POLICY

REVISING THE FEDERAL BUDGET "CAPS"

WHEREAS, Congress and the President agreed on a 1997 Budget Act that has achieved its goal of a "balanced" federal budget ahead of schedule, and, in fact, has generated record surpluses; and

WHEREAS, according to projections made by the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget, those surpluses are expected to grow for the immediate future; and

WHEREAS, despite these growing surpluses, federal domestic program funding for Fiscal Year 2000 is "capped" at a level $30 billion below what it would take to level fund these programs; and

WHEREAS, during the period of the record deficits of the 1980's, cities were told that priority urban programs must be cut; and

WHEREAS, during this period of record surpluses, cities are still being told that their priority urban programs, such as Community Development Block Grants, Ryan White AIDS funding, assisted and public housing, education and anti-crime programs, must be disproportionately cut; and

WHEREAS, key leaders of both parties in Congress have called their colleagues to reconsider the arbitrary budget caps,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors calls upon Congress to revise the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 in a manner that will ensure adequate funding for priority urban programs and maintain its commitment to a balanced budget.

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