By Gene Lowe
January 31, 2011

Congressman Barney Frank (MA) hosted a press conference January 19 on the first day of the Conference of Mayors 79th Winter Meeting in Washington (CD) to speak out against possible cuts to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which provides funding to cities and towns for housing and community development needs.

Congressman Michael Capuano (MA), Congressman David Ciccilline (RI), Newton (MA) Mayor Setti Warren, Providence Mayor Angel Taveres, and eleven other mayors or members of Congress also attended the event. All spoke strongly in support of the CDBG program and stressed the negative impact that cuts would have on cities and towns.

The press conference comes in the wake of the announcement by Congressional Republicans that they plan to cut $100 billion per year in non-defense discretionary spending. This would necessitate deep cuts in federal programs that are critical to state and local governments.

In the 2010 fiscal year, almost $4 billion was allocated to the CDBG. Of that amount, $117.6 million was allocated to Massachusetts's cities and towns. Currently, the federal government is operating under a "Continuing Resolution" — temporary funding that will run until March 4. It is unclear at what level CDBG will be funded when Congress passes spending bills for 2011.

"There are needs that we can meet when we act individually but there are important needs in a civilized society that can only be met if we act together and if we pool our resources," said Frank. "The Community Development Block Grant program is one of the best, most efficient socially valuable economically important examples of how as a civilized people we can pool resources to provide for a better life."

"As we speak, cities and towns across this country are considering layoffs to direct service personnel — police, fire, teachers, DPW. In my area, they're struggling to meet current requirements for snow removal," said Capuano. "[Mayors] cannot print money, they cannot borrow money for operating expenses, and they have to meet their bottom line each and every year. If we cut CDBG, everybody's quality of life will be reduced."

"At a time when our economy is only slowly beginning to recover and states and local governments are still making drastic cuts in their budgets, CDBG is an investment that will stimulate much needed job growth and leverage crucial private and public investments," said Warren.

"How do we rebuild our economy and make the right investments in our communities to get people back to work? The Community Development Block Grant does that and does it well. I know, having been the mayor of the city for eight years, how important this program is," said Cicilline, former mayor of Providence.

"Los Angeles and cities across the country are facing double-digit unemployment and we are doing all that we can to create jobs, but we cannot do this alone. One of the best tools we have is the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which is key in helping us revitalize our neighborhoods and provide for the most vulnerable of our residents. Any reduction in CDBG funding will severely hamper our ability to not only provide that critical safety net for our residents, but to spur the job creation we so desperately need, " said the Conference of Mayors Vice President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa.

"We thank members of congress, and of course President Obama for the funds we are getting through the Community Development Block Grant program. These dollars are great and we kick them right out the door for people who really need them. ...CDBG funds also provide jobs to our community. The reported unemployment rate is 11.2% in Philadelphia. And there is not a day that passes without someone coming up to me to say: I need help. I am trying to take care of my family and myself. Please help me find a job. I strongly support this program and will fight to make sure it is not cut," said Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

"The Community Development Block Grant has deep roots in bipartisan and creative cooperation between Congress and the White House in 1974. It is this strong support from both parties that has guided it since. It is an essential partnership tool for Fresno and more than a thousand other cities helping to provide new opportunities in for our neighborhoods and citizens. I know that Mayors and leaders of both parties will be working together in the year ahead on behalf of a strong CDBG," said Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin.

"Community Development Block Grants have been a lifesaver in Salt Lake City. By focusing on services and facilities for the poorest and most vulnerable in our community, and going through a rigorous, accountable public involvement effort, CDBG optimizes benefits for our City," said Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker.

"Over the last three decades, Community Development Block Grant funding has been among the most successful partnerships of cities and our federal government for addressing an array of national challenges. CDBG flexibility allows each community to set its agenda and bring a coordinated effort to neighborhood problems. The program dates back to a time when leaders in Washington didn-t look at problems — or their solutions — as democrat or republican and were willing to see local leaders as good partners," said Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic.

Press Conference Participants

Congressman Barney Frank (MA)

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA)

Congressman Michael Capuano (MA)

Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA)

Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY)

Congressman Andre Carson (IN)

Congressman David Cicilline (RI)

Congressman Keith Ellison (MN)

Newton (MA) Mayor Setti Warren

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter

Akron (OH) Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic

Fresno (CA) Mayor Ashley Swearengin

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras

Minneapolis (MN) Mayor R.T. Rybak

New Bedford (MA) Mayor Scott W. Lang