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| NLIHC Budget Call In Feb 23, 24: Urge Congress to REJECT Bush’s Budget Proposal Join the National Low Income Housing Coalition and housing advocates from around the U.S. today and tomorrow, Feb 23 and 24, in urging our Senators and Representatives to reject the President’s FY06 Budget Proposal. In President Bush's fiscal year 2006 budget request, he proposes to eliminate or cut hundreds of programs, including key housing programs such as Housing for Persons With Disabilities (Section 811) and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). In addition to cutting or eliminating key low income programs, the President proposes 5-year spending caps that would freeze funding for low income programs at low FY06 funding levels. The budget includes language to extend his tax cuts and protect them from Congressional budget enforcement rules. Congress is on a budget fast track and will attempt to begin work on a budget by March 7. Use the February 23 and 24 Budget Call-In Days to voice opposition to the President's budget. Within the overall budget, the President proposes $28.5 billion for the entire HUD budget. This is an 11.5% cut from FY05 levels, which was already inadequate. As the HUD budget significantly under funds and eliminates several HUD programs, advocates may feel pressure to only fight for specific programs. DO NOT allow the Administration to "divide and conquer" the affordable housing and community development community. We must stand together to demand adequate funding for ALL HUD programs. What can you do on February 23 and 24: 1. Call 1-888-818-6641 and ask to be connected to first to Senator Gordon Smith’s office, followed by Senator Wyden, and then your Representative (this will mean making three separate calls). 2. Ask to speak to the Legislative Assistant responsible for Budget Issues 3. Contact Katie Fisher at 202-662-1530 x.222, katie@nlihc.org, to let her know the results of your calls. 4. Forward this to everyone who will make calls The Message: Representative/Senator, "please oppose the President's FY06 budget proposal: 1. Keep the American Dream Alive: Please reject the cuts to Domestic programs in the President’s Proposed budget. Americans need a budget that is FAIR, RESPONSIBLE and SUPPORTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES. 2. With this budget, the Administration is breaking deals that should never be broken with veterans, seniors, families and people with disabilities in the name of tax cuts for the wealthy. Keeping America great means keeping the promise of the American dream alive for all. 3. Let me focus on the area of my expertise: Housing. The overall funding level for HUD is inadequate to fund ALL housing programs. We need an increase to the entire HUD budget. The President’s proposal is going in the wrong directions for America. 4. The proposed budget will cap spending on housing programs and other key low income programs, causing a deeper cut to vital low income programs over time. 5. The proposed budget protects tax cuts for the wealthy, while gouging low income programs. Please oppose the President's FY06 budget. CDN Public Forum on Proposed Federal Cuts Tomorrow Feb 24 Call for Unified Response to President’s FY 06 Budget CDN is taking part in a broad coalition of social justice and community related organizations to oppose the wide-ranging domestic cuts in the Presidents FY06 Proposed Budget. Initiated by the Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Center for Public Policy and Oregon Action, the purpose of the coalition is to advocate across specific issue areas (healthcare, education, food security, housing, environment, etc) and speak with one voice to our Senators and Representatives that cutting essential programs that benefit regular Americans to fund permanent tax cuts for the rich and a bloated defense budget is unacceptable. National advocacy groups have identified the next few weeks as the crucial interval for budget advocacy. During these next few weeks, we ask you to respond rapidly to Action Alerts, and to use the talking points from this new coalition. In Action Alerts you receive from CDN, we will have already incorporated the coalition’s talking points into Action Alerts. If you receive Action Alerts from our groups, please include the coalition’s talking points into your message. The following is call to action from this new coalition: Dear Friend, Please join us in a vital advocacy effort to ensure that Congress passes a budget that maintains the Promise of Opportunity that is at the very essence of America. Americans need a budget that is FAIR, RESPONSIBLE and SUPPORTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES. America has always been a land of opportunity, but George Bush wants to change that. The budget proposal issued by the Bush Administration would slam shut the door to opportunity for most Americans, by eliminating or sharply reducing funding to the programs that give people a chance to get ahead. For example, to succeed in school and in life, children need a decent home, three meals a day, and a quality education. Under the Administration’s proposal, Oregon programs that have helped families afford housing will have at least $40 million dollars less to spend. Oregon food stamps programs will have less to distribute for staples like milk and peanut butter and cheese. And the state will get less from the federal government to spend on K-12 education. The money “saved” by cutting these proven effective programs will pay for tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. Hard working families will have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries, to fund a tax break for someone who eats in white-tablecloth restaurants every night. With this budget, the Administration is breaking deals that should never be broken. America promised its soldiers that they would be cared for, but this budget cuts benefits for veterans. America promised its disabled people that Medicaid would provide a safety net, but this budget caps Medicaid at a level below the rate of inflation. America promised that pregnant women and babies would be well-nourished, but this budget will cut the Women, Infants, and Children food program. With this budget, the Administration is breaking faith with American families. These hard-working families should be able to afford a decent home, with money left over for food, health care and the occasional night out. But cuts to the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Section 8 Housing Choice voucher program, and other programs that help low-income families make ends meet will hurt these families, pushing them father away from ever achieving the American Dream, and pushing them closer to hunger, eviction, crisis, homelessness. We are used to seeing tent cities on the news, in broadcasts from countries on the other side of the globe. The radical budget cuts that the Bush Administration has asked Congress to adopt by March 7 could mean tent cities under every bridge in our state. We must act now to oppose these cuts. Advocates from around the country are mobilizing to urge our elected officials to reject the radical Bush budget proposal. We want a budget that is FAIR. We want a budget that is fiscally RESPONSIBLE. We want a budget that keeps open the door to OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN. We want a budget that honors our commitments to our veterans, the disabled, and the elderly. We want a budget that keeps the American Dream alive. What we want from our members of Congress: Negotiate a budget that is FAIR: Rescind tax cuts for highest income Americans, scrutinize defense and homeland security spending before cutting programs that help average Americans, local economies and communities; RESPONSIBLE: Makes SMART investments for America’s Future. Put tax cuts for highest income Americans back on the table and apply real scrutiny to Defense and Homeland Security spending; SUPPORTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES: No caps on entitlement, no across-the-board cuts to domestic discretionary programs, no block grants of vital programs that help average Americans make ends meet. What you can do: CONTACT SENATOR GORDON SMITH: National groups have identified Senator Smith among the five or six Republicans that can possibly be convinced to oppose the President’s budget. Senator Smith has influence on the budget because he sits on the Finance Committee. Oregon advocates must win Smith over to do our part in this National effort. CONTACT SENATOR RON WYDEN AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE: Senator Wyden and Reps. Blumenauer, Wu, Hooley and DeFazio need to hear that a Fair, Responsible Budget is a top priority for Oregonians. They do not support the President’s Budget, but they are under intense pressure and need local voices to strengthen their resolve. COORDINATE YOUR ADVOCACY WITH OUR EFFORT: The Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Action and the Oregon Center for Public Policy are leading a multi-issue Coalition for American Opportunity. We have developed talking points to help frame our joint advocacy efforts (see attached). We are asking that as you advocate for your specific issue area (education, health care, hunger, housing, etc), that you lead with these over-arching messaging frames so that we deliver a consistent, unified message. Through the Oregon Food Bank, we have the use of CapWiz technology, a great tool for generating on-message letters to elected officials. To get more involved, or if you have questions, call 503-873-1201. Let's stand up together and fight for America, the land of opportunity. We need a budget that is Fair, Responsible and that Supports Opportunities for Families. To download Talking Points, click here:downloads/Fed_Budget_Talking_Points.pdf Budget Analysis: Oregon to Lose Big Under President's Proposal A new analysis released February 22 finds that under the President's proposed budget Oregon would lose an estimated $769 million in federal support over the next five years for a wide range of programs. The analysis, published by the Washington, D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, looks only at "discretionary" spending, which does not include other cuts proposed by the President in entitlement programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps and farm subsidies. The analysis includes state-by-state estimates of the President's proposed funding reductions by 2010 - - expressed either in dollar terms or numbers of people impacted -- for several specific program areas: education, WIC, children & family services, housing vouchers, child care, LIHEAP, HIV/AIDS treatment, community development, and grants in aid to states & localities. See the OCPP's comments in our press release, which is available on our home page, http://www.ocpp.org. The CBPP report, WHERE WOULD THE CUTS BE MADE UNDER THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET? An Analysis of Reductions in Education, Human Services, Environment, and Community Development Programs is available at http://www.cbpp.org/2-22- 05bud.htm. Negative Reactions to Budget Come from Both Sides of the Aisle Oregon Senate Revenue Committee Hearing on Housing March 4 in Portland Oregon’s Senate Revenue Committee is holding a hearing on affordable housing issues on March 4 in Portland, and we need you there. The Community Development is working with fellow members of the Housing Alliance to mobilize a large turnout on the special opportunity in which Salem legislators are traveling to Portland. The three hour hearing will include invited testimony, including members of the Housing Alliance presenting its Housing Opportunities legislative agenda. After the invited testimony, members of the public will have the opportunity to tell the members of the Senate Revenue Committee why safe, secure stable housing that people can afford is so important to Oregonians. This hearing is a wonderful opportunity to better inform Oregon Senators who will be making crucial policy decisions this Spring and Summer about the connections between housing, opportunity and success. The hearing will be held in the Metro Council Chambers on March 4th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.. Metro is located at 600 NE Grand in Portand, one block east of the Oregon Convention Center. The Housing Alliance is preparing talking point information for the hearing. If you would like to receive talking points to help frame your testimony, or if you have any other questions about the March 4 hearing, please contact Michael Anderson at mike@cdnportland.org. Coalition for a Livable Future 3rd Annual Regional Livabililty Summit March 3 & 4: Connecting People, Policy & Practice: Creating Livable Communities Thanks to our tradition of thoughtful planning and our deep commitment to our communities, the Portland-Vancouver metro area is a great place to live. Yet we share some serious concerns about the future of our region; challenging concerns that will require creativity, cooperation and commitment. However, we often feel disconnected from each other, which hinders our ability to solve problems, take advantage of opportunities, and make change together. The 2005 Regional Livability Summit will bring together residents, elected officials, and community leaders from the private, public and non-profit sectors to re-connect; to come together, listen to one another and support each other as we create a positive, proactive agenda for our region's future. For more information, or to register, visit http://www.clfuture.org Summit Highlights Include: Keynote Address by David Goldberg, Communications Director for Smart Growth America and a three-time nominee for the Pulitzer Prize. State of the Region presentation by Sheila Martin, Director of the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies at Portland State University. Also: Straight Talk about Measure 37: A Community Conversation. Community Caucuses, an opportunity to build collaborative relationships with people in your part of the region. The Summit takes place at Portland State University Smith Center from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on Friday, March 4th. Cost is $45, or $35 for CLF Members. For more information, or to register, visit http://www.clfuture.org Opening Reception Features Local Talent The 2005 Summit convenes with an evening of fabulous local entertainment, great conversation, delightful, locally-produced hors d'oeuvres, and beverages from Willamette Valley vintners and brewers. Political Cartoonist Jack Ohman will serve up his sharp wit and critical commentary, and Janice Scroggins, one of the most in-demand pianists in the Northwest today, will dazzle us with her musical talent. The reception takes place on March 3rd from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Studio Ten-Fifty, 1050 SE Water Ave. Reception tickets are $45 each. Purchase tickets at http://www.clfuture.org or call 503-294-2889. Thank You to the Sponsors of this year's Summit Co-Sponsors: KBOO 90.7 FM, Metro, OTAK, Perkins & Company, Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Bureau of Housing & Community Development, Wieden + Kennedy. Supporting Sponsors: Albina Community Bank, Inner City Properties, Multnomah County, Neighborhood Partnership Fund, Newland Communities, Pacificorp, Portland State University School of Urban Studies & Planning, Portland Teachers Credit Union, Swanson Thomas & Coon, Urbsworks Inc. NCCED 2005 Policy Summit March 14-15 in Washington DC Warm, Happy and Healthy Homes Start With You: Free Workshops Feb 24, Mar 3 Breath Easy—How Healthy is Your Home? OHCS Seeking Nominations for 2005 Excellence in Housing Awards Oregon Housing and Community Services is seeking nominations for the 2005 Excellence in Housing Awards. The Excellence in Housing Awards recognize outstanding contributions to promote, provide, sponsor, finance and develop affordable housing in Oregon. Eligible nominees may be individuals, nonprofit or for-profit corporations, real estate professionals, loan officers, builders, developers, local government, members of the media, architects, community development organizations or other people in Oregon. To find out more about the Excellence in Housing Awards, go to the OHCS website: http://www.ohcs.oregon.gov/OHCS/SAS_ExcellenceAwards.shtml. TechSoup: Three Free Software Applications You Can't Live Without When it comes to software, sometimes the best applications really are free -- from spam blocking for your e-mail client to multi-protocol instant messaging clients to ad-blocking software for your Web browser. We aren't talking about feature-limited trail versions or time-limited demos either; these are honest-to-goodness free software applications. Read this article to find out about the best packages money can't buy. To read full article by Zachary Mutrux, go to http://ga0.org/ct/Gd16yKS1Nmdw/ |
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