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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcorrespondenceTit calrfritra MANUEL A. DIAZ MAYOR February 8, 2005 The Honorable George W. Bush President of the United States The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA 33133 (305) 250-5300 FAX (305) 854-4001 I am writing with the purpose of calling your attention to the impact on the City of Miami from proposed cuts and changes to the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) under the Strengthening America's Communities Initiative. The idea to reduce federal bureaucracy while increasing accountability to taxpayers is one I can certainly appreciate and support. This is especially true for programs like CDBG where recent formula changes have resulted in increased funding to affluent suburban communities and decreases to major urban cities like Miami. Our city has made great use of CDBG funding. These funds have allowed us to create jobs, increase economic development opportunities and expand homeownership. Most importantly, these funds have allowed us to provide assistance to our neediest residents, our senior citizens. Thousands of our seniors rely on our daily elderly meals program for their survival. As such, further cuts to the CDBG program will have a devastating impact. I am fully aware of the need to operate a government on a fiscally responsible and balanced budget. I am further aware that at times achieving these goals require difficult decisions that negatively impact entire segments of the population. Yet, deficit cutting and fiscal conservancy should not be done at the expense of our elders and the most vulnerable in society, especially when such actions place them at risk of losing food and other benefits on which they rely for their livelihood and sustenance. Moreover, continued federal budgetary contraction in funding areas that are dedicated to serving urban cities does not really solve fiscal problems but only shifts the responsibility to municipalities that are in no position to handle such budgetary pressures. The Honorable George W. Bush President of the United States Page 2 This is not a solution, but merely a shift in burden from the federal government to municipalities. I ask that you seriously reconsider any further reductions to the Community Development Block Grant program given that such actions will adversely impact the financial resources of our City as well as the lives of those who depend on this program. Sincerely, MANUEL A. DiAz MAYOR ianti, flnrtht ri INCON., ORA ,4) ,0 g February 8, 2005 Senator Mel Martinez United States Senate Russell Senate Office Building - Courtyard 2 Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Martinez: 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA 33133 (305) 250-5300 FAX (305) 854-4001 I am respectfully requesting your help and leadership on an issue of critical concern to our City and its most vulnerable citizens. In my position as a member of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I have been closely monitoring the potential impact of the FY 06 federal budget on the CDBG program. Yesterday, the President released a budget calling for the elimination of the CDBG program and the creation of a new program, the Strengthening America's Communities Grants Program, a grouping of 18 funding programs to be housed in the U.S. Department of Commerce. This proposal is severely detrimental to our City. Since its inception, the CDBG program created by President Nixon, has received wide, bi- partisan support, and has been a signature program for cities and counties to create jobs, increase economic development opportunities, expand homeownership and provide assistance to the neediest in our society. As the national debate on budget priorities unfolds, CDBG, as it has traditionally been known for the past 30 years, may cease to exist as an independent program, thus having an unknown economic impact on cities, counties and local communities of all sizes. Moreover, whereas CDBG is currently funded at $4.7 billion, the FY06 budget proposes to fund the group of 18 programs at merely $3.71 billion. This continues a pattern of funding reductions that has negatively impacted the City. Two years ago, the City's CDBG allocation was cut by 21%. Being forced to absorb additional reductions in funding of as much as 50% will have a further negative impact on our City and on our ability to provide these services. 01,, * tmcono. OWED top* 411. ° R Senator Mel Martinez United States Senate Page 2 The idea of reducing the federal bureaucracy while increasing accountability to taxpayers is one which all of us can certainly appreciate and support. This is especially true for programs like CDBG where recent formula changes have resulted in increased funding to affluent suburban communities and decreases to major urban cities like Miami. Yet, we cannot support deficit cutting and fiscal conservancy that is done at the expense of our elders and the most vulnerable in society. We ask for your continued support of the CDBG program and for your leadership in helping the City seek a waiver of the 15% public service cap on the expenditure of CDBG funds in order that we may continue to serve our elders and neediest citizens. Thank you for your service to the people of our City. Sincerely, t MANUEL A. DIAZ MAYOR Senator Bill Nelson United States Senate Hart Senate Office Building Room 716 Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Nelson: * IMCOMP.. 0 February 8, 2005 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA 33133 1305) 250-5300 FAX (305) 854-4001 I am respectfully requesting your help and leadership on an issue of critical concern to our City and its most vulnerable citizens. In my position as a member of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I have been closely monitoring the potential impact of the FY 06 federal budget on the CDBG program. Yesterday, the President released a budget calling for the elimination of the CDBG program and the creation of a new program, the Strengthening America's Communities Grants Program, a grouping of 18 funding programs to be housed in the U.S. Department of Commerce. This proposal is severely detrimental to our City. Since its inception, the CDBG program created by President Nixon, has received wide, bi- partisan support, and has been a signature program for cities and counties to create jobs, increase economic development opportunities, expand homeownership and provide assistance to the neediest in our society. As the national debate on budget priorities unfolds, CDBG, as it has traditionally been known for the past 30 years, may cease to exist as an independent program, thus having an unknown economic impact on cities, counties and local communities of all sizes. Moreover, whereas CDBG is currently funded at $4.7 billion, the FY06 budget proposes to fund the group of 18 programs at merely $3.71 billion. This continues a pattern of funding reductions that has negatively impacted the City. Two years ago, the City's CDBG allocation was cut by 21%. Being forced to absorb additional reductions in funding of as much as 50% will have a further negative impact on our City and on our ability to provide these services. Senator Bill Nelson United States Senate Page 2 The idea of reducing the federal bureaucracy while increasing accountability to taxpayers is one which all of us can certainly appreciate and support. This is especially true for programs like CDBG where recent formula changes have resulted in increased funding to affluent suburban communities and decreases to major urban cities like Miami. Yet, we cannot support deficit cutting and fiscal conservancy that is done at the expense of our elders and the most vulnerable in society. We ask for your continued support of the CDBG program and for your leadership in helping the City seek a waiver of the 15% public service cap on the expenditure of CDBG funds in order that we may continue to serve our elders and neediest citizens. Thank you for your service to the people of our City. Sincerely, 0_,itg nf Alianti, c.crflari.6a MANUEL A. DIAZ MAYOR February 8, 2005 Mario Diaz-Balart, Member United States House of Representatives 313 Canon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Diaz-Balart: 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA 33133 (3051 50-5300 FAX (305) 854-4001 I am respectfully requesting your help and leadership on an issue of critical concern to our City and its most vulnerable citizens. In my position as a member of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I have been closely monitoring the potential impact of the FY 06 federal budget on the CDBG program. Yesterday, the President released a budget calling for the elimination of the CDBG program and the creation of a new program, the Strengthening America's Communities Grants Program, a grouping of 18 funding programs to be housed in the U.S. Department of Commerce. This proposal is severely detrimental to our City. Since its inception, the CDBG program created by President Nixon, has received wide, bi- partisan support, and has been a signature program for cities and counties to create jobs, increase economic development opportunities, expand homeownership and provide assistance to the neediest in our society. As the national debate on budget priorities unfolds, CDBG, as it has traditionally been known for the past 30 years, may cease to exist as an independent program, thus having an unknown economic impact on cities, counties and local communities of all sizes. Moreover, whereas CDBG is currently funded at $4.7 billion, the FY06 budget proposes to fund the group of 18 programs at merely $3.71 billion. This continues a pattern of funding reductions that has negatively impacted the City. Two years ago, the City's CDBG allocation was cut by 21%. Being forced to absorb additional reductions in funding of as much as 50% will have a further negative impact on our City and on our ability to provide these services. NIV OP NC0/:n ?ttoitt Mario Diaz-Balart, Member United States House of Representatives Page 2 The idea of reducing the federal bureaucracy while increasing accountability to taxpayers is one which all of us can certainly appreciate and support. This is especially true for programs like CDBG where recent formula changes have resulted in increased funding to affluent suburban communities and decreases to major urban cities like Miami. Yet, we cannot support deficit cutting and fiscal conservancy that is done at the expense of our elders and the most vulnerable in society. We ask for your continued support of the CDBG program and for your leadership in helping the City seek a waiver of the 15% public service cap on the expenditure of CDBG funds in order that we may continue to serve our elders and neediest citizens. Thank you for your service to the people of our City. (Cit iarni, Flirthz MANUEL A. DIAZ MAYOR February 8, 2005 Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Member United States House of Representatives 2244 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Diaz-Balart: 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA 33133 (305) 250-5300 FAX (305) 854-4001 I am respectfully requesting your help and leadership on an issue of critical concern to our City and its most vulnerable citizens. In my position as a member of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I have been closely monitoring the potential impact of the FY 06 federal budget on the CDBG program. Yesterday, the President released a budget calling for the elimination of the CDBG program and the creation of a new program, the Strengthening America's Communities Grants Program, a grouping of 18 funding programs to be housed in the U.S. Department of Commerce. This proposal is severely detrimental to our City. Since its inception, the CDBG program created by President Nixon, has received wide, bi- partisan support, and has been a signature program for cities and counties to create jobs, increase economic development opportunities, expand homeownership and provide assistance to the neediest in our society. As the national debate on budget priorities unfolds, CDBG, as it has traditionally been known for the past 30 years, may cease to exist as an independent program, thus having an unknown economic impact on cities, counties and local communities of all sizes. Moreover, whereas CDBG is currently funded at $4.7 billion, the FY06 budget proposes to fund the group of 18 programs at merely $3.71 billion. This continues a pattern of funding reductions that has negatively impacted the City. Two years ago, the City's CDBG allocation was cut by 21%. Being forced to absorb additional reductions in funding of as much as 50% will have a further negative impact on our City and on our ability to provide these services. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Member United States House of Representatives Page 2 The idea of reducing the federal bureaucracy while increasing accountability to taxpayers is one which all of us can certainly appreciate and support. This is especially true for programs like CDBG where recent formula changes have resulted in increased funding to affluent suburban communities and decreases to major urban cities like Miami. Yet, we cannot support deficit cutting and fiscal conservancy that is done at the expense of our elders and the most vulnerable in society. We ask for your continued support of the CDBG program and for your leadership in helping the City seek a waiver of the 15% public service cap on the expenditure of CDBG funds in order that we may continue to serve our elders and neediest citizens. Thank you for your service to the people of our City. Sincerely, (Cit MANUEL A. DIAZ MAYOR Kendrick B. Meek, Member United States House of Representatives 1039 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Meek: op * INC0111.9.1,UrEl} * Yt) 0 R February 8, 2005 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA .33133 (305) 250-5300 FAX (305) 854-4001 I am respectfully requesting your help and leadership on an issue of critical concern to our City and its most vulnerable citizens. In my position as a member of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I have been closely monitoring the potential impact of the FY 06 federal budget on the CDBG program. Yesterday, the President released a budget calling for the elimination of the CDBG program and the creation of a new program, the Strengthening America's Communities Grants Program, a grouping of 18 funding programs to be housed in the U.S. Department of Commerce. This proposal is severely detrimental to our City. Since its inception, the CDBG program created by President Nixon, has received wide, bi- partisan support, and has been a signature program for cities and counties to create jobs, increase economic development opportunities, expand homeownership and provide assistance to the neediest in our society. As the national debate on budget priorities unfolds, CDBG, as it has traditionally been known for the. past 30 years, may cease to exist as an independent program, thus having an unknown economic impact on cities, counties and local communities of all sizes. Moreover, whereas CDBG is currently funded at $4.7 billion, the FY06 budget proposes to fund the group of 18 programs at merely $3.71 billion. This continues a pattern of funding reductions that has negatively impacted the City. Two years ago, the City's CDBG allocation was cut by 21%. Being forced to absorb additional reductions in funding of as much as 50% will have a further negative impact on our City and on our ability to provide these services. Kendrick B. Meek, Member United States House of Representatives Page 2 The idea of reducing the federal bureaucracy while increasing accountability to taxpayers is one which all of us can certainly appreciate and support. This is especially true for programs like CDBG where recent formula changes have resulted in increased funding to affluent suburban communities and decreases to major urban cities like Miami. Yet, we cannot support deficit cutting and fiscal conservancy that is done at the expense of our elders and the most vulnerable in society. We ask for your continued support of the CDBG program and for your leadership in helping the City seek a waiver of the 15% public service cap on the expenditure of CDBG funds in order that we may continue to serve our elders and neediest citizens. Thank you for your service to the people of our City. Sincerely, CCit f 4llFliami.c7firfriba MAN IJ EL A. DIAZ MAYOR Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Member United States House of Representatives 2160 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Ros-Lehtinen: * .111COIrCrt0 0 R February 8, 2005 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA 33133 (305) 250-5300 FAX (305) 854-4001 I am respectfully requesting your help and leadership on an issue of critical concern to our City and its most vulnerable citizens. In my position as a member of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I have been closely monitoring the potential impact of the FY 06 federal budget on the CDBG program. Yesterday, the President released a budget calling for the elimination of the CDBG program and the creation of a new program, the Strengthening America's Communities Grants Program, a grouping of 18 funding programs to be housed in the U.S. Department of Commerce. This proposal is severely detrimental to our City. Since its inception, the CDBG program created by President Nixon, has received wide, bi- partisan support, and has been a signature program for cities and counties to create jobs, increase economic development opportunities, expand homeownership and provide assistance to the neediest in our society. As the national debate on budget priorities unfolds, CDBG, as it has traditionally been known for the past 30 years, may cease to exist as an independent program, thus having an unknown economic impact on cities, counties and local communities of all sizes. Moreover, whereas CDBG is currently funded at $4.7 billion, the FY06 budget proposes to fund the group of 18 programs at merely $3.71 billion. This continues a pattern of funding reductions that has negatively impacted the City. Two years ago, the City's CDBG allocation was cut by 21%. Being forced to absorb additional reductions in funding of as much as 50% will have a further negative impact on our City and on our ability to provide these services. INCORD ORATID 1.4 = R Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Member United States House of Representatives Page 2 The idea of reducing the federal bureaucracy while increasing accountability to taxpayers is one which all of us can certainly appreciate and support. This is especially true for programs like CDBG where recent formula changes have resulted in increased funding to affluent suburban communities and decreases to major urban cities like Miami. Yet, we cannot support deficit cutting and fiscal conservancy that is done at the expense of our elders and the most vulnerable in society. We ask for your continued support of the CDBG program and for your leadership in helping the City seek a waiver o f the 15% public service cap on the expenditure of CDBG funds in order that we may continue to serve our elders and neediest citizens. Thank you for your service to the people of our City. Sincerely, CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO Chairman Joe Sanchez Vice -Chairman Angel Gonzalez DATE : February 9, 2005 SUBJECT CDBG FROM Mayor a u I A. D a REFERENCES ENCLOSURES Letters to the President & Members of Congress FILE By way of this memo, I am respectfully requesting your help and leadership on an issue of critical concern to our City. Although I fully realize the tremendous amount of time you already commit to City business, I feel it is imperative to impose upon you once again on a matter that could have grave consequences on our City's residents, specially our most vulnerable. I am asking that you consider co-chairing a task force on the impact of the President's Fiscal Year 2006 budget (the "Budget") on the Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") program. Collectively, your two (2) districts received in excess of 50% of the elderly meals programs funded with 30th year CDBG funds as well as almost 50% of all other CDBG funds. I would expect this task force to: (i) quantify the fiscal and social impact of the proposed elimination of the CDBG program; (ii) educate your colleagues, the administration and the people of Miami with respect to your findings; (iii) form coalitions with our county and other municipalities, as well as our business community and non-profit organizations; (iv) develop a strategy for saving CDBG and securing full funding for the program; and, (v) develop contingency plans in the event our efforts are unsuccessful. In my position as a member of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I have been closely monitoring the potential impact of the Budget on the CDBG program. On Monday, February 7, the President released the Budget, and yesterday the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties, joined by a coalition of local officials and business leaders, held a press conference to denounce the elimination of the CDBG program. Since its inception, the CDBG program created by President Nixon, has received wide, bi-partisan support, and has been a signature program for cities and counties to create jobs, increase economic development opportunities, expand homeownership and provide assistance to the neediest in our society. Chairman Joe Sanchez Vice -Chairman Angel Gonzalez October 9, 2005 - Page 2 As the national debate on budget priorities unfolds, CDBG, as it has traditionally been known for the past 30 years, will no longer exist and is sure to have a devastating economic impact on cities, counties and local communities of all sizes. Under the Budget, CDBG will be consolidated with 17 other programs into a new program, called Strengthening America 's Communities Grant Program, which has yet to be fully defined. What is clear, however, is that there will be drastic cuts to CDBG. The CDBG program is currently funded at $4.7 billion and provides grants to cities and counties through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Under the Budget, a reduced level of CDBG funds would be transferred to the Department of Commerce along with 17 other programs. The 18 consolidated programs are proposed to be funded at only $3.71 billion, about $2 billion less than the 18 programs together receive now. It is unclear what the funding levels will be for the individual programs during Fiscal Year 2006. This continues a pattern of funding restrictions that has negatively impacted the City. You will remember that two (2) years ago, the City's CDBG allocation was cut by 21%. This caused to release $300,000 from my Anti -Poverty Initiative Account in order to cover the shortfall, preventing thousands of senior citizens from going without the daily meals provided at centers throughout Miami. Being forced to absorb additional reductions in funding of as much as 50% will have a greater negative impact on our City. The idea of reducing the federal bureaucracy while increasing accountability to taxpayers is one which all of us can certainly appreciate and support. This is especially true for programs like CDBG where recent formula changes have resulted in increased funding to affluent suburban communities and decreases to major urban cities like Miami. We are also fully aware of the need to operate a government on a fiscally responsible and balanced budget, and we are certainly aware of the fact that at times achieving these goals require difficult decisions that negatively impact entire segments of the population. Yet, deficit cutting and fiscal conservancy should not be done at the expense of our elders and the most vulnerable in society, especially when such actions places them at risk of losing food and other benefits on which they rely for their livelihood and sustenance. Chairman Joe Sanchez Vice -Chairman Angel Gonzalez October 9, 2005 - Page 3 Moreover, continued federal budgetary contraction in funding areas that are dedicated to serving urban cities does not really solve fiscal problems but only shifts responsibility to municipalities that are in no position to handle such budgetary pressures. This is not a solution, but merely a shift in burden from the federal government to municipalities. I ask again that you seriously consider accepting this extremely important responsibility. Your leadership will ensure that we defend against any further reductions to the CDBG program given that such actions will adversely impact the financial resources of our City, as well as the lives of those who depend on these funds. Thank you for your service to the people of our City. cc: Commissioner Johnny Winton Commissioner Tomas Regalado Commissioner Jeffery Allen Joe Arriola, City Manager Barbara Rodriguez, Director of Community Development