Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities Supports President's 2010 Budget...

Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities Supports President's 2010
Budget Containing Key Initiatives for Livable Communities

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a
statement by PLCM President John B. Callahan, Mayor of Bethlehem:

The Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities (PLCM), in concert with
the National League of Cities, support President Obama's fiscal year 2010
budget which provides funding for several key initiatives critical to the
livability and economic vitality of our cities and core communities.

The League board of directors and members are reaching out to our Pennsylvania
U.S. Senators, Bob Casey and Arlen Specter, as well as our Congressmen, urging
support of the President's budget priorities such as overhauling health care,
boosting public education and increasing energy independence.

Of utmost importance to the PLCM, are key aspects of the 2010 budget proposal
which include, among others, funding for CDBG, infrastructure and
transportation, public safety and housing -- all crucial programs for
municipalities in the Commonwealth.

League members look forward to implementing the President's budget initiatives
created to assist municipalities. A summary of several important program
initiatives designed to help our communities achieve economic prosperity, is
as follows:

Full funding of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The
President's plan provides $4.5 billion in CDBG funds for communities to
continue to invest in and expand economic opportunities for low-income
families. The Administration will revamp the CDBG program to better target
funds to distressed communities and promote sustainable and economically
viable communities.

Provision of initial funding for 50,000 more police on the streets. The budget
includes funding to begin hiring 50,000 additional police officers to help
states and communities prevent the growth of crime during the economic
downturn.

Targeting of transportation spending to make cities more livable and highways
less congested. The current framework for financing and allocating surface
transportation investments is not financially sustainable and does not
effectively allocate resources to meet critical national needs. The
President's proposal calls for the reform of surface transportation programs,
both to put the system on a sustainable financing path and to make investments
in a more sustainable future -- enhancing transit options and making the
economy more productive and communities more livable.

Provide funding for an affordable housing trust fund for the first time.
While given the green light by Congress in 2008, the Affordable Housing Trust
Fund has fallen short because it hasn't been provided resources to help
families. This budget restores funding for the Trust Fund, requesting $1
billion to finance the development, rehabilitation and preservation of
affordable housing for very low income residents.

The Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities is a nonprofit,
nonpartisan organization established in 1900 as an advocate for Pennsylvania's
3rd class cities. Today, PLCM represents Pennsylvania's cities, townships,
towns, boroughs, and home rule municipalities that all share the League's
municipal policy interests. The Board of Directors oversees the
administration of a wide array of municipal services including legislative
advocacy, publications, education/training, consulting-based programs, and
group insurance trusts.

SOURCE Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities

Deborah L. Bitting, PLCM Communications and Publications Editor, PLCM office,
+1-717-236-9469