“We have to enable our local communities to move forward in a responsible, stable and sustainable way.”Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) stood up for the ability of local governments to work together with state and federal agencies to create sustainable development plans that will lead to private-sector jobs and economic development.
Perlmutter introduced an amendment today in the Financial Services Committee that would protect the successful Sustainable Communities grant program which provides up to $150 million to local communities to create coordinated economic development, energy efficiency, housing, and transportation plans.
Perlmutter said, “The Sustainable Communities program does precisely what the Republicans want it to do – it spurs private sector investment and job growth right here in our local communities by enabling them to plan for the future. Our local communities are facing serious fiscal challenges, and we can’t stop our country in its tracks. The future is coming, and we have to enable our local communities to move forward in a responsible, stable and sustainable way.”
There was little, if any, opposition from the Republican majority on the Financial Services Committee to Perlmutter’s amendment. However, the amendment failed on a party-line vote.
Perlmutter continued, “Instead of focusing on oversight of the implementation of the most comprehensive financial reforms since the Great Depression, Republicans are calling for abolishing important, effective economic stability programs like the Neighborhood Stabilization program, legal assistance for homeowners facing foreclosure and the Sustainable Communities program.”
Last year, Perlmutter sponsored the Livable Communities Act of 2010 (HR 4690), which authorized federal, state and local governments to coordinate to create sustainable development plans.
