The Ferguson Group Blog

Check out this year’s Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Winners

This week, winners of the competitive Bus and Bus Facilities “Ladders of Opportunity” Initiative grant program were officially posted on the Federal Register. The Federal Transit Authority (FTA) awarded $100 million in competitive grants to 24 recipients in 19 states to significantly improve bus service and bus facilities in urban and rural communities.

The Bus and Bus Facilities program supports the modernization and expansion of transit bus service, with the purpose of connecting disadvantaged and low-income populations with centers of education, employment, job training, healthcare and other vital services. Grant money provides financial assistance to purchase, replace, or rehabilitate buses, bus facilities, and bus-related equipment, and other eligible capital project costs.

Click here to see this year’s Bus and Bus Facilities “Ladders of Opportunity” Initiative project selections.

This year, the FTA received 446 project proposals from 282 applicants requesting a total of approximately $1.4 billion – 14 times the available funding! This highly competitive response clearly reflects tremendous demand for modern buses and bus facilities in communities across the United States. What needs does your community have?

Wednesday News Roundup

Every Wednesday, the TFG Blog posts a series of articles published over the previous week that discusses topics of interest to local governments. Learn about emerging trends and keep up on key policy issues by browsing the TFG Wednesday News Roundup! 

Seattle Adopts an Old Way to Pay for New Parks

Seattle is joining cities like Chicago, Washington, D.C., and nearby Tacoma by funding its parks through the creation of a metropolitan park district. The crucial difference between funding parks though a metro park district and the regular way is that the taxes it collects will bypass the general fund and go directly to parks. Park advocates consider this a huge win, but the model has its drawbacks. Read more…

3 States Consider Ways to Maximize Existing Transportation Money

Voters in Louisiana, Maryland, and Wisconsin will all weigh in on proposals that supporters say will make existing transportation resources go further. Louisiana lawmakers want to create a state infrastructure bank. Meanwhile, Maryland and Wisconsin legislators want to seal off transportation money from being used for other purposes. Read more…

Gaming: A New Way to Engage Citizens in Problem-Solving

Sometimes there’s no better way to kill citizen engagement than by actually engaging citizens. Using gaming to increase engagement has been propelled by the Engagement Lab, a research unit house at Boston’s Emerson College that focuses on the development and study of games technology and new media to improve civic interaction. Read more…

USDOT Local Government Safety Plan to Reduce Pedestrian and Bicyclist Accidents

Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a national road safety improvement campaign to cut down on the increasing number of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and fatalities across the country. If local governments follow this 18-month strategy, DOT expects traffic crashes to reduce by an average of 29%. Read more…

Next-Gen 911: Two States, Two Approaches to Implementation

Connecticut and Kansas are working to install next-generation 911 telephone systems, which may become necessary for all in an ever-growing wireless mobile society. The next-gen system has the capacity to receive mobile texts and videos to 911 centers, which can then be passed to police and emergency responders before they arrive on location, creating seamless information sharing between 911 centers and response teams. Read more…

Wednesday News Roundup

Every Wednesday, the TFG Blog posts a series of articles published over the previous week that discusses topics of interest to local governments. Learn about emerging trends and keep up on key policy issues by browsing the TFG Wednesday News Roundup! 

2014’s Most Competitive Races

With the 2014 midterm elections less than two weeks away, prognosticators have a clear picture of which races will be the ones to watch. Politico’s Election Central can keep you up to date on all the important House, Senate and Governor races. Read more...

 

New Digital Tool Will Help Houston Firefighters Battle Building Blazes

Fire departments in the five-county Houston area have used a federal anti-terrorism grant to develop a digital database of high-risk structure. The database, accessible by tablet, will allow firefighters to access information en route to the scene as opposed to waiting for hardcopy building information that often takes an hour to arrive to an incident. Read more...

 

How New Orleans is Winning a War against Murder

In 2011, New Orleans yet again earned the title “murder capital of the U.S.,” recording more murders than any other city in the country. Just two years later in 2013, the city saw its lowest number of homicides in 30 years. Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s approach to tackling the raging structural and leadership issues created a better, faster, and cheaper way to deal with crime in his city. Read more...

 

Solidifying Sludge - Water Utility Saves with New Centrifuge

A couple years ago, a wastewater treatment plant in Kenosha Wisconsin made the decision to add a thickening centrifuge (which increases digestion capacity) to its arsenal. The innovative technique saves the utility $420,000 a year while promoting a more environmentally efficient process. Read more...

 

Can Homeless People Move Into Baltimore’s Abandoned Houses?

With a surplus of vacant homes, and a significant homeless population, Baltimore could be one of many cities that use innovative policies to create affordable housing and decrease homelessness. Baltimore has a few programs to deal with both problems, but community organization say there is more to be done, and more to be learned from what other cities are doing.  Read more...

Wednesday News Roundup

Every Wednesday, the TFG Blog posts a series of articles published over the previous week that discusses topics of interest to local governments. Learn about emerging trends and keep up on key policy issues by browsing the TFG Wednesday News Roundup!

Cuts to Child Welfare Force States to Spend Smarter

In the wake of several reports indicating that federal spending on child welfare programs has decreased significantly, some states are piloting programs to develop cost-effective strategies in helping the disadvantaged youth population. New programs are not only focused on creating new program strategies, but also data-driven strategies aimed at saving money and creating efficiencies. Read More…

First Responders Left in the Dark on Public Safety Network

The early stages of the FirstNet public safety network haven’t looked too promising as first responders and emergency managers have been lightly consulted since the beginning. But recent changes in the upper ranks of FirstNet management is hoping to change the trend, putting FirstNet back on the right track. Read More…

Pentagon Warns Climate Change Will Intensify Conflict – Unveils Adaption Roadmap

According to the 2014 Climate Change Adaption Roadmap released by the Pentagon on Monday, climate change has the potential to intensify global instability, disease, poverty and conflict, citing the issue as a serious national security risk. The report outlines the ways armed forces will be affected by climate change domestically and abroad in both the near and long terms. “Politics or ideology must not get in the way of sound planning,” Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel expressed. Read More…

Mayors to Convene in Louisville to Meet on Entrepreneurship

More than three dozen mayors will be in Kentucky this week to discuss entrepreneurship, the “Maker Movement,” and to learn how entrepreneurship is transforming cities, spurring economic growth and innovation. The week-long event aims to create a network of mayors across the country who are champions of entrepreneurship in their cities. Read More…

White House Announces $170 Million Push to Help Long-Term Unemployed

On Wednesday, the White House announced $170 million in grants and partnerships aimed at helping the long-term unemployed get back to work. The funding will go to programs in 20 states, funding apprenticeship programs, career service opportunities with private companies, mental health options, and early education programs, among other resources. Read More…

FEMA is Seeking Comments on a Local Disaster Recovery Framework

The National Disaster Recovery Framework provides guidance to recovery managers and government agencies in coordinating recovery efforts from national disasters, i.e. those that receive a presidential declaration under the Stafford Act. Coordination of federal programs is especially important in disaster recovery efforts, and the framework ensures that resources provided by federal agencies are able to meet the specific needs of communities impacted by national disasters.

However, most incidents do not receive presidential declarations, and are managed by state, tribal, territorial, or local governments. For these incidents, coordination can be difficult because state and local recovery managers must combine resources from federal agencies with other disparate sources that may not align neatly with their community’s needs. Yesterday, FEMA issued a draft guidance document, Effective Coordination of Recovery Resources for State, Tribal, Territorial, and Local Incidents, that applies the practices and principles outlined in the National Disaster Recovery Framework to incidents that do not receive a national disaster designation. The guidance is intended to help state, tribal, territorial, and local recovery managers identify recovery needs and priorities, reallocate existing resources, identify and synthesize available federal programs and other assistance, and engage traditional and non-traditional partners.

FEMA is seeking comments from stakeholders on the draft guidance through October 22^nd. If you would like to provide feedback, comments can be sent to [email protected] using the comment matrix that FEMA has provided.  

Wednesday News Roundup

Every Wednesday, the TFG Blog posts a series of articles published over the previous week that discusses topics of interest to local governments. Learn about emerging trends and keep up on key policy issues by browsing the TFG Wednesday News Roundup!

10 U.S. Supreme Court Cases that Matter for State and Local Governments

The State and Local Legal Center (SLLC) has identified 10 upcoming Supreme Court cases that might affect state and local governments on topics ranging from religious freedom in state prisons to water apportioning agreements between states. Governing gives an overview of each upcoming case, but if you are interested in a more in-depth review of implications for states and localities, SLLC is hosting a free webinar on October 16. Read more…

IRS Warns of Delays if U.S. Congress Fumbles Tax ‘Extenders’

Chairman of Senate Finance and the IRS are warning Congress that severe tax refund delays and inconveniences for millions of taxpayers could result if Congress fails to deal with more than 50 expired tax laws. If Congress does not make a decision on these tax extenders by the end of November, the uncertainty could force the IRS to postpone the opening of the 2015 filing season. Read more…

Kansas Names October Zombie Preparedness Month

Kansas is taking a unique approach to encourage residents to prepare for emergencies. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management and Governor Sam Brownback proclaimed October “Zombie Preparedness Month” to create a more lighthearted and engaging way for Kansans to prepare for typical emergencies like tornadoes, flash floods, earthquakes and winter storms. Read more…

Warren Buffett Says Time is Right to Revamp Corporate Tax Rules

In an interview Monday with Politico, billionaire investor Warren Buffett said that the White House action to curb tax evasion provides a good “time out” for Congress to work on reforming corporate tax rules. Buffet, who is critical of the tax code for undertaxing the wealthy, also said it is probably easier to reform the corporate tax code separate from the tax code for individuals. Buffet’s sentiments are similar to those of White House Economic Advisor Jeffrey Zients, who said last week he is optimistic for corporate tax reform this year, but individual tax reform is politically more difficult. Read more…

Cuomo Proposes NY Create Own Ex-Im Bank

Tuesday, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) outlined a proposal to create the first state-run Export-Import Bank, modeled after the one run by the federal government. Cuomo says the Bank would help New York businesses sell their products in foreign markets and motivate companies abroad to move to New York. The Governor’s proposal comes as conservative voices push to end the federal Export-Import Bank, saying it provides unfair subsidies at the taxpayers’ expense. Read more…

"Waters of the U.S." Comment Period Extended

Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced the second extension of the public comment period for the proposed "Waters of the U.S." rulemaking.  The deadline for comments has now been moved from October 20, 2014 to November 14, 2014.  

EPA and the Corps originally released the new proposed rule on April 21 which would create a new definition for "Waters of the U.S." and greatly expand federal jurisidiction of the nation's waterways. Many local governments as well as the agriculture industry are concerned about the regulatory burden the new definition would create.  See the links below for more information about the proposed rule and the reactions from some of the leading organizations fighting it:

 

- EPA "Waters of the U.S." Website

- American Farm Bureau "Ditch the Rule" Website

- National Association of Counties Information Hub

- National League of Cities Policy Page

 

What are your thoughts on the proposed rule?  How would it impact your community?

 

USDA Announces Funds Supporting Local Farmers

Last week, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack awarded over $52 million to support local and regional food systems and the organic industry through five USDA grant programs.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) awarded over $27 million in competitive grants to expand marketing through the new Farmers Market and Local Food Marketing Promotion Program (FMPP and LFPP), as well as over $1 million in matching grants through the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).

The FMPP and LFPP grants combine local food, creative ideas and new partnerships with an emphasis on improving food access and economic growth in communities around the country. The FSMIP grant provides matching funds to assist State Agencies in exploring new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products, and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the marketing system.

Check out USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative to learn about other funding mechanisms supporting local farmers.

Got a Big Transportation Project? Here’s Your Chance to get it Noticed!

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is reopening a nationwide survey that it will use to compile a list of surface transportation projects that qualify for the Projects of National and Regional Significance (PNRS) program, that is, those that would significantly improve highway system performance, generate national economic benefits, reduce long term congestion, and improve transportation safety. MAP-21, the 2012 transportation authorization bill, authorized $500 million for the PNRS program, although no funds have actually been appropriated, and requires DOT to submit a report to Congress that lists eligible projects and makes funding recommendations.

The PNRS survey was originally open in June, but because FHWA received so few submissions – only 27 states responded – it announced in the Federal Register today that it will reopen the survey until November 17^th. That’s 45 days to prepare your submission, including a project description, cost information and financial commitments, and how the project meets the national and regional significance criteria. FHWA has also relaxed the applicant eligibility requirements. In the first round, only state departments of transportation, tribal organizations, and transit agencies could submit a project; but for this round, the survey is open to cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), seaport authorities, railroads, coalitions of local governments, and economic development organizations that have responsibility for planning or implementing infrastructure projects.

Already Submitted a Project?

If your transportation project was already submitted to the Federal Highway Administration during the first survey period, then you won’t need to submit it again. However, this is a chance to review your application and make any changes or submit any additional supporting documentation you might want to.

Interested?

If you’ve got a big transportation project that you’d like to get noticed, then check out the announcement and the survey.  And we do mean big by the way: eligible PNRS projects must be at least 50% of their state’s total highway assistance funds apportionment, viewable here, or $500 million, whichever is smaller. FHWA is also holding an informational webinar on October 6th. 

Wednesday News Roundup

Every Wednesday, the TFG Blog posts a series of articles published over the previous week that discusses topics of interest to local governments. Learn about emerging trends and keep up on key policy issues by browsing the TFG Wednesday News Roundup!

With Millions to Give, Foundation Takes Urban-Improvement Ideas from Anyone

The Knight Foundation begins accepting applications for its new Cities Challenge Program today, but unlike most other competitive grant programs, anyone can apply. The Program will give out $15 million in grants over the next three years to fund projects designed to make cities function better. Read more...

The Long-Term Cost of Building Transportation Projects on the Cheap

Factoring in the lifetime cost of new construction is considered good practice in the transportation industry, but surprisingly few government agencies do it. A recent survey conducted by the Governing Institute found that only 59 percent of responding agencies used some form of life cycle analysis. Cheap construction can eventually mean a lot of wasted money. Read more...

Governments Working to Reduce Food Waste

Americans throw away approximately 35 million tons of food a year, which is not just a waste of resources, but results in huge environmental issues when that waste is transferred to landfills. Landfills are the largest producers of the harmful greenhouse gas methane. Instead of sending food waste to landfills, governments are using policy changes and technology to combat the issue. Read more...

Tax Credits for Urban Farmers

States and cities are creating tax incentives to encourage the development of urban farming. Urban farming not only encourages the redevelopment of blighted property, it also promotes community-building, environmental education, and provides an additional source of fresh produce to city dwellers. Read more...