January 9, 2006

Planners to Convene on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, DC — The safety of American communities will be the focus of many sessions during this year's American Planning Association (APA) Legislative & Policy Conference. The conference is January 29–31, 2006, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC In conjunction with the conference, planners will meet with their congressional representatives during "Planners Day on Capitol Hill" to promote good planning.

Conference sessions will include discussion of current and proposed policies and legislation that can positively or adversely impact the safety and vitality of communities. Attendees will hear updates on federal housing policy, rebuilding the Gulf Region, the federal budget, Safe Communities Act of 2005, sustainable energy policy, proposed changes to community development programs and endangered species legislation, and responding to BRAC decisions.

Special guests invited to speak at the conference include: Robert Greenstein, Executive Director for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; Shelia Crowley, President of the National Low Income Housing Coalition (confirmed); James Lee Witt, principal of James Lee Witt Associates; James Connaughton, Chairman of White House Counsel on Environmental Quality; Stockton Williams, Vice President of External Affairs for the Enterprise Foundation (confirmed); Matthew Chase, Executive Director of the National Association of Development Officials (confirmed); Deron Lovaas, Vehicles Campaign Director and Deputy Director of the Smart Growth and Transportation Program for the Natural Resources Defense Council (confirmed); and Ralph Grossi, President of the American Farmland Trust.

"Planners and legislators must work hand-in-hand to ensure communities of lasting value are created and prosper," said Jeff Soule, FAICP, APA Policy Director. "If we allow key programs and policies to be cut, we risk jeopardizing the health and vitality of our communities. Our annual legislative and policy conference is the time to reinforce the importance and necessity of good planning."

The conference is open to any individual interested in promoting good planning practices.

Contact

Roberta Rewers, APA Public Affairs, 312-786-6395; rrewers@planning.org