APA Legislative Priorities for the 112th Congress

Rebuilding the Economy, Strengthening Our Communities

Improve government efficiency by expand place-based strategies and eliminating barriers to integrated, comprehensive planning and investment
Federal policy and investment creates powerful incentives for growth and development. These policies should include a focus on encouraging location and energy efficiency that link to locally-adopted comprehensive plans. APA supports efforts to better integrate planning requirements for housing, transportation and the environment. HUD, DOT and EPA should be encouraged to continue efforts to eliminate barriers to effective coordination of federal programs and resources at the local and regional level. Expanding place-based strategies can maximize the impact of federal investment in communities.

Legislative opportunities:

• FY 2012 Appropriations
• Administrative actions through Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities
• Authorization for Sustainable Communities Programs (Livable Communities Act in 111th)

Support regional and community sustainability planning
Innovative approaches to regional planning can create a vital framework for better investment decisions driven by performance measures.  These efforts can improve coordination among agencies and increase local economic competitiveness. APA supports authorizing and funding new planning and sustainability initiatives and incorporating support for planning into infrastructure and community development programs.

Legislative opportunities:

• FY 2012 Appropriations for HUD Sustainability Grants
• Authorization for Sustainable Communities Programs
• Transportation Authorization

Reform tax policy to create communities of lasting value
Tax code reform should include support for strategic, sustainable development.  Incentives targeting investment in ways that maximize location and energy efficiency will help communities leverage private capital and stimulate investment that meets market demand, provides greater options for residents, and increases economic competitiveness and quality of life.

Legislative opportunities:

• Priority Zone Bonds or Tax Incentives
• Build America Bonds
• Green Infrastructure Credits

Respect local planning authority
Congress should continue to respect local planning and community safeguards by rejecting any efforts to impose regulatory takings initiatives standards that increase lawsuits and undermine locally-adopted plans. Federal policy should respect and appropriately engage local decision makers in the siting of energy and telecommunications facilities.

Promote planning that meets the nation's new energy needs and advances the growth of a green economy
Energy policy is a critical part of building the economic competitiveness and resilience of the nation's communities. Reducing energy use and reliance on foreign energy sources requires addressing the design of communities, transportation networks, and buildings. Federal policy and programs should support the development of “green” communities.  Good planning will be required to achieve a variety of important energy goals from expanding domestic renewables to decreasing energy consumption in the build environment. Federal policy should support improving planning for the expansion of renewable energy, the development of green communities, and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.

Legislative opportunities:

• Energy legislation
• GREEN Act
• Tax reform

Enact farm and food legislation that supports planning for sustainable food systems and economic development in small towns and rural regions
The Farm Bill offers an important opportunity to improve planning for a healthy, sustainable food system and build the economies of rural communities.  New policy responses not only help address challenges such as access to fresh food but also provide needed resources that support and empower communities, rural and urban alike.

Legislative opportunities:

• Farm Bill
• Healthy Food Finance Legislation
• FY 2012 Appropriations

Meet the nation's growing infrastructure investment needs
Funding for the nation's infrastructure is critical to both economic recovery and long-term competitiveness. Congress should support new infrastructure investment that supports local communities and base new investment on a planning process that is strategic, comprehensive and tied to performance. The next transportation authorization should be based on empowering metropolitan regions; supporting integrated planning for sustainable communities; promoting economic growth, competitiveness, and resiliency; fostering location-efficient decisions; creating safe, secure, and accessible communities for everyone; and expanding funding sources to meet transportation needs in ways that are flexible and performance-driven.

Legislative opportunities:

• Surface Transportation Authorization
• Infrastructure Bank or TIFIA Expansion
• WRDA or other water infrastructure legislation

Ensure that communities can adequately plan for future needs by providing high-quality data
Good information is the backbone of good planning. Federal data will inform an array of local planning decisions from identifying hazard zones to mitigating climate change impacts. Federal data programs providing information to local governments in agencies such the Census Bureau, NOAA, USGS, and DOT, should be strengthened and programs improved to better meet the needs of local users.

Legislative opportunities:

• Census Bureau reform
• FY 2012 appropriations

Assist communities working to stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods
Many communities continue to struggle with housing and development challenges in neighborhoods hard hit by the recession. Targeted federal programs can be a catalyst for renewed investment and help communities lay the foundation for rebuilding local economies by supporting strategic planning initiatives. Particular support and technical assistance should be focused on ‘cities in transition' – communities facing systemic, long-term economic challenges. Federal policy should help stabilize neighborhoods hit hard by the recession, support programs that assist in neighborhood revitalization and economic development, improve vital housing programs that provide choice and affordability.

Legislative opportunities:

• CDBG Funding
• GSE reform
• Choice Neighborhoods
• Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act
• FY 2012 Appropriations

Advance the development of healthy, safe and active communities
Federal policy should support the development and planning of communities that promote active, healthy living. Federal support for parks, recreation, and transportation enhancements should be expanded. Support for creating a built environment that promotes healthy and active living should be incorporated into federal transportation, housing, health, and food programs. Transportation policy should support standards that accommodate all users.

Legislative opportunities:

• Complete Streets
• Transportation authorization
• Farm Bill

APA Legislative & Policy Committee

Cynthia A. Bowen, AICP, Chair
William R. Anderson, FAICP
Mitzi C. Barker, FAICP
Whit Blanton, AICP
Judith H. Breselor, AICP
Benjamin D. Frost, AICP
Jacques A. Gourguechon, AICP
George M. Homewood III, AICP
Sarah S. More, FAICP
Heather Morris
Jennifer M. Raitt
David C. Rouse, AICP
Soren D. Simonsen, AICP
Nancy Ellen Stroud, AICP
Charles R. Wolfe