36 Connecticut municipal leaders -- all from towns and cities that are members of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), Connecticut’s statewide association of towns and cities -- comprise CCM’s delegation to the Congressional City Conference from March 10- 14 in Washington D.C., presented by the National League of Cities. (See Attachment 1 below.)

The delegation will meet with Connecticut’s Congressional delegation on Wednesday morning, March 14, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the LBJ Room (S-211) in the U.S. Capitol Building.

The breakfast forum will provide for a discussion of key federal issues of concern to Connecticut towns and cities, particularly as they relate to the impact on Connecticut of President Bush’s proposed federal budget for FY 08

CT local leaders will discuss with the CT’s Congressional delegation such issues as:

Emergency Management and Homeland Security – Incoming Congressional leaders pledge to enact the remaining recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, including funding formulas, allocation of valuable radio spectrum for local governments to communicate during emergencies, and jurisdiction over federal homeland security programs in Congress.

Community Development and Affordable Housing – The key priority will be preserving existing funding levels in the Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) in the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The CDGB grants are among the most important and flexible federal grants available to Connecticut local governments. The proposed 30 percent cut will have a big impact on municipal governments and non-profit organizations, which use the CDBG funds to assist low- and moderate-income resident.s

Education Reform – The No Child Left Behind Act is scheduled to be reauthorized in 2007. NLC developed a set of recommendations for reforming the Act to close the gap between its requirements and feasible implementation. Connecticut municipal officials will advocate for these needed reforms and for the funding required to meet the Act’s requirements. CCM member municipal officials will also discuss their opposition to proposed cuts in special education funding.

Eminent Domain – Congress and many state legislatures continue to consider proposals to constrain local government’s use of eminent domain in the wake of the Supreme Court decision in Kelo V. City of New London. Since that case was decided, 31 states and Congress have enacted measures that affect local governments’ use of this critical redevelopment tool.

Transportation Financing and Reauthorization – A commission has been charged with recommending to Congress surface transportation funding alternatives. Congress will also begin debate no reauthorization of federal aviation legislation, including the formula for federal funding and municipal control over passenger facilities charges.