38 Connecticut local leaders - all from municipalities 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 8-12 in Washington D.C., conducted by the National League of Cities. (See below)

The delegation will meet with Connecticut’s Congressional delegation on Wednesday morning, March 12, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in S-115 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 09.

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

Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) - The President’s budget proposal would cut the CDGB grant program by nearly $11 billion - a 30 percent cut. The administration’s budget also proposes to eliminate the HOPE VI program, the only federal program dedicated to the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing. These cuts would have a devastating impact on local housing and community development.

Transportation Funding - Municipal leaders are seeking full funding for federal transportation programs that support bridges, roads, highways, transit and Amtrak, support funding that goes directly to local governments, and collaborate with local elected officials on the reauthorization of the surface transportation infrastructure program.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant - Local officials want full funding ($2 billion) for fiscal year 2009 for the new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.

Housing Finance Reform - In response to the mortgage foreclosure crisis, Mayors and first selectmen support legislation that would strengthen and stabilize America's housing finance system by reforming the mortgage process, curbing predatory lending, and providing foreclosure mitigation assistance.

Public Safety - Municipal officials are seeking restoration and protection of funding for proven public safety programs, including the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, and other State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Programs, which are essential resources for preventing crime in local communities.

Immigration Reform - Town and city leaders are calling for enactment of comprehensive immigration reform that addresses border security; interior as well as workforce enforcement; guest workers; legalization of undocumented workers currently in the U.S.; and support for services provided by cities and towns.

CT municipal delegation to the 2008 Congressional City Conference
Municipality	Name	Position
Avon	Phil Schenck	Town Manager & Past President of CCM
Bridgeport	James Holloway	Councilmember
	Andrew Nunn	CAO
	Thomas McCarthy	Councilmember
	Tom White	Director, Legislative Service
	Michael Feeney	CFO
	AmyMarie Vizzo-Paniccia	Councilmember
	Maria Valle	Councilmember
	Michelle Lyons	Councilmember
	Ezequiel Santiago	Councilmember
	Leticia Colon	Councilmember
	Carlos Silva	Councilmember
Enfield	Scott Kaupin	Mayor
	Matthew Coppler	Town Manager
	Cynthia Mangini	Councilmember
	Clemence Dumont	Councilmember
	Jason Jones	Councilmember
	Patrick Crowley	Councilmember
	William Lee	Councilmember
	Ken Nelson	Councilmember
Groton (C)	Dennis Popp	Mayor
	Paul Duarte	Deputy Mayor
Groton (T)	Harry Watson	Mayor
	Kathryn Brown-Tracy	Councilmember
	Paulann Sheets	Councilmember
	Heather Bond	Councilmember
	Deborah Monteiro	Councilmember
Harwinton	Frank Chiarmonte	First Selectman
Manchester	Cheri Pelletier	Director
	Matthew Peak	Deputy Mayor
	Kevin Zingler	Director
	Mary Roche Cronin	Director of Human Services
Mansfield	Elizabeth Paterson	Mayor and President of CCM
New Haven	John DeStefano	Mayor
	Charles Blango	Alderman
	Sergio Rodriquez	Alderman
Pomfret	John Dilorio	Board of Finance
Sprague	Catherine Osten	First Selectman