Urge Congress to Preserve CDBG by TOMORROW, May 23
The President's budget proposal is being taken more seriously within Congress than it has been in prior years. Among other things, the President's budget proposal asks Congress to eliminate the Community Development Block Grant Program and the HOME Investment Partnership Program, both of which are direct federal funding to local governments. The CDBG and HOME grants have supported critical infrastructure, affordable housing, and community development in communities since they first came online in 1974 and 1992, respectively. These programs keep decision-making at the local level where leaders know their residents’ needs best.
The National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors have coordinated a sign-on letter to leadership of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittee for Appropriations. Please consider taking swift action and signing onto this letter by Friday, May 23 to be included in this urgent initial ask to the THUD Subcommittee. Congress must preserve these funds so that cities can continue to make generational investments in their communities. The window to sign the letter remains open until July.
Digital Equity Funding Out
During the May 15 GMA roundtable of agency and association partners, Sarah Baska, Director of Broadband Program Operations at the Georgia Technology Authority, provided an update on statewide broadband and connectivity efforts. In her remarks, Sarah shared that the federal government sent a letter to every state calling the Digital Equity Act unconstitutional, thereby freezing the $22.45 million allocated to Georgia to help bridge the digital divide. The Digital Equity Act was passed as part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and required every state to develop and get approved a digital equity plan, including undergoing multiple rounds of stakeholder and public input.
The Georgia Digital Connectivity Plan was approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) last March. It addresses ways to improve digital access and literacy skills for Georgians to unlock opportunities for employment, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. With digital equity awards now frozen, many states have stopped the implementation of digital connectivity projects. The move by NTIA is likely to be challenged and appealed in court, with great uncertainty ahead.
In 2021, Georgia also received $1.3 billion from the federal BEAD program to expand broadband in unserved areas. GTA accepted grant applications in late 2024 and is awaiting federal guidance. All state proposals were approved in 2024. With new leadership at NTIA, BEAD guidelines are under review to streamline compliance and regulations.
GMA and Other Municipal Leagues Descend on Capitol Hill
This week, GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson is in Washington D.C. with his counterparts from municipal leagues nationwide to participate in a fly-in hosted by the National League of Cities. The fly-in consists of meetings with Congressional offices, Congressional committee staff, federal agency representatives, and White House officials to advance top municipal priorities. These priorities include PFAS municipal liability protection, surface transportation reauthorization, rural economic development, budget reconciliation, FEMA reform, and federal disaster assistance. The fly-in allows NLC and state municipal leagues like GMA to collectively champion local voices and create a force multiplier in our advocacy efforts.