» Announcements and Administrative Activity
NBCSL will host a webinar with the Nuclear Energy Institute, a public policy organization representing nuclear technology companies, to hear about the industry's response to safety concerns in the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The webinar will take place at www.nbcsl.org on Tuesday, July 26th at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Stay tuned for more information. The White House has launched a website for African Americans with up-to-date information where visitors can sign up to receive alerts. Click here to go to the website.
» 2011 Partnership with NAACP's Legal Defense Fund- Redistricting & Voting Fairness
"Voter Suppression Efforts Well Underway This Redistricting Cycle"
While many legislatures are focused on high-priority Congressional and state-level redistricting, efforts are now underway across the country to adopt restrictive laws that will make voter access more difficult for African Americans and other minority voters. Many of these laws, including mandatory photo ID requirements and proof of citizenship, reduced time for early voting, and restrictions on third-party voter registration drives, are designed to make voting more difficult for precisely those voters who turned out in historic numbers during the 2008 presidential election. These laws represent the poll tax requirements and literacy tests of yesterday and threaten to turn the clock back. Vigilance is demanded to ensure that these laws are defeated.
Proponents of these laws argue that they are necessary to prevent fraud and preserve the integrity of the ballot box. However, empirical evidence shows that in-person voting fraud does not exist and is far outweighed by the burden imposed by these laws. For example, the poor and minorities are less likely to possess valid, government-issued identification. Moreover, voting is not a privilege. Rather, the right to vote is fundamental: it is the foundation for the exercise of all other civil rights, and it should not be subject to legislative whim.
As we move forward in the current redistricting cycle, African American legislators are well poised to push back against efforts to make voting more difficult. These new laws will only undermine all of our work to put in place fair redistricting maps that aim to provide African American voters equal access to the ballot box. The challenge is to figure out how to increase turnout and participation rates and how to tear down existing barriers preventing people from casting their ballots on Election Day. Efforts must be made to present empirical data illustrating the burden these laws impose on the electorate and to identify impacted individuals who would be denied access to the ballot box as a result.
If you uncover evidence of discriminatory or other redistricting-related problems that threaten African American voters, please contact the NAACP Legal Defense Fund at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The FY2012 Budget Process
The U.S. House of Representatives (The House) continues to move forward with passage of its FY2012 spending bills while the U.S. Senate has taken no action on FY2012 spending. The House's full body has already approved the Agriculture Spending Bill, Homeland Security Spending Bill, and Military and Veterans Affairs Spending Bill, while the House Appropriations Committee has passed the Defense Spending Bill, Financial Services Spending Bill, and the Energy and Water Spending Bill. The spending bills that remain are of the most critical importance to NBCSL and include funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Justice, and the Department of Education. Current budget levels will require substantial cuts in these areas. Legislators may wish to call their congressional representatives to advocate for specific program areas. The House is on pace to pass all of its spending bills out of the Appropriations Committee before the August recess. The Senate may be waiting for agreement on the debt ceiling to determine exact levels of overall budget spending they will be required to follow.
The Debt Limit
The bi-partisan talks to increase the debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion hit a major road bump on June 23rd. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyle (R-AZ) pulled out of bipartisan negotiations led by Vice President Biden about increasing the debt ceiling in order to avoid defaulting on loans made to the U.S. Government. Rep. Cantor and Sen. Kyle ended negotiations because they disagreed on whether tax increases should be included in the plan to decrease the national debt, a key component of the debt ceiling talks. While Republicans have advocated reducing the debt solely through lower spending, Democrats have insisted that part of debt reduction should also depend on additional revenue, mainly by what they describe as closing tax loopholes and eliminating tax breaks. Tax breaks rumored for elimination included subsides for oil companies, tax cuts for businesses that move jobs overseas, and tax breaks for mortgages on second homes.
While this round of negotiations has ended, the next level of negotiations will proceed between Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and President Obama. U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has put into place temporary measures to cover the debt. For example, the Treasury has stopped issuing State and Local Government Series Securities (SLGS). These securities allow state and local government to accrue interest and, in return, use that to pay their bondholders. However, if final negotiations do not succeed by August 2nd, the U.S. will default on repayment of the loans.
The bi-partisan negotiations group has reportedly already agreed to $1.6 trillion in budget cuts; however, many Republicans are insisting that every dollar of the $2.4 trillion in increased debt limit be offset by a dollar in cuts, which leaves an additional $0.8 trillion. It appears that both sides may be able to reach a surprising compromise on defense cuts, something Republican leadership did not expect to hear from its rank and file. But, Tea Party freshmen have voiced a willingness to depart from traditional party line stances on defense spending. There could also be language to alter how the Consumer Price Index is calculated.
» Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security
Reallocation of the "D-block" portion of spectrum has remained a chief concern for public safety interests. Police officers, firefighters, and state and local interest groups are advocating that a 10-megahertz swath of spectrum located in the 700Mhz band (otherwise known as the D-Block) be allocated directly to public safety for use in a nationwide public safety interoperable broadband network to support first responders (instead of the FCC auctioning that region of the spectrum to private corporations). The Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act (S.911) would allocate the spectrum to first responders and additionally provide $12 billion in funding for network deployment. The legislation was sponsored by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX). It was reported ut of committee on June 8, with hopes of becoming law before the 10th anniversary of September 11. Currently, there is also language in the bill that supersedes state and local zoning laws. It says that state and local governments must allow corporations to modify their existing wireless tower as long as tower dimensions are not being changed. (Without this change, companies had to seek permission to make any change to existing towers from local authorities). Several attempts are being made to change the language to make it more palatable for state and local government interests.
» Housing
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) along with NeighborWorks America announced their collaborative effort in the form of the Emergency Homeowners' Loan Program (EHLP). The aim of this program will be to assist constituents in preventing foreclosure on their homes. The aid offered from EHLP will target 32 states and Puerto Rico, since they were not covered by the "Hardest Hit Fund," which went to 18 states and the District of Columbia. The EHLP assistance will be provided to individuals who have seen cuts of 15% or more in their income or those who are at risk of foreclosure due to involuntary unemployment, underemployment, or medical conditions which have resulted in economic distress. The assistance will come in the form of an interest-free loan which pays a part of their onthly mortgage (or other payments such as interest, taxes, insurances, and attorney fees) over the span of two years or up to a total of $50,000. This program will be funded by the $1 billion that Congress provided to HUD via the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173). With the implementation of EHLP, all 50 states in the U.S. now have mortgage assistance for homeowners who have experienced unemployment and underemployment.
The deadline to apply for EHLP assistance is July 22, 2011. Homeowners are encouraged to apply now to see if they qualify and to obtain information on the many assistance options available. This program is expected to assist up to 30,000 homeowners with an average loan amount of $35,000. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan stated that through EHLP, "The Obama Administration is continuing our strong commitment to help keep families in their homes during tough economic times."
To apply for the EHLP, please visit: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/hcc/ehlp/how.
» Business, Financial Services and Insurance
"Economic Development Revitalization Act"
The Economic Development Revitalization Act (S. 782) would reauthorize the Economic Development Administration at a level of $500 million annually until FY2015. Although S. 782 had bi-partisan support, it was not able to achieve cloture to limit debate on the Senate floor, effectively killing the bill. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) provides grants to economically distressed neighborhoods to generate jobs and encourage new business. The EDA estimates that for every dollar spent by the Administration, seven dollars is spent by private investors. It is estimated that reauthorization at this level would have created anywhere from 434,000 to one million jobs over the term of the bill.
"Reducing Government Spending One Agency at a Time"
The House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee approved (by voice vote) an FY2012 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. According to Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), the aim of this bill is to "reduce the Federal government's unsustainable level of spending." This legislation carries out its aim by limiting or decreasing funding for agencies charged with implementing new programs under President Barack Obama's Administration. The bill funds the agencies at 9% less (nearly $2 billion) than last year's level and nearly $6 billion less than the President's request for 2012. The agencies that would experience funding cuts include the Treasury Department (including the IRS), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was created to impose financial regulation in the U.S. after the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173) was passed. Also, the bill terminates the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), bans federal and local funds from being utilized for abortions, and bans federal funds for needleexchange and medical marijuana programs in the District of Columbia. The bill's opponents believe it will become more difficult to defend consumers against abusive practices and ensure accurate tax reporting. The bill is scheduled to go to the full committee for a final vote.
» Health and Human Services
Currently in the Senate, legislation has been introduced to provide quality health care and services for underserved, low-income populations across the country. The Medicaid Improvement and State Empowerment Act (S.1031), sponsored by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), aims to ensure quality health care for all low-income pregnant women, children, and families, as well as elderly or disabled individuals who require long-term care assistance. Priority is provided for those who lack sufficient income and/or resources to cover their medical expenses and rehabilitation. Senator Coburn stated his legislation seeks to empower states by giving them flexibility in improving their respective Medicaid programs and Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP), and allow them to prioritize health care for the underprivileged and unhealthy individuals as they see fit. The bill's opponents believe that Medicaid spending is unnecessarily adding to the national debt. This bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
The Senate has also introduced legislation to alleviate the burdens imposed on small businesses and make it more affordable to provide health care to their employees. The Small Business Health Relief Act of 2011 (S. 1049), sponsored by Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), aims to lower health premiums and increase choices for small businesses. This legislation eliminates the new tax on health insurers that Senator Kyl has argued will drive up the costs of healthcare coverage, and repeals employer mandates imposed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Supporters of this bill believe it will protect small businesses, responsible for creating 64% of new jobs (net) over the past 15 years. This bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
» Labor, Military and Veterans' Affairs
A bill passed the House that seeks to assist U.S. war veterans upon their return to the United States from Iraq and Afghanistan. The VetStar Award Program (H.R. 802) recognizes private sector businesses that excel in promoting the hiring of veterans. The House Committee on Veteran Affairs is intent on solving the problems of America's veterans through job creation and increased funding for job training to ensure veterans the same opportunities as U.S. civilians. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate among veterans of the "Global War on Terror" is 13.1%. The bill is scheduled to go to the Senate for a final vote.
» Energy, Transportation and Environment
President Obama released his plan to upgrade the Nation's electric grid by building additional transmission infrastructure and implementing smart grid technologies that would support green energy sources and electric vehicles infrastructure. The President's plan included $250 million in grants for grid deployment in rural areas under the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utility Service. It also included the promotion of "Grid 21," a private sector initiative to promote consumer friendly innovations that will help the average American. The President's plan also proposes to expand collaborations that took place under the Recovery Act supporting Smart Grid initiatives.
» Education
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is due for reauthorization, and the House is working on its version of the bill. Instead of passing one huge package that reforms the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the House is passing a series of smaller bills. The first package titled, Setting New Priorities in Education Spending Act (H.R. 1891), which passed out of committee, is sponsored by Representative Duncan Lee Hunter (R-CA) and follows the lead taken by the President in his budget to repeal authorization for more than 40 education programs that have been deemed duplicative or ineffective. The bill would cut the number of programs under ESEA in half. The second bill titled, Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act (H.R. 2218), will reduce barriers to the formation of charter schools and allow for charter schools with proven track records to receive increased funding. Both pieces of legislation have passed out of committee with large bi-partisan support.
Joining the package of reauthorization bills are S.865, sponsored by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and H.R.1918, sponsored by Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), also known as the Financial and Economic Literacy Improvement Act of 2011. The bills aim to promote financial literacy and enhance personal finance teaching/activities. They also authorize grants to state educational systems and nonprofit partner organizations; develop financial literacy standards and assessments; fund teacher training; implement financial literacy and personal finance education courses in grade levels K-12; and allow for more financial and economic courses in higher education institutions. The bills have been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce.