2007 Legislative Priorities
The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) serves as the national voice for regionalism by advocating for regional cooperation for members – metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), regional councils (RCs) and rural planning organizations (RPOs) – providing the most effective way to address a variety of community planning and development opportunities and issues. In doing so, NARC develops and firmly roots key legislative priorities for each congressional session. By focusing on core issue areas, NARC works to improve regionalism through increased funding and authority for local governments that serve American communities – large and small, urban and rural.
- Support full funding of the nation’s transportation system, including highways, aviation and transit through the reauthorizations of SAFETEA-LU, the Federal Aviation Administration (AIR-21) and Amtrak.
- Promote any SEA-21 authorization proposals for purposes of bolstering marine and freight movement.
- Identify and support regional council and metropolitan planning organization (MPO) opportunities.
- Expand funding and financing options and alternatives, which will ultimately provide for increased planning and construction for areas that will impact all modes of transportation.
Learn more about NARC's transportation policy and programs!
- Support full funding for current economic and community development programs that are authorized through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) regulations, as well as increases in the Housing and Urban Development Department’s (HUD) “Community Development Block Grant” program.
- Seek increased rural development opportunities in the 2007 Farm Bill reauthorization (Title VI), which include enhancing public services available to rural communities through additional and streamlined funding.
- Promote passage of legislation authorizing new regional commissions.
- Seek reauthorization of the “Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act”.
- Promote authorization of the “Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA)” with increased funding and language for the planning process of water projects.
- Encourage aging and workforce development resources.
Learn more about NARC's economic & community development policy and programs!
- Support enhancing resources and federal aid and guidance to increase regional planning, coordination and communications for preparedness and response in the case of an act of terrorism, natural disaster or local emergency.
- Support passage of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorization for FY08 with the inclusion of and funding and support to rural and metropolitan regions for “State and Local Fusion Centers” and “Rural Homeland Security Training.
- Promote the development of regional case studies on homeland security planning and response.
- Seek expanded communications between all levels of governance – federal, state, local and regional.
Learn more about NARC's homeland security policy and programs!
- Promote and build local/regional environmental programs and tools to creating safe and sustainable communities through legislative proposals and improved program delivery.
- Support increased funding and authority for regional councils for brownfields redevelopment and green infrastructure development and implementation.
- Encourage clean air and water efforts that improve environmental conditions without hindering regional planning and development.
Learn more about NARC's environment policy and programs!
Miscellaneous -
Monitor appropriations for:
Economic Development Administration
Housing and Urban Development
Homeland Security
Appalachian Regional Commission
Delta Regional Authority
Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Brownfields Redevelopment Financing
Employment and Training
Rural Development programs
Older Americans programs
Transportation programs
Click here for a PDF of NARC's "2007 Legislative Priorities"