9:13 PM
Julio Barreto
The Business Roundtable of the National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO) released a check list which it says the local county office should follow to fully maximize the resources available in the subscribe to in order to maximize the available resources in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus bill).
There are 15 points in the check list. They are:
1. Determine the name of the local planning agency and full contact information of the contact person for the legislation.
2. Determine who in the Governor’s office is assigned to make decisions on the state’s allocation of Stimulus funds.
3. Identify the department and individual within the State responsible for implementing the State Stimulus plan.
4. Obtain and read the act.
5. Obtain and read the State stimulus program document.
6. Some stimulus funds will require matching funds from the local county. The Roundtable states the officials should not be deterred by this requirement. They should seek to have this requirement eliminated; to allow the match to be satisfied with in-kind services in lieu of cash; to satisfy the match requirement with grant funds; or, seek a waiver of the matching requirement.
7. Delay the requirement to contribute the matching funds until the latest possible time during the life of the project.
8. Require that jobs be created directly within the jurisdiction or community receiving and spending the allocation of Stimulus funds.
9. Find out the State’s plan to assist non-entitlement cities, towns and counties with Stimulus funds.
10. Identify and obtain a list of the county’s “shovel ready” projects.
11. Find out the receipt date of the State’s allocation of Stimulus funds.
12. Oppose any waivers that will weaken the fair allocation of Stimulus funds and other resources to socially and economically disadvantaged communities.
13. Investigate and implement strategies to leverage Stimulus funds received by the community.
14. Identify a local source within your community to provide assistance with Stimulus related questions, technical assistance and support.
15. Create and implement a system to maintain strict accountability for all Stimulus funds received by the county; documenting receipt of fund and the specific manner in which funds were or are being spent.
For additional information on the stimulus visit the web sites of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, and the National Council of State Legislators.
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There are 15 points in the check list. They are:
1. Determine the name of the local planning agency and full contact information of the contact person for the legislation.
2. Determine who in the Governor’s office is assigned to make decisions on the state’s allocation of Stimulus funds.
3. Identify the department and individual within the State responsible for implementing the State Stimulus plan.
4. Obtain and read the act.
5. Obtain and read the State stimulus program document.
6. Some stimulus funds will require matching funds from the local county. The Roundtable states the officials should not be deterred by this requirement. They should seek to have this requirement eliminated; to allow the match to be satisfied with in-kind services in lieu of cash; to satisfy the match requirement with grant funds; or, seek a waiver of the matching requirement.
7. Delay the requirement to contribute the matching funds until the latest possible time during the life of the project.
8. Require that jobs be created directly within the jurisdiction or community receiving and spending the allocation of Stimulus funds.
9. Find out the State’s plan to assist non-entitlement cities, towns and counties with Stimulus funds.
10. Identify and obtain a list of the county’s “shovel ready” projects.
11. Find out the receipt date of the State’s allocation of Stimulus funds.
12. Oppose any waivers that will weaken the fair allocation of Stimulus funds and other resources to socially and economically disadvantaged communities.
13. Investigate and implement strategies to leverage Stimulus funds received by the community.
14. Identify a local source within your community to provide assistance with Stimulus related questions, technical assistance and support.
15. Create and implement a system to maintain strict accountability for all Stimulus funds received by the county; documenting receipt of fund and the specific manner in which funds were or are being spent.
For additional information on the stimulus visit the web sites of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, and the National Council of State Legislators.
Interesting Read
All Boarded Up
By Alex Kotlowitz
The New York Times Magazine
Renters Forgotten in Foreclosure Crisis
By Donna Kimura
Housing Finance
Obama Outlines HUD Budget Increase
By Donna Kimura
Housing Finance
U.S. Launches Wide-Ranging Plan to Steady Housing Market
$75 Billion Plan Would Help Borrowers Avoid Foreclosure
By Renae Merle and Dina ElBoghdady
The Washington Post
Treasury Dept. Details Foreclosure Prevention
By Renae Merle
The Washington Post
Bankruptcy Judges Would Get More Payment-Reducing Power Under Capitol Hill Deal
By Phil Mattingly
Congressional Quarterly
Tenants Wary of Clustering of Homeless
By Julie Bosman
The New York Times
Community Development
In an Auto Industry Hometown, a Familiar Financial Road
By Susan Saulny
The New York Times
Young Black Mayors Combine To Remodel the Political Arena
By Nikita Stewart Nikita Stewart
The Washington Post
Politics
G.O.P. Senators Say Some Big Banks Can Be Allowed to Fail
By J. David Goodman and Brian Knowlton
The New York Times
New Chairman Boos G.O.P. When He’s Not Cheerleading
By Jodi Kantor
The New York Times
'I'm in the Business of Ticking People Off'
Amid Criticism, RNC Chair Steele Says He'll Stay Focused on Remaking Party
By Perry Bacon Jr.
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By Chris Cillizza
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