The Grand Rapids Press 02/18/12 George K. Heartwell
“Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell: Obama budget is good for cities, good for America”
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/02/mayor_obama_budget_is_good_for.html
On Feb. 12, President Obama presented his budget proposal for the federal government’s fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, 2012. From the instantaneous chorus of election-year negativity we heard, I fear we can look forward to seven months of vitriol.
Grand Rapids Mayor George K. Heartwell says America depends on strong cities.
I want to set forth some facts about this budget and its impact on cities before the atmosphere gets too clouded with misinformation. The Administration’s budget is good for cities. It is good for Grand Rapids.
Here’s why I can say this with perfect confidence:
• The budget includes $467 billion over six years for reauthorization of highway, transit, rail and multimodal projects and an immediate infusion of $50 billion for transportation projects. This is desperately needed investment in our transportation infrastructure. It is also a major job generator. Consider the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money that came to Kent County (totaling $110 million); and drive on I-196 from Fuller to Ottawa to see how some of this money was used. Or look at the new bus transportation facility of The Rapid. The fiscal year 2013 federal budget will provide funding for more vital, local projects like these.
• In the public safety categories, there is a provision for $257 million for community-oriented policing, another $415 million for Justice Assistance Grants, and $670 million in firefighter assistance grants. Also, the budget includes $4 billion for COPS police hiring grants and $1 billion for SAFER firefighter hiring grants.
• $12 billion is included for Pathways Back to Work for year-round youth employment. There is another $8 billion for Community College Partnerships for job training. And the Dislocated Worker Assistance program is included at $1.24 billion.
• Local K-12 schools will be able to compete for $850 million in Race to the Top funds.
• Public Housing Operating Funds, Homeless Assistance Grants and Housing for the Elderly Grants would all increase in the fiscal year 2013 budget. The Sustainable Communities Grants would be funded at $100 million. Although lower than last year’s appropriation, there would still be $3 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. And HOME Investment Partnership funding is included at $1 billion.
Transportation infrastructure, public safety, job training, public education and low income housing are areas of critical importance to Grand Rapids.
Let there be no mistake. President Obama is a thoroughgoing urbanist. He knows the challenges and problems cities face. After all, he worked as a community organizer in one of America’s leading cities, Chicago. It should be no surprise that his budget contains elements of critical importance to cities.
I suspect that the immediate push-back from House leadership and the Republican candidates for President has as much to do with election-year politicking as it does with good sense.
Having said that, however, I have to acknowledge that the radically different opinions about the budget may signal a divide beyond partisanship: one between urban America and our suburbs and rural areas.
It behooves all Americans to ensure that our cities thrive.
The Obama budget is fair, equitable, compassionate and prudent. These are values I subscribe to. These are the values that make us great.
Common Sense Review
Mayor Heartwell doesn’t have a clue. He mentions that “it behooves all Americans to ensure that our cities thrive”… First of all those who live rural don’t have to ensure the cities are robust. These people who live outside the cities have a different lifestyle by not having access to city services (water and sewer, streets) and focus on maintaining their homes and properties.
Second, we who live in the city do encourage city growth yet the Grand Rapids city officials spend out tax dollars like teenagers at the mall. The mismanagement of GR City funds (current deficit is $12 million) is why the city is constantly looking for new ways of increasing fees, new taxes (city gas tax) yet work on projects like putting “round-a-bouts” at Michigan/College to lower emissions.
George, let’s be honest … you like Pres Obama’s budget because is dictates to the masses how to live and how much money we are allowed to keep….
Remember the last King we had named George, the American people had a revolution against….
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