Reps. LaJoy, Gaffney, Pastor, Stewart, Plakas, Hopgood and Tobocman offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 80.

            A resolution to support the Community Development Block Grant program.

            Whereas, The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program was enacted and signed into law by President Gerald Ford as the centerpiece of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.  The CDBG program has as its primary objective "…the development of viable urban communities, by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income"; and

            Whereas, The CDBG program has considerable flexibility to allow communities to carry out activities that are tailored to their unique affordable housing, public service, and neighborhood revitalization needs.   In the State of Michigan and states throughout the nation, thirty years of Community Development Block Grant funding has developed a strong network of relationships between the State of Michigan, local governments, residents, and the many non-profit agencies that provide services and help make possible our commitment to our neighborhoods and communities; and

            Whereas, The Community Development  Block Grant program is a partnership of federal, state, local government, business, non-profit, and community efforts.  The services funded  by local non-profit organizations rely heavily on the dedication and good will of our combined efforts to provide low and moderate income residents with high quality and effective services; and

            Whereas, The FY 2006 Executive Budget proposes the elimination of the Community Development Block Grant program and transfer of CDBG and several other community development programs to the Department of Commerce.  Should the proposal be implemented, communities in Michigan would lose $150 million a year in CDBG funds for community development programs from the federal government and close to $500 million in total development leveraged by CDBG funds for infrastructure, public services, housing improvements, housing rehabilitation, and public facilities that revitalize neighborhoods and serve low- and moderate-income residents, including seniors;  now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body support the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and its continued administration by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The Michigan House of Representatives hereby petitions the U. S. Congress and the administration to recognize the outstanding work being done locally and nationally by the CDBG program, and its vital importance to the community and to the people who live in its lower-income neighborhoods, and to strongly oppose any proposal to eliminate the Community Development Block Grant program; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be conveyed to the appropriate elected and appointed officials of the federal government, and that the Michigan House of Representatives be added to the roll of those committed to the preservation and full funding of the Community Development Block Grant program and maintenance of its essential features over the course of this, and the next session of Congress.