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Federal update: Congress earmarks projects for Aurora; HUD HOME funding cut in draft bills
Summary
Federal legislative staff reported congressionally directed spending items for Aurora, level funding for CDBG in House and Senate drafts, and a proposed cut to the HUD HOME Investment Partnerships program; staff warned final funding depends on the conference process and possible continuing resolutions.
Laurie, the committee—s federal legislative presenter, told the Aurora Policy, Finance & Infrastructure Committee that congressional appropriations drafts include several congressionally directed spending items for the city and mixed signals for HUD programs.
Laurie said the House and Senate had advanced multiple appropriations bills in July and highlighted four congressionally directed spending projects tied to Aurora: a fire "flashover" simulator ($250,000), fire rescue apparatus acquisition ($850,000), Box Elder Creek roadway work and a Havana Street corridor project. "Not many municipalities or recipients received that many earmarks in a bill from their member," Laurie said.
The presentation also covered HUD program funding in the House and Senate drafts. Laurie said the Community Development Block Grant was proposed at level funding in both chambers, but the HOME Investment Partnerships program faced cuts: the presenter described a difference between the House, which proposed no funding for HOME in its draft, and the Senate draft, which proposed $60 million. "Kind of the city, definitely, relies on that program," Laurie said, noting the fiscal year ends Sept. 30 and that Congress still must finish appropriations or pass a continuing resolution.
Laurie relayed a recent presidential executive order titled "ending crime and disorder on America's streets," which she said directs federal attention and HUD priorities toward municipalities that promote treatment, recovery and transition into private housing and support networks. She noted the executive order also referenced prioritizing federal funding for jurisdictions that enforce laws against urban camping and squatting.
Committee members asked for clarification about the earmarks' status. "So the house still has to pass the bill, and then the senate has to pass its version, and then they'll conference them together to get a final bill before the end of the year," Laurie said, adding there remained uncertainty if a continuing resolution would be necessary. Council members urged staff to be transparent about the remaining steps before assuming final funding.
The committee did not take formal action on the update; staff said they would continue monitoring appropriation language and report back if language in the final bills changes.
The committee also noted that staff are coordinating with HUD following a recent site visit and that a follow-up HUD visit by a senior official may occur in the coming months.
