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RESOLUTION URGING THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS TO REFRAIN FROM REDUCING FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT AS PART OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT�S FISCAL YEAR 2011 BUDGET

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WHEREAS, it is reported that the U.S. Government�s proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Budget (�Budget�) requests only $3.7 billion to fund the Community Development Block Grant (�CDBG�) program, which would reduce funding by 7.5 percent or approximately $300 million compared to current funding level; and
WHEREAS, it is also reported that the proposed Budget will cut funding for the Community Services Block Grant (�CSBG�) program by 50 percent; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County receives annual CDBG funds administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, encouraging economic development, creating full-time jobs for low- and moderate-income persons, and providing improved community facilities and services, principally for low- and moderate-income persons; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County receives annual CSBG funds administered by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to provide a range of services and activities to assist the needs of low-income individuals, including the homeless, migrants and the elderly; and
WHEREAS, currently, CSBG services and activities are provided to over 95 percent of all U.S. counties, including Miami-Dade County, through a network of public and private community action agencies; and
WHEREAS, a reduction in CDBG and CSBG funds would cause considerable reduction in much-needed services in our community and would only serve to retard any potential economic recovery,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges The President of the United States and Congress to refrain from reducing funding for the CDBG and CSBG programs when considering the nation�s Budget.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to The President of the United States, U.S. House Speaker (R), U.S. House Minority Leader (D), U.S. President Pro Tempore of the Senate (D), U.S. Senate Majority Leader (D), U.S. Senate Minority Leader (R), and Members of the Miami-Dade Congressional Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s federal lobbyists to advocate for the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs that the 2011 Federal Legislative Package be amended to include this item.