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Action Agenda of Regional Councils
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29
1
7
The National Association
of Regional Councils
The Action Agenda
of Regional
Councils
The National Association
of Regional Councils
The Action Agenda
of Regional
Councils
Contents
Action Agenda in Brief
4
Regional Councils and a Washington Action Program
6
Transportation and the Environment
Clean Air
9
Solid Waste Management
11
Surface Transportation: Highways and Transit
12
Economic Development and Jobs
Rural Development
15
Jobs and Work Force Readiness
17
Human Resources
Drug Control
20
Child Care
21
Housing
23
The Elderly
24
The Regional Community: The Need for Partnerships
26
Regional Councils: A Beginning in Governance Partnerships
27
Regional Partnerships: Future Roles That Must Be Played
29
The National Association of Regional Councils
30
NARC Officers and the Board of Directors
31
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 3
Action Agenda in Brief
Transportation and the Environment
Campaign for reauthorization of the Clean Air Act with provisions for a
reasoned and realistic process for regional communities to comply with
national air quality standards.
Press for reauthorization of Solid Waste Management legislation continuing
a federal role and providing for positive incentives to encourage regional
decision-making on needed facilities with special attention to landfills and
recycling technologies.
Finalize and communicate a NARC-proposed National Surface Transporta-
tion Program for the post-Interstate era.
Monitor and act, as necessary, on transportation appropriations and
potential for increases in gas taxes for deficit reduction.
Economic Development and Jobs
Work for legislation to assist rural regional communities which are economi-
cally depressed.
Continue appropriations for the Economic Development Administration
funds for development districts and funding for the Appalachian Regional
Commission.
Seek a regional approach to job training and programs to assist work force
readiness among the permanent poor.
Human Resources
Encourage regional approaches and adequate resources for prevention and
control of drug abuse.
Foster, through federal policy and grass roots activities, regional informa-
tion and referral services in child care.
Stimulate regional program provisions for affordable housing for moderate
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 4
Action Agenda in Brief
and low income persons and families with particular attention to job loca-
tion and transportation.
Monitor effective administration of programs for the elderly and address long
term issues and program needs for an aging population.
(Note: The NARC Board will review proposals concerning the Federal Deficit
and such issues as Targeted Fiscal Assistance since this question is basic
to national resource allocations for domestic programs.)
These items are discussed in more detail in the pages that follow.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 5
Regional Councils and a
Washington Action Program
The nation's regional communities are the economic market places for
emerging national policies and programs on economic competitiveness,
trade policy, domestic needs and Federal budget deficit corrective actions.
As the new President and Congress forge solutions to these issues, there
must be an awareness not only of the economics but of the social disparities
and human equity consequences of these decisions, within and among
regions.
At least three groups of priority domestic issues require or can be more cost-
effectively managed through regional community approaches.
Transportation and the Environment
In the last few years, there has been a growing concern over the existing
condition and future needs for public facilities. It is argued that we have an
infrastructure crisis, not only in maintenance but new construction.
Federal programs have provided resources to state and local government
with the largest commitment to transportation. The crucial nature of the
federal transportation role is demonstrated by the fact it financially sup-
ports only 20 percent of the roads, but these roads carry more than 80
percent of total vehicle miles traveled. Regional planning and coordination,
for the last 20 years, has been essential to the construction of our surface
transportation network. The mobility afforded is a primary reason for the
dynamic and growing nature of our economy.
Fundamental to the national infrastructure issue is the future of these
transportation programs. The current federal programs expire in the early
1990s. The 43,000-mile Interstate Highway System will be declared
completed. There must be a vision and resolve for a future national surface
transportation policy and program for the 1990s and beyond.
Another determinative aspect of the infrastructure issue is the accomplish-
ment of federally imposed standards for clean air and water and manage-
ment of our solid, hazardous and toxic wastes. The question here is who
pays for these mandates and who participates in developing implementing
policies and plans for their compliance?
The case for federal resources to pay the main cost of complying with
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 6
Regional Councils and a
Washington Action Program
mandates is simple and straightforward. Once a problem is of the magni-
tude that national interest demands federal intervention, then the costs of
its solution or mitigation also is a national responsibility.
Intergovernmental participation in compliance programs is another issue.
We prefer the example set by the Clean Air program where implementation
planning is achieved by local governments operating through a designated
regional agency and given the opportunity to develop implementation
programs in partnership with the state. This model should be applied in
other existing and emerging programs, e.g., water quality, hazardous and
toxic wastes.
Economic Development and Jobs
There is no general federal policy that encourages states and local govern-
ments to develop strategies and programs for realistic and coordinated re-
gional development and public investment. There must be a policy that
encourages public-private economic strategies which incorporate state and
local community values and aspirations for the future of their regions,
whether rural or urban.
Central to any strategy is economic development, jobs, and training. Jobs
must relate to labor markets and employment potentials that exist in a
regional economy. Even though the current Job Training Partnership Act
encourages regional approaches, fragmentation exists. We have regions
with high unemployment in the central city and job openings in the suburbs
without the ability to match these two conditions. Economic development
and jobs must be supported by transportation, housing and community in-
frastructure. All need to be meaningfully tied together regionally.
Human Resources
Human service programs have a great diversity in terms of needs as well as
service delivery. Program services are provided not only by public agencies,
but the private sector, voluntary, and nonprofit groups. This requires even
greater coordination and linkage. Regional approaches are even more
crucial here because specialized services and facilities may be spread
throughout the region. Information on services and facilities available in the
region, in itself, is a confusing maze. Service areas requiring special
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 7
Regional Councils and a
Washington Action Program
attention include child care, drug and alcohol abuse, health care, youth
services, and programs for the elderly.
There is a major federal program targeted to the needs of the elderly. Federal
assistance is available and encourages coordinated regional approaches to
delivering the needed services. This program provides a model for other
programs in this field. There is a new statute on drug control and significant
legislation pending in child care.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 8
Transportation
and the Environment
Clean Air
The Challenge
More than 70 urban regions in 40 states cannot meet federal air quality
standards for ozone and carbon monoxide by the deadline in the Clean Air
Act. In most of these areas good faith efforts were made, and subsequent
improvements were obtained. But additional time and added efforts are
needed if federal sanctions are to be avoided.
The Issue
How can we develop and gain acceptance of a balanced national policy for
attaining federal air quality standards without unduly disrupting a region's
economy and livelihood, and the life styles of its residents?
What We Must Do
Convince the Congress and Administration that in reauthorizing the Clean
Air Act that the objectives can be retained but a more reasoned and meas-
ured process for obtaining those goals must be available to each regional
community affected.
Federal Role and Responsibilities
Federal policy should provide for new clean air compliance schedules and
deadlines for attainment that are based on a reasonable and practicable
balance between public health considerations and the economic and cost
implications of attainment.
As a condition for extending attainment deadlines, non-attainment areas
should be required to implement additional but reasonably available control
measures to achieve attainment at the earliest practicable date.
Federal sanctions should be applied only to areas which have not
committed to or have failed to implement measures necessary to attain the
federal standards.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 9
Transportation
and the Environment
The Administration should establish a discrete policy to guide air quality
replanning efforts while clean air legislation is being debated. This policy
should provide a firm understanding as to how states and nonattainment
areas can proceed with replanning while continuing to accommodate
reasonable development. Regional Councils and their governments should
have the option to initiate new plans to attain standards. Federal funds
should be provided to assist the replanning effort. The federal government
should assume an equitable share of the costs since the nation as a whole
benefits.
Discussion
The deadline for attaining National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone
and carbon monoxide was December 31, 1987. The previous Administra-
tion and Congress, working on two separate tracks, were evolving strategies
for the earliest practicable attainment of the air quality standards. On one
track, EPA has issued a proposed post-1987 attainment strategy and,
without legislative guidance, has called on states to begin the process of
preparing new attainment plans. On the other track, Congress debated.
strategies for attainment without specific direction to EPA in the interim.
Efforts to develop a new national strategy to clean up the nation's air should
continue to be a top environmental priority. Without legislation to imple-
ment a new strategy, purely punitive sanctions will be imposed that will
cause economic hardship for many metropolitan areas and states while
doing little to assure sustained progress toward achieving air quality
standards.
Federal sanctions should only be involved where communities and states
fail to take good faith efforts to plan and carry out programs that will seek
to attain federal standards at the earliest practicable date. Time schedules
and measures for attaining compliance should be reasonable. Deadlines
and measures that will cause significant economic hardship and unwar-
ranted life style changes should be carefully planned and staged.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 10
Transportation
and the Environment
Solid Waste Management
The Challenge
Each person in the United States generates approximately 3.5 pounds of
solid waste each day. In 1986, the nation's total amount of solid waste came
to 160 million tons. The bulk of these wastes is disposed of in over 13,500
landfills throughout the country. It is expected that one-third - 4,750 - of
these facilities will be closed by 1993. Replacement sites may not be found
in most cases, even though this is the least costly method of disposal. Other
disposal alternatives are being pushed, particularly recycling of waste
materials.
The Issue
Congress and the Administration must provide leadership and a national
policy on waste management which is a crisis in more and more communi-
ties.
What We Must Do
In the reauthorization of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) assure that provisions are included which encourages state/sub-
state regional partnerships for siting and joint management approaches,
public-private partnerships and management solutions that are economi-
cally feasible.
Federal Role and Responsibilities
There is federal policy that calls for a state solid waste management strategy
which is the product of substate regional planning and programming. What
is required now are the tools and incentives to accomplish this commitment.
Discussion
RCRA and its mandate for more environmentally sound and efficient
approaches in managing solid waste is national policy and must continue.
More attention must be given to encouraging recycling and developing the
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 11
Transportation
and the Environment
markets for such materials to make this a more economic undertaking. The
intergovernment planning and management scheme in the current law
makes sense and must be more effectively supported. Positive incentives
must be fashioned for siting needed management facilities in communities
where opposition has made solutions impossible.
Surface Transportation: Highways and Transit
The Challenge
We are at the cross-roads for examining and determining the process for
future transportation investments in our country. The efficient movement
of people and goods is critical to our economy and competitiveness. The
federal-aid Interstate Highway program has been the driving force for
highway investments since 1956. By 1991 the construction of the Interstate
Highway System will be virtually complete. The goal of the Interstate
program, connecting our states and major metropolitan areas, has been
achieved. Today our greatest emerging transportation needs are intra-
regional and intra-state. We are challenged by deteriorating urban and
rural infrastructure, urban and suburban congestion, rural isolation,
limited financial resources and the need to sustain economic growth. The
future federal surface transportation program must focus on these needs.
The Issue
Persuading the Congress and the Administration that continued and
increased federal assistance is essential for highway and transit facilities
within a new Surface Transportation Act.
What We Must Do
Finalize NARC's transportation proposals in a consensus-building process
with other interest groups and educate the public, Congress and Admini-
stration to the needs and our recommended program.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 12
Transportation
and the Environment
The Federal Role and Responsibilities
Post-interstate federal highway and mass transportation programs should:
Provide greater program flexibility to enhance cost-effective investments
through the consolidation of existing program categories into three compo-
nents: Interstate Preservation System, Strategic Metropolitan System, and
Strategic Inter-regional/Rural System.
Strengthen the federal/state/local partnership with a commitment to
increased state and local program flexibility and control over investments
through regional community intergovernmental decision-making.
Provide greater and stable financial support, through user fees, for
current and future needs.
Discussion
The ability of the nation's transit and highway system to provide needed
mobility is approaching crisis conditions, even with more state and local
resources. During the past 30 years, the federal transportation program has
succeeded in building an excellent Interstate highway system promoting
commerce and mobility which has fueled our economic growth. But that
growth has generated congestion within the large regional communities the
interstate system has helped spawn. The result has been a growing disparity
between dynamic development patterns and needed public investment in
transportation infrastructure, producing gridlock in urban areas and isola-
tion for many rural areas. This in turn threatens the livability and economic
viability of these communities.
The challenge before us is not simply to gain acceptance of the need for
increased investments in transportation infrastructure. Rather we must
realign the current national transportation program into a bold, new
approach that relinquishes modal self-preservation and parochial invest-
ment decisions. We must do a much better in linking transportation
decisions to how we use our land for jobs, housing, commerce, and
recreation. There must be a comprehensive approach to moving people and
goods through a décision-making process that includes all the stake-
National Association of RegionalCouncils AcionAgendaPagel18
Transportation
and the Environment
holders; local elected officials, transit operators, the states, the private
sector, and the federal government.
If the United States is to continue to be economically competitive in an
international marketplace, it must promote, through mobility economic via-
bility in the regions of our country.
The National Association of Regional Councils is one of twelve associations
working together to develop a consensus for the future national highway and
mass transportation program. In support of our involvement in the
Transportation Alternatives Group, our association has an internal effort
underway to develop this new framework.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 14
Economic Development
and Jobs
Rural Development
The Challenge
Economic opportunity continues to decline in many rural areas. These
regions have not fully participated in the sustained national economic
growth of the last eight years. But they are important in sustaining national
economic growth through industries such as agriculture and energy, as well
as providing a unique American quality of life.
The Issues
Getting the Federal Government to exercise a leadership role for a new
National Rural Community Development program within current federal
budget limits.
Forging Rural Community Development legislation to build a bottoms up
approach for formulation of realistic state and substate regional strategies
for rural development in a national and global economy.
What We Must Do
Agree to a practical legislative program, gain public, Congressional, and
Administrative support for meaningful polices and funding.
Federal Role and Responsibilities
Federal leadership is indispensable if we are to cope with rural decline and
stagnation. Recognizing limits on federal domestic spending, the program
should provide adequate new funding and emphasize the efficient use of
existing federal assistance for rural areas in need. The program must build
on grass root commitment through pragmatic state and substate regional
community development strategies. The Appalachian Regional Commission
approach of joining state and local efforts through development districts
(regional councils) for planning and coordination serves as a proven and
effective process.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 15
Economic Development
and Jobs
Discussion
To remain viable and prosper, rural communities require:
basic community infrastructure such as water and sewer facilities,
housing and coordinated transportation facilities and services;
a targeted public-private investment strategy for economic and commu-
nity development;
a financial safety net that enables communities to maintain their way of
life or additional incentives to enhance those communities' economic
viability; and,
human services such as education, child and elder care, health care and
education programs which stress job eligibility and community leadership.
A national rural community policy must be centered around two goals. The
first is preserving and maintaining the rural community way of life. The
second is enhancing economic stability and growth potential. Even though
these goals are not mutually exclusive, achieving the first goal does not
mean that every community may be able to achieve the second.
Programs to achieve the first goal would include a government safety net to
ensure a basic level of services, i.e. maintaining basic community infra-
structure, both physical and human service. Also needed is a leadership
capacity building program that identifies potential leaders, brings them
together, and develops their abilities. Enhancing these public private
leadership abilities and coalitions is the best hope for communities to chart
and achieve economic viability.
National policy should encourage the rural community way of life and
enhance the potential for economic viability and development through a
regional community focus built on partnerships of community leaders.
Many communities face the prospect of maintaining a rural way of life that
may or may not get any better, while other communities have the potential
for stability and even significant economic gain, given the right opportuni-
ties. Local elected officials and community leaders may lack the expertise
to assess what tools and opportunities are available. The role of the regional
council in achieving this goal is that of broker, facilitator and planner in
developing public/private partnerships that assemble grass roots resources
and expertise.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 16
Economic Development
and Jobs
For rural communities to take advantage of economic opportunities-the
second goal-they must be able to improve their existing physical and
human service infrastructure, not simply maintain it. These communities
also need technical assistance so that they can identify and pursue realistic
economic development strategies in the community.
To achieve both goals, a regional community organization based on a
modified Appalachian Regional Commission model makes sense and works.
In the ARC model, a partnership exists between the state and its regional
councils, the latter working with the state on development programs which
leads to funding allocations for their substate regions.
Jobs And Work Force Readiness
The Challenge
To achieve federal policies which more realistically track regional labor
markets and programs which coordinate job training for the permanent
poor.
The Issues
On a regional community basis, jobs and training must be more effectively
matched and jobs must have better linkage to housing and efficient use of
transportation.
More attention and coordination of job preparation of the permanent poor.
What We Must Do
Search for legislative opportunities and changes in federal policies to deal
with these issues.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 17
Economic Development
and Jobs
The Federal Role and Responsibilities
The existing Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) should be amended to
better promote program coordination, through incentives, on a regional
labor market basis.
Title III of JTPA is the most important source for assisting displaced workers
but improvements can be made such as:
Eligibility requirements should be expanded to include all displaced
workers regardless of the cause of displacement.
Local governments and their regional councils should identify, analyze,
and address potential opportunities for displaced workers in the region.
The JTPA should be amended to better target services to welfare youth
and the permanent poor that have traditionally been the most difficult to
employ or are seriously underpaid or underemployed.
There should be the flexibility and resources in designing programs that
match disadvantaged youth with employment opportunities. This should
be emphasized in communities where jurisdictional lines separate opportu-
nities and unemployed youth.
The Summer Youth Employment Program should be flexible as a year
round program or operate as a traditional summer youth program or both.
Discussion
After World War II, the location of jobs in a community was based on several
factors including the availability of a labor pool to fill the requirements of a
given industry. Thus, many industries located in urban areas where the
labor pool was also located. The shift of the nation's economy from
manufacturing to information and services with cheap suburban/rural
land and transportation has had a tremendous impact upon the location
that industries chose and where jobs are created within a metropolitan
regional community.
High-technology and service industries do not have to be near rail spurs or
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 18
Economic Development
and Jobs
ports to have access to their markets. In an age of inexpensive truck
transportation and highly flexible telecommunications, being located in the
central city or hub community is no longer a primary consideration. In some
cities, crime, cost of services, and the high cost of rental space have led many
businesses to locate in the suburbs where rents are cheaper and office parks
serve as a more pleasant environment. George Sternlieb of the Center for
Urban Research at Rutgers University states: "For better or for worse,
America's job places are decentralizing at a rate that has no precedent in
history. The real band of development in major metropolitan America is 30
to 50 miles out. This holds true in Chicago as much as it does in New York,
and certainly, in Washington."
A major result of these shifts has been a serious labor shortage within
regional communities. Shortages tend to appear in high-growth suburban
areas while inner cities continue to be plagued with high unemployment.
Thus while opportunities for employment may be increasing, in many cases
hard-core jobless are left behind, not just in skills, but geography.
The problem is, how can existing employment and training programs in
regional communities be improved to more effectively utilize the unemployed
and underemployed in older urban areas while high growth suburban areas
are experiencing labor shortages. Moreover, what can be done to better
focus attention on the hard-core unemployed among youth in the central
city.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 19
Human Resources
Drug Control
The Challenge
Most Americans believe that substance abuse is the country's principal
problem. The problem now pervades all economic levels of our society, and
the crime it has produced is not restricted by geographical boundaries.
Congress enacted major legislation last year to tackle this challenge while
appropriating limited funds. This multifaceted problem requires a coordi-
nated response from all sectors of society and from Washington to the
neighborhood and family. Our national strategy must recognize and reflect
this fact.
The Issue
How can regional councils be a coordinating force as a forum and catalyst
for state and local drug prevention and enforcement programs that can most
effectively use limited federal assistance?
What We Must Do
Seek the support of federal agencies in policies and techniques to gain
regional cooperation and coordination in substance abuse activities.
Federal Role and Responsibility
The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 provides for coordination of national drug
policy through the appointment of a "Drug Czar" in the Office of the
President. This legislation also establishes within this office a Bureau of
State and Local Affairs to cooperate with NARC and the other associations
representing local government. This is a place to focus efforts for federal
leadership for interagency cooperation. Most importantly, the Congress
must provide adequate appropriations to accomplish its mandates.
Discussion
Drug use permeates every level of our society, and engulfs urban, suburban
and rural communities. The problem has no simple solution; it can be
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 20
Human Resources
controlled but not wholly eradicated. Despite popular belief, it also cannot
be effectively managed just through law enforcement. Reduction in demand
is a more effective intervention. And this approach takes a comprehensive
community-based effort. Prevention requires education as well as legal
sanction. Rehabilitation requires coordinated intervention and treatment
facilities. Recognizing the geographical mobility of the problem and the
modest resources available, federal and state officials should encourage
substate regional community approaches wherever practical.
Child Care
The Challenge
Children are America's future. We will maintain our competitive edge and
leadership in the world economy if we assure the full potential of our
children. Changes in lifestyles and family member roles have major
implication for public education and the delivery of human services. Basic
to the family is the rearing of children in terms of health, education and work
force readiness. This ranges from job readiness to human services for teen
age pregnancy, pre-natal care, Head Start educational opportunities, qual-
ity public education, and substance abuse prevention and/or treatment. Af-
fordable child care is critical not only in child development but to the
economic well being of disadvantaged families. Child care and other
programs for children are key regional community concerns.
The Issues
At the national level, bring the Administration and Congress together to
achieve a mutually acceptable federal program on child care. Current
proposals differ on delivery system, i.e. tax credits versus a programmatic
and regulatory approach.
What We Must Do
Assure in pending federal legislation that there are provisions encouraging
and supporting organizations like regional councils in serving as the re-
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 21
Human Resources
source and referral clearinghouse for the regional community as well as
coordination among nonprofit and private sector agencies and business to
provide child care information and referral services for employees.
Federal Role and Responsibilities
The federal government has an important role in providing child care
opportunities, especially to those families and individuals that cannot afford
such care. This can be accomplished by either direct federal support to each
person or through a programmatic approach. federal program should also
consider the development of additional child care providers. Congress
should enact child care legislation ensuring that regional councils, includ-
ing those in interstate metropolitan areas, are eligible for designation and
funding as resource and referral agencies and for training grants. Last year,
a provision of this type was in both House and Senate legislation.
Discussion
Last year, progress was made toward passage of affordable, quality child
care legislation. The new Administration and Congress should support
legislation that will provide such assistance either through a tax credit or a
direct block grant funding mechanism on a combination of both ap-
proaches. It also should encourage private-sector employer investment and
partnership in the provision of child care.
Legislation last year also included in the state planning process the
participation of local policy and elected officials to decide how child care
funds will be used in their communities.
New child care legislation must also recognize the 37 interstate metropolitan
areas which contain more one third of the U.S. population. These interstate
areas function as one social and economic unit, notwithstanding state lines.
Interstate metropolitan areas are also labor market areas and most jobs are
filled by people who live in one jurisdiction and work in another. A
structured program should reflect this fact by encouraging governors to
recognize interstate metropolitan areas in designating resource and referral
agencies and allocating state block grant funds.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 22
Human Resources
Housing
The Challenge
Decent, safe, and sanitary housing and shelter is a basic human need. The
bulk of housing for all income levels is provided by the private sector. But
federal policy is necessary to encourage the preservation of existing low- and
moderate-income housing stock and production of affordable housing for
low- and moderate-income persons and families. Federal leadership is
essential for the nation to meet its historic commitment to equal opportunity
and access to housing for all citizens.
The Issue
Federal housing programs have been cut at a rate which is higher than
spending reductions in other domestic programs. The affordable housing
problem is critical, and resources must be increased with new program
options which will secure adequate affordable housing.
What We Must Do
Urge Congress and the Administration to provide programs and resources
for affordable housing in pending legislation. New federal housing programs
must acknowledge that housing markets are regional, and program invest-
ments must respond to job location and efficient use of transportation.
Federal Role and Responsibilities
Congress should enact housing legislation that provides seed money through
a federal block grant program to leverage private, state and local dollars to
substantially rehabilitate or construct new low- and moderate-income
housing where needed. This legislation also should include incentives for
undertaking regional housing programs and reducing unnecessary housing
regulation at the local level. Existing tax incentives to encourage private
investment should be extended and expanded. To assist first-time home
buyers, an individual's pension funds should be available for mortgage
down-payments.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 23
Human Resources
Discussion
NARC supports the concept of a housing block grant program to replace the
present categorical grant program. A block grant program should recognize
that housing markets are metropolitan or regional in nature and a regional
community mechanism provides the most equitable and cost-effective
distribution of housing funds. Regional councils, with their strong analyti-
cal and administrative capabilities, should have a major role in assisting
their local communities in allocating housing resources. This process
should be included in a housing block grant program. Funding for the
housing block grant program should be on a long-term and stable basis to
facilitate investment and continuity.
The use of tax-exempt financing has helped many local governments
increase the supply of affordable housing in their jurisdictions and finance
rehabilitation efforts in downtown areas. However, NARC recommends that
the funds obtained through such financing be used mainly to assist low- and
moderate-income households. NARC also supports the extension of the
federal tax exemption for state and local mortgage revenue bonds.
The Elderly
The Challenge
The reauthorization of the Older Americans Act in 1988 presents a number
of challenges for regional councils and Areawide Agencies on Aging. There
must be opportunity for innovation in programmatic terms in meeting all the
needs of the elderly. Currently program flexibility is limited. Secondly,
questions posed as to statute language on regional council designation
should not be used to require a complete redesignation process of areawide
agencies at the state level.
The Issue
Identify and communicate the longer-term needs and issues of the elderly
as they impact local governments in regional communities.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
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Human Resources
What We Must Do
Work with federal and state agencies to keep a sound and flexible regional
community approach to the needs of the growing elderly population while
addressing longer-term issues of housing and health care.
Federal Role and Responsibilities
The Act's reauthorization firmly establishes the primary role of the federal
government in meeting critical needs of elderly Americans. Funding levels
and providing program flexibility are the dominant questions confronting
the new Administration and state and Areawide Agencies on Aging.
Discussion
The loss of traditional family roles as informal dependent caregivers for older
family members will continue to obscure the distinction between public and
private responsibilities. Regional community concerns and strategies
should guarantee that the needs of the elderly are considered in the planning
of transportation, housing, health, nutrition, recreation, jobs, and commu-
nity services. Solutions other than institutionalization should be sought to
provide community-based services for the elderly that promote and/or
accommodate independence with economic security. Regional councils
should be the preferred organizations to be the Areawide Agency on Aging
and should be eligible for federal and state funding for the planning and
management of such programs. They should coordinate with area private
sector institutions to provide elder care information and referral to employ-
ees.
Regional councils should not be required to go through a redesignation
process to fulfill provisions in recent Amendments to the Act designed for
program visibility from other programs administered by the regional council.
The new Administration should clarify this situation.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
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The Regional Community:
The Need for Partnerships
For more and more leaders, public and private, there is growing recognition
that the arena for public and private decision-making is a regional commu-
nity. This realization is based on the reality of business activity, the mobility
of people and jobs, and the need for a geographic scale to assemble resources
and take advantage of cost efficient technology. In today's world, people are
mobile and seek opportunities where they can find them. This has resulted
in residency and place of employment usually being in different cities or
counties. The local community is subsumed within a larger family of
neighboring communities - the region. These regions are the real commu-
nities because they are the economic marketplaces and social and cultural
centers that lead America into the future.
The real community is not just Los Angeles, but Southern California; not
Cook County, but a much larger Chicago metropolitan area; and not Boston,
but eastern Massachusetts with portions of southern New Hampshire and
Maine. We have become a nation of metropolitan and regional rural com-
munities. Forty of them are in two or more states, and home to more than
25 percent of the nation's population. These regional communities can
range in scale from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area of five counties with
more than 10 million people, to the Androscoggin Valley of Maine and its
200,000 residents in three counties, and the Texas panhandle with 25
counties and 400,000 citizens.
We do have a profusion of local communities which are organized as cities,
counties, and towns. In fact, there are some 39,000 local governments, not
including school districts and special service districts. Some have argued
over the years that there are too many governments and we should
encourage consolidation. But they miss the point, for this multiplicity and
diversity of local communities is an embodiment of a cherished American
principle and ethic: "local homerule."
Our challenge over the last two decades has been to build partnerships and
programs which reflect these real regional communities. For, we know that
economic activities (the business marketplace), and environmental systems
(water and air and solid wastes), and even crime do not respect or conform
to existing political boundaries. Human service and social equity needs
require larger geographic solutions than a city or town can provide to
meaningfully address affordable housing, employment, educational oppor-
tunities and adequate tax resources.
National Association of Regional Councils
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Page 26
Regional Councils: A Beginning
in Governance Partnerships
Partnerships for solving regional issues are not new. In the early 1960s,
regional leaders and many states began organizing regional councils in
metropolitan and rural areas. Most councils have continued and grown with
governing bodies composed of elected officials from the neighboring cities
and counties. These regional councils were and are voluntary with a mission
to develop policies and coordinate their local governments' efforts to address
issues in transportation, environmental quality, public safety, housing,
economic and physical development, human resources, and joint provision
of public services.
During the '60s the problems of metropolitan America and economically
declining rural regions were more obvious and of crisis dimensions. Two
national commissions - Douglas and Kerner - recognized, among other
things, that many of the problems in urban America had to be addressed on
a metropolitan basis if they were to be fairly and equitably ameliorated.
There was a new resolve at the national level - to renew our declining urban
and rural areas and encourage economic development. The hope was that
economically vibrant communities would help the poor and disadvantaged.
Federal programs resulted from this commitment. Regional planning and
coordination was required or encouraged in those programs where the best
or only solution required crossing local boundaries, as is evident in
transportation, environmental, and human service programs. In small
urban and rural areas, a national public works investment program was
provided for necessary infrastructure to encourage regional development.
Programs in clean air, housing, and assistance to the elderly had regional
provisions. Looking back, these programs may have been too narrowly
focused, onerous to local and state government, poorly conceived, or lacking
commitment. As the federal deficit worsened and the national economy im-
proved generally, the perceived need, as well as federal government role in
these programs, has changed. Many of these programs no longer exist, go
unfunded, or are reduced in funding.
The reduction of federal programs and interest has not diminished regional
approaches or the need for them. There are 450 councils in metropolitan and
rural regions throughout most of the country. They are supported through
the commitment of their participating local governments and the support of
a number of states. In addition, there is private sector, foundation and civic
interest. Critical federal programs continue which emphasize regional
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
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Regional Councils: A Beginning
in Governance Partnerships
approaches in highways and transit, rural economic development, clean air
and water, and services for older Americans.
The governance systems and partnerships we have developed to manage
these regional communities are a significant beginning. But these partner-
ships can be fragmented, ad hoc, have a single-issue focus, or unable to
handle the tough volatile political decisions that need to made and imple-
mented. These issues involve economic and social distress and inequities,
growing congestion, a deteriorating environment, and allocating services
and resources.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 28
Regional Partnerships: Future
Roles That Must Be Played
As we move into the 1990s new and re-enforced regional partnerships are
needed. This requires leadership and support not only at the local level but
at the federal and state levels. It also demands new partners from the
business, labor, independent, nonprofit and academic sectors. America will
move ahead and be competitive if our regional community partnerships can
meet crucial domestic issues and challenges playing these key roles:
Advocate of the concept of the regional community as the arena for
significant economic and governance issues.
Engineer coalitions with key regional private/business/labor sectors and
community/civic groups to address regional issues and needs.
Identify and cultivate potential public and private leaders and as advo-
cates and decision-makers for the regional community.
Develop regional economic development strategies which emphasize
capital formation, jobs, and technological innovation.
Assemble the region's data base and analyze that data to forecast
economic and demographic trends and changes.
Planner/programmer/broker for transportation, water, wastes, housing,
and land-use.
Planner/partner/broker in human service needs and service delivery.
Steward for the regional community by building and unifying the local
government constituency.
Furnish processes for conflict resolution of public-public or private-
public regional issues.
Broker state and local government approaches on regional issues and
represent local government regional interests to the state.
Federal and state policies and programs should further refine and re-enforce
these roles in our regional communities.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 29
The National Association
of Regional Councils
In 1967, with America developing a new regional perspective for solving its
social and economic difficulties, the National Association of Regional
Councils was established to foster city-county cooperation. More than 20
years later, NARC has grown into a full-service association whose continu-
ing commitment is to provide its members with the best service and support
to meet the ever-changing needs and challenges of regional governance.
NARC promotes understanding of regional councils, represents its members
in Washington with Congress and the federal government, provides techni-
cal assistance and educational services, and fosters the exchange of
information through a variety of conferences and publications. This is
accomplished with a staff of 12 and an annual budget of $1.2 million.
Member regional councils are rural, suburban, and metropolitan with
diversity in their programs and resources. Regional councils may be called
councils of governments, regional planning commissions, development
districts, metropolitan councils or a mix of these names. Their common
ground is their purpose of enhancing the ability of local governments to meet
multifurisdictional public needs, address regional issues, and help commu-
nities preserve public dollars.
NARC is organized into three activity centers:
The Center for Regional Action provides NARC's liaison with Congress
and the Administration regarding priorities and programs of interest to
regional councils. It sponsors an annual Washington Policy Conference to
involve members directly in the development of national policies.
The Center for Regional Council Assistance is the membership service
core of the association, with publications, a communications network,
training, conferences, workshops, a resource library, and technical assis-
tance. Three membership sections-Rural, Medium Metro, and Major Metro
- are organized, each with its own staff resource person, to facilitate
networking among councils of similar size and configuration.
The Center for the Future Regional Community is establishing new
lines of communication in the public and private sectors to explore trends
and future directions that have implications on current regional issues,
including demonstration and model projects.
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 30
NARC Officers
and the Board of Directors
President
T.J. "Ted" Hackworth
Denver CO
First Vice President
Gus F. Mutscher
Brenham TX
Vice President
John A. F. Melton
Ventura CA
Immediate Past President
Sidney J. Barthelemy
New Orleans LA
At-Large Region Region Region Region Region Region Region Region Region Second I
Region
Linda E. Abromson
Portland ME
II
Lynn J. Morse
Painted Post NY
III
William V. Lauterbach Jr.
Manchester MD
IV
M. Rudy Groomes
Orangeburg SC
V
Charlie A. Thurston
Chicago IL
VI
Don Venhaus
Little Rock AR
VII
Stephen J. McCollister
Omaha NE
VIII
Linda Morton
Lakewood CO
IX
(open seat)
X
Brian Corcoran
Everett WA
Policy
Joan Campbell
Minneapolis MN
Joanne M. Collins
Kansas City MO
Peggy Garner
Rankin TX
Robert F. Johnson
Medford OR
Jennifer Jones
Middlesboro KY
Harriet Stockwell
El Cajon CA
Avery C. Upchurch
Raleigh NC
Executive Directors
Advisory Committee
Chairman
John E. Walker
Portland ME
First Vice Chairman
John Amberger
Detroit MI
Second Vice Chairman
Timothy Ostrosky
Creston IA
Immediate Past Chairman
Richard A. Cavender
Rolla MO
Appointees from the
Robert B. Aldemeyer
Covington KY
National Association
Scott Cowan
Fort Lauderdale FL
of Counties
Peter Eschweiler
White Plains NY
Oscar Soliz
Corpus Christi TX
Appointees from the
Malcom L. Clark
Port Arthur TX
National League of Cities
Verna L. Clayton
Buffalo Grove IL
Betty Ann Kane
Washington DC
George C. McGough
Largo FL
National Association of Regional Councils
Action Agenda
Page 31
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF
REGIONAL
COUNCILS
1700 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 - (202) 457-0710