WHEREAS:

The lack of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing persists in crisis proportions both in urban and rural America; and

WHEREAS:

The loss of private sector jobs as a result of corporate downsizing and the loss of public sector jobs due to privatization and attempts to reduce government deficits remains unabated; and

WHEREAS:

Our nation's infrastructure continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate; and

WHEREAS:

Urban neighborhoods are declining due to lack of jobs, poor housing conditions, economic disinvestment, decaying infrastructure, and social problems related to all of these; and

WHEREAS:

The proposed Congressional budget cuts would only exacerbate these problems. However, one of the few areas where funding is available to combat the above described conditions is the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the 32nd AFSCME International Convention adopt as a legislative priority the immediate increase in federal Community Development Block Grant funding by 50% to deal with problems of joblessness, homelessness, inadequate affordable housing, decaying infrastructure and deteriorated neighborhoods; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That this increase in federal Community Development Block Grant funding be obtained from a reduction in defense spending.

SUBMITTED BY:

Jeffrey L. Brown, President and Delegate
Veronica Pankey, Recording Secretary
AFSCME Local 1971, Council 33 Pennsylvania