Making a Case for CSBG Recovery Spending Extension

We continue to raise the possibility of extending the Community Services Block Grant Recovery Act spending deadline beyond Sept. 30, 2010, with both appropriators and with the administration. A couple things have emerged.

First, contrary to what we have been told by some, the White House tells us that any deadline extension must be done legislatively. That surprised me.

Second, I realized that this is a harder lift than I thought it would be six months ago. We need more information from the network in order to make the case.

Is your Community Action Agency one that would like to see the deadline extended for spending CSBG ARRA funding? If so, please let us know why.

Third, we were asked a logical question about how many other programs might request an extension. We need your help answering that question completely as well.

I realize Community Action programs need to know the answer to these questions soon. We are pushing it, but no one seems to be jumping quickly. There are supposed to be discussions between Senate Appropriations and Health and Human Services on this issue. I will share the results of that meeting as soon as I know them.

In the meantime, please share your needs as quickly as possible.

Voter Mood Continues to Worry Both Parties

I was with senior House Democrats last week, and the subject of voter mood came up again. They are concerned that their work is underappreciated and that it may reflect on their election prospects.

Despite the brutally partisan atmosphere, I am hearing the same thing from my Republican friends! Both parties remain worried about the mood among their constituents.

It’s too bad. There are a lot of good members in Congress, and it is unfortunate that they have become so frustrated and worried about their re-election hopes.

Stimulus is Multifaceted and Frustrating

This should be the best of times in Community Action in terms of resources, need and recognition. Yet, in so many places, it is a trying time.

As I travel to state and regional Community Action annual meetings around the country, I have found the rule, rather than the exception, is that the stimulus remains a frustration. Community Action Agencies are capable of doing well, and are doing well in most cases, but state and federal obstacles continue to hinder their full potential.

With the exception of working to get Community Service Block Grant stimulus funding extended, there is not a lot that we can do that we haven’t already done. As we have encountered problems, we have taken those to the agency or to Congress. We have responded through the media. And, we obviously follow up on stimulus expenditures.

When the dust settles on the stimulus programs, I would like to see someone – perhaps a member of the press -- undertake a longitudinal study of the process in the form of a book. The media come in and take snapshots of little aspects of the stimulus package that occur from week to week. However, the stimulus package is a multifaceted phenomenon that deserves an in-depth look that connects all the dots.

One aught to look hard at how this significant federal investment has gone in terms of why we needed it, the votes in Congress, state and federal politics, its effectiveness, the results, the local human interest stories and the accountability. Once all the dots were connected, it would be quite a tale.
In case our country, God forbid, ever need a stimulus package again, I think this kind of a book would help illuminate the lessons we have learned in the process.

Can the House Pass a Budget Resolution?

The next 30 days will be politically fascinating in relation to the budget and the November 2010 elections.

I don’t know if the House can pass a budget resolution. Republicans appear united in opposition to new spending. The deficit and debt also matter in the re-election hopes of more than 50 Blue Dog Democrats. I think they may be off the reservation in this budget resolution.

Consequently, I don’t know how much House Democrats will try to pass a budget resolution. If they don’t, they will be open to political criticism. If they attempt to pass one and fail, they will be accused of not being able to govern to the left.

I don’t see how budget passage can be accomplished. But, then again, I know how much they worked to pass health care.

It does seem to be a status-quo budget for Community Action programs, with the exception of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which may be in play.

Stay tuned.

History of the War on Poverty

In preparation for my upcoming History of War on Poverty workshop, May 3-7, I have been re-reading Launching the War on Poverty: An Oral History by Michael L. Gillette.

I have been focusing a lot on some of the big-picture attributes of the war on poverty -- the advocacy, the experimentation, the empowerment.

I had someone come into my office a couple weeks ago to talk to me about Community Action overseas. They listed some countries that were interested in developing poverty programs based on the Community Action model. It was as if they were reading a page from my workshop notes. Each of the goals that they brought up – empowerment, community development, jobs, building the middle class, citizen participation, experimentation – matched exactly the intended purpose of the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Economic Opportunity Act.

I have been going through a process of thinking about Community Action not in an individual locality concept, but as a significant national and international presence with much broader, much grander objectives. I am doing this because of the emerging leaders who will be attending my workshop, because of the upcoming Community Services Block Grant reauthorization and because of the fierce competition for federal dollars.

I want to make sure that people see us for all that we can bring to the table. I also think the time may be right to take the Community Action model around the world.

Welcome to “Bradley’s Brushback!”

For those of you who are regular visitors to the National Community Action Blog, you will notice we have made some changes. We hadn't altered the site's layout since we launched it in September 2006; it was time for a facelift.

When we set out to redesign the NCAF Community Action Blog, “Bradley’s Brushback” was the title that kept coming to mind that I felt encompassed my professional pursuits as well as my personal interests. Perhaps I should explain.

I take great professional interest in domestic poverty and the policies and politics that influence it. As those who know me best know, I also have a few personal passions in life: politics, reading and baseball.

A “brushback” is baseball lingo for the art of throwing a pitch high and inside in order to move a batter away from the plate. It is a revered baseball tradition and, much to the chagrin of me and other die-hard baseball fans, it is not implemented much anymore.

You see, a brushback keeps the batter honest; it keeps him from encroaching on the plate. It differs from the beanball in that the intent is not to hit the batter -- it’s just the pitcher’s way of standing up to his opponent and reclaiming his territory. When a pitcher throws a brushback, he’s sending a message that he will not be pushed around.

Like baseball, the political game is about the control of power. In their quest to provide strength to the powerless, Community Action Agencies and others across the country are up against big money and special interest forces in Washington. By virtue of our mission, we are the perpetual underdog in the political arena. However, I have discovered that by studying the nuances of the game and having the strength and determination to put the lessons one learns into practice, it is possible to come out on top against the mightiest of opponents.

Through this blog I will be sharing high-level, inside information aimed at those who are interested in domestic poverty, legislative policy and, of course, politics. Like the brushback, this blog is not intended to hurt anyone. You won’t find gossip or partisan mudslinging here. But, I will throw my insight, experiences, predictions and the occasional book review your way with the hopes that you might step back and look at things a little differently the next time it’s your turn to bat.

 Step up to the plate, and let’s play ball!

Unpredictable Political Times Ahead

It is certainly a crazy political time. I’m convinced that 2010, 2011 and 2012 will be the most volatile political years that we’ve had in the last 50.

A lot of mainstream congressional members are scratching their heads about how effective the Tea Party movement might be in November. I watched the coverage of the Tea Party gathering in Michigan when Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak announced his retirement. Some political pundits were crediting his decision to the Tea Party’s anger over his health care compromises and his pro-life history.

Many don’t realize that some Republicans are looking over their right shoulder at the Tea Party, trying to figure out who they are and what they want. Both Democrats and Republicans are a little bit taken aback by some of the Tea Party’s antics. A leading conservative House member told me that Tea Partiers in his district were “wackos.”

Change is in the air. I think we are likely headed toward a divided government, but it might not be the same kind of divided government year after year.

We are almost seven months out from the November elections and a lot can change, including the impact of foreign policy. But, as of today, I can make a reasonable case for change in 2010 and change again in 2012.

If I had to predict right now, I’d say Republicans would take the House by a very narrow margin. Consequently, Democrats could hold on by a narrow margin in the Senate. Thanks to key voter-turnout, I predict President Obama’s re-election in 2012. Yet in that year, the House may flip back to the Democrats while Republicans capture the Senate. As I said, I can lay out a case that makes all of this very, very plausible.

Stay tuned!

Jobs are Job One

Congress has returned this week, and jobs are clearly job one.

The next seven weeks is the longest working stretch of the year for congressional members. It is also the last big chunk of time to accomplish things on the jobs front.

Although Republicans are concentrating on tax relief for small businesses and Democrats are favoring infrastructure spending, they share a common goal to create jobs.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader John Boehner talk publicly about how health care will be a big issue in the campaign. Privately, however, senior members on both sides of the aisle are saying they expect health care to drop back as a secondary issue behind jobs and the economy.

NCAF Working to Extend CSBG Stimulus Dollars

I am starting to hear a growing drum beat from Community Action Agencies about the need to get Community Services Block Grant stimulus dollars extended past Sept. 30, 2010.

National Community Action Foundation will be implementing a full court press to ensure that happens. My goal is to have an understanding in place with Congress and the Obama Administration some time in mid-April.

I need Community Action programs to make sure that we have the data that we need to adequately tell the story. We need to know when they received the money, what they are doing with it and why they need an extension.

We are raising it, and Congress seems open to it. It is hard to say whether the Administration is open to it or not.

Two things have come up with this. The first is appropriations. Members are telling me that they don’t know one program that doesn't need an extension. So, there are a lot of people in our same boat.

Second, state performance undoubtedly influences the discussion about CSBG and its delivery mechanism. Democrats and Republicans, particularly in the House, are disappointed with how states have implemented the stimulus or are sitting on the money they have received.

If there is ever another stimulus, there certainly will be a discussion about how to more effectively get money to the local level. It is a lesson learned.

August Recess Plans

I have had a rash of members -- Republicans and Democrats, Senators and Representatives – asking that I come out to their home states in August and October to accompany them on Community Action Agency visits.

I have always accompanied members on trips of this sort, but I have never before had this many requests in one year. I am assuming this influx of requests is due to a couple good reasons.

First, I think that they are genuinely interested in Community Action Programs. Whether or not they supported the stimulus, all are interested in how the funding is being utilized.

Second, everyone is nervous about their re-election prospects. I have built a long-standing relationship with these members and, hopefully, they trust that I can be helpful to them as they visit Community Action Agencies and meet constituents.

A curious thing to me is that, on more than one occasion, a member’s office has tried to entice me with a trip to their State Fair. For example, Senator Chuck Grassley invited me to join him at the Iowa State Fair, where he was really talking up the deep-fried Twinkies.

So, this summer I may be logging a lot of air miles (and potentially several pounds) by traveling around the country with congressional members.

New Season, New Optimism

Life will become much better come Sunday – that’s when baseball season begins!

There are 30 Major League teams and every one of them thinks they are going to the World Series. Needless to say, it is a time of extreme optimism.

When baseball season starts I, too, have a more optimistic outlook. Again, I look forward to each and every day.

Any day that I’m spending watching baseball, or working on the Hill, is a good day for me. These early spring mornings, when I can walk on the Capitol grounds at 7:15 a.m. before the city starts buzzing, are enjoyable moments for me. With great optimism, I greet each meeting with congressional members and staff to work toward better policies for Community Action programs.

Enjoy your Easter weekend and the fresh, new season!

Enjoyable Evening with Pelosi Darkened by Threats

For the second time in about a month, I’ve been fortunate to be invited to a small dinner with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and others from House Democratic leadership. The most recent opportunity was a two-and-a-half-hour dinner with Speaker Pelosi and about 20 others.

I have really grown to appreciate Speaker Pelosi more than ever. She is tough, effective and clearly a hard bargainer. Credit for the passage of health care reform in the House should be given in large part to Speaker Pelosi and President Obama.

I am seeing more wholeness from Nancy Pelosi as a leader. She is formidable, and that comes across publicly and privately. She is extremely well-informed. I asked her a few questions on policy issues, and I was quite impressed with her grasp of details and agendas.

I enjoyed the political conversation around the table a great deal.

What I did not enjoy was when the conversation turned to the threats being made against members over health care and other issues. The detailed discussion about these protests and threats, like what we saw over the weekend, cast a pall on the dinner.

The rhetoric out there that I’m hearing is very troubling, and something we haven’t seen at this level in years. To some at the dinner, the anger reminded them of 1968 – a very angry and pivotal year in America.