In addition to representing municipal interests on state legislation, CML is active at the federal level. Read our 2010 Federal Candidate Briefing.
CML is also a founding member of the National League of Cities.
Fact sheet on fiscal issues
An impressive collection of associations (including the National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislators, National League of Cities, Government Finance Officers Association, and more) issued a fact sheet on state and local bankruptcy, municipal bonds, and state and local pensions.
CML outlines federal priorities
CML provides the federal Congressional delegation a memo on municipal priorities.
PBS News Hour features municipal debt financing
While Congress scrutinizes municipal debt financing, a clip from "PBS New Hour" provides a more complete understanding of the issue. Contact Sam Mamet, CML executive director, for more information.
Securities and Exchange Commission
CML teams with other local government associations in a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the definition of "municipal advisor."
CML appreciated the letter that Sen. Michael Bennet wrote to the SEC in opposition of the proposed rule that defines municipal finance advisor in a manner that may restrict such individuals from serving as appointed members to advisory boards of local government.
Public safety: Communications interoperability
A resolution supporting reallocation of a portion of the 700 MHz spectrum for public safety communications was supported in December by the National League of Cities and its Information and Technology Steering Committee and Public Safety Steering Committee, respectively. The resolution asks the federal government to reallocate the 700 MHz D Block of spectrum to public safety for the purpose of building a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband communications network. It also calls upon the federal government to work with state and local governments to ensure the D Block is appropriately governed.
The “D Block” segment of 700MHz spectrum is uniquely positioned to provide a one-time opportunity to improve first responder communications and emergency response capabilities by providing sufficient broadband spectrum dedicated to first responders. Public safety has been granted only small sections of spectrum over time, but never enough to consolidate communications into a single frequency band. Without action from the federal government to reserve this chunk of the spectrum for public safety data communications, it will likely be chopped up and sold off to private interests with which the public sector cannot compete.
The CML Policy Committee supported the resolution at its December meeting and encourages all member municipalities to adopt the resolution before the NLC Congress of Cities conference in March so that Colorado delegates can take copies with them. A copy of the resolution text and a brief description of the issue can be found at WEBSITE. Please submit any adopted resolutions to Barb Major at CML. Staff: Kevin Bommer.
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009
Current advocacy efforts at the federal level are focused on the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. CML continues to work with the Governor’s office on details of how federal stimulus fund programs will disburse formula funds or structure grant programs. All information will be presented on the Web site colorado.gov/recovery. We urge you to regularly check this site for information.
The National League of Cities also publishes their Federal Relations Update electronically. This regular publication is a great source for economic stimulus information, as well as all federal-municipal news.
Municipal summary
CML Executive Director Sam Mamet has prepared some quick highlights of the economic stimulus package from a Colorado municipal perspective.
View a presentation, as well as a handout, provided by the Department of Local Affairs on its programs for recovery.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization has prepared a Colorado Climate Network update on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program that was funded by the recently enacted federal recovery legislation.
Wastewater and drinking water funds
The League was recently copied on a March 9 update on the status of Colorado's implementation of the ARRA for Wastewater and Drinking Water Funds. The CML staff contact is Kevin Bommer.
Federal advocacy links
Colorado's Congressional delegation
Sen. Michael Bennett, 702 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20002 - (p) 202-224-5852
(Committees: Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Aging)
Chief of Staff Jonathan Davidson, Legislative Director Layth Elhassani, Scheduler Karin Ballman
Sen. Mark Udall, 317 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20002 - (p) 202-224-5941
(Committees: Armed Services; Energy and Natural Resources; Intelligence; Aging)
Chief of Staff Michael Sozan, Legislative Director Joe Britton, Scheduler Lauren Bogard
Rep. Mike Coffman (web site), 1222 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20003 - (p) 202-225-7882
(Committees: Armed Services; Natural Resources; Small Business)
Chief of Staff Jacque Ponder, Legislative Director Chuck Coger, Scheduler Ashling Thurmond
Rep. Diana DeGette (web site), 2335 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20003 - (p) 202-225-4431
(Committees: Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources)
Chief of Staff Lisa Cohen, Legislative Director Brendan Devine, Scheduler Tish Maes
Rep. Cory Gardner, 213 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20003 - (p) 202-225-4676
(Committees: Energy and Commerce)
Chief of Staff Chris Hansen, Legislative Director Natalie Farr, Scheduler Juliet Kroll
Rep. Doug Lamborn, 437 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20003 - (p) 202-225-4422
(Committees: Natural Resources; Armed Services; Veterans Affairs)
Chief of Staff Chris Phelen, Legislative Director Marcus Brubaker, Scheduler Erin Newton
Rep. Ed Perlmutter, 1221 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20003 - (p) 202-225-2645
(Committees: Financial Services)
Chief of Staff Radovich Piper, Legislative Director Matt Henken, Scheduler Alison Inderfurth
Rep. Jared Polis, 501 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20003 - (p) 202-225-2161
(Committees: Rules)
Chief of Staff Brian Branton, Legislative Director Rosalyn Kumer, Scheduler Danielle Oliveto
Rep. Scott Tipton, 218 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20003 - (p) 202-225-4761
(Committees: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Small Business)
Chief of Staff Mike Hesse, Legislative Director Nick Dupancic, Scheduler Jen Bailey