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SPRING FORUM HELD IN WASHINGTON DC
NCSL?s Spring Forum was held in Washington, D.C., April 29 - May 1. The Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs Committee conducted a full and informative schedule, including site visits to the Smithsonian?s American History Museum and the National Building Museum. Members discussed energy policy and international trade, Trade Adjustment Assistance, economic development strategies, and tourism in agricultural sectors. The ?Affordable Housing? policy (renamed ?Responsible Housing?) was revised and adopted, as well as a resolution calling on the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to rescind its April 22 notice regarding changes in funding for Section 8 housing vouchers.
NCSL CALLS ON HUD TO FULLY FUND SECTION 8 HOUSING VOUCHERS
Based on the Action Calendar Resolution adopted at the Spring Forum, NCSL Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs Committee Chair Peter Lewiss wrote to HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson, calling on HUD to fully fund Section 8 housing vouchers and rescind its April 22 notice. The notice retroactively cuts Section 8 funds available to Public Housing Authorities, over 20 of which are state-run. The text is online at www.hud.gov/offices/pih/publications/notices/04/pih2004-7.pdf. NCSL?s letter and resolution are at www.ncsl.org/standcomm/scecon/section8ltr0604.htm. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-Maryland), Ranking Member of the US Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, also sent a letter to Jackson calling on the Administration to fully support Section 8 housing. His statement is at sarbanes.senate.gov/pages/press/051904_housing_voucher_changes_housing.html. Jackson testified on May 20 before the US House Financial Services Committee regarding the Administrations HUD budget request for FY 2005 and focused on home ownership and zero-down-payment mortgage lending in his statement. His testimony, and prepared statements by committee members are at financialservices.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=307.
WTO RULES AGAINST US COTTON SUBSIDIES
US media reported on April 27 that a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel ruled against US cotton subsidies. The claim by Brazil contended that farmers in developing countries remain in poverty because wealthy nations glut the market with their subsidy-induced lower costs and depress international prices. The panel report remains confidential until both sides have had the opportunity for comment. US agriculture officials anticipate appeal if the ruling remains the same. The Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs officers joined officers from the NCSL Agriculture & Rural Development committee for a breakfast briefing on this development at the Spring Forum; they agreed to hold a joint session on the matter at the Annual Meeting. The WTO has a statement dated April 20, 2004 on international agriculture trade negotiations at www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/negs_bkgrnd00_contents_e.htm.
ANNUAL MEETING 2004 APPROACHES
Please plan to attend the NCSL Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 19-23. The NCSL Standing Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs will conduct sessions on housing, jobs and the new economy, the film industry, and economic development incentives. Site visits are scheduled for Monday, July 19 on housing issues in Park City, and on Wednesday, July 21 to a biotech facility. Plenary session topics include job creation in the global economy and the 2004 presidential election campaign. Economic expert David Wyss is scheduled to speak during a plenary session and immediately after, during a committee roundtable. The Legislator?s Luncheon features Stephen Covey, author of ?Seven Habits of Highly Effective People? and prominent speaker about leadership traits and development. Information about registration materials, hotel accommodations and sessions for all Standing Committees is at www.ncsl.org/annualmeeting/Index.htm.
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2003-2004 Officers
Chair
Representative Peter L. Lewiss
Rhode Island
Vice Chairs
Representative Sheryl Allen
Utah
Representative Terri Austin
Indiana
Representative Michael Jackson
Rhode Island
Representative Randy Johnson
Florida
Staff Chair
Hannah Shostack
New Jersey
Staff Vice Chairs
Nelson Fox
Ohio
Committee Staff
Jeremy Meadows
Committee Director
202-624-8664
jeremy.meadows@ncsl.org
Mandy Rafool
Program Principal
303-856-1506
mandy.rafool@ncsl.org
Trina Palmer
Research Analyst
202-624-8695
trina.palmer@ncsl.org
Offices
Headquarters
7700 East First Place
Denver, Colorado 80230
State-Federal Relations
444 North Capitol Street, NW
Suite 515
Washington, DC 20001 |
