History

Members of Congress sharing an interest in restoring prosperity to America's great historic industrial cities have created the Revitalizing Older Cities (ROC) Congressional Task Force to exchange legislative ideas and create effective policy that will lead to the rejuvenation of communities most impacted by population loss, lack of traditional employment opportunities, and overall economic disinvestment. In the fall of 2007, the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition formed the task force, co-chaired by Representatives Brian Higgins (D-NY) and Mike Turner (R-OH). The ROC Congressional Task Force recognizes that the challenges facing many older industrial cities and towns are not unique to each community and that federal policy can and does impact their economic success.

The Institute has found the ROC Congressional Task Force to be a powerful way to focus legislative attention on issues of common interest to legislators who otherwise might not join forces. Congressional task force members can share the responsibilities for sponsoring and co-sponsoring bills, reach a broader array of colleagues for support, and use their fellow task force members' positions on a wide range of committees and subcommittees with diverse jurisdictions to gain hearings for their proposed legislation, as well as possible inclusion in larger omnibus bills. Coupling this task force with Institute staffing provides the in-depth policy and political expertise necessary to create a powerful engine for change.

• Task Force Letter to Financial Services Committee Supporting the Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act of 2009 (H.R. 932)
• Mayor of Los Angeles Letter to Rep. Tim Ryan Supporting the Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act of 2009 (H.R. 932)
• Toward a 21st Century Community: A Revitalizing Older Cities Field Hearing - hosted by Rep. Brian Higgins in Buffalo, New York, on August 15, 2008
• H.R. 3221 Title III - Emergency Assistance for Abandoned and Foreclosed Properties
• Summary of the Community Development and Vacant Property Provisions of H.R. 3221
• Legislative Activity Pertinent to Restoring Prospertity to Older Industrial Cities of the Northeast and Midwest - Hill Day Report, June 11, 2008
• H.R. 3498 - Neighborhood Reclamation and Revitalization Program Act of 2007
• H.R. 3498 Status
• H.R. 3498 Congressional Support Sponsorship Letter
• Provisions of H.R. 3498
• S. 2054 Status (Senate version of H.R. 3498)
• The Community Restoration and Revitalization Act (H.R. 1043) Summary
• H.R. 1753 - Tax Expensing of Environmental Remediation Costs Bill
• H.R. 3080 - Recycling America's Brownfields Act Bill
• America's Brownfield Cleanup Act (H.R. 3080) Summary by Rep. Michael R. Tumer (R-OR)
• National Brownfields Coalition Draft Proposal for the Recycling America's Brownfields Act
  • Legislative Activity Pertinent to Restoring Prospertity to Older Industrial Cities of the Northeast and Midwest - Hill Day Book, June 11, 2008
  • New Markets Tax Credits Presentation by Northeast-Midwest and LISC (June 19, 2008)
  • Complete the Streets Briefing - May 21, 2008
    • Comprehensive Presentation by Barbara McCann, National Complete Streets Coalition
    • Older Americans and Complete Streets Presentation by Debra Alvarez, AARP
    • Diversified Transportation Presentation by Kevin Mills, Rails to Trails
  • Lessons from the Field:  Policy Insights For Reclaiming Vacant Properties - Joe Schilling, National Vacant Properties Campaign
  • Vacancy and Abandonment in Buffalo, NY - Michael Clarke & Anthony Armstrong, Buffalo, LISC
  • The Community Restoration & Revitalization Act of 2007 - Pat Lally, National Trust for Historic Preservation