EXTRA May 2012 News from MACDC

The Massachusetts Association of

Community Development Corporations

EXTRA May 2012

E-NEWSLETTER

Community Development Partnership Act Endorsed by the full House

Yesterday, May 23, MACDC's priority legislation, The Community Development Partnership Act, unanimously passed the Massachusetts House of Representatives. It was included in the comprehensive job cre Massachusetts State House ation and economic development bill An Act Relative to Infrastructure Investment, Enhanced Competitiveness and Economic Growth in the Commonwealth (H. 4110).

"This is a significant victory for neighborhoods and communities throughout the Commonwealth" said Joe Kriesberg, President and CEO of MACDC. "The House recognizes that all residents of Massachusetts should be able to participate in the economic recovery."

Kriesberg added "Chairwoman Linda Dorcena-Forry [the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business] has been a true

Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry, Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business.

champion of CDCs and small business and her efforts on behalf of CDPA were exemplary". He also thanked both the Speaker Robert DeLeo and Jt. Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Chairman Joseph Wagner for their leadership in getting CDPA passed.

CDPA now moves on to the Senate for a vote and then any differences will have to be reconciled by a Conference Committee. MACDC is striving for the bill to become law by the end of the legislative session, July 31st. Should it pass this year, CDPA creates a program that would engage the private sector's support of high-performing CDCs to expand economic opportunities for families across the State.

For information about CDPA or how you can support its passage, please contact Allison Staton.

MACDC Staff and Members meet US Senator Scott Brown

Senator Scott Brown met with MACDC members and staff on May 23rd. From left, Don Bianchi of MACDC, Danny LeBlanc from Somerville Community Corporation, Joanna Ain from Housing Corp of Arlington, Senator Brown, Mickey Northcutt from North Shore CDC and Allison Staton from MACDC.

Also yesterday, on May 23rd, MACDC staff and members sat down for a meeting with Senator Scott Brown at his Washington DC office.
During the meeting he expressed his support for CDBG and HOME and MACDC members were able to show him examples of how those funds have been put to use in their communities. It was a good conversation with the Senator and his staff about housing and small business issues impacting Massachusetts.

The meeting was one of several that the Massachusetts contingent held with Congressional and Senate offices as part of the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA) annual day on Capitol Hill. This capped a terrific two day conference in which NACEDA members from throughout the country shared best practices, upcoming policy issues and networked with colleagues.

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