Political Quotes

“I understand that like so many neighborhoods in large urban cities, the neighborhoods in the city of Philadelphia have been devastated by depopulation and that other Philadelphia neighborhoods are experiencing the initial signs of decline with stagnant or declining property values, rising crime, and a breakdown in public infrastructure. Still, other neighborhoods are largely stable, but are hardly flourishing. I respect what the Senator from Pennsylvania seeks to accomplish with these provisions. The CDBG is a flexible block grant program used by States and communities for critical projects such as affordable housing, economic development, and human service projects. Last year the committee provided approximately $5 billion for the program. While this program is already a very flexible program, I am happy to work with the Senator from Pennsylvania to assist the city of Philadelphia to use CDBG funding to develop a long-term blight removal plan. I understand that the city of Philadelphia is in dire need of neighborhood development and blight removal, and I would be glad to work with the Senator from Pennsylvania in conference to try to secure funding under the Neighborhood Initiative effort for this meritorious program.”