IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Drew Myers, policy representative, State and Local Issues, Advocacy Group, National Association of REALTORS®, said state governments are taking action on the budget impact of weather-related events.

“As the administration reviews and considers overhauling FEMA disaster aid and other programs, some states are considering boosting or creating new disaster recovery funds while others will invest in their ‘rainy-day’ funds to bolster their ability to provide aid to their constituents in the future,” Myers said.

States are also thinking about longer-term strategies, debating policy solutions to address disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

 

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

In early 2025, National Association of REALTORS asked government affairs directors from state and local REALTOR® associations across the country if weather-related events were placing a strain on their state or local government’s budget.

More than half (54%) reported financial stress in government budgets from extreme weather events, requiring advocacy for improved infrastructure and resiliency funding.

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

The Duwamish River restoration project is a perfect example of a “capital stack” combination of funding, including: state grants, local grants, public utilities grants, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant, King County Flood Control District funding, conservation fund dollars and funding from FEMA BRIC, a federal program now suspended by the administration.

Other grant applications for the evolving public-private partnership are pending.

The project team is hoping to enter a partnership with a pro sports team foundation that supports climate resilience in disadvantaged areas.

 

JOE SANCHEZ IS RUNNING FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 5

I STAND WITH THE LONGTIME SERVANT – WHO GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AS A SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR WHEN WAS A MIAMI CITY COMMISSIONER

I stand with Joe Sanchez — the People’s Commissioner — for Miami Dade County District 5.

I have been a proud resident of this district for a quarter century.

I also had the rare privilege of working the better part of a decade as Joe’s policy advisor with the City Of Miami.

I was proud when Joe Sanchez listed a few of the people-centered initiatives that we completed when he was a Miami Commissioner.

He could have listed dozens.

All embraced our diverse population and were done for people—not partisan politics.

Far more than 100 people stood shoulder-to-shoulder to support Joe Sanchez for Miami-Dade County Commissioner.

The lifelong public servant spoke from the heart about fighting corruption, reducing taxes, increasing, homeownership affordability

A packed house of diverse community members attended Joe Sanchez for Miami-Dade County Commissioner District 5 campaign kickoff this month.

The county commissioners robbed us of the democratic process when they appointed a person to the position.

We get to vote on who represent us in August 2026.

https://votejoesanchez.com/

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

In Seattle, Tahne Corcutt is leading Jacobs’ work on the Duwamish River, a heavily polluted waterway surrounded by Seattle’s industrial area.

The river also floods, further negatively impacting the city’s largest Hispanic community as well as lower-income, disadvantaged areas.

Jacobs is working with the U.S. EPA and other entities to restore habitat and remove contamination as part of the environmental justice project.

 

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

Tahne Corcutt, of the Jacobs engineering firm, said some cities may partner with private property owners who will benefit from flood protection or other resilient infrastructure.

Cities could also work with private property owners to raise building foundations out of the floodplain or to encourage less paved surface and more plants that are good at absorbing rainwater.

The Water Infrastructure and Innovation Act (WIFIA) is an EPA program that funds water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Minimum project size for large cities is $20 million and $5 million for small communities.

IT'S NOT EASY GOING GREEN

MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A                TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING

“The old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is so true with water and green infrastructure. It costs a lot less to avoid a problem than to pay to rebuild after the catastrophe,” said Tahne Corcutt, of the Jacobs engineering firm.

"[Resilient infrastructure] can create inclusive places where people want to come." 

Corcutt said as local and regional governments seek voter approval for levies, bond issues and loans, they must sell stakeholders on the value of green infrastructure.