Federal Impacts
How Can YOU Help Protect Federal Grants?
Grant programs from all agencies, including those coming out of the U.S. Department of Transportation grants (USDOT), may be frozen or even taken back due to perceived inconsistency with new guidance from the Trump administration. The new guidance will also change the eligibilities and criteria for future rounds of grants.
Here's What You Can Do
Understand What's Changing
Federal grants used by planners, including some already awarded, are being reviewed for compliance with new Executive Orders and guidance, especially around climate change and equity requirements. Agencies are particularly reviewing grants that have been awarded but are not fully contracted or "obligated" yet. These grants are the most vulnerable to changes.
Additionally, new guidance is being issued on what proposed projects will be acceptable under new rules. Existing grants may still be approved, but they may have to show that they have adapted to the new guidance. A lesser focus on aspects like climate change or equity and a greater emphasis on economic impacts may help advance proposals in light of new criteria.
Use Your Voice
Congressional offices, including those supportive of the administration's action, can benefit from understanding the local impacts of grant changes and can be powerful voices with agency political leadership.
Engaging with your congressional delegation is increasingly effective in ensuring agencies use their legal discretion in ways that recognize the local benefits of grants.
What Do I Say To My Representative?
The most direct way to take action is to call your representatives. Here are some tips for what you should say to communicate the importance of federal support for local planning efforts:
- Call your representatives regularly. If a grant award in your community is under review, call your representatives at every level of government regularly. This will help them understand the urgency of your request and help you to build a relationship with your representatives.
Connect With Your Federal Representatives - Emphasize the local impact and benefits. Ensure your congressional delegation understands how a particular grant will impact your community, district, and state.
- Urge agency leaders to obtain grants as quickly as they can. Fully obligated/contracted grants are much safer from changes.
- Ensure agencies also understand the value and political support for these projects. Ask your congressional members to communicate the real-world benefits behind these grants to agencies. We are seeing evidence that this kind of subtle Capitol Hill to agency outreach helps protect funding.
- Tell your story. As a planner, this is your time to tell the story of your plans and projects. Congressional members need to hear from you on the impact and benefit of grants on the local level.
Stay Prepared
Communities planning to apply for discretionary funds this year should start gathering materials now in preparation for quick application turnaround windows. Lean on technical assistance resources for guidance and focus on the big picture.
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