Agenda - Council - 11/25/1980 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

JA~VlES L. OBERSTAR PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES November 17, 1980 326 CANNON HOUSE OFP'~CE BUILDING, WASHING,TON, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-621 I (218) 727-7474 (612) 421-8862 Honorable Thomas G. Gamec Mayor City of Ramsey 15153 Nowthen Boulevard, N.W. Ramsey, Minnesota 55303 Dear Mayor Gamec: 'I am pleased to report t~at the House of Representatives voted to extend the Revenue Sharing program. H.R. 7112, the State and Local Fiscal Assis- tance Act Amendments of 1980, passed by an overwhelming vote of 345-23 on November 13. The %rlde margin of the vote clearly demonstrates the exceptional success revenue sharing has had for local governments. Nearly every local govern- mental organization in our district has expressed its support for the continuation of the program. The legislation continues local revenue sharing at its existing $4.6 billion level for three years, through fiscal year 1983. The bill authorizes revenue sharing funds for the States in 1982 and 1983, subject to the appropriations process each fiscal year. However, the final amount of revenue sharing funds each State would receive will be limited to the amount of Federal categorical funds it returns t6 the U.S. Treasury. The practical advantage of the Revenue Sharing program is that it allows the local communities to decide for themselves how taxpayer dollars should be spent. Since the program's implementation in 1972, the State of Minnesota has received $1.2 billion in funding, of which $800 million went directly to local governments. Most communities direct these monies to essential governmental services -- police protection, fire protection and road maintenance. I will continue work/n§ hard to guarantee that these basic governmental services are efficiently delivered. Again, thank you for your support. I will be back in touch w~th you, once the Senate has acted on this legislation. With best w~shes. Sincerely, J~e~s L. Oberstar, M C