ransportation, crime prevention and housing among topics covered
WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today met with Mayor Michael Nutter to discuss legislative priorities for the city of Philadelphia. In today’s meeting, held in Washington, DC, the two discussed transportation issues, crime prevention and housing.
“Mayor Nutter and I had a very productive meeting today about some of the pressing issues facing Philadelphia,” said Casey. “The Mayor and I are committed to seeing that the needs of the people of Philadelphia are represented in Washington and I look forward to continue working together.”
Senator Casey stressed that he is working hard to improve the safety of the transit system in Philadelphia. Last year, Senator Casey secured $656,600 in federal funding for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to improve its emergency communications system. The money, signed into law as part of the consolidated Appropriations spending bill, will help enable SEPTA to enhance the safety and security of the nation’s fifth largest public transportation system.
During the meeting, Senator Casey and Mayor Nutter spoke about the urgent need to increase money for crime prevention. Senator Casey has supported increased funding for a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. COPS helps state and local law enforcement agencies hire police officers. Congress funded these programs at $587 million for Fiscal Year 2008. The President’s current budget would eliminate funding for the program.
At today’s meeting, Senator Casey also emphasized that he is working to increase money for mortgage foreclosure counseling prevention. Senator Casey has been at the forefront of the congressional response to the subprime mortgage crisis. In addition to the $180 million secured by Senator Casey, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), the trio introduced the first major legislation to deal with the crisis. The Borrower’s Protection Act will provide funds for foreclosure prevention, crack down on bad actors in the mortgage industry and regulate mortgage brokers.
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“Mayor Nutter and I had a very productive meeting today about some of the pressing issues facing Philadelphia,” said Casey. “The Mayor and I are committed to seeing that the needs of the people of Philadelphia are represented in Washington and I look forward to continue working together.”
Senator Casey stressed that he is working hard to improve the safety of the transit system in Philadelphia. Last year, Senator Casey secured $656,600 in federal funding for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to improve its emergency communications system. The money, signed into law as part of the consolidated Appropriations spending bill, will help enable SEPTA to enhance the safety and security of the nation’s fifth largest public transportation system.
During the meeting, Senator Casey and Mayor Nutter spoke about the urgent need to increase money for crime prevention. Senator Casey has supported increased funding for a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. COPS helps state and local law enforcement agencies hire police officers. Congress funded these programs at $587 million for Fiscal Year 2008. The President’s current budget would eliminate funding for the program.
At today’s meeting, Senator Casey also emphasized that he is working to increase money for mortgage foreclosure counseling prevention. Senator Casey has been at the forefront of the congressional response to the subprime mortgage crisis. In addition to the $180 million secured by Senator Casey, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), the trio introduced the first major legislation to deal with the crisis. The Borrower’s Protection Act will provide funds for foreclosure prevention, crack down on bad actors in the mortgage industry and regulate mortgage brokers.
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