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NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES
(Formerly American Municipal Association)
CITY BUILDING, 1612 K STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D. C., 20006
NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
January 12, 1967
THE 90TH CONGRESS
The Tone ~ go slow
A cautious and conciliatory President Johnson presented his fifth State of the Union
message to Congress Tuesday night. The new Congress had already indicated its mood
by denying one of its members a seat and by selecting some conservatives for leader-
ship positions.
Congress responded quickly to the mild "Guns and Butter" Administration program. In
the face of a proposal to raise income taxes (less than enough to balance the budget)
prevailing Congressional attitude seemed to favor reducing the already minimal funding
of meny domestic programs, The recommended 6% income surtax received polite support at best.
Nevertheless, cities have reason to be cautiously optimistic, While neither the Pres-
ident's message nor the Congressional response represented a strong conviction that
there is urgency in attacking the obvious "Crisis of the Cities," the President did
state his support of a number of essential federal-urban programs,
e Mission - retreat and regroup
OP LE ES
As lawmakers returned to Washington they were admonished by Senate Majority Leader Mike
Mansfield not to anticipate many new Administration proposals but to concentrate on a
"major re-examination" of existing programs, This followed on the heels of demands by
Democratic Governors to slow the pace set by the 89th Congress.
The President agreed. As the first of his four steps "to carry forward our progress"
the President said, "We must see to it that these new programs work effectively...»
Every program will be thoroughly evaluated. Grant-in-aid programs will be improved
and simplified,..."
The President stated a frequently heard complaint that could further delay additional
federal commitments to meet urban area needs,
Each State, county and city needs to examine its capacity for government
in today's world. Some will need to reorganize and reshape their methods
of administration--as we are doing. Others will need to revise their con-
Stitutions and their laws to bring them up to date--as we are doing. Above
all, we must find ways in which the multitudes of small jurisdictions can
be brought together more efficiently.
The Commitment - "to continue to build a better America"
a ered
The President rededicated the Administration to the support of a number of programs of
‘mary interest to cities:
"I recommend we intensify our efforts to give the poor a chance to join
(over)
atm
; the Nation's progress...-I urge special methods and special funds to reach
Americans trapped in the ghettos of our cities = and through Head Start to
reach out to our young children."
"We should transform our decaying slums into places of decency through the
landmark Model Cities Program. I intend to seek for this effort the full.
amount Congress authorized last year."
"We should call upon the genius of private industry and the most advanced
technology to help rebuild our cities."
"We should vastly expand the fight for clean air with a total attack on pol-
lution at its source..."
"We should carry to every corner of the Nation our campaign for a Beautiful
America - creating more parks, more seashores, and more open spaces...."
The Safe Streets and Crime Control Act of 1967 = the one major new proposal
In contrast to the rhetorical treatment of other 'rban problems and programs, the President
spelled out details of an "allout effort to attack crime." The President proposed federal
grants to state and local communities of
~90% of the cost of developing state and local plans to combat crime,
~60% of the cost of training new tactical units, developing instant
communications and special alarm systems, and introducing the latest
2quipment and techniques to combat crime,
-50% of the cost of crime laboratories and police academy-type centers
to assure the best-trained equipped police, and
"We will recommend new methods to prevent juvenile deliquents from be-
coming adult delinquents. We will seek new partnerships with States and
cities to deal with the narcotics problem-"
Congressional Leadership Shifts
In the Senate, conservative Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) defeated Pennsylvania liberal Joseph
S, Clarke by a vote of 35-28 for the position of Secretary of the Senate Democratic Con-
ference, the third-ranking Democratic leaaership position in the Senate.
California’s conservative junior Senator, George Murphy, defeated Hugh Scott, Pennsylvania
moderate, for chairmanship of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.
The death of Rep. John E. Fogarty (D-R.I.) on the opening day represents a severe blow to
supporters of health legislation. Forgary has been chairmen of the House Appropriations
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Education and Welfare.
Rep. Carl D. Perkins (D-Ky.) succeeds Adam Clayton Powell (D-N.Y.) as chairman of the House
Education and Labor Committee. Perkins has been a strong supporter of Administration leg-
islation during the 89th Congress.
roy Rules - another debate
The Senate started its work this week with its annual debate over amending Rule 22, the
cloture procedure for ending filibusters, The Rule is not likely to be altered this
year. Debate will continue into next week.
House leadership lost an opening day skirmish when the House refused to retain the 21-day
rule adopted by the 89th Congress, That rule permits the Speaker to call upon a legis-
lative committee to call up a bill favorably reported if the bill had not been considered
by the House Rules Committee with 21 days. This could result in a showdown or blocking
of key Administration legislation, House leaders have another ace to play -- the Rules
Committee may have two liberals added to its membership to outvote its current conserva-
tive alignment headed by its new chairman William M. Colmer ( D-Miss.), Colmer replaced
Howard W, Smith (D-Va.) who was not returned to Congress,
Coming Up
The Senate Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations (Muskie, Chm.) will resume hearings
on the effectiveness of grant-in-aid programs, Governors will appear the last week in
January. Local government spokesmen will testify February 6,7 and 9.
House Ways and Means Committee (Mills, Chm.) will open its activity with consideration of
Social Security Amendments, It will not get to the proposed income tax increase until
early April,
President's budget message is expected to reach Congress about January 24. Details
ot State of the Union recommendations should start flowing to the Congress about the
same time.
Senate Subcommittee on Air and Water Pollution (Muskie, Chm.) will hold hearings on
automotive air pollution during February in Los Angeles, Denver, and Detroit, Other
hearings in New York and Washington and other cities will be scheduled later,
(Formerly American Municipal Association)
CITY BUILDING, 1612 K STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D. C., 20006
NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
January 12, 1967
THE 90TH CONGRESS
The Tone ~ go slow
A cautious and conciliatory President Johnson presented his fifth State of the Union
message to Congress Tuesday night. The new Congress had already indicated its mood
by denying one of its members a seat and by selecting some conservatives for leader-
ship positions.
Congress responded quickly to the mild "Guns and Butter" Administration program. In
the face of a proposal to raise income taxes (less than enough to balance the budget)
prevailing Congressional attitude seemed to favor reducing the already minimal funding
of meny domestic programs, The recommended 6% income surtax received polite support at best.
Nevertheless, cities have reason to be cautiously optimistic, While neither the Pres-
ident's message nor the Congressional response represented a strong conviction that
there is urgency in attacking the obvious "Crisis of the Cities," the President did
state his support of a number of essential federal-urban programs,
e Mission - retreat and regroup
OP LE ES
As lawmakers returned to Washington they were admonished by Senate Majority Leader Mike
Mansfield not to anticipate many new Administration proposals but to concentrate on a
"major re-examination" of existing programs, This followed on the heels of demands by
Democratic Governors to slow the pace set by the 89th Congress.
The President agreed. As the first of his four steps "to carry forward our progress"
the President said, "We must see to it that these new programs work effectively...»
Every program will be thoroughly evaluated. Grant-in-aid programs will be improved
and simplified,..."
The President stated a frequently heard complaint that could further delay additional
federal commitments to meet urban area needs,
Each State, county and city needs to examine its capacity for government
in today's world. Some will need to reorganize and reshape their methods
of administration--as we are doing. Others will need to revise their con-
Stitutions and their laws to bring them up to date--as we are doing. Above
all, we must find ways in which the multitudes of small jurisdictions can
be brought together more efficiently.
The Commitment - "to continue to build a better America"
a ered
The President rededicated the Administration to the support of a number of programs of
‘mary interest to cities:
"I recommend we intensify our efforts to give the poor a chance to join
(over)
atm
; the Nation's progress...-I urge special methods and special funds to reach
Americans trapped in the ghettos of our cities = and through Head Start to
reach out to our young children."
"We should transform our decaying slums into places of decency through the
landmark Model Cities Program. I intend to seek for this effort the full.
amount Congress authorized last year."
"We should call upon the genius of private industry and the most advanced
technology to help rebuild our cities."
"We should vastly expand the fight for clean air with a total attack on pol-
lution at its source..."
"We should carry to every corner of the Nation our campaign for a Beautiful
America - creating more parks, more seashores, and more open spaces...."
The Safe Streets and Crime Control Act of 1967 = the one major new proposal
In contrast to the rhetorical treatment of other 'rban problems and programs, the President
spelled out details of an "allout effort to attack crime." The President proposed federal
grants to state and local communities of
~90% of the cost of developing state and local plans to combat crime,
~60% of the cost of training new tactical units, developing instant
communications and special alarm systems, and introducing the latest
2quipment and techniques to combat crime,
-50% of the cost of crime laboratories and police academy-type centers
to assure the best-trained equipped police, and
"We will recommend new methods to prevent juvenile deliquents from be-
coming adult delinquents. We will seek new partnerships with States and
cities to deal with the narcotics problem-"
Congressional Leadership Shifts
In the Senate, conservative Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) defeated Pennsylvania liberal Joseph
S, Clarke by a vote of 35-28 for the position of Secretary of the Senate Democratic Con-
ference, the third-ranking Democratic leaaership position in the Senate.
California’s conservative junior Senator, George Murphy, defeated Hugh Scott, Pennsylvania
moderate, for chairmanship of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.
The death of Rep. John E. Fogarty (D-R.I.) on the opening day represents a severe blow to
supporters of health legislation. Forgary has been chairmen of the House Appropriations
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Education and Welfare.
Rep. Carl D. Perkins (D-Ky.) succeeds Adam Clayton Powell (D-N.Y.) as chairman of the House
Education and Labor Committee. Perkins has been a strong supporter of Administration leg-
islation during the 89th Congress.
roy Rules - another debate
The Senate started its work this week with its annual debate over amending Rule 22, the
cloture procedure for ending filibusters, The Rule is not likely to be altered this
year. Debate will continue into next week.
House leadership lost an opening day skirmish when the House refused to retain the 21-day
rule adopted by the 89th Congress, That rule permits the Speaker to call upon a legis-
lative committee to call up a bill favorably reported if the bill had not been considered
by the House Rules Committee with 21 days. This could result in a showdown or blocking
of key Administration legislation, House leaders have another ace to play -- the Rules
Committee may have two liberals added to its membership to outvote its current conserva-
tive alignment headed by its new chairman William M. Colmer ( D-Miss.), Colmer replaced
Howard W, Smith (D-Va.) who was not returned to Congress,
Coming Up
The Senate Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations (Muskie, Chm.) will resume hearings
on the effectiveness of grant-in-aid programs, Governors will appear the last week in
January. Local government spokesmen will testify February 6,7 and 9.
House Ways and Means Committee (Mills, Chm.) will open its activity with consideration of
Social Security Amendments, It will not get to the proposed income tax increase until
early April,
President's budget message is expected to reach Congress about January 24. Details
ot State of the Union recommendations should start flowing to the Congress about the
same time.
Senate Subcommittee on Air and Water Pollution (Muskie, Chm.) will hold hearings on
automotive air pollution during February in Los Angeles, Denver, and Detroit, Other
hearings in New York and Washington and other cities will be scheduled later,