1. Promoting an Equitable Recovery Radhika Fox Federal Policy Director PolicyLink July 21, 2009 Washington Women’s Area Foundation

2. About PolicyLink PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works ®.

3. Today’s Presentation The Economic Crisis Overview of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Why Local Advocacy Is Critical Promising Approaches to Equitable Implementation

4. The Economic Crisis The first quarter of 2009 saw a decline in gross domestic product at an annual rate of 5.5% after falling by 6.3% in the fourth quarter of 2008. The economy has lost 6.5 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007, and 3.4 million jobs in 2009 alone. The unemployed are out of a job for record lengths. Source: Center for American Progress: Economic Snapshot for July 2009

5. June Unemployment Rates National – 9.5% Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics African-Americans - 14.7% Hispanics - 12.2% Those without a high school degree - 15.5% Those with only a high school degree - 9.8% Source: Center for American Progress

6. Hit First and Worst People of color have been in a recession for nearly five years and have entered a depression during the current economic crisis. (State of the Dream 2009) The Economic Policy Institute reported that without a recovery package, Black and Hispanic unemployment rates could reach as high as 18.2% and 13.1% respectively in 2010 (versus a white unemployment rate of almost 9%).

7. Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 $787 billion

8. BillionsBillions Categories of Spending

9. Purposes and Principles

10. Transparency and Accountability

13. Advocacy & ARRA Why is advocacy important? – Implementation largely determined at the local and state level – Building capacity for engagement and shaping longer-term policy decisions

14. Advocacy and ARRA People - ensuring benefits for vulnerable communities Places – spatial distribution of dollars Projects - that support equitable outcomes Process – who decides

15. Continuum of Advocacy in ARRA Encouraging Application for Discretionary Grants Influencing Project Selection and Grant Proposals Coordination of Resources and Partnership Ensuring Job Creation and Workforce Training Measuring and Tracking Outcomes Transparency and Accountability for Equitable Implementation

16. Promising Approaches Advance integrated approaches to foster neighborhood transformation Green Impact Zone (Kansas City)

17. Promising Approaches Utilize short-term infusion of ARRA dollars to seed policy innovation Local hiring ordinance on building retrofits (Los Angeles)

18. Promising Approaches Coordinate state advocacy for maximum impact and coverage. California Green Stimulus Coalition

19. Promising Approaches Capitalize sustainable financing streams for the long-term. EECBG &Water programs

20. Contact Information Radhika Fox Federal Policy Director radhika@policylink.org 510-663-2333