[NYSRPS Member] NRPA Post-Election Update: November 8, 2006

[otownrec at aol.com]

Legislative Updates from NRPA Public Policy - Washington, DC



Although all the election results are not in yet, and the control of 
the Senate still hangs in the balance, it is clear that the remarkable 
gains by Democrats in the 2006 midterm Congressional elections mean 
that a sea-change in underway in American politics. What this will mean 
for parks and recreation at the local, state, and national level is not 
completely clear at this early writing, but there are some undeniable 
conclusions that can be drawn even now.

Key House committee chairmanships will change

There are a number of House committees that are very important to parks 
and recreation at the national level because of their authority over 
budgets, programs, policy, and legislation. Among the most important 
are:

* House Appropriations Committee, and especially the House Interior, 
Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations subcommittee, and the 
Labor HHS and Education Subcommittee
* House Resources Committee and related subcommittees such as the 
National Park Subcommittee
* House Education and the Workforce Committee
* House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and related 
subcommittees such as TT&I
* House Budget Committee
* House Energy, Commerce and Health, and related Subcommittees
What does it mean for parks and recreation?

Clearly, the change in chairs of these key committees will mean that 
there will be new opportunities for NRPA to advance a national agenda 
for parks and recreation. In addition, new chairmen will have new 
priorities. New alliances will be created and new relationships among 
the chairs, their staffs, the Senate, and the Executive Branch will be 
developed. New lines of power and authority will be developed, which 
will give advocates for parks, recreation, and conservation new avenues 
to advance our agenda and priorities.

The Leadership of the House will change when the 110th Congress Convenes

Unless there are significant surprises, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will become 
the Speaker of the House, a powerful position that controls what 
legislative proposals are advanced and what legislation is not. Steny 
Hoyer (D-MD) is positioned to become Majority Whip. Other leadership 
posts are not certain yet, but some will be likely to be filled by 
those who were seen as architects of the election victory. In addition 
to the change in leadership posts, there will be new rules of operation 
adopted in the House, and other procedural changes that come with new 
leadership.

What does it mean for parks and recreation?

New priorities will be set by the incoming leadership team, and thus 
there will be new timetables for legislation. New procedures may mean 
that there is a better chance for certain legislation that was stalled 
or ignored under Republican leadership. Under the departing Republican 
leadership, for example, the "Hastert Rule" was observed meaning that 
no legislation went forward unless it was supported by majority of the 
majority. Under these procedures, little legislation advanced by the 
Democrats ever saw the light of day. The new procedures and new 
processes will determine pace of legislation, what gets priority for 
floor time, how and when a legislator can influence specific 
legislation, and what stands a chance for passage and what doesn’t. 
Many NRPA legislative and policy priorities may have new life under 
Democratic leadership. It is our task to quickly engage the new 
leadership in making them their priorities.

Key Members of the House and Senate were Defeated

A fairly large number of House and Senate members were defeated, some 
whom we will not be sorry to see depart, and others who were staunch 
and reliable friends of parks and recreation. In Ohio, Senator Mike 
Dewine, a moderate Republican who was highly respected by park and 
recreation advocates in Ohio and nationwide went down to a resounding 
defeat. Senator Lincoln Chaffee, equally respected and appreciated for 
his support for parks, recreation, and conservation in Rhode Island was 
also defeated. Each of these well-liked and respected members were the 
recipient of the NRPA Congressional Award, Senator Dewine in 2005, and 
Senator Chaffee in 2002. Although it has not been called at this 
writing, Sen. Conrad Burns, a true defender of the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund, appears to be headed for defeat in MT. Other 
Republican House members who were defeated and who were considered good 
friends of parks and recreation include Reps. Nancy Johnson of CT, 
Charlie Bass of NH, Jeb Bradley of NH, Mike Fitzpatrick of PA, and 
others.

On the other side of this equation, the departure of Charles Taylor 
(R-NC) chair of the powerful House Interior Appropriations subcommittee 
cannot be considered anything less than good news. His unyielding 
opposition to providing funds for the LWCF state assistance program led 
this once robust matching federal grant program to near elimination. 
Equally, the departure of Richard Pombo (R-CA), chair of the House 
Resources Committee, will be welcomed especially by advocates for 
conservation of natural resources and open space.



What does it mean for parks and recreation?

Quite a few good friends and supporters of parks and recreation on the 
Republican side went down to defeat, and this is truly a loss to the 
cause of parks and recreation at the national level. The impact of the 
loss of these moderate R’s who were able to cross the aisle is yet to 
be determined. While we have a hope and expectation that the D’s who 
will replace them will support a solid national agenda for parks and 
recreation, livable communities, health and wellness, and sound 
transportation policy, we just don’t know yet what their priorities 
are, and how firmly they will support our priorities. Once again, it is 
our challenge to make our priorities their priorities.

Charles Taylor’s defeat and subsequent status as a lame duck on the way 
out means that his preferences and priorities are not as likely to 
guide appropriations for the yet to be conferenced 2007 budget, but he 
may be able to do incalculable mischief before he leaves office. Again, 
we must be on guard and proactive as the lame duck session convenes, 
especially for LWCF stateside which comes under his committee’s purview.

Likewise, Richard Pombo’s defeat and lame duck status may have a 
significant effect on the chances to pass S. 3711, the Gulf of Mexico 
Energy Independence Act, and the planned dedication of 12.5% of royalty 
revenues to the LWCF.

Issues of Importance to Voters in this Election

Although not indicated as of paramount importance in exit polling, 
environmental issues, especially those relating to energy use, energy 
dependence, the high cost of gasoline and heating oil, global warming, 
and endangered species conservation did play an important part in some 
key races.



What it means to parks and recreation?

The Democratic agenda is not fully formed so soon after the election. 
In the coming weeks and months, however, these issues and others 
relating to livable communities, health and livability, and policies 
that support children’s nutrition, access and services to persons with 
disabilities, and care of the elderly will all come to the fore. 
Advocates for parks and recreation need to be positioned and active in 
educating members, advancing policies, and helping to set priorities.

State-Level Issues in Play in the 2006 Elections

The swing of the governor’s races was very large to the Democrats, and 
may have certain long term effects in future years, particularly as 
redistricting occurs. The Democrats held on to 14 states and took 6 
 from Republican control. The tipping of the balance will mean 
interesting new dynamics in local, state, and federal relations.

Some state level issues relating to parks and open space were critical 
in some states, such as the referendum in MD to restrict the power of 
the Governor to sell state parkland and open space without express 
approval of the state legislature. This constitutional ballot question 
was stimulated by an unsavory land deal that came to light in which the 
Governor attempted to justify selling 800 acres of state forest land to 
a wealthy developer in a deal that largely seen as unethical and 
inappropriate. The ballot question passed with an overwhelming 84% 
approval rate.

A number of other state and local land conservation bills were on 
ballots, as well as eminent domain and private property rights 
initiatives in at least 8 states. NRPA will report further on the 
status of state level issues in the 2006 elections.

What it means to parks and recreation?

Emerging state level issues have the power to influence the outcome of 
not only state and local elections, but in some cases, have a bearing 
on the outcome of national elections. The private property rights 
campaigns have already negatively affected state land use planning and 
open space conservation in several states, and these initiatives are 
expected to increase in coming election cycles despite losses in some 
states. The impact of other emerging state issues such as gun-carry 
bills, wetlands protection laws, and health and wellness legislation 
just to name a few, is unknown at this time, but these issues will be 
analyzed and reported on.

Issues to be Resolved in the Post Election Period and the Lame Duck 
Session of the 109th Congress

One of the biggest questions raised by the election results relate to 
what will happen in the planned lame duck session of Congress scheduled 
to begin next week. Will the Democrats quietly allow the Republicans to 
pass the 11 outstanding appropriations bills for the 2007 fiscal year, 
or will they throw a wrench in the works and try to stall passage of 
appropriations bills till the new Congress convenes in January? At this 
writing, control of the Senate hangs in the balance. Will the Democrats 
gain the 6 seats they needed to take control of both the House and the 
Senate? Just how much will President Bush be willing to work with the 
new Democratic majority? In his post election press conference, he 
indicated some willingness to do that by saying, the elections show 
that "people expect us to work together." Whether he and the chastened 
Republican minority in the House will in fact do so remains to be seen.

What does it mean for parks and recreation?

These as yet unresolved issues are critical for advocates of parks and 
recreation, and if any message should be taken from the election 
results, it is that our continued advocacy is vitally important. 
Critical priorities remain—funding for LWCF stateside in 2007. The 
President proposed to terminate the program and the House approved the 
budget for zero funding. We must gain champions in the House and work 
the Senate Appropriations Committee and Interior Appropriations 
subcommittee. Additionally, NRPA has major funding, policy, and 
legislative priorities for healthy lifestyles, urban parks and 
recreation, transportation policy and funding, and more. We need to not 
rest on our laurels, but to redouble efforts to make our voices heard.

Opportunities and Challenges

If these election results tell us anything, it is that our advocacy and 
action are needed more than ever. We need to get to the new Congress as 
soon as possible with our messages and proposals. We need to let them 
know how important our priorities are to their future success. We have 
a unique opportunity to shape the new agenda, and we need to engage our 
citizens and professionals alike in this effort.

Perhaps the best way to engage in support of the national agenda for 
parks and recreation and to influence outcomes for years to come is to 
attend the 2007 National Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation, 
February 14-16, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC. Join the 
nearly 500 advocates for parks and recreation from across the country 
to take our message to the Hill. Our collective voice is needed more 
than ever, and the challenge is as great as it has ever been. For more 
information on the 2007 Legislative Forum, go to the NRPA website at 
www.nrpa.org Tell us about what happened in your state, and what you 
think it means for parks and recreation. Members from across the 
country have already started sharing their analyses, and we want to 
share the lessons learned and the opportunities that were created. 
Please contact the staff of the Public Policy office of NRPA at 
202-887-0290 or email:

Rich Dolesh, Director of Public Policy, rdolesh at nrpa.org



www.nrpa.org Tell us about what happened in your state, and what you 
think it means for parks and recreation. Members from across the 
country have already started sharing their analyses, and we want to 
share the lessons learned and the opportunities that were created. 
Please contact the staff of the Public Policy office of NRPA at 
202-887-0290 or email:

Rich Dolesh, Director of Public Policy, rdolesh at nrpa.org

rdolesh at nrpa.orgMonica Vinluan, Senior Policy Associate, 
mvinluan at nrpa.org

mvinluan at nrpa.orgMike Phillips, Policy and Advocacy Specialist, 
mphillips at nrpa.org  



mphillips at nrpa.org  

 
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