[Date]
The Honorable Mike McGuire
Senate President Pro Tempore
1021 O Street, Suite 8518,
Sacramento, CA 95814
The Honorable Robert Rivas
Speaker California State Assembly
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0029
The Honorable Scott Wiener
Chair, Senate Committee
on Budget and Fiscal Review
1021 O Street, Suite 8630
Sacramento, CA 95814
The Honorable Jesse Gabriel
Chair, Assembly Committee
on Budget
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0046
RE: Protect Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP2.0) Program Funding in State Budget
Dear President Pro Tempore McGuire, Speaker Rivas, and Budget Chairs Skinner and Gabriel:
On behalf of [Organization], I urge the legislature to protect investments made to the Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP 2.0) program as you deliberate on the FY 2024-25 state budget. While we recognize the incredible budget challenge the legislature now faces, REAP 2.0 must be protected if we are to meet the state’s ambitious climate, housing, and mobility goals.
REAP 2.0 is a $600 million program intended to accelerate progress toward California’s climate and housing goals by strengthening partnerships between regional, local, county, and tribal governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations. REAP 2.0 is the only program specifically and exclusively designed to implement the regions’ Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS), as required by SB 375 (2008). For this reason, regions were empowered to develop programs that accelerate infill housing, support efforts for Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) and reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
The governor proposed a $300 million reversion of REAP 2.0 funds in his January budget. This proposal would be devastating to [organization]. For [organization], REAP would provide [fill in award amount and project description here.] Reducing or delaying funding will compromise our project’s integrity and have severe, negative impacts on [organization] and numerous others across Southern California. We ask that you reject the governor’s proposal to halve REAP 2.0 and protect this crucial program.
Thank you for considering [organization]’s perspective on REAP 2.0. Please contact [Contact Name], [Position], at [Contact Information] with any questions about this letter.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Title]
CC: Local State Assemblymember
Local State Senator
Southern California Association of Governments
Tip: Use this website to identify your local legislator https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
[Letterhead]