On Sept. 15, Mayor Richard J Kaplan flew to DC to meet with other Mayors on the Energy Bill coming up in the Senate, and to try to resolve an ongoing issue Lauderhill is having with the Miami HUD office.
Mayor Frank Ortis of Pembroke Pines joined Mayor Kaplan, and met with Senator Nelson and his staff, along with USCM staff on these issues. Subsequently, Mayor Ortis and Kaplan joined several other Mayors from around the country to meet with Senator Lugar, Kerry, Stabenow, and Begich on the Energy Bill. In all cases, specific reference was on extending the Federal Energy Block Grant to cities and provide further funding in the following years.
On Sept. 16, Mayor Kaplan and Lauderhill's Federal Lobbyist met with HUD officials running the Office of Public Housing and Voucher Program. Information was presented to them about the situation Lauderhill is facing. From this meeting several planned follow ups are expected, including contacting the Miami HUD office to explain why Lauderhill's Housing Authority is not controlling its vouchers yet. This requirement is mandated by federal law and regulation, absent a state law to the contrary. HUD officials assured they would follow up and investigate the matter.
Later in the day the Mayor and city lobbyist met with the staff of Congressman Hastings office and Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz, to ask they also be kept in the loop and request updates on the matter discussed with HUD.
Finally, a meeting took place with Senator LeMieux and staff, which also included USCM staff over both the Energy bill and the HUD situation.
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