Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Blog

  • Celebrating the One Year Anniversary of Let’s Move! in Indian Country

    Posted by Charlie Galbraith on May 25, 2012 at 4:54 PM EDT

    First Lady Plants Garden with Native American Children

    First Lady Michelle Obama participates in a Garden Harvest Event with children and members of the American Indian community, in the White House Kitchen Garden on the South Lawn of the White House, June 3, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

    Over the past year Let’s Move! in Indian Country has worked with stakeholders across the country to help connect communities, schools and tribal leader to resources, funding, trainings and programs that will help improve the health of the next generation.  As a key component of the First Lady’s comprehensive initiative Let’s Move!, the Let’s Move! in Indian Country program focuses on the unique hurdles that American Indian and Alaska Native youth must overcome to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  In the first year, we have seen considerable progress and the First Lady and the Administration remain committed to building towards the ultimate goal of ending the epidemic of childhood obesity in Indian Country within a generation. 

    In order to recognize this progress and the great work of leaders across Indian Country, the White House will host a panel discussion of individuals whose work has helped build a healthier future American Indian and Alaska Native youth in one or more of the four pillars of Let’s Move! in Indian Country:

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  • A Revolution in Planning

    Posted by Mercedes Márquez on May 15, 2012 at 2:10 PM EDT

    It used to be that HUD would require more than 1,200 cities, counties and states to undergo a paper-based, time-intensive and costly planning process as a condition of receiving billions of dollars in federal funding. All of this changed on May 7, when the Office of Community Planning and Development at HUD launched the eCon Planning Suite, a set of tools using 21st Century data and technology to help communities make sure scarce federal dollars are targeted to where they are needed most and can achieve the biggest impact.  And on top of that, it’s estimated that this new approach will save state and local communities at least 65,000 staff hours each year and thousands of dollars in consultant fees.

    These new 21st Century tools will support communities in need-driven, place-based decision-making that will improve community and economic development outcomes – in short, targeting federal funds to the places that need it most.

    HUD Planning Demonstration

    Assistant Secretary Márquez demonstrates the eCon Planning Suite to community partners in Houston (Photo courtesy of HUD).

    HUD’s new approach to planning will also empower the public in a way we’ve never been able to before.  Imagine, anyone can log on to a new mapping tool (we call it CPD Maps) and see precisely where the need is in their neighborhoods, where investments have been made, and be more informed when they argue for their vision of where federal tax dollars ought to be targeted.  This is democracy in data!

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  • State Treasurers: Empowering Americans to Make Smart Financial Decisions

    Posted by James Schuelke on May 14, 2012 at 5:01 PM EDT

    Last week, the White House convened a Summit on Financial Capability and Empowerment to draw attention to the importance of financial education for all Americans.  Maryland State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, who sits on her state’s Coalition for Financial Literacy, moderated a panel that highlighted the work of community leaders.  Treasurer Kopp noted after the summit that, “schools, financial institutions and community groups all have the responsibility to improve financial literacy not only among our children but also families engaged in family budgeting, college savings and retirement.  Awareness certainly is important, but so are practical ways to ensure a stable financial foundation for all American families."

    Treasurer Kopp isn’t alone in this effort.  Rhode Island State Treasurer Gina Raimondo recently visited North Providence High School to mark the expansion of EverFi, Rhode Island’s web-based financial literacy program.  EverFi is used in 19 Rhode Island high schools and will soon spread to another 25 campuses.  This program is helping people build a sound economic foundation at an early age.   "Financial empowerment remains one of my top priorities and is critical to the preparedness and success of Rhode Island's high school students," Raimondo said. 

    Under Delaware State Treasurer Chip Flowers’ leadership, Delaware has created an Economic Index, which summarizes key state and national economic data in a clear and coherent way so that Delawareans can better understand their state’s finances.  Flowers’ office also issues a monthly Prosperity Portal which provides financial education resources for everyone from young adults and families to small businesses.  Attending college, caring for the elderly, getting married, and so many other key life moments can bring on great financial challenges.  That’s why Flowers’ office, like so many others, provides these types of helpful resources. 

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  • Iowa State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald: Let’s Invest in Our Youth- Don’t Double Their Rates

    Posted by James Schuelke on May 8, 2012 at 5:23 PM EDT

    If Congress doesn’t act by July 1st, interest rates on federal subsidized loans will double and the average student will accumulate an additional $1,000 in debt.  We’re pleased that despite failing to address it in their budget, Republicans in Congress now profess to be concerned about this coming rate hike. But now it’s time for them to stop refighting old political battles and prove they’re serious by proposing a real solution to keep rates low for students without burdening middle class families or undercutting preventive health care for women.  Higher education can’t be a luxury for just a few, it’s an economic imperative which leads to better jobs and a strong middle class. 

    Iowa State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, who oversees his state’s important College Savings program, understands that students need help now more than ever.  That’s why he spoke out in a recent letter to the editor published in the Oskaloosa News and the Newton Independent.  Treasurer Fitzgerald wrote:

    I recently had the opportunity to visit with President Obama when he was in Iowa over concerns with the potential interest rate hike for student loans.  It became apparent as I was listening to him that the President and I share one very strong belief.  We need to help young people and their families make college affordable. 

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  • President Obama Joins Elected Officials and Student Leaders to Urge #DontDoubleMyRate

    Posted by David Agnew on May 8, 2012 at 1:25 PM EDT

    This afternoon, President Obama joined elected officials and student leaders from colleges and universities across the country on a phone call to discuss the effort to prevent interest rates on more than 7 million students’ loans from doubling on July 1, unless Congress takes action.

    During the call, mayors, governors and other officials were joined in their offices by local students to hear the President’s message and they tweeted out messages to echo his call to keep college affordable for all Americans. You can see photos from those on the call below or at Storify.com.

    Learn more about the President’s efforts here and join in the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #DontDoubleMyRate.

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  • Director Richard Cordray Invites Local Leaders to Partner with CFPB in Protecting Consumers

    Posted by David Agnew on May 2, 2012 at 12:55 PM EDT

    On Tuesday, I joined Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray and state and local officials from across the country for a Local Leaders Call to discuss how the CFPB is working to protect consumers and make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans.

    Director Cordray, who previously served as Franklin County Ohio Treasurer, Ohio State Representative, Ohio State Treasurer and Ohio State Attorney General, spoke about his experiences as a state and local official and the importance of the CFPB partnering with local enforcement organizations to prevent predatory lenders from taking advantage of the American people.

    He also discussed the Bureau’s work to protect students and veterans and highlighted the Executive Order that President Obama signed on Friday to crack down on bad actors who prey on veterans and servicemembers considering higher education.

    You can find out more about the CFPB at www.consumerfinance.gov or by following the agency on Twitter at @CFPB.

    David Agnew is Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Deputy Assistant to the President

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