Lt. Gov. Fisher could soon get chance to keep pledge

When Ohio’s lieutenant governor, Lee I. Fisher, came to Youngstown earlier this month and pledged that he and Gov. Ted Strickland would do everything in their power to ensure the Mahoning Valley gets its fair share of federal dollars to rehabilitate neighborhoods, we wonder if he knew the administration may soon be put to the test.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, have introduced legislation to provide $350 million to cities such as Youngstown that have experienced major population losses and high unemployment.

“Cities like Youngstown in my district that want to pick themselves up and begin growing again need help getting started,” said Ryan, whose 17th District includes a major portion of Mahoning County and all but a few communities in Trumbull County. “These funds and these programs would help cities become leaner and give them a chance to be competitive again in our national and global marketplace.”

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would select the cities, and that’s where the governor and lieutenant governor would come in. They would be expected to make sure that HUD does not establish rules and regulations governing the money that make it impossible for Youngstown to qualify.

There is reason for concern — given the federal agency’s recent action with regard to the allocation of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds. The money is designed to address housing problems, especially foreclosures. Although Youngstown’s 14.7 percent housing foreclosure rate, the highest of the large cities in Ohio, justified at least $10 million, the city only received $2.7 million in the initial allocation. When the state received another $116.9 million to distribute, Youngstown was left out in the cold.

Washington’s formula

The governor’s office offered the following explanation: “The federal government created a formula that places cities like Youngstown ... at a distinct disadvantage.”

HUD must not develop new requirements governing the money Sen. Brown and Congressman Ryan are arranging through the Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act without input from Youngstown officials.

Strickland and Fisher, who also is the state’s development director, would doubtless be in a position to convey to the federal government the importance of not allowing the power and influence of large cities to overwhelm Youngstown.

The money would be used to demolish vacant buildings, remove bad infrastructure and create new green space.

HUD would select 10 cities a year for three years beginning in 2010. Youngstown must be among the first 10. The federal and state governments owe it to this region — after the shabby way Youngstown was treated not too long ago.

When Lt. Gov. Fisher visited the Valley on Feb. 17, it was in response to the public outcry over the fact that the city was denied any of the supplemental money to address housing problems.

He met with local officials and community organizations that are working to rebuild older neighborhoods. And, he pledged that the Strickland administration would go to bat for the region if there were a new round of federal funding for cities.

The bill introduced by Brown and Ryan provides an opportunity for the administration to advocate for Youngstown and the Valley.