CDFA's policy agenda represents a diverse cross section of development finance industry issues. In 2012, CDFA will focus on a variety of efforts that will maximize and improve the use of private activity bonds, advocate for energy financing programs and infrastructure, advocate for sound practices in the use of tax increment financing, and support federal financing programs.

This unique publication from CDFA provides the definitive argument for tax-exempt bond finance, which is a critical tool for American economic development and job creation. Using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, Built by Bonds demonstrates the proven efficiency of tax-exempt bonds by addressing topics that include the potentially $53 billion in lost issuance and by providing 150 snapshots--including job support numbers--of projects financed with tax-exempt bonds.

Tax-exempt bonds are facing a number of current threats, including market challenges and Congressional attacks. CDFA has launched an aggressive campaign to educate Congress on the vital importance of tax-exempt bonds. This campaign includes letter writing, case study collection and lobbying on Capitol Hill. Get involved today to help preserve tax-exempt bonds.

March 14, 2012

CDFA continues to aggressively work to preserve tax-exempt bonds and is currently organizing a Capitol Hill Day on Wednesday, March 14, 2012. Interested stakeholders from both the public and private sector are encouraged to attend to deliver a strong and unified message to our federal leadership. Click below to learn more and to sign-up for the first 2012 CDFA Capitol Hill Day.

Private Activity Bonds (PABs) represent one of the most effective financing tools used by state and local governments to support capital improvements and encourage private investment. Over the past three decades, PABs have spurred job creation, manufacturing expansion, infrastructure investment, renewable energy development, health care expansion, educational advancements, and a vast amount of local economic development growth.

CDFA is an advocate for the continued development of financing tools that support renewable energy production and infrastructure. However, the federal development finance toolbox for supporting local renewable energy projects has diminished, and new federal programming is necessary to spur ongoing investment in this industry.

Tax increment financing (TIF) is one of the most widely used forms of development finance today. CDFA has taken the lead nationally to bring the TIF industry together through the creation of the Tax Increment Finance Coalition (TIFC). The TIFC is a standing coalition within CDFA dedicated to professionals and organizations working in the tax increment finance industry. In developing the TIFC, CDFA becomes the first national organization to address TIF head on.

The federal government provides a wide variety of financing opportunities for state and local development finance needs. To support the ongoing ability of the federal government to offer these programs, CDFA has established priorities to support in 2012.

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This case study from Illinois is one example of the types of projects and companies that can now utilize industrial development bonds thanks to CDFA's expanded definition of manufacturing passed in 2009. CDFA supporters are urged to submit similar case studies of projects completed to demonstrate to Congress the importance of extending this provision beyond 2010.

February 19, 2009 - CDFA's legislation to expand the use of industrial development bonds (IDBs) for new technology manufacturing was signed into law by President Barack Obama as part of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009. This is a major legislative victory for CDFA and the entire development finance industry.

July 31, 2008 - President Bush signed the highly anticipated Housing Bill into law in July 2008. Included in the bill is a CDFA-supported provision allowing Federal Home Loan Bank members to issue letters of credit on tax-exempt industrial development bonds (IDBs). As part of the Council's legislative agenda, CDFA's legislative team had been actively working towards the passage of this legislation for over a year.

May 18, 2006 - After nearly two years of relentless lobbying and grassroots efforts, CDFA has succeeded in passing its number one legislative priority through the United States Congress when the Senate approved the final version of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005. Included in the final version of the tax bill is the Council's amendment accelerating an increase in the capital expenditure limit on IDBs from September 30, 2009 to December 31, 2006. The increase raises the capital expenditure limit from $10 million to $20 million.

October 11, 2004 - The US Senate passed significant legislation that reinforces CDFA's legislative efforts on improving the use of small issue industrial development bonds. As agreed to and passed by the House last week, the Senate today approved HR 4520 that effectively raises the capital expenditure limit on projects financed with industrial development bonds to $20 million starting in 2009.