support park and recreation agencies across the country on a range of issues. I have often found that resolutions are easier to adhere to and sustain when shared with others. Will you join me in these goals and resolutions? New Year's Top Ten Resolutions for Public Policy New congressional champions for park and recreation issues. New members equal new opportunities. 1 2 Return to the regular budget process. It serves park and recreation agencies better when Congress passes appropriations bills instead of scrambles to pass continuing resolutions or omnibus spending bills. 3 Reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. LWCF expires in September, and its State Assistance Program funds state and community park and recreation projects across America. 4 Reauthorization of MAP-21/ Transportation Bill. This expires in May and serves as the primary source of federal funding for active transportation, such as bicycle and pedestrian projects. 5 Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act. This act expires in September and authorizes the funding for critical USDA after-school and summer feeding programs. 6 Reintroduction/Passage of the Personal Health Investment Today Act. PHIT would allow use of pretax dollars in Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts for physical activity expenses, such as fitness facility, sports leagues and exercise class fees. 7 Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. This act authorizes funding for health and welfare programs for older individuals, Exercise Program and Walk with Ease Interventions. We will need your help to put these important policy goals into action and to see the resolutions fulfilled. To work toward this, we will provide educational tools and NRPA will hold more public policy-related webinars this year and provide congressional site visit toolkits for some of the critical legislative issues to help guide you through the process of building and strengthening your relationships with your senators and representatives. such as senior center modernizations, chronic disease management and falls prevention. 8 Reintroduction/Passage of the Community Parks and Revitalization Act. CPR provides matching grants for park and recreation infrastructure in metropolitan areas and includes innovative financing for park infrastructure. 9 Reintroduction/Passage of No Child Left Inside. This act would strengthen and expand environmental education in classrooms by providing funds to encourage partnerships between school districts and parks. 10 Continued funding for the CDC Arthritis Program in the HHS/Labor/Ed Appropriations. This program provides funding for the sub-awards given to community park and recreation agencies to implement the Arthritis Foundation resources to make it easier for you to advocate with your Congressional leaders. NRPA will hold more public policy-related webinars this year and provide congressional site visit toolkits for some of the critical legislative issues to help guide you through the process of building and strengthening your relationships with your senators and representatives. Go to www.nrpa.org/advocacy and click on the Congressional Visit Toolkit to help you prepare to host a congressional member at your summer or after-school feeding programs. Let's make 2015 a year to remember with resolutions fulfilled. To quote the English author Edith Lovejoy Pierce, " We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. " Sage Learn is NRPA's Government Affairs Manager (slearn@nrpa.org). W W W. N R PA . O R G | J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 5 | Parks & Recreation 25