ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – Alexandria could be one of many cities affected by a new federal proposal that would redefine what a metropolis is all about.
Back in January, the Office of Administration and Budget recommended downgrading 144 municipalities in 48 states from statistical metropolitan areas to micro-political targets. Alexandria and Hammond are the two Louisiana cities that are included.
Deborah Randolph, president of the central Louisiana regional chamber of commerce, said she opposed these changes. She said, “The Review Standards Committee claims that it is just a pretty meaningless statistical measurement, but we agree.”
The proposal is that only urban areas with 100,000 or more residents would retain their MSA status. This doubles the current status of 50,000 people that has existed for 70 years. Alexandria has an urban population of just over 80,000.
“Something that could be better from a federal standpoint is going to hurt small rural communities like us,” said Jeff Hall, Alexandria mayor. “Our chances of being successful would be far less than the current limit of 50,000. So we are definitely in favor of leaving it quantifiable as it is. “
Randolph said three dozen federal government-funded programs were tied to cities with the MSA designation, but if the proposal were adopted it would be taken away.
“It is CDBG, money to plan the organization and reimbursement of hospital expenses, which would be a devastating cut for our two acute care hospitals. So we are very concerned about it,” said Randolph.
Randolph said they submitted public comments against the proposal to the Bureau of Budget and Administration. Hospitals and other organizations in central Louisiana have also sent letters out about the impact of a change in regulations. Randolph has also asked US Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy to write a letter to OMB as well.
If the proposal is accepted, it would take a year for it to come into force. Randolph says they hope the programs will decouple if they go through so the affected communities don’t lose them.
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