On July 15, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a USDA appropriations bill for FY 2011 that would increase funds for Section 502 direct and guaranteed loans. The Committee’s summary of the bill does not indicate whether it restores funding for rental preservation efforts, which were zeroed out in the Administration’s budget proposal. The bill includes $2.768 billion in discretionary budget authority for rural development programs and provides level funding for water and waste water, community facilities, business, renewable energy, and electric and telecommunications loans and grants. Read More…