The National League of Cities (NLC) wraps up its annual congressional conference today after three days of meetings with municipal officials, members of congress and the President discussing issues facing cities and how to support America’s economy. NLC leaders called on the President to do more to support job growth in America.
NLC leaders highlighted the tough circumstances facing municipalities today and underscored the need for funding through programs like Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and workforce training initiatives.
Five cities were also honored for their work to increase cultural diversity. Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; Dubuque, Iowa; Arlington, Virginia; Irvine, California and Phoenix, Arizona were noted for their diversity programs by the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.
The organization also unveiled its federal priorities for 2012 including comprehensive transportation authorization, preserving funds for hometown investment, protecting local sources of revenue and investing in our nation’s youth and workforce. The organization recently published new economic research which shows that despite slight improvements in economic conditions in many municipalities, city revenue remains stagnant and layoffs of city workers has continued unabated since 2008 despite increased demand for city services.
“Both the federal government and local officials need to find ways to partner that will lay down a framework to allow for local growth and to make the nation competitive for years to come,” said Ted Ellis, mayor of Bluffton, IN and president of NLC.
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