White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten was designated by the Bush Administration to meet with the Conference of Mayors during the 69th Winter Meeting.

Mr. Bolten, who will be responsible for policy in the new White House, attended the Advisory Board Dinner on January 18. The dinner, hosted by Advisory Board Chair Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, was attended by the Conference leadership.

Bolten served as Policy Director for Bush-Cheney 2000, was Executive Director, Legal & Government Affairs, for Goldman Sachs International in London from 1994 through March 1999, and served in President George H. W. Bush's administration for three years as General Counsel to the U.S. Trade Representative and one year as Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs.

Bolten spent extensive time talking with mayors during the reception prior to dinner, and then discussed priorities and the working relationship between the mayors and the Administration.

Bolten addressed reports that there would be no intergovernmental relations office in the White House. He said that in fact, the office would be moved under the policy operation, to bring state and local elected officials closer to the policy development process. Bolten stressed that the new office had "not been built yet" and that mayors would play an important role in defining its operation.

On the policy front, Bolten discussed four priorities on which he sees mutual interest.

First, on education he stressed that the Administration would support more funding with greater flexibility, but that greater accountability would be required.

Second, Bolten said that the Administration shares the belief that more should be done on drug control, with a particular focus on youth.

Third, he said that the Administration will support brownfields legislation and will work to reform laws which limit cleanup and redevelopment.

And fourth, Bolten said the Administration wants to increase homeownership and expand the use of Section 8 assistance.

Bolten also observed that President Bush is a "local government guy" having worked closely with local leaders in Texas.

During the following discussion with the mayors, Bolten responded to a question from Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins that the Administration would be developing a national energy policy.

Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory stated the desire of the mayors to work closely with the new Environmental Protection Agency under the leadership of Christine Todd Whitman on increasing regulatory flexibility.

Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer asked about the future of the HOPE VI program, and Bolten said that the Administration will continue to support funding.

In concluding his remarks, Bolten observed, "we are not your typical slash and burn Republican administration."

When asked by Providence Mayor Vincent Cianci what to expect in the way of an overall working relationship between mayors and the Administration, Bolten said that, "it will be even better" than that with the previous administration.