RE-COMMIT AMERICA TO NATIONAL PRIORITIES FOR
AMERICA’S WORKING FAMILIES
WHEREAS, Congress and the Administration have
proposed a FY 2005 budget which would significantly cut or underfund programs
of national priority for America’s working families in the areas of housing,
education, and health care; and
WHEREAS, at the same time, our leaders have committed
the nation to a war in Iraq that has and will cost the nation’s present and
future taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, America’s working families, particularly
those that are poor and of moderate income, continue to struggle financially making
wages that are little or no higher in real terms than those of 30 years ago
(Real hourly wages for male workers in the bottom 20th percentile
was $9.70 in 1973 but it is $9.22 in 2003; for women, $6.62 in 1973 and $7.94
in 2003); and
WHEREAS, in 2002 the average annual household income
of families in the bottom fifth was only $9,990; the second fifth, $25,400; and
the third fifth $42,802; yet in the 1990s, more than half of families in these
quintiles remained in the same income quintile or fell to a lower one; and
WHEREAS, one quarter of the workforce—28 million
people—made less than $9.04/hr in 2003; and many of these are the fighting men
and women of our armed services; and
WHEREAS, continued global competition faced by the
U.S. economy will result in downward wage pressures for many American families,
particularly the 60% of America’s families who make less than $42,802 annually,
many of whom are families with breadwinners serving in the armed services,
reserves, or national guard; and
WHEREAS, current federal programs are insufficient to
adequately assist families who lose jobs due to global competition; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Housing and Urban
Development has administratively capped Section 8 housing vouchers at a time
when the nation is facing an affordable housing crisis in many of its major
metropolitan areas; and
WHEREAS, in a 2003 survey, the American Society of
Civil Engineers gave the condition of the nation’s infrastructure a “D” or
failing grade in nine of twelve categories; and
WHEREAS, the Administration and Congress have not
honored the commitment to federally fund 40% of special needs education and to
fully fund Head Start or the No Child Left Behind Act; and
WHEREAS, most of America’s families find it
increasingly difficult to fund college for their children; and
WHEREAS, 41 million Americans, many of them children,
have no health insurance, and our nation does not guarantee nor require
affordable health insurance coverage; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Defense and the
Administration have consistently under-represented the true cost of the war and
nation-building in Iraq to the American people; and
WHEREAS,
Iraq is becoming increasingly violent, and our credibility with the Iraqi
people is becoming severely strained due to problems securing the country after
the fall of Saddam Hussein, thereby making future U.S. cost commitments to
stabilizing Iraq significantly higher than previous estimates; and
WHEREAS,
our leaders today have committed to rebuilding Iraq in an effort to promote a
more stable Middle East, yet it is clear that stability in that part of the
world will require persistent long-term resolve and public investment; and
WHEREAS,
the war on Iraq was waged without the partnership of significant international
allies who are now unlikely to significantly contribute to the cost of
rebuilding Iraq and securing its future; and
WHEREAS, the men and women of the nation’s armed
services, reserves and national guard are serving with distinction and honor in
the Middle East, many of them having been injured or having sacrificing their
lives for that part of the world; and
WHEREAS,
many city employees are serving in reserve or national guard units in the
Middle East for extended periods with cities supplementing their income and
continuing health and other benefits at significant costs,
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors calls
on the Administration and Congress to recommit themselves to addressing unmet
national priorities to meet the needs of working Americans, while at the same
time providing the necessary resources to adequately protect our armed forces
in Iraq—addressing both agendas with equal resolve; and
BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress begin to address measures to support low and
middle income working families by raising the minimum wage and expanding
college student aid programs so that all families have the opportunity to
improve their children’s future; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress restore full funding of existing housing
vouchers and create incentives to encourage the production of affordable
housing for working families; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress develop a new, modern infrastructure
investment plan to address America’s crumbling infrastructure and need for
good-paying jobs by creatively using pension funds, insurance guarantees,
infrastructure bonds, and creative public/private partnerships to help finance
major projects. Additionally, Congress
must invest in a 21st Century transportation system built with
ultra-modern high-speed rail, bus, transit, and new technology in mind, as well
as an investment program to redevelop the nation’s 600,000 brownfields; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress fully fund Head Start and the No Child
Left Behind Act, and keep its commitment to fund at least 40% of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress require universal health care for our
children through expansion of the CHIP program; and provide health insurance
coverage for the uninsured through refundable tax credits or other funding
mechanisms; and
BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED that to maintain the
strength of America at home, investment in our domestic priorities should not
be deferred to fund the war in Iraq and the rebuilding of Iraq; and
BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress fully fund the workforce development system,
especially the $1 billion in formula funding for year round in- and
out-of-school youth and summer youth training, to assure the development of
future workers
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 