January 13, 2003

Statement of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino
President
The United States Conference of Mayors
On the Prospects for an Economic Stimulus Package
January 7, 2003

Washington is finally responding to our nation's need for an economic jump start, but there is still much work to do to get the plan right. As the frontlines of America -- from economic security to homeland security, any stimulus plan must focus investment on our cities. While we appreciate the desire to assist struggling state governments, we must emphasize the struggle that cities have had since September 11 to fund homeland defense efforts in our nation's streets and neighborhoods related to both international terrorism and ongoing crime. As the President and Congress begin the year, we again emphasize the need now for direct funding to our cities for homeland security.

We also believe that investment in our infrastructure should be done quickly, through local governments. We support job producing tax incentives, such as the President's homeownership tax credit, brownfields cleanup credits and temporary elimination of the tax-exempt bond cap. And as the level of government closest to the people, we are best suited to implement job search and job training programs to put America back to work.