By Kay Scrimger
January 31, 2005

In his address to the Winter Meeting's Closing Luncheon January 20, U.S. Senator Norm Coleman (MN), former mayor of St. Paul, summarized his perspective on the role of mayor:

"I still think, plan, dream, and stress like a mayor," he said. "Mayors care more about outcomes than process, and mayors are the most accountable public servants," he added.

"I point out most respectfully that mayors are the duct tape of the American governmental system — their job is not always glamorous, but they are strong, multi-purpose, and adapt to almost any task because they have to do so. Mayors are the oil pan under the engine. They are like offensive [football] linemen, covered with blood, and they fill all the gaps the rest of the system creates," he said.

Advice for the Next Four Years

Senator Coleman's advice for the next four years was:

1) Don't refight old political wars — that is the best way to lose the next one. It is important to adapt to the new political realities.

2) Don't try to generate new programs or initiatives but find ways to expand old programs into new areas and to use pots of money that are already there.

After the election year, 2005 is likely to be a "high blood pressure year," he said, meaning there is "a lot to get done in a short amount of time."

"My sense is that a healthy rebirth of bipartisan spirit" will occur, he said. He predicted that the first major group of bills will focus on pro-jobs, welfare, and similar legislation. In addition, infrastructure legislation will be important. In terms of appropriations, "it will be a tight year," the Senator noted.

Coleman predicted that in this session, Congress will devote major oversight to homeland security. It will be important to "listen to folks at the local level," he emphasized. He also stressed the importance of focusing on the role of development in community development block grants. "We cannot separate the -development- piece from Housing and Urban Development. The Community Development Block Grant Program has been an essential tool, and I will continue to be a champion" of that program, he said.

Job creation, global competitiveness, and rural development will be three of his top priorities during this session, Coleman stressed.

Appreciation to the U.S. Conference of Mayors

"In closing, I would like to thank everybody in this room. Thank you for the educational support I received from this organization. Being part of this organization made me a better mayor. I am looking forward to working with you. Your interests are my interests, and my door is always open to you," Coleman said in conclusion.