By Juliette Jardim
February 2, 2009

Jarrett, Muñoz Promise a Strong Partnership Between Mayors and New Administration

By Juliette Jardim

White House Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Liaison Valerie Jarrett and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz addressed the Conference of Mayors January 17 and expressed their desire and commitment to establish a strong bond between the White House and the nation's mayors.

Jarrett spoke of her extensive career in city politics, serving as Deputy Corporation Counsel under Mayor Harold Washington and Deputy Chief of Staff, Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development, and Chair of the Chicago Transit Board under Mayor Richard M. Daley. Jarrett cited both her experience working in city government as well as President Barack Obama's experience with community organizing in demonstrating how the federal government recognizes the difficulties before city governments and how it values the vital work that mayors do. Jarrett, whose duties in the Whitehouse will include working with state and local governments, mentioned that she personally planned on forging a stronger relationship with the mayors.

"My job is to try to make your lives easier so that you can serve the people that you represent and to see what we can do on the federal level to increase efficiency, to streamline, and to make sure that our first priority are the American people," Jarrett stated.

Muñoz also highlighted her intentions to keep open communication between the federal government and city governments, describing a reciprocal rapport between the two. Muñoz explained that the mayors need access to federal legislation that affects their work, while the federal government must learn from cities, which have more flexibility.

Both Jarrett and Muñoz emphasized the fundamental role that cities play in keeping the American economy afloat. not just during times of crises and recovery, but in the day-to-day functioning of the nation.

"We understand that it is the cities that are the economic engine of this country," Jarrett stated.

Muñoz then followed up on the idea, describing Jarrett's statement as, "not just a campaign line, but a commitment." She then articulated the duty of mayors to make prudent choices and be held accountable for their actions. "Our job is that the dollars get out the door, your job is that the dollars get spent well," she said.

Both Muñoz and Jarrett spoke of the hard work that would come with the economic recovery plan, and their faith in the mayors to skillfully carry it out.

Jarrett expressed the overall sentiment of both White House members in anticipation of the accomplishments of cities with the help of the federal government over the next couple of years, saying, "When people in this country roll up their sleeves and work hard, there is just absolutely no end to what we can do, if we work together."