By Washington, DC
January 31, 2003

The 71st Winter Meeting brought mayors to Washington during one of the most critical times in our history. Faced with uncertainties concerning a war against Iraq, assistance for our homeland security and the widespread economic deficits of 43 states, mayors came seeking to partner with the federal government on a common agenda and a better understanding of what Congress and the White House are doing to alleviate concerns of our citizens.

Conference President Mayor Thomas M. Menino of Boston brought several persons before the mayors to discuss their thoughts and proposals to assist us with homeland security and to correct the economic downturn and job losses we are experiencing across the nation.

While many of the proposals do not have bipartisan support, mayors were pleased to have New York Senator Charles Schumer come to us with the support from Republican Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine with a $40 billion stimulus bill. Presently it is the only piece of legislation that has bipartisan support. They say other Republican Senators will be supporting the Schumer/Snow bill which provides $20 billion for states and $20 billion for local governments to be distributed for flexible use to help us face the economic challenges before us.

No doubt, there will be other proposals as we go forward. We will monitor the Congressional activity and keep you informed concerning what is practical and what is not. Presently, the myriad of proposals cloud the reality of the situation. All legislation must be judged and considered by raising the question of whether it has bipartisan support. Today, the bipartisan list of proposals is rather short but we will be doing what we must do to garner bipartisan support for other proposals that will provide homeland defense monies and basic general fiscal relief to help us with the sickening economic condition we find ourselves due in large part to the fiscal crisis our states are facing.

Mayors also went to the White House and are most appreciative of President Bush to spend time with us as he is faced and is living with the toughest question of all —— sending troops abroad in harm's way. President Bush was most passionate in his informal remarks with the nation's mayors as he gave us his picture of just how evil Saddam Hussein is. The President also reflected on the subject of the American people supporting a war against Iraq and he seemed to know that he has to make the case to the American people as to why we should go to war against Iraq.

In addition to the international situation, the President also expressed his strongest support for faith-based initiatives. He is concerned that some faith-based activities are not getting equal treatment for funding. He also promised the mayors that homeland security monies announced last year will be coming soon.

Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb, President of the Democratic Mayors, invited and got all six candidates for president to his caucus meeting during our Winter Meeting. And they all came criticizing President Bush's economic plan and some raised questions about the need for President Bush to give the United Nations inspectors more time before we go in and disarm Saddam Hussein. The Democratic candidates never spoke to a USCM plenary session. They went to the Democratic Mayors Meeting. Their most partisan tone upset many of President Bush's supporters. After over 30 years with this organization I remind all that the 2004 Presidential campaign has begun and it looks like it is going to be a lively one.

Our goal, of course, is to get President Bush and all the Democratic candidates on the same page in support of homeland and economic security for our cities. We want Republicans, Democrats, Greens and Independents to be advocates for our cities and we are pledged to stay in the arena to strengthen the local government message to all candidates running for President.

Conference President Menino has our member mayors supporting our economic and homeland security blueprint. He, our leadership, and our members are activated and energized to work with Congress and the White House for a common agenda.

Presently, however, there is a growing division here in Washington about the war against Iraq. Needless to say, the proposed question of war hangs like a cloud now and will continue to hang over our federal city.

We all await February 5th as our Secretary of State Colin Powell presents his case to the U.N. President Bush continues to strengthen an allied position with today's announcement in the form of a statement supporting the U.S. position to strip Iraq of weapons of mass destruction signed by the heads of State of eight European countries: Blair of England, Berlusconi of Italy, Aznar of Spain, Barroso of Portugal, Havel of Czech Republic, Medgyessy of Hungary, Miller of Poland and Rasmussen of Denmark. Missing in the alliance are Russia, Germany and France. Secretary Powell will be most persuasive in trying to pull France and Russia our way. However, most political observers say that it will be most difficult for German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder to support us since he made the U.S. position a big issue in the recent national elections in Germany. President Bush is being judged by the masterful job his father did of creating the alliance we had for the Gulf War. But President Bush and his team are not alone and the media will have us believe he is acting in a most unilateral fashion which is not the case. The economic and domestic security proposals will probably have to wait until we avert war or declare war and get it over with. And no doubt the stock market will be affected by the war. So we are in this economic downturn for a while unless there is a change in the current political climate here in Washington. We hope and pray for a peaceful solution and if it is war, we hope and pray it will be short-lived with the least amount of suffering and loss of human life.