By Dave Gatton and Carolyn Merryweather
February 9, 2004

The United States Conference of Mayors released their 2004 Presidential Election Agenda , "Keeping America Strong", on Wednesday, January 21 at a press conference at the 72nd Winter Meeting in Washington (DC). The plan was unveiled by Conference President Hempstead (NY) Mayor James A. Garner, Vice President Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic, and Advisory Board Chair Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill. Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick , chair of the the Council on the New American City, presented the plan later that day at the Opening Plenary Session.

"The sustainable growth of our metro economies is dependent on a President who will work closely with mayors to develop the most innovative, creative policies for our country," said Garner. "America's strength has always been locally driven, in its communities," he added.

The Agenda, which consists of 5 points, focuses on Homeland Security, Jobs, Infrastructure, Tax Incentives to Foster Public/Private Partnerships, and Health Care, is for the consideration of all of the Presidential candidates leading up to the 2004 election. "Keeping America Strong" is the culmination of numerous meetings and roundtables with mayors and members of the business community to determine what issues are of primary importance to cities in the 2004 election.

Homeland Security: Keeping America Safe

"Keeping America Strong" calls for a more productive partnership between cities, states, and the Federal government. Primarily, the plan calls for a new, permanent, independent commission, not subject to political influence to continuously judge the overall system of terrorism and preparedness. Additionally, it addresses the need for continued support for local law enforcement to fight both terrorism and traditional crime in their cities. The plan calls for support for the local law enforcement block grant, reform for the juvenile justice system, drug treatment to every American who needs it, additional prevention effort to stop gun and gang violence, and help for the more than 600,000 ex-convicts who re-enter society each year, many of whom will eventually return to prison.

"As a nation, our economic growth depends on our safety from both terrorism and crime," said Garner.

Smart Investment: New Infrastructure For A New Economy

Citing a study by the American Society of Civil Engineers which gives U.S. infrastructure an overall grade of "D", the mayors have called upon the presidential candidates to invest in a 21st Century transportation system as well as an innovative energy plan to free the country from its reliance on foreign oil. The agenda also points out that investing in infrastructure will lead to jobs and economic growth by keeping metro economies strong.

"By investing our dollars wisely, we can link our major metro areas, cut the time we spend in traffic jams and away from our families, create jobs, and make our economy function more productively," said Plusquellic.

Jobs For Our Future: Keeping America At Work In A Global Economy

Over the last three years, the nation has lost 2.4 million jobs, particularly in the manufacturing sector. For the first time, however, professional white collar jobs for professions as diverse as radiology, law, engineering, and accounting are also being lost overseas. "Our Metro Economy reports have shown that new jobs are returning to the economy, but with salaries 18 percent lower than those of jobs that were lost during the recession," Kilpatrick said. "Most new jobs are created by small businesses, so in order to grow new jobs, we must have targeted tax incentives to help small businesses."

The plan also calls for full funding for the No Child Left Behind Act, and Head Start. O'Neill emphasized that, "We need smaller, more innovative public high schools, and we need the federal government to keep its commitment to fun 100 percent of special education costs, freeing up more local resources to help improve our public schools."

Tax Incentives to Foster Public/Private Partnerships

"Keeping Metro economies growing also depends on the creation of innovative public/private partnerships to invest wisely in infrastructure and sustainable development projects," according to the plan. The mayors call for targeted tax incentives to attract private investment in brownfields, to help build affordable and multifamily housing, and to encourage private investment in modern infrastructure improvements.

Caring for the Health of People: At Home and Abroad

The plan calls for guaranteed health coverage for every child in America by providing affordable options for low-income parents as well as affordable coverage for every American family, individual, and small business owner by making available health care coverage similar to that used by Congress. Additionally, the plan emphasizes the need for Federal, state, and local governments to be given the authority to negotiate cheaper drug prices from the pharmaceutical industry.

Additionally, the plan calls for the United States to help cost-effectively distribute medicine internationally. The plan will be sent to all of the presidential candidates for their consideration.