By Dave Gatton
February 12, 2007

Senator Robert Menendez (NJ) met with Mayors during the 75th Winter Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors January 26. During the meeting of the Council for the New American City, he pledged to work with them during the upcoming 110th Congress. Menendez was introduced by Conference of Mayors President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer who praised the Senator for his understanding of city issues and his commitment to housing, energy and environmental concerns.

Menendez is a member of both the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee — two committees that will play pivotal roles in the mayors priorities of addressing climate change, affordable housing, and homeownership in the 110th Congress. Those priorities were spelled out in a 10-point legislative plan that was spearheaded by Palmer and presented to the new Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi prior to convening the winter meeting.

“I want to commend Mayor Palmer and the mayors for pulling together this ten-point plan,” Menendez told the mayors. “It will be extremely helpful as we move forward in the 110th Congress.”

Following Menendez, Bowling Green (KY) Mayor Elaine Walker and Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory briefed the mayors on their respective housing initiatives and called for the Council to continue to address financial education and initiatives to combat predatory lending.

Wauwatosa (WI) Mayor Theresa M. Estness recommended that the Council initiate a program to explore the economic development potential of the rapidly growing health services and research industry. She reviewed extensive plans in her city for medical research facilities and their economic impact on the community.

Mortgage Bankers Association Chair John Robbins proposed an initiative to develop clearer, more consumer friendly information on home mortgages that would outline the essential terms and conditions of a proposed loan and its impact on the consumer. Additional discussion occurred on the need for programs to assist homeowners avoid foreclosure.

In addition to these initiatives, the Council will continue its core work on Metro Economies, the National DollarWi$e Campaign whose founding sponsor is Countrywide Financial, the Ambassadors for Cities Program with the National Association of Realtors, and National Investment Forums in partnership with the International Council of Shopping Centers.

“We have an extremely busy and challenging year before us to reach thousands of people who are hard working and seek opportunity,” said Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick, chair of the Council. “The members of this Council continue to be progressive in proposing policies and initiatives to reshape cities and our communities. I want to encourage all the mayors to participate in at least one of these programs throughout the year,” he said.