By Ed Somers and Larry Jones
April 5, 2010

Just two weeks since introduction, 112 Representatives – more than halfway to a majority – have cosponsored the Local Jobs for America Act (LJAA) that would provide cities and counties with flexible and direct fiscal assistance focused on saving and creating jobs.

Numerous national organizations have endorsed the bill (H.R. 4812), including The U.S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, National Urban League, and numerous labor, community-based and civil rights organizations.

The bill’s sponsor, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (CA), met last week with the organizations leading the coalition effort to urge immediate action on securing cosponsors. Miller said, now that health care reform is completed, he believes that Congress will turn to jobs legislation once it returns from its two-week recess. Miller noted that there will be a short window to move this bill, and success will greatly depend on a show of strength through cosponsorship.

Miller is also working on a lead Senate sponsor for the bill, but said that the Senate will only be moved to act after seeing serious momentum coming from the House.

Representative Keith Ellison (MN), who is whipping votes for the bill, told the lead organizations that securing 200-plus cosponsors is possible. And, of course, the number for passage is 216. In encouraging news, several members of the House “Blue Dog Coalition” have already cosponsored, including Representatives Joe Baca (CA), and Sanford Bishop (GA).

It is imperative that mayors contact their Representatives while they are home to urge cosponsorship. The list of current cosponsors is available online at usmayors.org, as well as the bill text.

The USCM 2010 Metro Agenda for America, developed by Conference of Mayors President Burnsville (MN) Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz, calls for Targeted Fiscal Relief for Cities as priority number one under Jobs. The LJAA bill is the first major proposal to provide cities, not just states, with direct and flexible fiscal assistance focused on job retention and creation.