By Larry Jones
June 7, 2010

In a significant break through for local governments, Senator Sherrod Brown (OH) announced at a June 3 press conference in Cleveland (OH) that he will soon introduce the Local Jobs for America Act legislation that would provide $75 billion in temporary assistance to local governments over the next two years. The bill is expected to closely mirror legislation (H.R. 4812) introduced in the House last March by House Education and Labor Chairman George Miller (CA).

Acknowledging how local governments across the nation are facing budget shortfalls, Brown said his bill would help local communities avoid additional layoffs and begin hiring back public safety and other critical workers who have been laid off due to ongoing budget problems. It would also provide an additional $25 billion to help prevent the layoffs of teachers, and extend additional support for police officers and firefighters. Overall the bill is expected to help local communities save or create more than one million jobs.

Under the proposal, funds would be provided directly to local governments with a population of 50,000 or more and local officials would decide how best to use the funds. States would receive funds to distribute to communities smaller than 50,000. Explaining why the legislation is needed, Brown said, “It is critical that we prevent further economic hardship by ensuring that local communities have the resources they need to maintain services and prevent layoffs. This legislation is aimed at putting people back to work and turning them into taxpayers rather than benefit collectors.”

In a June 3 press release by Brown, Conference of Mayors President Burnsville (MN) Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz is quoted as saying, “The nation’s mayors are pleased to partner with Senator Sherrod Brown to push this legislation. We deal face-to-face with unemployed citizens everyday because we see them everywhere – in coffee shops, grocery stores, beauty salons and barbershops. And they all tell us the same thing – all they want is a good, dependable job so they can support their families. Mayors know from experience that investment in metropolitan economies with direct funding to cities can create and save jobs and can do it quickly.”

Joining Brown at the press conference, held in front of a fire station located in the downtown area, was Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic, a former Conference of Mayors President, who both expressed strong support for the legislation. Police officers, firefighters and other public service workers who had representatives voicing support for the bill heavily attended the event.

Jackson said, “The bottom line for cities like Cleveland is to be able to provide high quality services to our citizens and our neighborhoods. Senator Brown understands this need and I applaud his efforts to help provide Cleveland and communities across America with much needed support during these tough economic times.”

“There is no mayor anywhere who likes cutting police and fire jobs. But safety forces comprise 70-80 percent of any city’s operating budget. When our revenue is down – as it is in most cities – after cuts are made everywhere else, a mayor has to cut back police and fire, because there is nowhere else to cut. I appreciate Senator Brown’s recognition that our metropolitan economies drive the economy of the entire state,” said Plusquellic.