By Ed Somers
June 28, 2010

Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. — who was traveling to Africa — sent a video greeting to the nation's mayors highlighting the benefits of the recovery act (ARRA), and thanking the mayors for their leadership in making the program work.

Vice President Biden said that he has spoken to 115 mayors on ARRA implementation, and shares their opinion that more of the funding should have been sent directly to cities and metro areas.

The Vice President said, "I know we have a long way to go," but that the American people will be seeing a lot of shovels in the ground over the coming summer months.

He also urged the mayors to help support pending jobs legislation in Congress to fund teachers, COPS and firefighters. However, he did not specifically address the Local Jobs for America Act being pushed by USCM.

The entire video can be seen on usmayors.org.