By Angela Knudson
June 29, 2009

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Chair of the Task Force on Poverty, Work and Opportunity, addressed the nation's mayors on June 15 at USCM's Annual Meeting. He provided a plan of action on repairing the economic ladder and building a middle class in partnership with the Administration. Villaraigosa reassured mayors that there is no better time than the present to rebuild and transform America's middle class while simultaneously building a foundation on which the poor can elevate themselves to a better life.

Villaraigosa spoke of the need to redesign the approach and create a bold plan of action, one that actively engages mayors in transforming their cities. In Los Angeles, the mayor initiated a housing plan that promises to focus not only on those who can afford a home, but also on those left behind. The $5 billion strategy that will be implemented over the next five years will focus on public transit corridors, putting housing closer to jobs, protecting and preserving existing communities instead of undermining them, and making transit oriented development and green sustainable development a priority. Villaraigosa noted that Los Angeles has seen incredible improvement in Watts, a neighborhood once plagued by violence. Since reclaiming public housing projects, remodeling schools, and creating green space, crime has dropped 50 percent. The mayor stressed the importance of mayors' involvement, stating that strong communities make strong cities, and strong cities make a strong country.

In closing, Villaraigosa stressed the Administration's focus on city issues, and the opportunities presented to mayors' in redesigning their cities. "Partnership with the federal government is critical," the mayor stated, "and mayors should be actively engaged in transforming America's cities."