By Elena Temple-Webb
June 29, 2009

Led by Conference President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and host Providence Mayor David Cicilline, mayors from across the country gathered at the Rhode Island Convention Center for the opening press conference of the 77th Annual Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Funding for cities from the Federal Recovery Act topped the agenda for the mayors whose communities are bearing the brunt of the economic recession, and who are forced to make significant cost-cutting measures in response to budget shortfalls.

"We are here to discuss what is happening in our nation's cities and to come up with solutions that we can pass on to the Administration," said Diaz in his opening remarks.

To illustrate the depth of the crisis, mayors released a survey of more than 90 cities that pointed to the causes of shortfalls, such as reduced property tax revenue due to lowered property values, and significant increases in pension and health benefit costs. In response, mayors are taking cost-cutting steps ranging from hiring freezes, layoffs, wage and benefit cuts and the elimination of positions, to deferred maintenance and cuts in services to residents.

"This budget report points to the difficult decisions that mayors make every day to balance their budgets and while maintaining basic quality of life for residents. But, we make these decisions because we don't have a choice," continued Diaz, referring to layoffs and cost cuts in education and urban development. "We have to balance our budgets, and we cannot print money every week."

Cicilline said, "This is a critical time for cities and for mayors. Not since the great Depression have we faced such significant economic challenges. Given these difficult economic times, it is even more important to develop approaches that will enable us to provide and maintain services, create jobs and keep cities and residents safe. There must be a shared sense of responsibility among all parties for the future health and prosperity of our cities."

Vice President Joe Biden and several members of President Barack Obama's cabinet were previously confirmed to join the mayors' conference, but canceled at the request of the International Firefighters Union because of issues between Providence and the local firefighters union. This action by the Obama Administration is unprecedented in the 77-year history of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Of the White House boycott, Diaz commented, "The U.S. Conference of Mayors has enjoyed a strong working relationship with the Obama Administration. We have met often with President Obama, and several times with Vice President Joe Biden and cabinet members. This relationship is born out of our common interest to do what is best for all Americans, to find ways to address this economic crisis, and to find solutions to help our cities recover, and put Americans back to work. This is why the Administration's decision to not attend our Annual Meeting was so disappointing. However, our meeting will continue, and America's mayors will continue to search for solutions for the challenges facing our cities."

USCM Past President Charleston (SC) Mayor Joseph P. Riley called the White House's decision "a terrible mistake."

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said that, "Being a mayor is not for the faint of heart. The toughest part is cutting back on programs and services that people really want in their communities, and having to explain to them why we can't do certain things anymore because we just don't have the money."

"And it's important that metropolitan areas get money directly for recovery, and not through the states," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has voiced concerns that states may use stimulus funds to close their own budget deficits, especially in California with its massive $24.3 billion gap.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, who has led the green effort in the mayors' organization and who was sworn in as the 67th President of organization at the culmination of the meeting said, "This economic crisis provides an opportunity to re-create America. We must tackle global warming, health care, and transportation in new and innovative ways. The nation's mayors stand ready to work with the federal government to ensure that we get the most bang for our investments by creating jobs and building a stronger nation."

Nickels also restated that the nation's mayors are pleased that the stimulus plan includes funding for their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, which will support climate protection efforts in cities around the country. More than 950 have signed onto the Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement — a pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in cities by 2012.