By David Gorgani, USCM Intern
July 14, 2008

During the June 21 Plenary Session in Miami, Senator Bill Nelson (FL) addressed The U.S. Conference of Mayors about the importance of cooperation between mayors and the federal government to encourage the most effective policy for reversing the economic recession, and addressing the nation’s most pressing issues including climate change and the energy crisis.

Early in his address, Nelson identified some of the most pertinent issues facing both mayors and the federal government. In resolving issues such as "housing, rising crime, skyrocketing gas prices, and climate change," which correspond to items in the Mayors’ 10-Point Plan, Nelson identified the importance of municipal actors. "You’re there on the front line," he told the mayors. He identified cities as incubators of private enterprise, and emphasized the commitment Congress had to maintain the competitiveness of American products abroad through sustained funding of urban economies. "As this sagging economy produces these budget shortfalls, you all naturally look to the federal government for additional help, and you ought to have it," Nelson said.

Nelson noted that Congress and local governments had a common goal in guaranteeing direct federal funding to cities. "So many of our mayors, city commissioners and county commissioners here in Florida are getting whacked by the state legislature. A lot of them are coming to me looking for federal aid for state-initiated budget cuts."

Nelson expressed empathy with local governments’ decreasing revenues resulting from the economic slump, and expressed the federal government’s commitment to help fund municipal programs in this time of budgetary problems. "The bottom line is that the federal government has to continue to aid cities and counties to maintain the nation’s infrastructure," he added.

Nelson also identified mortgage foreclosures as a key issue facing city governments, and cited legislation moving through Congress that will help cities reverse declining property values. "We’re dealing with a housing bill right now that will help stop some foreclosures, and help those people who want to stay in their homes," Nelson said. Despite recent obstacles to passage of the bill, Nelson explained that the Housing and Economic Recovery Act, which will provide $4 billion in community development block grants, is aimed largely at providing funds to purchase and resell foreclosed properties, and thus prevent decline in real estate value.

Recognizing the green theme of this year’s Annual Meeting, Nelson praised the Conference for its commitment to green cities and green energy sources, and identified the "leadership role" the Conference had taken in this regard. Nelson further emphasized the importance of such action as global temperatures increase, as we near the "point of no return," where this damage becomes irreversible. Nelson identified the difficulty Congress is having pushing legislation through to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and a need to follow the leadership of The U.S. Conference of Mayors. "We need to look to you [the mayors] and all of the little laboratories you’ve already created with your agenda of green cities," Nelson concluded.