By Elena Temple
July 14, 2008

The nation’s mayors opened their 76th Annual Meeting in Miami with a press conference to push their 10-Point Plan, Strong Cities, Strong Families for a Strong America.  Mayors have shared this bipartisan plan with Congress, the Administration and the Presidential candidates in the hopes that they will join the mayors’ crusade to ensure that American families have what they need to thrive – not just survive.

In the midst of rising gas prices, increasing food costs, the housing foreclosure crisis and a weakening national economy, the press conference served as a vehicle for mayors to weigh in on domestic policy issues that impact urban America and metropolitan areas.

With approximately 84 percent of people in the United States living in cities and metropolitan areas, America is an increasingly urban nation.  Mayors reminded Conference attendees that more than any other level of government, mayors understand how the many key issues before the nation, such as transportation, gas prices and energy, infrastructure, crime, gangs, public schools and clean water, impact the lives of everyday Americans.

"While Washington has been asleep on the domestic front, mayors are leading the way on issues most directly affecting people in America’s cities," said Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer as he spoke to the Miami-based press corps.

The mayors also released a survey showing the relationship between high gas prices and local climate protection efforts.  The 132-city survey revealed that nearly nine-in-ten mayors responding to the survey say that higher fuel prices are having a significant impact on their city budgets.  Further, 84 percent of the mayors surveyed say energy prices have prompted their cities to consider raising money, retro-fitting buildings and/or using fuel-efficient fleets that reduce energy use as ways to reduce costs.

"This new survey shows that gas prices are already impacting city budgets. At the same time, weaknesses in our overall economy is making it harder for cities to generate local revenues to support climate protection efforts," said Palmer.  Resource constraints were identified as the largest obstacle to expanding energy efficiency and other climate protection initiatives, which is why mayors have called on Congress and governors to support their efforts.

Not surprisingly, nearly nine-in-ten of the surveyed mayors reported that higher fuel prices are having a significant or very significant impact on their city budget and operations.  Well over half of the surveyed mayors said gas prices were prompting their city to modify transportation elements of their climate protection strategy.

For complete survey results, visit the website usmayors.org.