By Larry Jones
August 2, 2010

Conference of Mayors Second Vice President Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter teamed up with other local leaders at a July 27 press conference on Capitol Hill to tell members of the press that cities and counties across America are facing severe budget shortfalls and many are being forced to take drastic steps to balance their budgets, as required by most state laws. The event was held to focus national attention on the findings from a recent survey of cities and counties on anticipated local government job losses and service cuts; and to stress the urgent need for federal action on the Local Jobs for America Act (LJAA), H.R. 4812, legislation that will provide $75 billion in direct aid to local governments.

Other local leaders joining Nutter to discuss the survey findings and the impact of the recession on local governments across the nation were Charlotte Council Member James Mitchell, Vice President of the National League of Cities and Broward County (FL) Commissioner Ilene Lieberman, Chair of the Large Urban County Caucus of the National Association of Counties.

Representative Barbra Lee (CA), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, served as facilitator of the press event. As a cosponsor of LJAA, she commended Nutter and other local leaders for releasing the findings from the survey, which underscores the urgent need for the legislation. Other cosponsors attending the press conference were Representatives Keith Ellison (MN), Phil Hare (IL), Lynn Woolsey (CA), and Janice Schakowsky (IL).

The report reveals that local government job losses in the current and next two fiscal years will approach 500,000. Further, it states that public safety, public works, public health, social services, and parks and recreation will be the hardest hit by the cut backs.

Discussing the impact of the recession on Philadelphia, Nutter said “… just two weeks ago, I announced that we had to cancel two classes for our Police Department for the current fiscal year. Unfortunately, yes that will save us money. But worse than that, it’s 200 plus more officers that I won’t have on the streets of Philadelphia at a time when we need more officers, not less.” He also explained that he recently announced the temporary suspension of services in the Fire Department. Three companies will not be in service during the day time and two companies will not be in service at night.

Nutter told members of the press that unemployment in Philadelphia is at 11.2 percent. And he explained, “That’s the reported unemployment. We know of course that many have stopped looking for work and that number is way up into the teens. And in African American and Latino communities, it’s off the chart.” For city employment, he said there are 800 fewer fulltime employees on the city’s payroll today compared to last year. That number increases to over 1,200 if part time workers are counted. For citizens of the city, he said, “…that means less services and programs at a time when more, not less, is needed.”

In closing, Nutter said, “We need help in cities across America. And it is astounding to me that in Washington (DC) – not any of the folks that are standing up here with us – these incredible debates go on about unemployment compensation, about jobs, all being debated by people who have jobs and can not figure out how to get Americans back to work. This is an outrage. So all that debate and discussion, if you don’t have a job, people are not interested in that kind of conversation and dialogue. And so we’re strongly supporting this legislation. We’re going to do all we can, not only back home but all across the United States of America to make sure that this legislation passes.”