By Dave Gatton and Laura Waxman
August 6, 2012

“It is essential for the federal government to strongly invest in cities if we hope to restart this nation's economy.” This was the central message of Conference of Mayors Second Vice President Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson in his July 27 testimony before the Democratic National Committee's Platform Committee. Conference of Mayors President Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter is a member of the Platform Committee, and arranged for Johnson to testify.

Johnson reminded the Committee, which met in Minneapolis, that cities and their metro regions are “global powerhouses” which are key to the strength of the U.S. economy. New York City's metro economy is larger than Mexico and South Korea's, he explained, and Chicago's is larger than Sweden's. Johnson made the case for more direct federal funding of cities, saying that their metro economies are often larger than states. “Miami has a larger economy than Arizona; Houston's GDP is higher than the State of Georgia,” he explained.

Referring to the latest U.S. Metro Economies Report released in Philadelphia July 19 by The U.S. Conference of Mayors, Johnson said that U.S. metros are slated to grow 32 percent, or by nearly 84 million people, over the next 30 years, making the role of cities in the national and global economies even stronger in the future. “We as mayors are ready to be part of the solution,” he told the Committee.

To stimulate the economy, Johnson called for an aggressive federal infrastructure program to keep America strong and competitive in the 21st Century. He said that such an initiative could transcend partisanship and create jobs to spur economic growth. “By investing in infrastructure, we provide both short and long-term jobs, protect our ports and exports, and reduce congestion,” he told the Committee. He warned the Committee, however, that the nation was not making the level of investment necessary to remain globally competitive.

Johnson highlighted the importance of keeping cities and their residents secure through public safety, and pointed out, “With budgets already stretched thin, cities are increasingly having to cut…services fundamental to their citizen's well-being.” He called on the federal government to provide support for local law enforcement through key programs like COPS Hiring grants, Byrne JAG, and Second Chance; emphasize crime prevention “to save lives and sustain our city economies,” specifically calling for prioritizing efforts to prevent youth violence; and control gangs and illegal drugs through a strong intergovernmental partnership and a combination of tough enforcement and prevention measures.

To remain globally competitive, Johnson said that cities must develop a well-educated and highly skilled workforce. He warned, however, that America is in the midst of an education crisis, with only 32 percent of fourth-graders reading at grade level and international education rankings on the decline.

Johnson called for prioritization of early childhood education; reform of K-12 education to increase graduation rates and prepare students for college and the workforce; improved access to affordable higher education; creation of a skilled workforce by keeping the best and the brightest in the country through visa reform and improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; expansion and improvement of the community college system to provide alternative pathways for students; and reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Johnson told the Committee that infrastructure, public safety and education “are priorities that are both transformative and attainable.” “The urban agenda is critical to moving this country forward. By focusing on infrastructure improvement, public safety, and education at the city level, the federal government will begin the work necessary to building this nation's prosperity,” he concluded.