Washington, DC
September 15, 2011

Conference President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced The United States Conference of Mayors “A Common'sense Jobs Agenda” on Friday, September 2. The jobs plan was developed with Conference staff, Los Angeles staff and other staff persons from a number of organizations. President Villaraigosa, along with Conference Vice President Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Second Vice President Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, released the plan to the national press in a telephonic/electronic press conference on Friday.

Mayor Villaraigosa and our two Vice Presidents were strategic in releasing the plan before President Obama unveiled his plan to the nation on September 8.

President Obama’s plan is definitely a “Main Street” plan and in some instances President Obama’s plan exceeds aspects of the plan released by our top officers.

President Obama in his discussions with over 1,100 local officials on a White House conference call mentioned The U.S. Conference of Mayors plan twice citing that he gave the mayors what they asked for.

Following his speech, I assembled my top staff to review and send out to all the mayors the significant segments of the President’s plan. Clearly, the President’s plan exceeds expectations and we commend him for the pro-city package.

Conference President Villaraigosa and Vice Presidents Nutter and Smith issued strong statements of support for President Obama’s proposal. Other mayors throughout the nation issued similar statements of support for President Obama’s plan.

As U.S.Mayor goes to press, President Villaraigosa has scheduled an Executive Committee conference call to discuss our plan and President Obama’s plan. This call comes of the eve of our Conference of Mayors Leadership Meeting next week in Washington.

President Villaraigosa will lead the mayors to Capitol Hill during our Leadership Meeting. We will continue to push Washington for bipartisan action. We have our work cut out for us. Washington continues to be divided. I look forward to seeing many of you soon here in Washington.

We need your guidance, your support and action at this critical time for our organization and our cities.