By Ed Somers
November 21, 2011

Continuing his push for a national response to the jobs crisis, Conference of Mayors President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa travelled to Louisville on November 4 to engage with business leaders, city staff and the media.

Villaraigosa was hosted by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, the new chair of the USCM Metro Economies Committee. Fischer and Villaraigosa met with the Greater Louisville Inc., which is the local metro chamber of commerce, and discussed the Conference of Mayors Common-Sense Jobs Agenda and need for bipartisan action on jobs priorities including infrastructure investment.

The issue of transportation investment is a top concern for the Louisville area, with a major bridge being closed due to disrepair. Fischer had recently arranged for Conference of Mayors leadership to meet with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to discuss priorities related to jobs and transportation infrastructure.

Following this session, Fischer hosted a “Lunch and Learn” session for about 100 city employees, including top department heads, to discuss city management issues and Conference of Mayors priorities.

Following that session, Fischer and Villaraigosa held a lunch meeting with Lexington Mayor Jim Gray.