Committees advanced policy resolutions, with one urging federal authorities to recalibrate on immigration enforcement actions. Others addressed impoundment, tariffs, Canadian trade, infrastructure, disaster management, clean energy tax credits.
(Tampa, FL) – Today, America’s mayors used the second day of the 93rd Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors to celebrate the power of cities and of regional collaboration to protect and build on gains in infrastructure, global trade, public safety and economic growth. They shared best practices and local strategies that have been generating results to address the big challenges facing American cities. And standing committees acted, including advancing a policy resolution that reasserts local authority over public safety in the face of growing federal immigration enforcement actions.
The Conference also celebrated the presidency of Columbus (OH) Mayor Andrew Ginther, who delivered his presidential address, highlighting the important successes of the last year, and he lauded his colleagues for the difference they’re making for their residents.
“Region by region, American cities are seeing low unemployment and rising wages,” said Mayor Ginther. “It’s a story we should all be proud of. Much of it is, of course, tied to the legislative successes of the Conference of Mayors. The investments — made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Chips and Science Act — have ignited a new era of construction, growth, and innovation.”
“There’s a vitality in America’s cities that you, mayors, create.”
The Annual Meeting marks the end of each president’s term, and a new president will be elected by the Conference on Sunday.
Mayors Share Approaches to Continue Strengthening Public Safety and Local Economies
Across the day’s panels, mayors touted historic gains in public safety and infrastructure construction, sharing strategies to sustain that progress. Fresno (CA) Mayor Jerry Dyer and Providence (RI) Mayor Brett Smiley led a conversation on strengthening public safety through crime prevention programs that get to the roots of violence. “You’ve got to continue to support the programs,” said New Orleans (LA) Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “In time you’ll begin to see violent crime, not only drop, but those drops will be sustained.”
But concerns remain about access to federal funds. Mayors discussed ways to maximize what’ll remain of funds in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, in a discussion of the Local Infrastructure Hub. “We know that it’s hard to get money for these infrastructure projects, many of them long-delayed,” said Jaime Lavin, Senior Director of Government Innovation at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “We want to help you go after this money and support you when you’re ready for implementation.”
Committees Continue Advancing Conference Agenda for Upcoming Year
More standing committees met, advancing resolutions on the issues of the day facing America’s cities, such as the cost of living, housing, public safety, and federal investments. In today’s meetings, mayors advanced policy taking a stand on the ways federal immigration authorities have encroached into local public safety matters.
- International Affairs: Led by West Sacramento (CA) Mayor Martha Guerrero, members advanced four resolutions on tariffs, trade with Canada, the war in Ukraine, and nuclear weapons. Mayors touted the value of subnational diplomacy amid global conflicts and economic uncertainty, echoed by local leaders from Canada and Ukraine, who were attending. “Cities are working with other cities to get things done,” said Rochester Hills (MI) Mayor Bryan Barnett.
- Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports: Led by Cleveland (OH) Mayor Justin Bibb, members advanced three resolutions on the upcoming Olympics, youth sports and America’s 250th birthday. Then, they held discussions championing youth sports and the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Energy: Led by Columbia (SC) Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, the committee advanced three resolutions on geothermal energy, clean energy tax credits, and nuclear energy. They also heard from industry experts on next-generation technologies like solid hydrogen and microwave beams. “The future looks bright,” said Mayor Rickenmann.
- Community Development and Housing: Led by Toledo (OH) Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, the committee advanced fourteen resolutions, many of which focused on making housing more affordable in America. “This issue is so important to us, and it’s emerging as one of the most pressing issues in our nation right now,” said Mayor Kapszukiewicz.
- Criminal and Social Justice: Led by Kansas City (MO) Mayor Quinton Lucas, members advanced ten resolutions on disaster mitigation, hate crimes, law enforcement coordination, and fentanyl. One resolution, “Conducting ICE Raids And Managing Protests In As Orderly And Unprovocative A Way As Possible,” urged a recalibration on federal immigration enforcement, as previewed by USCM President and Columbus (OH) Mayor Andrew Ginther yesterday at the opening press conference.
- Metro Economies: Led by Scranton (PA) Mayor Paige Cognetti, the committee advanced nine resolutions on opportunity zones, tax-exempt municipal bonds, the federal child tax credit, clean energy tax credits, impoundment, ocean piers, office building conversions, federal public lands, and congressional authority on trade and taxes.
- Transportation: Led by Edina (MN) Mayor James Hovland, members advanced six resolutions, including on federal neighborhood funding, airport upgrades and battery safety.
The Annual Meeting continues Saturday, for its third day, before concluding on Sunday with the selection of new executive members and the ratification of policy resolutions.