Just two weeks ago, as the new Congress was setting its policy agenda, I joined with more than 250 of the nation’s mayors in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM).  The USCM delivered a strong message along with a 10-point legislative plan to Congress titled “Strong Cities, Strong Families for a Strong America.”  Highlights of this plan represent the collective thinking of the nation’s mayors for our communities going forward:
 
1) Energy and Environment Block Grant
The mayors are calling for a block grant to provide funding directly to cities and urban counties for programs that improve community energy efficiency; develop and implement community strategies to reduce carbon emissions, develop and implement community and transportation energy conservation programs; encourage the development of new technologies and systems to decrease the nation’s dependence on foreign oil; and promotion and development of alternative/renewable energy sources.
2) Federal-Local Partnership on Crime Prevention
The mayors are calling for a federal trust fund to provide flexible resources for the deployment of law enforcement personnel, support local innovations, fight domestic violence and fund technology that helps fight crime. Specifically, we asked that funding for COPS and the local block grant be restored.
3) Community Development Block Grants
The mayors recommend that CDBG formula funding be doubled to $8 billion. This additional funding would address the delayed projects and activities which have resulted from cuts to CDBG, and further build on the proven record of an effective affordable housing and revitalization program.
4) Affordable Housing Fund
The mayors support an affordable housing fund to be administered by the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), (not by HUD or state housing agencies) funded with at least 5 percent of their profits, with local government projects eligible to be assisted.
5) Public Housing
Operating Subsidies - The mayors support restoration of all public housing operating subsidies in FY 2007, including funding that was not part of the budget request but that is now needed because of utility costs previously not anticipated.
6) Infrastructure Tax Incentive and Bonds
The mayors are calling for tax incentives, bonds, and other measures to support local and state efforts, and stimulate private sector participation to improve infrastructure including transportation, water, wastewater, brownfields, energy, telecommunications, schools and affordable housing options in America’s cities.
7) Competitive Workforce
The mayors call for timely reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act, and full funding of its programs to ensure a significant investment in lifelong learning for every American citizen.
8) Children and Youth
No Child Left Behind - It is critical that mayors be involved in every aspect of No Child Left Behind reauthorization, including discussions on full funding, teacher quality, performance standards, testing and evaluation, and methods of assessment and accountability.
Children’s Health Insurance – It is crucial that funding for programs such as Head Start, Early Head Start, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) be increased to their full authorization levels
After-School Youth – Mayors are calling for an increased funding commitment directly allocated to cities for quality after-school programs.
9) Homeland Security
Interoperable Communications - The mayors are calling on a well- funded, stand-alone, Federal emergency communications grant program to carry out initiatives to improve interoperable communications, including flexible direct grants to cities and their first responders.
Transit Security – The mayors are calling for a flexible Federal transit security initiative to improve security in the areas of communications, surveillance, detection systems, personnel and training, and not require a local or state match. Furthermore, security funds should go directly to the operator of that system or the jurisdiction providing the security.
Funding Mechanism – Mayors contend that improvements must be made in the grant application process and delivery mechanism for federal homeland security resources to make sure that the process is user- friendly, the funding quickly reaches cities, and that funding is flexible to meet local needs.
10) Unfunded Mandates/Preemptions
Mayors are calling for new legislation to strengthen the federal- local partnership and further restrict the ability of Congress to impose unfunded federal mandates on cities or preempt local authority.
 
The U.S. Conference of Mayors will be monitoring the progress of this 10-point legislative plan in the weeks ahead.
 
Unique in the history of this conference was that six presidential candidates and the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, each addressed the daunting and nonpartisan challenge of climate change. Dubuque is positioned to take a strong stance and leadership role in the state of Iowa as a result of its recent selection, as one of five cities in the nation, to receive an SDAT (Sustainable Design Assessment Team) grant.  Through this upcoming process, we will work to define a path for our community to a sustainable future, including identifying practices that significantly reduce carbon emissions and reduce the use of our natural resources and non-renewable energy sources while promoting the regeneration of our natural resources.  Our choices will build our chances to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
 
“When we tug on a single thing in nature, we find it attached to everything else.”
-- John Muir