Cities Call for Economic Growth Through Investment in Communities

National League of Cities Is Encouraged By the President's State of the Union Remarks

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- James Mitchell, president of the National League of Cities, councilmember, Charlotte, NC, released the following in response to President Obama's State of the Union Address:

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"The National League of Cities (NLC) shares the President's vision for our nation's future in investing in education, reforming our immigration system in a comprehensive manner, promoting innovation in our communities, rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, and eliminating regulatory barriers to growth.  

"Cities are where ideas turn into action.  Investment and innovation are essential if our communities are to grow and prosper as the nation recovers from the recession.  Fixing the nation's immigration system, and robust investment by Washington in our nation's roads, bridges, and transit systems, as well as our nation's education system, will help create good public and private sector jobs and reinvigorate the economies in our communities allowing our nation and our residents to compete globally for decades to come.

"City leaders recognize that fiscal discipline is essential to the economic stability of our communities and our nation, as the vast majority of cities are required to balance their budgets every year.  The President's call for a freeze on discretionary spending underscores the difficulties of the nation's current economic conditions.  But budget cuts and freezes must be made responsibly; they should not come at the expense of proven federal investments like the Community Development Block Grant Program and federal transportation programs that have helped keep our communities competitive.  

"As our nation, our communities, and families continue to climb back from the depths of the recession, NLC applauds the President's call for a partnership.  The act of governing is about Democrats, Republicans, and Independents sharing responsibility and working together.  It's also about levels of government -- federal, state, and local -- working together.  That is why NLC will look forward to being at the table with the President and Congress working to make the vision for our country a reality."   

The National League of Cities is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

SOURCE National League of Cities

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