Cities Call on Congress to Pass American Jobs Act Right Away

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Sep 09, 2011, 11:26 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement released by James E. Mitchell Jr., President of the National League of Cities and Councilmember, Charlotte, NC:

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"Last night, the President proposed the American Jobs Act. This plan is a sensible approach to creating jobs right now, while establishing the building blocks necessary for greater long-term growth. The President's proposal deserves action by Congress right away, and America's cities and towns will support efforts to ensure that happens.

The outlined plan would save and create thousands of jobs in our communities that are essential to the short-term and long-term health of our communities. It would put thousands of our residents back to work in private sector positions by building and maintaining the infrastructure that is fundamental to our economic future. Small businesses are the lifeblood of main-street and the President's proposal would incentivize small businesses to help get our residents back to work and put dollars back in their pockets.

This is a time for action and not sound bites or creative accounting. 14 million Americans are out of work, the nation's infrastructure is crumbling, families are fighting to stay in their homes, and small businesses are struggling. The nation needs Washington leaders to put their country ahead of partisanship and electioneering and take action that will foster a climate of economic growth."

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.

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SOURCE National League of Cities