HUD Secretary, House Speaker Senior Advisor, Congressional Leaders provide key insight on stimulus funding, guidelines and implementation
On March 17th, the National Conference of Black Mayors convened its 2009 Legislative Policy Summit at the U.S. Capitol, gathering more than 150 member mayors and partners. The day’s agenda of policy presentations was interspersed with remarks from representatives of various U.S. Departments and key federal agencies that included the Census Bureau, Dept. of Labor, Dept. of Commerce and the FCC.
“NCBM mayors will be the leaders in the effective implementation of stimulus funding. When you give us opportunity and dollars, we know where to put it and how to put it to work in our communities,” said NCBM President Mayor Heather Hudson of Greenville, Mississippi.
The summit opened with remarks from the new U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, who emphasized HUD’s commitment to build a new partnership with urban areas as the Obama Administration works toward achieving financial stability and homeowner affordability of communities.
The forum drew strong Congressional support in remarks by nearly a dozen U.S. Representatives, which included Democratic Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn, Judicial Committee Chair Rep. John Conyers, Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Chair Rep. James Meek. Cheryl Parker-Rose, Senior Advisor to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, brought greetings on the Speaker’s behalf.
“You do incredibly vital work across the country to ensure that American families live sustainable and viable lives. HUD has been a barrier to you in too many cases where you have tried to be creative,” in finding solutions to housing challenges, Secretary Donovan acknowledged. “We need to focus not on the old way of process and program. We need to focus on the people and places that you serve, to get you the kind of services and solutions you need in your communities.”
Democratic Majority Whip Rep. Clyburn entered the room to a standing ovation, in acknowledgement of his leadership within the House of Representatives during the process of crafting the stimulus legislation. “We want you to know that we have had you in mind as we put this together, and we will keep you in mind. We have done our part. It is now for you to do your part,” he stressed, noting the funding requirements for broadband in rural areas, the inclusion of women and minority business contractors, and city surety bonds and training. “You have to go to your state legislatures, your state assemblies and senates because they will be responsible for implementation. You must do all that you can to make sure that your constituents get the benefit,” he added.
CBC Chairwoman California 9th District Rep. Lee highlighted the work that was done by the Economic Taskforce of the Congressional Black Caucus to ensure that the final stimulus bill included significant funding for critical tools for vulnerable populations in struggling communities such as workforce investment, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). “It is important your Congressional representatives hear from you and those who are spending money are held accountable. Hopefully, we have been able to turn something over to the cities that you can use to help you deal with the crisis,” she stated.
Senate hopeful, Florida 17th District Rep. Meek encouraged the mayors to urge their city commissions to pass resolutions that mandate that local contractors are used in the implementation of projects funded by the federal stimulus dollars distributed from the state level. “We cannot give some cities an unfair advantage over other cities. Everyone is wrestling for stimulus funding to make it a solution for their area. You must go beyond your local congressman and use every tool in your toolbox,” Rep. Meek said.
The second longest standing Democratic in the House, Michigan 14th District Rep. Conyers pointed out the need for the creation of a Congressional taskforce that would be responsible for centralizing the information regarding agency rules and guidelines for stimulus applications and implementation. “We have to look out for every city and make sure that you all are covered,” he insisted.
Echoing his remarks, Texas 18th District Rep. Jackson Lee advised the mayors to form a local stimulus taskforce to assist them. “Not 20 people you will have to deal with,” she explained, “but three or four: a numbers person, a thinking person, a confidante.” She pointed out how key it is for mayors to use partnering organizations like the Joint Center of Political and Economic Studies or the National Society of Black Engineers in developing their grant proposals. “Otherwise this money is going to get jammed up. People will be choking on this money because it will not get through,” she continued, stressing the urgency for cities to submit proposals that are unique to their municipalities.
Immediately following the policy summit, participants enjoyed a networking reception, which was sponsored by United Water. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) greeted the attendees and delivered brief remarks on the important work and role of mayors in the economic recovery of the country.
NCBM Executive Director Vanessa R. Williams expounded on the essential role of public/private partnerships in the process of recovery.
“This was about connectivity. This was about showing our membership and potential business partners what we can do when we come together. This is productive change. Change without a plan is not successful,” Ms. Williams observed. “We have people in this room today who can put together a strategic plan as to how we change the demographic, so that those who are underserved become served. In being the voice of 40 million, we must be effective.”
