Press Release

 

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL     For Immediate Release:  April 9, 2010

 

Councilmembers Charleta Tavares and Priscilla Tyson Visit Washington to Hear from Top Decision Makers

 

Washington, DC – With Congress working fervently on several pieces of legislation to spur job creation and encourage economic recovery, Columbus City Councilmembers Priscilla R. Tyson and Charleta B. Tavares joined local officials from across the nation in Washington, DC, for the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2010 Congressional City Conference. 

In addition to job creation and economic stabilization, other local priorities discussed during the conference included strengthening and stabilizing the housing market, investing in transportation infrastructure, and supporting local energy efficiency and conservation efforts.

Attendees heard from a number of administration officials who discussed the president’s agenda.  Members also had the opportunity to meet with their federal representatives in the House and Senate to discuss economic conditions in cities and to urge support for the Local Jobs for America Act, HR 4812.

“With so many cities and towns struggling to make ends meet, the National League of Cities’ conference provides us with the tools and resources we need to find solutions at home,” said Councilmember Tavares. “In my many years of involvement with the National League of Cities, I’ve cultivated some great relationships with other local leaders, and I’ve had the opportunity to meet with my congressional representatives to call for immediate federal action on jobs and economic development. I’m happy that my colleague on Columbus City Council, Councilmember Tyson, is joining me in this effort.”

“As the economic conditions for cities continue to worsen and more cities struggle to meet their needs, it is imperative that we see federal legislation which will create jobs and establish a foundation for long-term growth,” said Ronald O. Loveridge, NLC president and mayor of Riverside, California.  “Cities across America have come to Washington in search of solutions to their most pressing needs –from each other, and from the federal government.”

The conference also included other educational, networking, and strategy sessions devoted to healthier cities, education, public safety, and emergency management. For Councilmember Tyson, chair of Council’s development committee, this comprehensive approach is crucial to strengthening our nation’s cities, including Columbus.

“There is no single, simple prescription for protecting and strengthening our cities, but there are core principles that can serve as our guide,” said Tyson. “We need to encourage economic development by supporting social and business entrepreneurs, educating our young people, and promoting arts and culture, all while keeping our cities and their residents safe. In these difficult times, cities and their governments need to work with the private sector to create and retain good jobs.  Councilmember Tavares and I take that responsibility very seriously.”

 The Congressional City Conference is the annual legislative meeting of the National League of Cities, designed to inform municipal leaders about federal policy issues while providing an opportunity for city leaders to bring local concerns to their federal elected officials in Washington, DC.

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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