March 31, 2010

RE: Washington Watch – Local Jobs Bill Our Next Priority

Dear Mayor:

Now that a new health care law has been enacted, House and Senate members will be returning home for a two week recess.  While they are home, they need to hear from you about how the recession is impacting your communities and how pending legislation can help!

On March 10, National League of Cities (NLC) President Ron Loveridge, Mayor, Riverside, Calif., joined House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller in a national press conference to introduce the Local Jobs for America Act, H.R. 4812. This legislation would, for the first time in decades, provide municipalities and counties with flexible and direct fiscal assistance focused on saving and creating jobs.  

You can access a copy of the bill at http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.4812:

In addition to the National League of Cities Officers’ efforts on the Hill in support of the bill, many local officials have been urging their Representatives to co-sponsor the bill and help get it enacted.  There were three co-sponsors on the bill when it was introduced. As of last Friday, 105 representatives had signed on as co-sponsors.  These included New Jersey Congressmen Rob Andrews, Rush Holt, Frank Pallone, Donald Payne and Albio Sires.

During the recess (March 29 – April 9), NLC President Loveridge is asking that local officials nationwide contact their Representatives, tell them how the bill will help your communities, and urge them to co-sponsor the bill (or thank them for their support).  When they come back to Washington, we want them to be ready to move this bill! 

In terms of the Senate, NLC continues to work on finding Senator sponsors for a companion bill, and urge that you contact your Senators to seek their sponsorship and support.  
 
Sometime next week, we hope to have numbers regarding the specific award allocations by entitlement city and congressional district.  We’ll share that information with you as soon as we receive it to assist with your advocacy efforts. 

Please provide us with any feedback from your Representative or our Senators. Contact Jon Moran with any questions or comments at 609-695-3481, ext. 121 or jmoran@njslom.com.

Thanks.

Very truly yours,

 

William G. Dressel, Jr.
Executive Director