Once that chaos (no fault of Obama) subsided, Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer, the outgoing President of the conference, gave a stirring intro to the Senator. Obama was good and solid on urban issues, hit all the right issues — fund block grants, cops on the street, better education for our children, “strong cities for a strong America” etc, but nothing new or challenging (must be hard when you have a great reputation for speaking to keep that up EVERY day, I mean that sincerely). Also, didnt seem to be much, if any, national press (may still be recovering from primaries …) there.
So, in the end, a “B” speech, not a Clintonian (Bill) come forward and be saved speech nor a Clintonian (Hillary), we’re going to work together and get things done speech, but certainly ok for most people there. More important is the fact that Obama met with a number of mayors here and asked for their help, and has been on the phone to others for the same reason. Those gestures may prove more important than speeches.
Democratic mayors meet a few minutes from now. Hopefully, someone will be there to deliver some red meat, rah rah stuff. Inspire us!
H
PS – Thanked Mayor John Hickenlooper of Denver for his recent BMG post.
howardjp says
Governor Dean was expected to address the Democratic mayors, but his plane was diverted to Orlando (bad t-storms tonight). May be around tomorrow.
lanugo says
hereWith main quotables from Obama address.
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p>
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p>I like that last line about cities and regions as our building blocks. That hits home. The question is what can or will be done to push a city-regional agenda? I think a lot can be done on it – from using infrastructure funds to push regional solutions to giving incentives for municipalities to work in partnership and not in competition.
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p>What always holds this stuff back is obviously the fact that political boundaries don’t correspond with socio-economic conglomerations. Massachusetts is a case in point where colonial-era municipal lines and home rule responsibilities make it hard for regional planning and cooperation across a complex metropolitan area. Heck, I’d like to see our State do more to break down municipal divisions and promote regional cooperation. You don’t get economies of scale and efficiencies the way we run many services at present. Inequalities and wasted resources driving higher property taxes is a sad outcome of the status quo.
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p>A president with a HUD Secretary who get’s this and really pushes agencies across Govt to look not at States alone, but at regional economies, would be a big step forward. Not easy given politicians represent States, but if you get say a bunch of Senators to buy-in to a regional approach that would be terrific – like Northeastern legislators do to keep Amtrak alive but more comprehensively to address a wide variety of needs.
<
p>Obama also said in the speech that he would appoint a Director of Urban Policy in the White House. He should make it Urban and Regional Policy and give the post some real profile. Otherwise, its just a talking point to make all those Democratic Mayors feel good. Time will tell.
lanugo says
here, with main quotables from Obama address.
<
p>
<
p>I like that last line about cities and regions as our building blocks. That hits home. The question is what can or will be done to push a city-regional agenda? I think a lot can be done on it – from using infrastructure funds to push regional solutions to giving incentives for municipalities to work in partnership and not in competition.
<
p>What always holds this stuff back is obviously the fact that political boundaries don’t correspond with socio-economic conglomerations. Massachusetts is a case in point where colonial-era municipal lines and home rule responsibilities make it hard for regional planning and cooperation across a complex metropolitan area. Heck, I’d like to see our State do more to break down municipal divisions and promote regional cooperation. You don’t get economies of scale and efficiencies the way we run many services at present. Inequalities and wasted resources driving higher property taxes is a sad outcome of the status quo.
<
p>A president with a HUD Secretary who get’s this and really pushes agencies across Govt to look not at States alone, but at regional economies, would be a big step forward. Not easy given politicians represent States, but if you get say a bunch of Senators to buy-in to a regional approach that would be terrific – like Northeastern legislators do to keep Amtrak alive but more comprehensively to address a wide variety of needs.
<
p>Obama also said in the speech that he would appoint a Director of Urban Policy in the White House. He should make it Urban and Regional Policy and give the post some real profile. Otherwise, its just a talking point to make all those Democratic Mayors feel good. Time will tell.
howardjp says
Hi, thanks for commenting, I did see the Times piece, just about the only national coverage of the speech.
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p>Clearly, if you get a really good HUD Secretary with whom other Cabinet secretaries will work, the need for a Director of Urban Policy is less necessary or maybe it’s more of a coordinating job. And, if you have an energizing President that gets these issues and stays with them, even better. Jimmy Carter gave us the Urban Development Action Grant program that funded many successful city projects, particularly after neighborhood advocates got HUD and the cities to stop funding luxury hotels. Bill Clinton provided COPS money for public safety, empowerment zones and public housing revitalization grants (HOPE VI). What would Obama’s legacy be in this area?
<
p>Incentives to communities to do more regionally would be a good thing, in terms of workforce housing, job attration, even education (regional centers of excellence). Massachusetts communities have been doing this through Metropolitan Area Planning Council for a few years now, and state and federal govts should support it.