Brookings Banter

Local elected officials are often criticized in the main stream media and on blogs when we go to conferences on the tax payers dime.  Although the Brookings Register criticized us for going to the International Conference of Shopping Centers our trips to National League of Cities (NLC) events have been reported in a positive fashion.  There are several reasons we haven't been attacked on this topic and some examples are; an overall satisfaction with the councils recent actions, no more than two members have gone to an event, and we do a good job of reporting back to the council what we learned.  I will be reporting my trip back to the Council during a public session but I decided a few of my remarks are more appropriate for my blog.

2,500 city officials attended the conference and I would have to say all are disappointed in Congress.  NLC events are mostly non-partisan.  A very popular expression is "potholes are not labeled Democrat or Republican".  During conference workshops on federal topics, comments from local officials had nothing to do with politics.  A good example was the reauthorization of the Federal Transportation Bill.  Local officials commented that we need a bill that supports the real needs of cities now.  No more delays or extensions, pass a comprehensive plan. 

Earmarks have become a dirty word that we spend way too much time discussing.  An non-partisan economist commented that earmarks are negligent when it comes to the federal budget.  If earmarks are eliminated the funds will still flow, just given out using a different method.  The bridge to no where was stopped and the funds were just reallocated. All we need is transparency in the process and no last minute drop ins that can't be debated or voted on.  Congress needs to work on the real budget issues like Social Security and other entitlements that make up over 40% of the budget.

In my opinion it seems that there are more Democrats that attend the NLC Conferences than Republicans.  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was the key note speaker to close the conference.  I wanted to hear the Pelosi speak but was dreading the rah rah clapping from supporters as she spoke of the Democrat's agenda or spoke against the President.  My fears we false.  There were no long periods of clapping or cheering.  Instead I got the feeling that city officials were tired of politics as usual and are just unimpressed with Congress.