America is a story of progress, and over the last decade, the country has made great strides. We emerged from the great 2008 recession stronger than before; the unemployment rate is at a fifty year low; violent crime rates have fallen dramatically; and we continue to slowly break down barriers to equality.
At the same time, too many Americans haven’t felt the benefit of our country’s success. A climate crisis commands our attention. A rising stock market has not translated into robust wage growth. Our immigration system and roads are in disrepair. And too many Americans are grappling with the devastation of gun violence. All the while, Washington remains mired in gridlock.
It would be easy to be discouraged by the dysfunction in our national politics, but if we put partisanship aside, there’s no reason we can’t solve these problems. That’s not just hollow idealism. It’s what mayors across America are proving every single day. As a mayor and the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I know government can still be effective when we ignore partisan labels and focus our energy on serving people.
Americans place their greatest trust in local leaders, and that’s why we continue to challenge federal policymakers and candidates to work with us. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has released the Mayors’ 2020 Vision for America: A Call to Action, and nearly 300 mayors from across the country came to Washington, DC last month to showcase this Vision as a pathway to bipartisan progress for our nation’s leaders. This bipartisan plan presents twelve priority areas that can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and recognizes that meeting our potential requires a partnership between local leaders and the federal government.
Mayors and the federal government have worked together on collaborative efforts that have contributed significantly to building America’s infrastructure and have been key to social and economic development efforts, like the Opportunity Zone initiative, designed to stimulate job creation and incentivize long-term investment in our neighborhoods. In each of these cases, cities have magnified federal efforts in creative, innovative and sustainable ways. We vow to continue to do so with the federal government’s support and partnership.
Perhaps the easiest way Washington can make a difference in communities is by modernizing America’s infrastructure. Despite growing local spending, the nation’s overall investment in infrastructure as a percentage of our economy continues to decline. More federal dollars are important, but so too is how they are distributed. The mayors’ plan calls for greater investment in the Surface Transportation Block Grant program, which allows local governments greater say in how resources are directed. Mayors are advancing infrastructure innovation, such as programs to reduce carbon pollution and to deploy new technologies; the federal government should reward this kind of responsible thinking.
Indeed, it is cities and their residents who will feel the brunt of a global climate crisis. Across America, cities are strengthening building codes, promoting cleaner transportation options and raising energy efficiency standards to reduce our collective carbon footprint. The federal government can accelerate this work by devoting resources to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, focusing federal investment on those communities in the greatest need of support. We are also continuing to call for a national strategy to promote cleaner energy sources and protect our energy grids from natural and cyber threats.
Today one of the biggest obstacles we face is developing a modern workforce. Congress should adopt immigration policies that will help companies attract and retain the best workers. For example, Congress should provide green cards for advanced degree graduates of American universities, create a new green card category for entrepreneurs and reform current H-1B visa programs. We must also strengthen our nation’s education programs to build our workforce for the future. In many cases, that means supporting alternative education paths, whether they be apprenticeships, immersive internships or tech bootcamps.
And of course, every American deserves to feel safe in their community. Mass shootings have become routine in our nation. We can’t become numb to this kind of violence — we must act. We are asking Congress to increase financial assistance to local police departments to promote community-based policing. This also includes providing officers with additional training, body cameras and other equipment.
Just as importantly, it is past time to make background checks universal and strengthen our background check system. Last fall, the U.S. Conference of Mayors traveled to Washington, D.C. to make the case for these policies, and we will continue to advocate for common-sense solutions in 2020.
These are just a handful of the practical, bipartisan ideas that mayors believe can build a better future for our communities. Mayors have the strategies, know-how and drive to make positive changes for the American people. America requires a federal government that works with its cities and metro areas today on an agenda for all Americans — an agenda needed for future generations.
Bryan K. Barnett is president of The U.S. Conference of Mayors and mayor of Rochester Hills, Michigan.