The U.S. Conference of Mayors met today to discuss issues of importance to cities across the nation. Some highlighted points from the meeting:

Homeland Security

• Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California) went on record and supported direct First Responder funding to localities
• Conference of Mayors urged Congress to provide First Responder funding in a Supplemental Appropriations Bill
• Susan Collins (R-Maine) proposed that cities need direct funding for Homeland Security
• The National League of Cities and other "Big 7" organizations still support First Responder funds being distributed to cities via states

Transportation

• Mayors outlined three principles that should guide TEA 21 reauthorization
  1. Increased funding
  2. Sub-allocation
  3. Congestion mitigation
• Conference of Mayors concerned about maintaining significant levels of funding for transit programs in TEA 3
• House Subcommittee Chairman Jack Quinn (R-NY) will likely hold hearing on the future of Amtrak in late March
• Conference of Mayors does not believe that Congress will pass both Amtrak reauthorization legislation and TEA 3 in the same year - despite claims by Hill staffers that Congress will accomplish both tasks by the end of the year