United States Conference of Mayors
Non-partisan | |
Headquarters | 1620 I Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 |
---|---|
Region served | United States |
Membership | 1,407 United States cities with populations of 30,000 or more |
President | Hillary Schieve (Reno, Nevada) |
Website | Official website |
The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) is the official
The organization is part of the "Big Seven", a group of organizations that represent local and state governments in the United States.
Mission
The organization serves the following functions: Help develop and promote effective national urban/suburban policy; build stronger and more effective federal-city relationships; monitor the effectiveness of federal policy in terms of its service to urban needs; help mayors develop leadership and management tools; and to create a forum in which mayors can share ideas and information.[1] By representing all large municipalities and their leaders in these ways, the conference is speaking for vast majority of the components of the nations economy. According to one of the Conference's own reports, metropolitan areas accounted for 84 percent of the nation's gross domestic product and at the same time generated 84 percent of the nation's employment opportunities.[2]
History
In 1932,
In 1972, USCM President
Current issues
During the
Another issue that the Conference took issue with in 2008 include the misappropriation of federal funds for municipal anti-terrorism emergency equipment through the
The conference has been active in fighting
Also in 2008, the conference unanimously both supported single-payer national health insurance and City-coordinated drug overdose prevention efforts.[22][23] After calling for a study on bottled water in 2007,[24] in 2008, the conference came out against bottled water which consumes 1.5 million barrels of oil per year to produce its plastic bottles.[25]
In 2009, the conference adopted a sweeping proposal for lesbian and gay equality by mayors Christopher Cabaldon, Sam Adams, and David Cicilline, making it the first national organization of American elected officials to call for marriage equality, passage of ENDA, and the repeal of Don't ask, don't tell.[26]
In 2013, the conference adopted a resolution urging the federal government to give states leeway in establishing marijuana policies. "Voters in states and cities that wish to break the stranglehold of organized crime over the distribution and sale of marijuana in their communities by legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana should have the option of doing so," stated Mayor Stephen H. Cassidy of San Leandro, California.[27]
In 2020, in part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference requested $250 billion in federal spending directly to cities to counteract the 88% shortfall in city revenues across the country.[28][29][30]
Activities
The organization convenes for its winter meeting each January in Washington, D.C., and an Annual Meeting each June in a different U.S. city in addition to ad hoc meetings.[1] At the annual meeting, members vote on policy resolutions. The results are distributed to the President of the United States and the United States Congress.
On January 11, 2007, the Conference leadership approved the annual ten-point platform called "Strong Cities, Strong Families for a Strong America", including positions on
In the past, the Conference has taken stances against Ronald Reagan's 1983 budget.[32] It has also through its president Fiorello La Guardia, spoken against cuts in the Works Progress Administration on behalf of Franklin D. Roosevelt.[33] The conference has actively pursued legislation to curb handgun violence by changing the regulations for purchasing, adding regulatory oversight, and suing manufacturers for unreasonable marketing practices and lax safety standards.[34]
At times, the unified voice of Mayors has had significant impact on federal policies. An example was the controversy over the decision by investigators from the
In determining their positions and policies, the Conference has had to balance difficult political choices. They once opposed the Environmental Protection Agency in a resolution which came out against enforcing stricter smog and soot limits. The conference members felt that the stricter standards for ozone and fine particles would have hampered the economies of many municipalities, especially those that are steel-, automobile- and fossil fuel-intensive.[36]
Locales of annual meetings
Year | City | State | Number |
---|---|---|---|
1963 | Honolulu | Hawai'i | |
1967 | Honolulu | Hawai'i | |
1972 | New Orleans | Louisiana | 40th |
1980 | Seattle | Washington | 48th |
1981 | Louisville | Kentucky | 49th |
1982 | Minneapolis | Minnesota | 50th |
1983 | Denver | Colorado | 51st |
1984 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 52nd |
1985 | Anchorage | Alaska | 53rd |
1986 | San Juan | Puerto Rico | 54th |
1987 | Nashville | Tennessee | 55th |
1988 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 56th |
1989 | Charleston | South Carolina | 57th |
1990 | Chicago | Illinois | 58th |
1991 | San Diego | California | 59th |
1992 | Houston | Texas | 60th |
1993 | New York | New York | 61st |
1994 | Portland | Oregon | 62nd |
1995 | Miami | Florida | 63rd |
1996 | Cleveland | Ohio | 64th |
1997 | San Francisco | California | 65th |
1998 | Reno | Nevada | 66th |
1999 | New Orleans | Louisiana | 67th |
2000 | Seattle | Washington | 68th |
2001 | Detroit | Michigan | 69th |
2002 | Madison | Wisconsin | 70th |
2003 | Denver | Colorado | 71st |
2004 | Boston | Massachusetts | 72nd |
2005 | Chicago | Illinois | 73rd |
2006 | Las Vegas | Nevada | 74th |
2007 | Los Angeles | California | 75th |
2008 | Miami | Florida | 76th |
2009 | Providence | Rhode Island | 77th |
2010 | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | 78th |
2011 | Baltimore | Maryland | 79th |
2012 | Orlando | Florida | 80th |
2013 | Las Vegas | Nevada | 81st |
2014 | Dallas | Texas | 82nd |
2015 | San Francisco | California | 83rd |
2016 | Indianapolis | Indiana | 84th |
2017 | Miami Beach | Florida | 85th |
2018 | Boston | Massachusetts | 86th |
2019 | Honolulu | Hawaii | 87th[37] |
2020 | Virtual | 88th | |
2021 | Virtual | 89th | |
2022 | Reno | Nevada | 90th |
2023 | Columbus | Ohio | 91st |
2024 | Kansas City | Missouri | 92nd |
Annual awards and grants
The U.S. Conference of Mayors also houses the
The conference has granted City Livability Awards since 1979 for mayors and governments as recognition for developing programs that enhance the quality of life in urban areas.[45] Programs such as drowning awareness and prevention programs earn such recognitions.[46]
Since 1997, the Conference of Mayors in conjunction with the Americans for the Arts has annually presented Public Leadership in the Arts Awards. The awards recognize "elected officials and artists or arts organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts."[47] Various classes of elected officials are recognized and various types of contributions are recognized each year.[48]
The Conference has advocated for
Organization
Task forces
Temporary task forces are organized to study emerging issues and make recommendations to the body of the Conference. Prior task forces have addressed
Standing committees
The organizations members serve on the Conference's standing committee which recommend policies for the general body to evaluate for endorsement at the summer meetings. The endorsed policies are delivered to the
Presidents
The following is a comprehensive listing of presidents of the United States Conference of Mayors:[61]
Controversies
The organization has had some controversies. In
In 2002, protests by about 3000 people against corporate financing of the U.S. Conference of Mayors was met by arrests and the barricading of much of downtown Madison, Wisconsin, by then Mayor Sue Bauman.[63][64]
Also, at the
See also
- National League of Cities
- Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition
- National Governors Association
- National Conference of Black Mayors
- C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
- United Cities and Local Governments
- Association internationale des maires francophones
- Global Parliament of Mayors
- List of mayors of the 50 largest cities in the United States
Notes
- ^ a b c d "About the Conference". The United States Conference of Mayors. November 23, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
- ^ "Report Shows the Economic Might of Urban Areas". The New York Times. November 4, 1999. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- ^ a b Holli, p. 81.
- ^ a b Gunther, p. 50.
- ^ a b Gunther, p. 51.
- ^ Gunther, p. 52.
- ^ Gunther, p. 53.
- ^ Norquist, pp. 12–13.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. September 30, 2008. Archived from the originalon May 14, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. December 9, 2008. Archived from the originalon February 8, 2009. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
- ^ Norquist, p. 14.
- Cable News Network. December 8, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- Dow Jones & Company, Inc.Retrieved February 6, 2009.
- Cable News Network. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- Dow Jones & Company, Inc.Retrieved February 6, 2009.
- ^ Hall, Mimi (October 1, 2008). "Rethink spending on anti-terrorism, report says". USA Today. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ Frank, Thomas (July 1, 2008). "Lawmakers, airlines oppose Bush fingerprinting plan". USA Today. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ Shenon, Philip (September 18, 2003). "Counterterror Aid Is Tied Up by the States, Mayors Assert". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- ^ Brinkley, Joel (January 24, 2002). "A NATION CHALLENGED: CITIES; Mayors Seek Payback of Spending on Security". The New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- ^ "Cities fight foreclosures with unusual tactics". USA Today. June 21, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ Bahney, Anna (July 28, 2008). "Housing rescue bill may fall short; who benefits?". USA Today. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ Prensky, David; Young, Quentin; Landes, Alison (June 23, 2008). "U.S. Conference of Mayors Backs Single-Payer National Health Insurance" (Press release). Physicians for a National Health Program. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ Robelo, Daniel & Reena Szczepanski (June 25, 2008). "United States Conference of Mayors Unanimously Passes Resolution Calling for City-Coordinated Drug Overdose Prevention Efforts". Common Dreams NewsCenter. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ Painter, Kim (August 26, 2007). "Water wars: Bottled vs tap". USA Today. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ Gashler, Krisy (June 7, 2008). "Thirst for bottled water unleashes flood of environmental concerns". USA Today. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ "Aggie Pride LGBTQ Network of Texas A&M University".
- ^ "Nation's mayors want state control of pot policies". The Denver Post. June 24, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ Durr, Sara (April 14, 2020). "Findings Highlight the Need for Congress to Address the Fiscal Crisis Facing Cities of All Sizes". www.usmayors.org. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
- ^ Durr, Sara (March 27, 2020). "CITY DATA: Survey of 213 Mayors Reveals Extent of Shortage of COVID-19 Emergency Equipment". www.usmayors.org. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
- ^ Durr, Sara (March 18, 2020). "United States Conference of Mayors Requests $250 Billion in Localized Aid to Fight Virus, Maintain City Services, Help Workers and Local Businesses". www.usmayors.org. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
- ^ Brennan, Bill (January 24, 2008). "Honolulu Mayor Drives Travel and Tourism Action Plan of Nation's Mayors". Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii Reporter, Inc. Retrieved December 14, 2008.[dead link]
- ^ Magnuson, Ed, Douglas Brew, and Laurence I. Barrett (February 22, 1982). "A Line Drawn in the Dirt". Time. Time Inc. Archived from the original on March 2, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
{{cite magazine}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Snow on the Lawn". Time. Time Inc. January 30, 1939. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ a b Janofsky, Michael (January 29, 1999). "Mayors Help Draft a Handgun Crackdown Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- ^ Janofsky, Michael (June 21, 1998). "U.S. Retreats on Inquiries Into Urban Housing Offices". The New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- ^ "Mayors Are Opposed To Air Quality Plan". The New York Times. June 25, 1997. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- ^ GmbH, finanzen.net (June 29, 2019). "Plano & Aguadilla Deemed". markets.businessinsider.com. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
- ^ "Mayors Climate Protection Center". United States Conference of Mayors. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
- ^ "Mayors Leading the Way on Climate Protection". Archived from the original on March 8, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
- ^ El Nasser, Haya (February 1, 2007). "Mayors unite on the 'green' front". USA Today. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ O'Driscoll, Patrick & Dan Vergano (March 1, 2007). "Fossil fuels are to blame, world scientists conclude". USA Today. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ "2007 Mayors Climate Protection Summit in Seattle". The United States Conference of Mayors. 2007. Archived from the original on December 19, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ "The U.S. Conference of Mayors' Climate Protection Awards". walmartstores.com. 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ "Wal-Mart Backs Mayors' Climate Protection Award". The Executive's Daily Green Briefing. Environmental Leader. May 1, 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ "City Livability". The United States Conference of Mayors. Archived from the original on December 25, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- Newsbank. August 8, 2002. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- ^ "Press Room: For Immediate Release". Americansforthearts.org. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ "Awards For Arts Achievement". Americansforthearts.org. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ "United States Conference of Mayors: HIV Prevention Grants". The Communication Initiative Network. December 14, 2007. Archived from the original on July 19, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
- ^ "The United States Conference of Mayors HIV Prevention Program AIDS Information Exchange (AIX) Subscription/Order Form" (PDF). usmayors.org. United States Conference of Mayors. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 28, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
- ^ "The United States Conference of Mayors Observes World AIDS Day". Bio-Medicine. December 2, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ "More Of Homeless Are Now Families". The New York Times. December 22, 1993. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- ^ "Washington: Appeals For Food And Shelter Rise Slightly". The New York Times. December 15, 2004. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- ^ "National News Briefs; Curfews in More Cities, Survey of Mayors Shows". The New York Times. December 1, 1997. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- ^ Cave, Damien (June 21, 2008). "Fuel Costs Pinch Cities; Mayors Push Mass Transit". The New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- Newsbank. January 31, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- ^ "Leadership". The United States Conference of Mayors. November 23, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ Pristin, Terry (September 14, 1995). "NEW JERSEY DAILY BRIEFING; Election Poll Is Called Illegal". The New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- ^ Price, Jenny (June 17, 2002). "Corporations Gain Access to Mayors". GlobalPolicy.org. Associated Press. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- ^ Sawan, Youssef (September 10, 2002). "Civil disobedience the solution to civil flaws and disarray". The Daily Cardinal. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- ^ Greenhouse, Steven (June 30, 2004). "Democrats Fear Boston Police Union May Picket During Party Convention". The New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
Further reading
- Farkas, Suzanne (1971). Urban Lobbying: Mayors in the Federal Arena. New York University Press. ISBN 0-8147-2550-3.
- Fine, Sidney (1975). Murphy, Frank. University of Michigan Press. p. 364. ISBN 0-472-32949-9.
Frank Murphy Conference of Mayors.
- Flanagan, Richard M. "Roosevelt, Mayors and the New Deal Regime: The Origins of Intergovernmental Lobbying and Administration," Polity, 31:3 (Spring 1999), pp. 415–450.
- Gunther, John Joseph (1990). "The Interlude of Crises, Summer 1932 – Winter 1933". Federal City Relations in the United States: The Role of the Mayors in Federal Aid to Cities. University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-377-7.
- Holli, Melvin G. (1999). The American Mayor: The Best & The Worst Big-City Leaders. ISBN 978-0-271-01877-5.
Frank Murphy Conference of Mayors.
as cited at Charles Kolb, Review of "The American Mayor" - Norquist, John O. (1999). The Wealth of Cities. Basic Books. ISBN 0-7382-0134-0.
- Fry, Earl H. (1998). The Expanding Role of State and Local Government in U.S. Foreign Affairs. Council on Foreign Relations. ISBN 0-8760-9222-9.
- Barber, Benjamin (2013). If Mayors Ruled the World: Dysfunctional Nations, Rising Cities. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-16483-1.
- Garcetti, Eric; Hachigian, Nina (February 21, 2020). "Cities Are Transforming U.S. Foreign Policy". Foreign Affairs. Council on Foreign Relations.
- Emanuel, Rahm (December 29, 2020). "The New City States: How Local Governments Make Foreign Policy". Foreign Affairs. Council on Foreign Relations.