Headlines

December 28, 2012

City Leaders Call on Washington to Avert Threat to Families and Communities

NLC President Marie Lopez Rogers, Mayor of Avondale, AZ, responded to the lack of progress on a federal budget compromise saying, "This inaction and uncertainty will have serious repercussions on our communities and our middle class families who stand to lose $50-$100 out of their first paycheck in the new year."
December 27, 2012

A New Year with New Opportunities for Sustainability

NLC's Sustainability Program has assembled five recommended strategies for success that city sustainability leaders can use to help chart a course into the next phases of their sustainability efforts: Create and Expand Partnerships; Enage through Technology; Measure and Track; Plan, Prepare and Institutionalize; and Be Bold.
December 21, 2012

Mayors and County Officials Stunned by Fiscal Cliff Debate

The elected leadership of several local government organizations has written a call to action for our federal leaders in Washington. The elected officials are calling on Congress and the White House to make smart cuts and continue to invest in America’s cities and counties to drive growth and create jobs.
December 21, 2012

NLC President Discusses Gun Violence with VP Biden Today

NLC President Marie Lopez Rogers, mayor of Avondale, AZ, released a statement in response to today's Vice President’s call with Mayors from across the country regarding guns. The call came in the wake of the National Rifle Association’s(NRA) press conference today discussing the Newtown, CT shooting.
December 21, 2012

NRA Tone Deaf in Ignoring the Issue of Gun Violence

Former NLC President John DeStefano, mayor of New Haven, CT, released a statement in response to Friday's National Rifle Association (NRA) press conference. DeStefano said, "Our nation needs serious answers and today's press conference had a very clear message - that the NRA doesn't want to be part of a meaningful solution. The NLC looks forward to engaging on the issue and working to ensure a comprehensive effort to reduce violent acts. "
December 21, 2012

National League of Cities Offers Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence

NLC President Marie Lopez Rogers, mayor of Avondale, AZ, released a statement in response to President Obama's call for new efforts to reduce gun violence. Rogers said, As clearly stated in our public safety policy on weapons and ammunition control, the National League of Cities stands behind President Obama's call for federal action to reduce the epidemic of gun violence that plagues our great country every single day."
December 17, 2012

A Look Back: City-led Sustainability in 2012

While it is unlikely that the achievements of city-led sustainability will rise to the top of many year-end national polls, it is an encouraging realization that within this growing field, despite the challenges and complexities, each year, really does, bring with it more successes than the last. Whether the underlining impetus is one of necessity or increased acceptance, it’s fair to say that sustainability is gaining ground as an approach to critical issues facing communities of all sizes, all across the country.
December 17, 2012

New Committee Leadership Announced in House and Senate

The new 113th Congress will bring changes in leadership on Congressional committees dealing with local issues. Although party leadership remains the same in both the House and Senate, retirements, elections and House and Senate Republican rules will force several key changes in committee leadership.
December 17, 2012

Public Pensions: Is There a Problem?

Part one in a three-part series on the state of public pensions.
December 14, 2012

NLC Pays Tribute to Don Borut’s Many Years of Public Service

Friends, family and long-time colleagues gathered in Washington, DC last week to pay tribute to NLC Executive Director Don Borut's long career in public service. The celebration came just a few weeks before Borut's official retirement date at the end of the year.