WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new episode of the CitiesSpeak podcast from the National League of Cities (NLC) features features Mayor Toby Barker (Hattiesburg, Miss.), NLC Board of Directors member, in conversation with Dante Moreno, Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Advocate at NLC, about proposed changes to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Guidance governing federal grants and financial assistance. The episode explores how the proposed rule could affect cities, towns and villages that rely on federal funding to deliver infrastructure projects, housing and essential public services.
Drawing on Hattiesburg’s experience managing federal grants, Mayor Barker discusses the practical challenges local governments could face under the proposed rule, including increased administrative burdens, uncertainty around grant funding and the importance of preserving predictable, merit-based federal grant programs. The conversation also highlights how local leaders can advocate for grant reforms that improve efficiency while protecting local decision-making.
Highlights from the Conversation
On the administrative burden of the proposed rule:
“We have to already do so much reporting with the grants that we do have… You’re talking about more of that on a process that is already very burdensome… That’s less time that we’re not actually going and accomplishing the mission that the grant was given to us in the first place.” — Mayor Toby Barker, Hattiesburg, Miss.
On the uncertainty of mid-award grant cancellations:
“It really creates some uncertainty about when we receive a federal grant, are we going to be able to hang on to it through completion of the project?… If the federal government is allowed to cancel a grant at any time, not because of compliance issues or because we aren’t meeting those deliverables, but because… they believe it no longer meets the national interest… how then do we have to cover that funding gap?” — Mayor Toby Barker, Hattiesburg, Miss.
On what meaningful federal grant reform should accomplish:
“The focus should be on streamlining provisions… The overall changes would increase the workload. I don’t think it saves the federal government any money. I think it just makes us spend more money on consultants to have to report things.” — Mayor Toby Barker, Hattiesburg, Miss.
On why local leaders need to speak up:
“I don’t think anything is more effective than a mayor or an alderman or a council person reaching out to their individual member of Congress and telling that story… There’s power when we all speak with one voice and we tell our story, and I hope that every mayor that’s listening will take that to heart and take action.” — Mayor Toby Barker, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
The CitiesSpeak podcast features conversations with leaders and policy experts on the biggest issues facing America’s cities, towns and villages.
Listen to the full conversation, also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
About CitiesSpeak
Each episode of NLC’s podcast, CitiesSpeak with Clarence Anthony, dives into a critical issue facing local leaders today, featuring conversations with elected leaders and policy experts from across the country. The podcast is a relaxed and entertaining resource for local policymakers looking for ideas and information to bring back to their communities. The podcast is hosted by NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence Anthony, who previously served as mayor of South Bay, Florida, for more than two decades.
New episodes of CitiesSpeak are available on all major podcasting platforms and on YouTube. If you have feedback for the show or ideas for future guests, email us. Happy listening!
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