Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Blog

  • Young Elected Officials at the White House

    Posted by Michael Block on June 30, 2011 at 10:43 AM EDT

    Recently, the White House hosted 200 young elected officials from 40 states for a series of briefings and a reception where the President stopped by. Afterwards, many young officials took to Twitter to talk about their day at the White House. Throughout the day, we spoke with a few of the elected officials about what it meant to hear directly from the President and why they would encourage other young people to run for office. Here is what Oregon State Representative Jefferson Smith, Colorado City Councilman Chris Herndon, and Nebraska State Senator Amanda McGill had to say.

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  • Young Elected Officials Tweet Their White House Experience

    Posted by Mika Rothman on June 30, 2011 at 9:28 AM EDT

    Last Friday, over 200 young mayors, state legislators, city councilmembers, school board members and other elected officials from across the country were welcomed to the White House to attend a policy briefing with senior Administration officials and a reception where President Obama stopped by. 

    Briefing attendees received updates and information on an array of Administration policies and initiatives affecting states and municipalities including job creation, the economy, clean energy, housing, urban development, and innovative strategies for leveraging technology. The young elected officials (YEOs) were enthusiastic about the briefings and provided perspectives from their communities for the Administration officials.

    Here is what some of the YEOs tweeted about the day’s events: 

    Proud that our President and his administration sees the value of keeping young electeds informed and involved. I'm at the WH! #AtTheWH  – Mayor Heather McTeer, Greenville MS

    "The reason why we run for office is not to be somebody, but to do something." -President Obama #AtTheWH – Portland School Committee Member Jenna Vendil

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  • Better Transportation Options Coming to Communities Across America

    Posted by Joanna Turner on June 30, 2011 at 1:48 AM EDT

    During his first year in office, President Obama established a Livable Communities Initiative that set out to ensure that more Americans—whether they’re living in a city, a suburb, or a rural town—have affordable, reliable access to safe transportation to get them where they need to go. Earlier this month, the Department of Transportation announced a new round of livability grants to help more citizens connect with jobs, schools, affordable housing, parks and recreation, and other activities that contribute to the kinds of healthy, vibrant neighborhoods where we choose to live.

    Over the past two years, these livability grants have helped to bring new bus and streetcar service into places like Manchester, New Hampshire; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. These projects created much-needed jobs while spurring economic development along America’s main streets.

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  • Mayors Call for Immigration Reform

    Posted by Cecilia Muñoz on June 29, 2011 at 11:30 AM EDT

    Last week at their annual meeting, the United States Conference of Mayors passed a resolution among their members calling for comprehensive immigration reform. The sponsors of that resolution, Los Angeles, California Mayor and U.S. Conference of Mayors President Antonio Villaraigosa and Laredo, Texas Mayor Raul Salinas explain why immigration reform cannot wait.

    Los Angeles, California Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa:

    Last week, the nation’s mayors gathered in Baltimore to discuss the issues that matter most to Americans. Together, we resolved that one of the best ways to achieve our collective goals of strengthening the economy, ensuring our global competitiveness, and securing our homeland, is through comprehensive immigration reform.

    The United States has always been enriched by the economic and cultural contributions of immigrants. Immigrants have spurred innovation, made major financial contributions to our nation, and bravely served our country in the armed forces. Yet our current, broken system turns a blind eye to their countless contributions.

    Today’s immigration law lacks accountability and responsibility, exploits undocumented workers, and undermines the American workforce.

    The system must be reformed now. We must embrace the DREAM Act and the millions of young people who would be given a pathway to citizenship with it.  We must embrace AgJobs to ensure that agricultural workers can earn residency and stabilize their workforce.  And we must provide a path to citizenship for the undocumented persons who meet strict requirements.

    As Mayors of cities that are home to millions of immigrants, we know that comprehensive immigration reform is a key to prosperity for all Americans. For the sake of our economy, security, and competitiveness, comprehensive immigration reform is the right thing to do.

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  • Making Tractors, Airplanes, and Armor in the Quad Cities

    Posted by David Agnew on June 28, 2011 at 12:04 PM EDT

    Ed. Note: Watch President Obama speak on the critical role the manufacturing sector plays in the American economy from Alcoa Davenport Works in Bettendorf, Iowa live at 2:05 PM EDT on WhiteHouse.gov/live.

    Today, the President will travel to Iowa to the Alcoa Davenport Works Factory -- a state-of-the-art aluminum rolling mill that serves as the manufacturing hub for Alcoa’s $3 billion aerospace business. While at the Alcoa Factory, President Obama will be joined by local leaders from across the region. Before the President’s visit, we heard from these leaders about how advanced manufacturing plants like the Alcoa Factory impact the regional economy in the Quad Cities.

    Michael Freemire, the Mayor of Bettendorf, Iowa gives us background on the local economy:
     “The Quad Cities area has long been known for its primary manufacturing, advanced technology, and highly educated, motivated workforce.  That’s one of the hallmarks of our local economy and why this region has remained stable in what has otherwise been an economic downturn for many.”

    Don Welvaert, the Mayor of Moline, Illinois enlightens us on why the Quad Cities are attracting businesses:
    “Manufacturing is a significant part of the Quad Cities economy. Whether manufacturing farm implements at John Deere & Company, military guns, armor and ammunition at the Rock Island Arsenal, or the many aluminum aircraft parts and assemblies at Alcoa, we manufacture products sold worldwide. The strong work ethic and quality craftsmanship are two of the primary reasons companies choose to locate in the Quad Cities.”

    Dennis Pauley, the Mayor of Rock Island, Illinois tells us a little about the area’s leading companies:
    “For many years companies like Alcoa, John Deere and the Rock Island Arsenal have been leaders in advanced manufacturing. Alcoa has been and continues to be a leader in developing new uses and processes in the manufacturing of Aluminum. The technicians on the Arsenal always step up to the needs of our military personnel from developing armor plating for the humvee vehicles to discovering new ways to use titanium. John Deere personnel are leaders in developing equipment and processes to feed the world. The Quad Cities economy depends on the expertise of the people working to develop new and improved ways to manufacture products.”

    John Thodos, the Mayor of East Moline, Illinois fills us in on how Alcoa is working with the Department of Defense to produce critical resources for the country:
    “Recently Alcoa partnered with the Joint Manufacturing & Technology Center (JMTC) which is the only vertically integrated metal manufacturing facility in the Department of Defense located at the Rock Island Arsenal as well as the area’s largest employer. JMTC and Alcoa provided prototype vehicles to address new methods to combat IEDs through advanced manufacturing.”

    Bill Gluba, the Mayor of Davenport, Iowa explains how advanced manufacturing, and the President’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) will continue to help the local and national economies:
    “Cutting edge manufacturing techniques such as innovations at Alcoa will continue to lead the way towards more job creation in this competitive global economy.  President Obama’s initiative in promoting advanced manufacturing is moving our country’s economy in the right direction.  The advanced manufacturing sector is and will continue to be vital to future job growth in the economy of Davenport and the Quad Cities.”

    Jeffrey Grindle, the Mayor of Riverdale, Iowa sums up what the President’s visit means to the local residents and workers:
    “By President Obama visiting Alcoa Davenport Works he recognizes Alcoa is a world class leader in advanced manufacturing along with the workforce being second to none.”

     David Agnew is the Deputy Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

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  • Educated Workforces Spur Manufacturing Innovation

    Posted by David Agnew on June 24, 2011 at 9:28 AM EDT

    Ed. Note: At 11:00 AM EDT today, the President will deliver remarks on the need to focus on cross-cutting technologies that will enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing and speed up ideas from the drawing board to the manufacturing floor. Watch live on WhiteHouse.gov/live.

    While President Obama is talking about manufacturing in Pittsburgh today, cities around the country are working to link education and industry to create innovative products and high-tech jobs. This week, we heard from several cities about how an educated workforce is helping to grow the advanced manufacturing economy in their communities.

    Cincinnati, Ohio Mayor Mark Mallory tells us about the importance of manufacturing in the local economy:

    Advanced manufacturing is significant to Cincinnati's economy. GE aircraft engines are designed and built in the Cincinnati area and Cincinnatians created the cutting edge manufacturing techniques involved in the creation of Procter and Gamble paper products found in homes throughout the world. The advanced manufacturing sector will continue to be a key job creator for Cincinnati and I am encouraged by the President's continued focus on jobs.

    In Atlanta, Georgia, Mayor Kasim Reed says:

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