Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

White House Hosts 150 City and Municipal Leaders for Day of Discussions, Dialogue

Posted by David Agnew on October 29, 2011 at 02:14 PM EDT
Obama reception with NLC

President Barack Obama attends a reception for members of the National League of Cities in the East Room of the White House, Oct. 27, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 
On Thursday, the White House hosted over 150 mayors, city officials, and state municipal league directors for a day of information from the White House, discussions with Cabinet Officials and a reception with President Obama.
 
After a visit from Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, who started her career in Chicago city government, the city and municipal leaders discussed their immigration reform ideas with Director of White House Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz.
 
The leaders, representing 41 states, then had a briefing on the American Jobs Act with Principal Deputy Director of the National Economic Council Jason Furman and talked about what local leaders can do to help pass the bill.
 
Chief of Staff William Daley, no stranger to local government, took questions from the leaders about how the White House is helping city and municipal governments through the Recovery Act and how cities could benefit further through the American Jobs Act.
  
Aneesh Chopra talks to NLC

Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra speaks about innovation, October 27, 2011. (White House Photo) October 27, 2011.

 
Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra gave a passionate presentation on how city leaders can use data and innovation to improve services for their residents and challenged the officials to help find innovative leaders in each community across America and encourage businesses to take advantage of the Startup America Partnership.
 
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan talked about Sustainable Communities, a partnership between their agencies to create communities with a variety of housing and transportation choices, with destinations close to home.
 
NLC Members listen in South Court

City and municipal leaders listen to a briefing in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, October 27, 2011. (White House Photo) October 27, 2011.

 
After an afternoon packed with information, the leaders joined President Obama for a reception in the White House where he thanked them for their public service and encouraged them to be advocates for their constituents.
 
It was a great day at the White House and we look forward to bringing in many more city and municipal leaders to talk about ways the Administration can partner with local government to improve services for all Americans.
 
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