Mayor Heartwell: Why the President’s Budget is Good for Cities

On Saturday, Grand Rapids, Michigan Mayor George Heartwell explained in the Grand Rapids Press why President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget is good for cities and good for America. Read an excerpt from Mayor Heartwell and check out the full article online.

"It behooves all Americans to ensure that our cities thrive. Do you drive on our city streets and cross our local bridges? You know how important great infrastructure is. Do you hire the graduates of our urban public schools? You know how important quality education is. Do you care about the 36.7 percent of our Grand Rapids children who live in poverty? You know the importance of stable, affordable housing and employment training to reducing poverty.

In any annual American budget, you find what matters most to us as a people. You see the things we value. You catch a glimpse of our aspirations as a nation.

The Obama budget is fair, equitable, compassionate and prudent. These are values I subscribe to. These are the values that make us great."

You can find the complete Fiscal Year 2013 budget online and check out a fact sheet on how the budget will impact cities and metropolitan areas across the country.