Home > Current Article

Local Governments Urged to Act Immediately

President Barack Obama signed into law the $787 billion stimulus package on February 17. For local governments, the challenge now is to move into action quickly to ensure that they gain access to the funds that are available. Equally important, local government managers can make sure that everyone knows how the funds are being spent—and that there is full accountability for them.

As National League of Cities (NLC) Executive Director Donald J. Borut wrote in his February 16 column, this is a time when local governments can demonstrate their effectiveness and accountability. He urges cities to “act immediately" by:

• Contacting state departments of transportation to learn how they plan to allocate transportation funds that must come through the state.

• Reviewing the regional metropolitan planning organization priorities to define priority projects that will be most effective in creating jobs.

• Reviewing the permitting process to ensure that projects can move quickly and in accordance with oversight and accountability requirements that are likely to be included in the funding legislation.

• Streamlining procurement processes, consistent with accountability requirements.

• Meeting with school superintendents and/or school board presidents to coordinate on how federal education funds can be used most effectively to address local needs.

• Developing a plan with regional workforce investment boards for summer youth employment projects and other workforce development initiatives.”

To read more analysis of the stimulus package, go to NLC's Web site or to the National Association of Counties site.