Cities' Jobs Response: Stop Campaigning, Fix Jobs, The Nation Can't Wait Until January

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement is from Ted Ellis , President of the National League of Cities, and mayor of Bluffton, IN, in response to today's unemployment report:

"In the wake of the two political conventions, and the pledges by both parties to create jobs and get the nation's economy back on track, today's unemployment number shows that the nation cannot wait until January for solutions. With Congress coming back in session next week, we remind them that they must do the hard work now and not wait until after the election.

"The fiscal cliff looms over the nation's cities, residents and businesses and must be dealt with to prevent another recession and an even higher unemployment rate. Washington must find ways to get the nation's fiscal house in order while also making the needed investments in human capital and physical infrastructure. 

"The nation needs to focus on long-term competitiveness and not sacrifice future growth.  It will take federal leadership and federal cooperation with local leaders to drive real and sustainable growth for decades to come. Local leaders continue to try to create an environment for growth, but they need a full partner from the federal level to realize lasting economic growth."  

The National League of Cities is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

www.nlc.org
www.citiesspeak.org

SOURCE National League of Cities