While playing host to the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ winter meeting last week, Mayor Vince Gray swung by NBC’s studios to sit down with Meet the Press host David Gregory.
Gray, along with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, talked about the need for the federal government to “listen to cities more,” especially when it comes to employment and infrastructure. Nutter did most of the talking in the 11-minute web video, defending the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program, which is one of the few federal programs that sends money to cities directly. The program was recently cut by $390 million, meaning reductions to the amounts given to cities across the country.
Gregory asked Gray about job creation—the District’s unemployment rate is 10.6 percent—and whether the federal government was offering any assistance or even an open ear toward the city. The mayor’s answer was a succinct denial.
“There are days—and quite frankly I’m right here in Washington—when I wonder if they’re even listening, whether they understand what’s going on in our cities,” Gray said.
The mayor also talked up the burgeoning streetcar system—set to go online next year assuming the District can settle on a vendor for the trolleys—as a potential economic engine, albeit another one Congress ignores.
Funding streetcar construction, Gray said, “would have major economic benefits to development here in the city because it would bring people into areas they’re not going now. Streetcars are being supported all across the nation these days, yet at the federal level, there’s no conversation at all.”
Gregory also hit up the two mayors for their outlook on the unfolding presidential race. Suffice it to say, they’re not in agreement with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s assessment of President Obama as the “food stamp president.” The Meet the Press host also tried to end on a light note by talking football, not that the three men had much to grin about between the 6-10 Redskins and 8-8 Philadelphia Eagles.
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