Editor:

I just returned from Washington, D.C., where I attended the National League of Cities conference. This annual conference is geared toward national policy that will affect cities and towns throughout the United States.

Educational sessions were held on possible legislation to give each of us the materials we would need to talk with our senators and congressmen and departments writing legislation. Events and policies that are voted on at the federal level filter down to cities that we eventually have to implement. Cities need to have a voice before that occurs.

Major discussions were held around the Transportation Authorization Bill that has been extended, Climate Change Bill that may come up next spring, Energy Environment Conservation Block Grants that need to be funded in this year’s budget so that cities can cut their energy expenses, Collective Bargaining for Public Safety employees and the impact that could have on city budgets, $7.2 million Broadband stimulus and what that means for rural Alabama, water infrastructure financing for drinking and waste water, city rights of way and our ability to control their use, and more.

Speakers at the conference included Secretary Ray LaHood, Department of Transportation; Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor and assistant to the President; Adolfo Carrion, White House Director of Urban Affairs; Secretary Gary Locke, Department of Commerce; Secretary Arne Duncan, Department of Education; Secretary Stephen Chu, Department of Energy and others.

Alabama was well represented with over 160 attendees. I want to thank my city for giving me the opportunity to represent Fairhope when it comes to federal legislation that will impact us. As the vice chairman of the National League of Cities Advisory Council, I am positioned to give Fairhope, the state of Alabama and the other cities and towns in this great nation a voice at the national level.

City Council member