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From the Globe News Desk --
As part of the 78th Winter Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and various mayors from across the nation met with President Barack Obama and his economic advisory team to make the case for their city’s respective “metro agendas” as well as the need for stronger federal/city partnerships.
“It’s critical to continue our efforts to ensure that Oakland is at the front of the line for federal resources,” said Dellums. “With this partnership, we have the opportunity to build upon existing innovations in Oakland, leverage additional resources and further develop Oakland as a model city.”
During last week’s meeting at the White House, Dellums made the case for key transportation, education, economic development and workforce development projects, including the Oakland Airport Connector. Dellums also met independently with various officials to advocate for further funds for Oakland, including the Port of Oakland truck retrofit and replacement program. About 1,000 truckers are in need of additional funding support to meet new state environmental requirements to continue working at the Port of Oakland.
BART recently received notice from the Federal Transit Administration that they risk losing federal funds for the Oakland Airport Connector, including $70 million in federal stimulus funds, for not conducting an analysis of potential project impacts from service and fare changes.
“I am seriously concerned about the potential loss of federal funds for the Oakland Airport Connector project due to the Federal Transit Administration’s concerns that BART failed to conduct an equity analysis for service and fare changes for the project,” said Dellums.
The mayors met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Cabinet members and congressional representatives to advocate for a national bipartisan agenda that confronts the persistent unemployment in cities like Oakland.
The mayors also heard from First Lady Michelle Obama, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, White House Urban Affairs Director Aldofo Carrion. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios.
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