“We’ve Done A Lot; We’ve Got A Lot More to Do”: Housing Remains Front and Center on Day 2 of Annual Meeting

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass addresses her fellow mayors at the USCM 94th Annual Meeting

City Leaders Shared Housing Solutions, Discussed Safeguarding Federal Investments and Explored Opportunities and Challenges Presented by Emerging Technologies

Long Beach, CA - On the second day of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) 94th Annual Meeting, mayors advanced discussions on their key policy priorities, with housing continuing to dominate conversations about affordability, growth and quality of life.

They shared housing solutions at a meeting of the USCM Homelessness Task Force, chaired by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. "I'm really proud of the work that we've been able to do, because we've been able to band together as mayors and bring about change," said Mayor Bass. "We've done a lot, we've got a lot more to do." The task force also laid out its advocacy agenda for the rest of the year, including a mayors' fly-in to Washington, D.C. to meet with federal leaders on housing issues. Both houses of Congress are currently considering versions of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

Robust federal support is key, as mayors discussed during a session led by Montgomery (AL) Mayor Steven Reed on federal grants. They shared ways to safeguard taxpayer dollars and services from sudden federal funding cuts.

Looking to the future, mayors also examined how cities can safely deploy artificial intelligence, like AI agent support for grantwriters and optimizing traffic light timers. "We have to work with our partners," said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, "to try and bring this forward in a way that's actually implementable and durable."

Throughout the day, additional policy resolutions moved to full Conference consideration, as they were discussed and adopted by issue-based committees.

• International Affairs Standing Committee: Chaired by Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, the committee advanced resolutions supporting international cooperation and partnerships. Mayor Gloria previewed an ambitious international agenda for the upcoming year, including a delegation of mayors attending the UN General Assembly, a mayoral visit to Mexico City, and participation in the Munich Security Conference. "Mayors must continue making sure that we assure our global partners about our collective optimism, capitalism and partnership," he said.
  
• Jobs, Education & the Workforce Standing Committee: Led by Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves, mayors adopted resolutions supporting increased funding for childcare and caregivers, and investing in underprivileged youth. "As mayors, our primary responsibility is simple yet profound - and that's to care for our people," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
  
• Children, Health, and Human Services Standing Committee: Led by Allentown (PA) Mayor Matt Tuerk, mayors adopted resolutions supporting increased nutrition and housing access for families and highlighted the importance of working with state and federal partners to ensure city programs can best serve residents in need. "We need our partners, and one of those critical partners is the federal government," said Mayor Tuerk.
  
• Transportation Standing Committee: The committee adopted four resolutions on airports and public transit, as mayors reaffirmed that cities can't stand pat on infrastructure. "Change is coming at a rapid pace," said Edina (MN) Mayor Jim Hovland, the committee's chairman. "Local highways and street highways are bearing more and more of the burden. If we're going to make our economies function, to maintain what we have, and expand, we'll need to have a larger say over the $60 billion that comes down from the highway trust fund," Hovland continued.
• Environment Standing Committee: Chaired by Columbia (MO) Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, the committee unanimously approved resolutions on issues like water programs and permitting reform. The committee also shared a guidebook and model ordinances to help cities manage the impact data centers have on energy use, water resources, and community investment.
  
• Technology and Innovation Standing Committee: The committee, led by San Antonio (TX) Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, advanced four resolutions focused on local authority and consumer protections in emerging technologies and telecommunications. Members discussed opportunities and challenges cities face as they simultaneously look to regulate and adopt AI, including ways AI can improve city operations and services.
• Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment & Sports Committee: Led by the committee's vice chair, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, mayors passed resolutions supporting the arts and sports as critical cultural and economic drivers of cities. Mayors also heard from officials from FIFA, the Olympics and America 250.

The 94th Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors continues through Sunday.

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