December 31, 2008 1:47 PM

Newark Mayor: Cities Stand To Gain From Obama Stimulus Plan

Topics
Economy
Arleen Lebe is a writer for CBS News Radio.


(AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)
Struggling American cities can expect a helping hand and bold new initiatives from the incoming Obama administration, Newark Mayor Cory Booker says.

Booker was an early supporter of Mr. Obama and has had ongoing communication with Mr. Obama's transition team. In Booker's view, Mr. Obama's urban roots and his time as a community organizer in Chicago make him especially receptive to the needs of urban America.

The new administration will have a White House Office of Urban Policy and that is all to the good, says Booker. But he tells CBS News Radio that local leaders and not the new young president will have ultimate responsibility -- with federal support -- for making changes that will make life better for city residents. Booker recently brought together a group of mayors in New Jersey to prepare a policy paper to assist the transition team in developing new policies to assist America's cities.

In an interview with CBS News' Nick Young, Mayor Booker identified some of the priorities the mayors brought to the attention of the incoming administration. These include federal support for "greening" the cities as a way to create jobs and a better quality of life. They want federal investment in -- but not handouts for -- their cities. And they are especially concerned that the incoming president's economic stimulus program balances the needs of urban and suburban areas in allocating federal money for infrastructure improvements.

Click here to listen to the Cory Booker interview.

Add a Comment
by bayermr January 1, 2009 3:31 PM EST
President Elect Obama Personally Addressed by SAFE Foundation in Chicago Tribune

On 12/14/2008, in the Chicago Tribune, the SAFE Foundation (www.safefoundationusa.org), respectfully requested President Elect Obama''s endorsement for their new program. SAFE did not ask for money, only President Elect Obama''s endorsement. The SAFE Foundation recently started a new program capable of helping millions of disaster stricken American citizens and simultaneously helping our countries economy recover. SAFEs program is very effective and based around common sense thinking. Without a doubt, SAFEs new program will produce many positive results. Results that will benefit the %u201CAmerican Citizens%u201D across our Country.
Reply to this comment
by bayermr January 1, 2009 3:30 PM EST
I am personally very curious as to why President Elect Obama has not yet responded to the SAFE Foundations request for his endorsement of their program. This is an excellent example of the type of "CHANGE" the American people need. With just a few spoken words to the News Media, President Elect Obama would enable the SAFE Foundation to help millions of devastated American citizens. I am hoping President Elect Obama will soon grant the request of the SAFE Foundation, as many Americans desperately need help NOW!
I also hope that the news media is truly concerned with the well being of our devastated American people. Concerned enough to give the SAFE Foundation nationwide media exposure. The exposure that would help the SAFE Foundation quickly achieve their goal of helping millions of disaster stricken Americans across our country.
My personal opinion: If the News Media has the air time and resources to repeatedly give media coverage concerning President Bush%u2019s dog leaving the White House and predicting what breed of dog the Obama%u2019s will purchase to move into the White House, they have plenty of air time to help the SAFE Foundation save our devastated American citizens.
Soon we will all see who is truly concerned with the well being of our fellow Americans in distress and who merely claims to be concerned.
Written by: Feeling Duped Obama supporter.
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