My Question to The Presidential Candidates

Tonight, the two presidential candidates will hold their second debate. I was asked by The Washington Post to ask a question that I would like answered by Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama if Miami hosted tonight’s town-hall-style presidential debate. After much thought, I decided to ask them about how they would address Anti-American populism expanding in Latin American, a subject that has been virtually absent from the Campaign debate, in spite of the fact that these troubling events are happening in our own backyard.
My question, along with that of several other mayors, was published today in the Post’s Topic A section. You can read my question below. We will have to wait until tonight to find out if the candidates answer it.

“Four years ago, a foreign policy debate between George Bush and John Kerry was held in Miami, a city whose population is over 60 percent foreign-born and that is truly a cultural and commercial hub to Latin America and the Caribbean. Throughout the debate and the campaign, events in the Western Hemisphere were never mentioned. In the current campaign season, this has not changed.
Anti-American populism is expanding in our back yard. Venezuela's Hugo Chávez holds joint military exercises with Russia and expels U.S. diplomats. Evo Morales of Bolivia and Manuel Zelaya of Honduras follow suit. In Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega decries American imperialism. Regional economies continue to falter while Chinese investment greatly increases. Meanwhile, Haiti disintegrates under crushing poverty, and a military dictatorship continues to rule in Cuba.
We worry about events half a world away while we generally ignore the world to our south.
What will your comprehensive policy be toward this hemisphere? Will you support existing and proposed free-trade agreements, and what impact might these have on our economy and that of the region? Which countries would you add to the visa waiver list, thus increasing tourism and economic ties? How will you address the underlying causes in the region that drive migration to the United States?
Finally, what do you propose to assure that anti-Americanism is replaced with neighborly mutual understanding and the spread of democracy in this hemisphere?

MANUEL A. DIAZ

Mayor of Miami and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors”

Read the whole article in The Washington Post.

Mayors Action Forum: Environment and Energy, Miami

One of the first things that I did as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors was to launch a series of national mayors action forums to provide the opportunity for my colleagues and I to learn from each other and to develop a strong, clear urban agenda that we will present to the next President of the United States. World scientists have repeatedly warned us about the seriousness and effects of climate change – yet, Washington sleeps while America’s mayors act.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting 22 fellow mayors and several mayors’ representatives to discuss plans for environmental and energy sustainability and to reveal our first-ever Metro Green Jobs Report. For the first time, we can measure green jobs being created in our cities and metropolitan economies, the economic engines that drive the U.S. country. This Green Jobs Index means we can track green jobs that are being created in our metro areas as we move to a carbon-free economy. Moreover, it demonstrates that acting aggressively today will produce enormous and sustainable economic benefits for all Americans. Today, there are 750,000 green jobs throughout the United States and, within the next 30 years, green jobs will account for the fastest growing segment of the American workforce and 4.2 million new jobs.

It was an enriching and focused meeting and we benefited from visiting experts such as Luke Tilley, Senior Economist for the U.S. Regional Service of Global Insight; HM Keith Allen, Consul-General of the United Kingdom; and, of course, President Bill Clinton.

Our conversation raised a number of issues, including emissions trading, setting national reduction targets, local and international cap-and-trade programs, and the development of city climate action plans, like MiPlan. President Clinton reiterated his support for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants, a key component of the Mayors’ 10-Point Plan, as a means of developing “islands of success” in cities across America.

This week, my fellow mayors and I will put our ideas and experiences into the development of a new, official U.S. Conference of Mayors urban agenda. It is imperative that the presidential candidates connect with the real struggles and concerns of America’s cities – including the need to protect our natural resources while investing in the economic opportunities that energy self-sufficiency will provide.

LETTER URGING CONGRESS TO MOVE QUICKLY TO ADDRESS NATIONAL FINANCIAL CRISIS

Our nation is at a crossroads, and Washington must act now. With that in mind, I sent the following letter today to Congress on behalf of the nation’s mayors urging Congress to move quickly to address the current national financial crisis:

Dear House and Senate Leaders and Members of Congress:

I am writing to you in my capacity as President of the United States Conference of Mayors. The current dysfunctions in the financial markets are having major economic impacts across the country, in particular to large urban centers. I list just five of those impacts below:

Loss of jobs/Loss of economic development and growth
From January through August 2008, the US economy has lost over 605,000 jobs (an additional 105,000 job losses are expected in September) and total unemployment now totals 2.2 million. The consolidation in the banking industry that is occurring due to our current financial distress will only exacerbate the situation. For cities like New York that rely on personal income taxes for a major source of their operational cash, the impact will be devastating, adding to the shortfalls in property tax collections resulting from the national housing crisis.

Cities drive the national economy. Metro economies now account for 86% of national employment, 90% of labor income and 90% of the Gross Domestic Product. Metropolitan areas are the economic engines of America because we invest in our neighborhoods, we invest in our people.

Let there be no doubt, our current national economic crisis is having, and will continue to have, a severe impact on our ability to continue investing in our nation’s growth. Rising unemployment and reductions in personal income are putting a significant strain on our budgets and our ability to deliver services and promote economic development.

Let there also be no doubt, it is at a time like this that the American people require more from their Mayors. Increases in crime are already evident in many areas. Job training and job placement become more important than ever. Budgets cuts in schools result in the elimination of after school programs designed to keep our young people off the streets, away from trouble.

We are delighted by the recent continuous reference to Main Street and its new-found popularity. We are delighted that Washington seems to be re-discovering what Mayors have long known, that Main Street is America’s cities.

Strong and prosperous cities are a strong and prosperous America.


Loss of confidence
A loss of confidence in our banking system is also currently playing out in what should be simple determinations of what constitutes safe havens for operational funds (let alone long-term investments). For example, the City of Miami holds approximately $10 Million of liquid cash and investments to cover day-to-day expenses.

When Wachovia’s financial distress was coming to light, we seriously considered pulling out our funds. Even though we have State legislative protection against failing public depositories, had Wachovia collapsed it may have been months before access to our cash would have occurred and in that event, short-term borrowing for liquidity would have been either very expensive or downright impossible.

Access to Credit Denied/Delayed/Costly
Prior to the most recent bank failures and consolidations, the municipal bond market was averaging $5-7 Billion per week in new bond issuances. Over the past two weeks, the average of entries into the marketplace has diminished to well under $1 Billion per week and the visible supply of new issues has backed up to over $15 Billion. These numbers represent a delay of necessary capital projects that help spur job creation.

For those municipalities that have been able to access the market over the past two weeks, their entry has come at a price of between 75-85 basis points in stated interest costs and an additional interest penalty of 30-35 basis points in order to get their transactions done. The overall effect of the current economic crisis on municipal debt has been an increase of approximately 1.0% -1.20% in interest costs over the period prior to two weeks ago. When cities issue debt in the tens and hundreds of millions of dollars, these changes in borrowing costs represent significant added costs to taxpayers. Additionally, some municipalities simply cannot afford to issue debt at these interest rate levels.

Lost Values in Pension Funds and 401K retirement accounts
Citizens around the country rely on their retirement savings accounts and pension funds to provide for themselves in their golden years. These funds have lost millions in value as a result of the losses being suffered in the stock market. In fact, the Dow Jones’ loss of 777 points in a single day reduced equity values by more than $1 trillion. For municipalities around the country, these losses directly translate to increased pension contributions from already strained city budgets.

Foreclosures and Housing Values
Property taxation represents local government’s largest revenue source. With 1.7 million foreclosure proceedings in 2007 and an estimated 2.3 million additional foreclosure proceedings expected in 2008, cities have had to adjust, and will continue to adjust, their operating budgets downward to offset lost property tax revenues. Cities realize that housing markets fluctuate and they plan accordingly utilizing budgetary reserves. However, the magnitude of foreclosures and their expected long-term impact on national housing stock will greatly upset the ability of cities to address the needs of the American people.

On behalf of the American people, the US Conference of Mayors urges and expects Congress to move quickly to adopt a thorough solution to address the national financial crisis for the long term, a solution that benefits both Main Street America and Wall Street.

Sincerely,

Manny A. Diaz
PresidentU.S. Conference of Mayors

About the Troubling Economic Crisis

The events of the past few days have caused me great pause and consternation. Our nation is gripped in a financial crisis that at its worse could send us down a course that would rival the Great Depression.

And yet these days it seems we go from crisis to crisis – a war with no clear result or end, the housing and foreclosure crisis a few months ago, now we have a melt down on Wall Street.

Congress considers passing a plan to bail out an industry that should know better, an industry Congress had coddled, and will now subsidize.

Congress will then move on to the next debate – all without addressing the underlying conditions that got us here, and keep getting us here.

Why are markets failing? Why are the fundamentals of our economy not sound? Why do people feel worse today, and are more pessimistic about our future than at any other time in our history?

This is a time when Washington has lost its values----- lost its principles - lost its sense of purpose - It no longer invests in our cities, it no longer invests in our people.

Plain and simple, Washington has abandoned us.

Cuts to education, cuts to housing, health, public safety, youth programs, economic development, job training, arts, and infrastructure.

This comes at a time when people in America are suffering – when our nation needs the most.

Consider the following:

1 in every 6 children lives in poverty, with nearly half living in extreme poverty. Is poverty and economic opportunity an urban problem or an American problem?

The US economy has lost over 450,000 jobs so far this year - wages remain flat - gasoline is now over $4 a gallon - rising food prices, rising medical costs - hitting each and every one of us in the wallet.

Is our economy an urban problem or is it an American problem?

We know the answer - these are America’s problems – and yet cities have been left alone to deal with them.

Cities drive the national economy. And yet, when Mayors bring up the issues we all face – we get the same response.

We are told Mayors need to be fiscally responsible, that we need to do more with less, but there is not enough money to solve urban problems.

CDBG is funded at a little over 3.5 billion annually, and has been cut every year since I’ve been in office – We get a Water Bill passed over a veto, approximately $5 billion annually – this is what we spend on water! And remember the SCHIP crisis? How much resistance did the current administration put up to spending money to make sure uninsured children got health insurance?

And yet, this same administration proposes we spend $700 Billion to bail out Wall Street. We are supposed to entrust the bailout to the same regulators who allowed it to happen.

This isn’t monopoly money – Can any of you imagine what $700 billion dollars could do in America’s cities? Or even $350 billion?

Then we are told we MUST spend this money to save our economy, save our very way of life, but no one talks about the path that led us here. The financial crisis has been building up for some time – we know about the bad lending practices; irresponsible borrowing; irresponsible lending - No one bothered to look at underlying value until it was too late.

Meanwhile, mayors have been working on financial literacy, small business assistance, entrepreneurship, education – working with organizations like the ICIC to reinvigorate our inner cities –

We are arming people with the knowledge and tools necessary to make wise financial choices, to build credit worthiness, to accumulate wealth. And now the financial crisis may lead to a credit crisis – Whereas banks were too eager to lend, now they don’t lend at all.

It is time for Washington to end its partisan gridlock, end the pointless debates, and engage in some serious planning and leadership to address the issues we all face.

I’ve spent the last 2 months travelling throughout the nation as part of our Mayor’s March Across America – these are 5 cities, 5 forums.

They deal with crime and public safety to make our streets and neighborhoods safe for children and families. Poverty reduction and economic opportunity so that we can financially empower all Americans. Arts, culture, and tourism - stimulating an industry that creates jobs that cannot be outsourced - a generator of over 10 million jobs and $1 trillion in economic impact. Infrastructure investment - to repair and rebuild our nation’s resources, with every billion invested generating over 47,000 jobs that cannot be outsourced.

And our environment - again generating millions of jobs that cannot be outsourced, preserving our nation and planet for generations to come.

These forums will form the basis for what we will present to the next president as his urban agenda for the first 100 days.

The next president must understand that an investment in America’s cities, an investment in America’s people is an investment in America’s future.

Updates from the Mayor's Green Commission

Today was a great day for the City of Miami and the Green Commission.

Back in 2006, when I created the Green Commission – a group of local experts and community enthusiasts that helps me create and implement sustainable environmental practices throughout the city – I knew that there were residents throughout Miami dedicated to innovative strategies to make ours a greener, cleaner, more beautiful city. At today’s meeting of the Green Commission, I had the opportunity to share with some of them the successes of our collaborative efforts.

In the past few months, we have passed the Green Fleet and Green Purchasing Ordinances, both of which support green industries and reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions. From hybrid vehicles to locally procured and sustainably produced biofuels, from recycled products to Forest Stewardship Council certified paper – the City of Miami remains dedicated to environmentally responsible practices.

Members of the subcommittee on Climate Action were present to discuss the City of Miami Climate Action Plan, MiPLAN, which will be presented to the City Commission next week. The plan, which you can find here, outlines how the City of Miami is reducing our energy consumption and responding to the challenges of global warming.

The Bicycle Action Committee presented the most recent draft of the Bicycle Action Plan, which aims to promote bicycling throughout the city for recreation, commuting, and short trips. Members of the committee represent groups like the Green Mobility Network, Emerge Miami and Transit Miami.

Lastly, I am proud to announce that the Green Miami website is up and filled with information about the importance of trees in our City and how the Tree Master Plan is increasing our urban tree canopy.

I hope that you will visit the website www.OurGreenMiami.org and share it with your friends and colleagues.

Miami brings hope to hurricane victims - You can help, too.

The past few weeks have brought vast devastation to our Caribbean neighbors, as hurricanes Gustav and Ike and tropical storms Fay and Hanna have ripped through the region, leaving behind a wide path of destruction. The islands of Haiti, Cuba, Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos have been bombarded by one hurricane after another. The storms caused hundreds of deaths, millions of dollars in losses and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless and in dire need of food, clothing and emergency assistance.
Although we have been spared so far this hurricane season, in Miami we are still painfully familiar with the devastating effects of hurricanes. We know from experience how difficult it is to recover from the destruction that hurricanes leave behind, and know that help is always needed and deeply appreciated. It is times like these that neighbors must help neighbors, and I urge you to open your hearts, and your wallets, to help.
That is why the City of Miami partnered with Catholic Charities, The American Red Cross, Miami Dade College, the University of Miami, and other community organizations in their efforts to collect aid and supplies to be sent to affected islands in the Caribbean. Catholic Charities and the Red Cross are requesting monetary donations to assist in their relief efforts.
Two weeks ago, after Hurricane Gustav ripped through Haiti, the City of Miami, led by Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, partnered with Dolphin Stadium, the Marlins, the Miami Dolphins and the Miami Hurricanes to kick off “Operation: Hope for Haiti”. At the September 7th Miami Dolphins football game against the New York Jets, an overwhelming amount of food and clothing was collected. Food and clothing drops are located at all City of Miami Fire Stations and various Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) offices throughout the City.

Below please find information on all of the relief efforts, and find some time to donate to those in need.

· Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami
http://www.ccadm.org/
Catholic Charities Storm Aid
9401 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami Shores, FL 33138

· American Red Cross
The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at http://www.redcross.org/.
https://american.redcross.org/
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013

· Miami Dade College
Beginning on Monday, Sept. 15, through Friday, Sept. 19, MDC will collect nonperishable food, baby supplies and new or used clothing in good condition at eight of their campuses: Hialeah Campus, Homestead Campus, InterAmerican Campus, Kendall Campus, Medical Center Campus, North Campus, West Campus, Wolfson Campus, and Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center.

· Operation: Hope for Haiti
Operation Hope for Haiti will continue through September 19. Food and clothing drops are located at all City of Miami Fire Stations and various Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) offices throughout the City. Residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable items, water, medicine and clothing. In addition to donating items at the City of Miami Fire-Rescue Stations and NET offices, Miami Dolphins, Marlins and Hurricane Fans can donate food and clothing at the Dolphin Stadium during game time. For more information on Operation: Hope for Haiti, please contact the office of Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones at (305) 250-5390.

MAYOR DIAZ SENDS LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH CONCERNING POLITICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS IN VENEZUELA

I have watched the events in Venezuela unfold during the past weeks and have become increasingly worried about the future of democracy in that country. The latest cause for alarm has been the arbitrary disqualifications of 272 candidates who would otherwise be eligible to run for office in the upcoming elections, simply because they are opposed to the current government. This is a blatant disregard of the Venezuelan constitution, and an attempt against democracy as a whole in our hemisphere.

One of the disqualified candidates is Mayor of the Chacao district of Caracas and a political opponent of the current Venezuelan government, Leopoldo López. Leopoldo is an active leader in the Mayors Hemispheric Forum, and has fought incessantly to defend democracy in Venezuela. Now he is facing repercussions simply because he is running for one of the most important mayorships in Venezuela, that of the city of Caracas. We must support our colleague in his pursuit of a democratic process.

This is a critical moment for Venezuela and for democracy in the Americas, and US mayors must get involved in helping our colleagues in Venezuela. This is why I have sent this letter to the President of the United States and to members of Congress expressing my concern and urging them to pay attention to what is happening just south of our borders. You can read my letter to President Bush below:

Dear Mr. President:

This past June, the United States Conference of Mayors unanimously adopted a resolution unequivocally condemning the summary and arbitrary disqualification of candidates without due juridical process in Venezuela, and denouncing the subjugation of the Venezuelan constitution and the total disregard of separated executive and judicial branches of government. Attached for your review and consideration is a copy of the resolution.

The mayors of the United States view with grave concern and indignation the disqualification of 272 otherwise eligible candidates from participating in the upcoming state and local elections in November. The disqualification of these candidates, rubber-stamped by the Venezuelan Supreme Court in spite of the absence of any formal charges against them, has confirmed the court’s lack of judicial independence, is a violation of the Venezuelan constitution and the American Convention on Human Rights, and serves as an affront to the democratic principles of the Venezuelan people.

Nevertheless, Venezuelans continue to believe strongly in their constitution, the rule of law, and the doctrine of separation of powers. Many are publicly protesting in support of these principles and the disqualified candidates. One such candidate is Mr. Leopoldo López, Mayor of the Chacao district of Caracas and a political opponent of the current Venezuelan government.

Recent polls show that he is widely considered the most viable candidate for the mayoralty of Caracas, one of the most prominent elected offices in Venezuela. Mr. López has been an active leader in the Mayors Hemispheric Forum, an annual gathering of urban mayors from throughout the Americas designed to promote cooperation and integration in our hemisphere.
Through his work with the Mayor’s Hemispheric Forum, Mr. López has emerged as a leader and a personal friend of the members of the forum. Publicly and privately, he has always shown a true commitment to promoting and pursuing democracy and freedom for Venezuelans and other citizens in the region. Unfortunately, he is now facing repercussions for simply attempting to uphold these beliefs and running for office.

The United States Conference of Mayors stands in solidarity with the democratic aspirations of our Venezuelan colleagues and the people of Venezuela in order to ensure that their democratic, civil and human rights are honored and respected. It is imperative that we continue to support those who struggle to promote freedom and democracy in our hemisphere.

Thank you for your consideration.