This week, Georgia city officials from across the state traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference where they shared and advocated for Georgia cities' federal priorities on Capitol Hill.
Meetings with Georgia Delegation
Before the conference started, GMA President Mayor Bianca Motley Broom and Federal Relations Manager Molly McLoughlin met with key members of Georgia’s congressional delegation, along with the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. They met with legislative directors in U.S. Reps. Austin Scott, Rich McCormick, and Brian Jack’s offices, covering a wide range of policy issues.
Housing, Transportation, and More
The combined Senate and House housing package, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, passed the full Senate on a bipartisan vote and is now waiting for a House vote. In their conversations, Motley Broom and McLoughlin shared Georgia cities' support for the housing package, including the addition of the White House-backed policy on reining in institutional investors in single-family homes.
Another important policy priority they discussed was the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization and the inclusion of the recently introduced BASICS Act. The BASICS Act is an ambitious proposal to ensure cities can deliver federally funded transportation projects more efficiently and with a more direct funding model.
Motley Broom and McLoughlin also advocated for the FEMA Act and discussed why major reforms are necessary to improve the way disaster relief is delivered to state and local governments. They also raised the concerns of cities when it comes to immigration enforcement and maintaining lines of communication between federal agencies and local law enforcement.
Georgia Cities at the NLC Conference
Georgia cities were well represented at the conference, with nearly 100 mayors, councilmembers, city managers, and other local officials in attendance – well over most states. GMA hosted many of the Georgia attendees at a Monday evening reception to celebrate Georgia’s leadership within NLC.
On Capitol Hill
Nearly 30 Georgia city officials also descended upon the nation’s capital to meet with their Congressmembers and their legislative staff. Rep. Lucy McBath met with mayors and city council members from her district and Sen. Jon Ossoff met with local officials from across the state. Members also met with legislative staff from Reps. Mike Collins, Rick Allen and Barry Loudermilk’s offices.