Obama Tells Mayors Economic Help is Coming

Mayors ranging from small towns to big cities met with the President and Vice President at the White House Thursday to discuss ways to create jobs. President Obama told the group of 240 Mayors that "while Wall Street may be recovering you and I know your Main Streets have a long way to go."  He stressed that the budget he's preparing to release in February will help build communities and neighborhoods that will be the backbone for a better economy.

President Obama praised the Mayors telling them that they are first ones to help citizens everyday with transit, public safety, housing, sanitation and parks. He also noted that during tough economic times their jobs are really tough and he doesn't envy their position.

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After the meeting Trenton, NJ Mayor Doug Palmer, whose city's unemployment rate is below the national average, said mayors should receive the same amount of money as governors. "The paradigm has to shift. We know that last year 80% or more of money went to states and the states used that money in a lot of other ways," Palmer said, "the nation's mayors are saying we want to be held accountable. We want the funds."

The U.S. Conference of Mayors held it's 78th Winter Meeting in Washington.