This week Mayor Lucy Vinis, along with a coalition of Mayors and other climate leaders across the country, is calling on Congress to pass a federal infrastructure package as a crucial tool to fund climate solutions.
On Tuesday, Mayor Vinis and more than 140 mayors sent a letter to Congressional leadership calling for the passage of an infrastructure and economic recovery package that supports the critical work of America’s towns and cities to address climate change, create economic opportunity, and confront environmental injustice.
In the letter to Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McCarthy, and Minority Leader McConnell, the Climate Mayors stated their priorities for federal legislation, including:
- Prioritize and expand programs where funds flow directly to cities from the federal government.
- Prioritize local government-led processes for federal funds that flow to the states to improve inclusivity and accountability.
- Ensure that federal programs and funding prioritize disadvantaged communities and allow sufficient administrative and implementation flexibility to meet local needs.
- Ensure that federal spending is accompanied by workforce standards that prioritize job quality and equitable access to well-paying high road careers.
“Drought, heat waves, and wildfire have become all too familiar features of Oregon summers, and their impacts continue to intensify,” said Mayor Vinis. “The price of not acting is too high, and local governments across the country have a vision for local climate solutions. We need support from Congress to move at the speed that this crisis demands to implement local solutions that create resilient communities.”
Mayor Vinis shared opening remarks at the America’s All In virtual press briefing on Wednesday, which shared insights about investment in climate infrastructure. All In leaders representing different economic sectors spoke at the briefing, including Bracken Darrell, the CEO of Logitech; Haverford College President Wendy Raymond; Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway of Madison, WI and Mayor Vi Lyles of Charlotte, North Carolina; and many others.
Mayor Vinis also joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Congressman Peter DeFazio (Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure), Springfield Mayor Sean Van Gordon, and Aurora Jackson, General Manager of Lane Transit District (LTD), at a presentation highlighting LTDs work to electrify its fleet. The group commented on the federal infrastructure bill and what it could accomplish for Oregonians.
Photo: Peter DeFazio (front) shares a laugh with Pete Buttigieg, Aurora Jackson, Lucy Vinis, and Sean Van Gordon (back, left to right) on Wednesday, July 15.