AAHOA Makes Valuable Connections at the U.S. Conference of Mayors

This week, AAHOA Director of State Government Affairs Western Division Rachel Stone attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors 92nd Winter Conference in Washington, D.C. Rachel was joined by Joe Buscaino, former councilmember of the City of Los Angeles, and AAHOA Lifetime Member Mike Patel.

The experience provided valuable insights and many networking opportunities. Meetings were held with mayors from San Diego, CA; Kansas City, MO; Durham, NC; Fontana, CA; Tampa, FL; Atlanta, GA; Savannah, GA; Nashville, TN; Milpitas, CA; Kingston, NC; and the Mayor of Beverly Hills, CA.

At the Latino Leaders Network Conference, discussions took place with Javier Angulo, Director of Community Relations at Walmart, and Alfredo Pedroza, Vice President of Government Affairs at Wells Fargo, and most notably, the Honorable Tom Perez, Senior Advisor to the U.S. President.

Connections were also made with Melissa Montross, State and Local Director of Government Affairs at American Airlines. Montross informed Ms. Stone that the American Airlines Government Affairs team is also tracking the Credit Card Competition Act of 2023 alongside AAHOA.

Mayors shared strategies for tackling poverty, emphasizing two-parent households, food purchases, and programs like United Way's Income Strained & Employed and Mayors for Guaranteed Income. The conference urged a focus on teaching people to use benefits responsibly and proposed LLC restrictions to prevent property market manipulation.

The conference recognized the multifaceted nature of homelessness, with mental health and fentanyl crises exacerbating the issue. Initiatives like Housing First and Project Room Key were discussed, along with the role of Airbnb in collaborating with cities to address homelessness.

United States Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the conference, underscoring the importance of this gathering of mayors from all across the country. She addressed crucial issues like gun reform and reproductive rights, emphasizing the administration’s support for the Second Amendment while opposing civilian use of assault rifles.

In conclusion, the Winter 2024 U.S. Conference of Mayors showcased a diverse array of initiatives and discussions, reflecting the commitment of city leaders to address challenges and work towards a better future for their communities. The collaborative spirit and innovative solutions presented emphasize the importance of such conferences in shaping the trajectory of our cities.