John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research, New Jersey Urban Mayors Association Meet with Congressional Representatives in Washington, DC

April 6, 2023 — The Urban Mayors Policy Center at John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University recently brought members of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA) to Capitol Hill and the White House for roundtable discussions on federal policy that impacts urban municipalities.

At the two-day 2023 NJUMA Policy Exchange, held on March 28 and 29, the mayors and their staffs met with New Jersey’s congressional representatives, including U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez as well as members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus. NJUMA members learned more about the tools and resources available to assist municipalities in addressing the many pressing issues facing urban centers.

During the policy roundtable discussions, members met with senior-level agency staff, including Secretary Marcia L. Fudge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, and Economic Development Administration. The NJUMA members shared their perspectives on how federal policy initiatives can better support local governments.

The NJUMA delegation also had the opportunity to meet with the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Domestic Policy Council for discussions about mental health support services, President Biden’s actions to reduce gun violence, and more.

NJUMA members also participated in Communities in Action: Building a Better New Jersey, a White House-led series that brings together local elected officials and community leaders to highlight the investments of the Biden-Harris Administration and their impact in communities throughout the country. The series amplifies the voices and examples of local leaders who are delivering real results for working families. The NJUMA members shared the ways that the administration is supporting their local efforts to create opportunities and improve people’s lives.

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