Obama a 'committed partner' for mayors

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama told a delegation of U.S. mayors in Washington Thursday he would doggedly work to create jobs and right the nation's economic ship.

"(You) can expect a continued, sustained and relentless effort to create good jobs for the American people. I will not rest until we've gotten there," Obama told the delegation of mayors from the U.S. Conference of Mayors at the White House.

He noted his administration has cut taxes, extended unemployment benefits and taken other measures to help pull the economy out of its slump.

"And we're working every day to get our economy back on track and put America back to work," he said.

The budget he will present to Congress next month will build on an urban vision "by putting an end to throwing money after what doesn't work and by investing responsibly in what does," Obama said.

The vision includes building "strong regional backbones" in economic and workforce development that extend into the region beyond a city's boundaries, he said. Also, the budget request will focus on more livable and environmentally sustainable communities because "(we) need strategies that encourage smart development linked to quality public transportation that bring our communities together."

Obama said "we'll focus on creating neighborhoods of opportunity" to address issues such as access to good jobs, affordable housing, convenient transportation, quality schools and health services.

"It's just not easy being a mayor. But rarely, if ever, has it been more difficult than it is today," Obama said. "And just when they (city residents) need more from you, you're stuck with falling revenues, leaving you with impossible choices ... ."