U.S. mayors to converge on Washington

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. mayors plan to discuss security concerns and funding at their annual meeting in Washington.

Members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors are scheduled to meet next Wednesday-Friday to discuss their second homeland security report, which tracks federal funds to local governments.

The mayors have in the past two years called on Washington to help states with escalating budget shortfalls that have caused lawmakers to cut local services across the board.

Among those scheduled to address the conference are Dr. Julie Louise Gerberding, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.