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McDuffie among Florida mayors urging deal on debt ceiling

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Delray Beach Mayor Woodie McDuffie was one of 37 Florida mayors who signed a letter to congressional leaders and Florida’s delegation urging a “balanced” compromise on lifting the federal debt ceiling while cutting the deficit.

The letter, addressed to Nancy Pelosi, John Bohner, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, Sens. Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson and Florida’s House delegation also “implores” Congress and the White House to develop a “job creation agenda,” to stimulate private hiring, noting that unemployment in Florida sits at 10.6 percent.

Leaders reached an agreement Sunday evening but members of the House and Senate have yet to vote on it.

“As the mayors of cities in Florida, we represent a large number of Americans who
will be adversely affected by a downgrade of the United States’ credit rating or a
default on the national debt,” the letter states. “Economists agree that a failure to increase the debt ceiling will have a disastrous impact on our cities and will lead to another
economic downturn.

“To protect our citizens from further financial hardship, we urge you to support a
balanced approach to raising the debt ceiling.   Reasonable cuts to domestic
spending, combined with the elimination of some tax loopholes for the wealthiest
Americans and largest corporations, is the most responsible way to preserve our
economic security and promote future growth.

“With Florida’s unemployment at 10.6 percent, we see firsthand the challenges of
families in our state.  In addition to raising the debt ceiling, we also implore you
to develop a job creation agenda that stimulates private sector employment with
investments in our infrastructure and in the green economy.  A prudent policy of
targeted investments will foster a robust, long-term financial recovery for our
cities and the nation as a whole.

“The decisions you make will have a profound effect on the well-being of our
cities’ residents.  On behalf of our citizens, we urge you to protect their economic
security by promoting a balanced approach to raising the debt ceiling and a
renewed focus on job growth.”

Among the other South Florida mayors signing the letters were: Jeri Muoio of West Palm Beach, Pamela Bushnell of Tamarac, Frank Ortis of Pembroke Pines, Lori Moseley of Miramar and Dr. Philip K. Stoddard of South Miami.