NPC Luncheon: Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Photo Credit: Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake warned that the partnership between cities and the federal government is threatened by the dysfunction in Washington. The mayor, addressing a National Press Club Speakers Luncheon, blamed gridlock for strangling Washington’s functionality and ultimately the future of the United States." Noel St. John

Photo Credit: Speaking as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Rawlings-Blake outlined the Baltimore Compact - a set of priorities “robustly” debated by the mayors in a recent conference. Also pictured are NPC President John Hughes (center) and Sacramento, California Mayor Kevin Johnson (right)." Noel St. John

Photo Credit: “Our jobs demand results.” Stated Mayor Rawlings-Blake as she described not having the luxury of ideological discussions regarding trash collection and pot-hole repair. “People just want it done, they don’t want to know how we feel about it.”" Noel St. John

Photo Credit: “The challenge I have with police unions is that they are unwilling to evolve,” stated Mayor Rawlings-Blake, then described the inevitability of reform that will affect the unions. The mayor continued saying, “There is a wave in our country that is unrelenting - that will hold officers more accountable for wrongdoing.”" Noel St. John

Photo Credit: At the conclusion of her engagement, Mayor Rawlings-Blake displayed her new coffee mug, courtesy, NPC. Noel St. John