In D.C., mayor urges action, not talk
Garcetti’s speech at progressives forum wraps up trip to the capital, where he also sought transit funding.
WASHINGTON — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti had a warning for a ballroom full of progressive leaders Tuesday: Don’t get bogged down in “making sure that you win the argument instead of moving progress forward.”
Garcetti told the audience at the Center for American Progress’ Ideas Conference in Washington that he knew they were upset by the current “political moment.” But he added that “every day we spend playing defense is a day we’re not making progress. If we define ourselves solely by our opposition to this administration, we will sell ourselves short and more important, we will sell the American people short.”
The mayor spoke at a time when many Democrats are trying to determine what’s next for their party after unexpected electoral losses in November.
The speech capped off a two-day trip to Washington by Garcetti. While in D.C., he also asked Transportation Department officials for help funding the final stage of the Metro Purple Line and testified about infrastructure before a Senate committee at the Capitol.
The conference was seen by many as an early cattle call of potential 2020 presidential candidates. Garcetti, who was just reelected to a second term, and others who’ve been floated as possible candidates participated in the daylong event — including Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
Los Angeles has pushed back against multiple Trump administration policies — in part by setting aside funding for legal services for immigrants who are in the country illegally and pledging to adopt the Paris climate accord if the administration decides to pull the United States out of the agreement, both of which could help Garcetti gain statewide or national attention.
Throughout his speech, Garcetti, the only mayor invited to speak at the conference, argued that cities will continue to move forward on ideas such as free community college and expanding infrastructure, even if Washington remains stuck.
“The future is here, and the American people are waiting for somebody to step up, to lead us with the confidence and courage we need,” Garcetti said. “So don’t cede the power you have before you exercise it. Don’t ... fall
into the trap of being paralyzed with fear and with anger. Don’t fight pessimism with more pessimism.”
Garcetti also went to Washington to promote Los Angeles’ efforts to improve infrastructure and taxpayers’ approval in November of Measure M, the transportation sales tax that will raise billions to build and maintain roads and other transportation infrastructure.
He asked Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in a private meeting Monday to fast-track $1.3 billion for the final stage of the city’s extension of the Purple Line to Westwood ahead of a decision on the city’s 2024 Olympic bid.
The International Olympic Committee is scheduled to decide in September whether Los Angeles or Paris will host the 2024 Games, and officials just spent three days in Los Angeles doing a final walk-through.
Traffic and congestion have been raised consistently as potential pitfalls for the city’s bid, and Garcetti said in an interview Monday that having the subway funding assured and the project sped up by September could help L.A.’s chances.
President Trump has signaled that he is excited to have the U.S. host the Summer Games for the first time since they were held in Atlanta in 1996.
Garcetti is hoping the administration’s desire to host the Olympics will be enough to get additional money from the New Starts fund, which helps cities pay for transportation projects that cost over $300 million.
Los Angeles just received $1.6 billion in January to begin the next phase of the Purple Line.