Eric Garcetti, the Democratic mayor of Los Angeles is working with other mayors, union leaders, and business executives to launch Accelerator for America, a nonprofit for funding innovation around the U.S., according to Politico.
Accelerator for America's mission is to support strategic and educational support in areas where there are initiatives for infrastructure funding on the ballots. Leaders will put investments directly in existing organizations that promote jobs and skills training, Politico's report said.
Garcetti, who will be chairman of the group, said the group's inspiration came from Proposition M in Los Angeles that authorized $120 billion in investment in infrastructure over the next decade. Proposition M's passage contrasted with President Donald Trump's administration's failure to launch its promised $1 trillion infrastructure plan, Politico reported.
"America's cities are here, with all due respect, to help save D.C. We've all seen so many panels and plans and promises, but what we're missing is quick action," Garcetti said, according to Politico.
Garcetti said he wants "a local voice in national politics, a national voice in local politics."
The group begins with funding of $1 million — half of that provided by United Brotherhood of Carpenters. More funding is expected, Politico's report said.
The group's first meeting will be Nov. 7 and 8, coinciding with the anniversary of the 2016 presidential election. Garcetti said he would open the meeting with three objectives: "helping Americans build their future," "helping Americans find their dreams," and "helping Americans live well."
"I hope it's not my platform — I hope it's a platform for local leaders… I'm certainly not waiting for the next presidential election to get started," Garcetti said when it was noted that the comment sounds like a presidential candidate's rhetoric, according to Politico.
All the officials in the group so far are Democrats, but the group expects to add Republicans to its advisers, Politico reported.
Garcetti announced on Sunday that he would not run for governor of California in 2018.
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