'Return on investment': City commissioners join other local officials in D.C.

Tallahassee city commission members joined other elected officials from Florida in Washington, D.C., as part of a Biden administration program, Communities in Action.

The program brings local officials to the nation's capital in order to discuss how they've used federal funding, such as money from the American Rescue Plan, within their communities.

Commissioners Jeremy Matlow, Jack Porter and Dianne Williams-Cox represented Tallahassee and discussed local projects they've been pushing for, such as Star Metro and their work toward creating more affordable housing opportunities.

"One thing in particular we talked about was [the federal] investment into Star Metro, upwards of $20 million in an investment into our electric fleet," said Porter. "It is really helpful for us reaching our climate goals with our clean energy plan. We want to have a 100 percent electric fleet."

Williams-Cox said she didn't realize her colleagues would be there as well.

In tense meetings, Porter and Matlow are often at opposite sides of Williams-Cox, Mayor John Dailey and Commissioner Curtis Richardson in pivotal 3-2 votes.

"I tell folks all the time, I don't think we're divided," said Williams-Cox. "Probably 90 plus percent of the time we vote together, but because we are five different brains with five different lived experiences, so that's where we kind of part ways."

Williams-Cox found it "interesting" that local officials from other parts of the state were struggling with many of the same issues Tallahassee is focused on, such as affordable housing, economic development and the environment.

Williams-Cox, who represents the City of Tallahassee on the board of directors for the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Black Caucus of local elected officials, also was in the House of Representatives during the second failed vote to elect a Republican House Speaker.

"Three days in the nation's capital on Capitol Hill and the White House energized me to do all I can to improve the lives in our community," she wrote on Facebook.

Porter hailed the visit as a key part of an essential investment in local communities.

"It's unprecedented being able to see what other communities are doing, being able to see that at the White House," said Porter. "The Biden-Harris administration recognizes the value of local government and the importance of our input, how the money is being spent, and how the return on investment is even greater when it's coming directly into local hands. I hope these kinds of investments will continue."

After this article was published, Matlow's aide sent in a prepared statement expressing appreciation for the invitation to the White House.

"President Biden has shared our vision in building a community that doesn't leave people behind."

Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@gannett.com or on Twitter @ari_v_otero

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: White House event draws three Tallahassee commissioners