Obama’s Touted Office of Urban Policy Slow to Take Shape

[C]elebrationsabout the potential triumph of urban policy may be premature. In recentweeks, the Obama administration has begun referring to the office as"urban affairs," rather than "urban policy," a small but notabledowngrade. And while other offices and Cabinet agencies have beenstaffing up -- the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnershipshas representation in 12 government agencies -- 100 days in, urbanaffairs has announced only two senior staffers: Derek Douglas, who wasspecial adviser to New York Gov. David Paterson, and former BronxBorough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr., who faces allegations of mismanaging campaign donations and development projects in New York City.…

[T]heurgency of dealing with the recession in these first 100 days has madethe slow rollout of the office worrisome for some local officials.Caroline Coleman, federal relations director of the National League ofCities, says cities have been pummeled by the economic downturn. Forthe first time in the 24-year history of the organization’s City Fiscal Conditions report,the three primary sources of revenue for urban centers -- property,sales and income taxes -- all experienced a quarterly decrease. "Whatwe’re seeing reflected in the national news is hitting hometown urbanAmerica every day," says Coleman.