Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor Attends D.C. Mayor's Meeting

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor recently made a trip to Washington, D.C.

He was one of a dozen Arkansas mayors from the Arkansas Municipal League Executive Committee to make the trek, participating in the National League of Cities Conference.

While in D.C., Taylor visited Arkansas Sen. Dale Bumpers and Sen. Tim Hutchinson, requesting their support for the Intermodel Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, also known as ISTEA.

He said the passage of this bill by Congress, along with having Pres. Bill Clinton sign off on it, will give Arkansas $30 billion annually in federal discretionary funds.

The City of Prescott, Taylor said, has two applications submitted to the state for grants, and, he added, it is hoped both will be funded from ISTEA monies.

Another issue important to Prescott discussed at the conference, is the Municipal Authority and Electric Deregulation Act. Taylor wanted Arkansas' congressional delegation to know the municipal role in these matters must be protected in efforts to restructure the utility monopoly.

The other mayors, from cities also owning their municipal electrical systems, were opposed to any federal preemption, mandates or utility deregulation legislation interfering with municipal revenue authority.

While in Washington, Taylor also visited with representatives Vic Snyder, Asa Hutchinson and Marion Berry.

Congressman Jay Dickey, R-4th District, had a representative from his office speak to the mayors at a luncheon.

Taylor also had an audience with Rodney Slater, Director of the Department of Transportation. Slater, he said, is aware of Prescott's needs in the industrial park along with the area's need for a railroad overpass.