Laurel councilor describes work with municipal leagues, crediting them with ARPA access
September 25, 2026 | Laurel, Prince George's County, Maryland
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Ward 1 Council member James Cole said participating in the National League of Cities and the Maryland Municipal League brings policies and funding opportunities back to Laurel.
"They are the reason that we were able to get the ARPA funding directly to the city of Laurel and was able to help our residents during COVID," Cole said, describing his committee work at the National League of Cities and advocacy at the Maryland Municipal League.
Cole explained that intergovernmental collaboration reduces the cost and burden of lobbying at state and federal levels for small municipalities, and that he sits on the National League of Cities' Finance Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, which helps craft resolutions and policies for national advocacy.
He said he reports back to the city council and local municipal association on lessons learned and sometimes adapts ideas discovered at conferences into local legislation.
"They are the reason that we were able to get the ARPA funding directly to the city of Laurel and was able to help our residents during COVID," Cole said, describing his committee work at the National League of Cities and advocacy at the Maryland Municipal League.
Cole explained that intergovernmental collaboration reduces the cost and burden of lobbying at state and federal levels for small municipalities, and that he sits on the National League of Cities' Finance Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, which helps craft resolutions and policies for national advocacy.
He said he reports back to the city council and local municipal association on lessons learned and sometimes adapts ideas discovered at conferences into local legislation.
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