For more than a century, the National League of Cities (NLC) has convened local leaders shaping the future of America’s communities. This year’s Congressional City Conference takes place at a pivotal moment for federal transportation policy – when leaders are mobilizing to discuss the realities, responsibilities and aspirations of the communities they serve.
At the conference, Keith Benjamin, vice president and head of STV’s Cities Initiative, will represent the firm and discuss with participants how local governments can articulate their needs, leverage new tools and collaborate effectively with state and federal partners. Drawing from STV’s work with cities and municipalities and states nationwide, in this Q+A, Benjamin shares his thoughts on the challenges local governments are facing, what’s at stake and how cities can position themselves for long-term success.
1. Your panel focuses on how cities can “win” in the next transportation bill. What does that mean in practical terms?
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provided opportunities for local communities to have a seat at the table in decisions about how everyday people get to the places they live, learn, work, play and pray. Plans that had been on the shelf for years became a reality, and the increase in federal resources created a pipeline of road, bridge and transit projects that will go beyond IIJA into the next reauthorization.
In prior years, thousands of communities benefited from federal funding programs like Safe Streets and Roads for All, Bridge Investment Program, Capital Investment Grants (CIG) and the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program. As 2026 marks the last year of the IIJA, reauthorization negotiations will need a roundtable of stakeholders, including cities and counties, to lend their voices to the imperative of continued local investment in transportation and infrastructure.
At the same time, many state departments have been stewarding these systems for more than a century. While some states have highly centralized transportation operations (making state-led management practical), other regions with smaller localities may welcome the ability to secure federal funds. “Winning” isn’t about limiting who gets a seat at the table: it’s about community decision-makers at every level bringing their practical strengths forward to work in partnership to deliver projects that improve people’s daily lives.
2. The BASICS Act is generating discussion. How should local leaders approach conversations about new funding mechanisms?
IIJA had many successes, but it also showed how complicated it is to steward federal dollars well and deliver safe, accessible and sustainable transportation for all. Legislative proposals like the Bridges and Safety Infrastructure for Community Success (BASICS) Act dare to ask the hard questions: What partnership opportunities become viable when localities have their own resources to bring to the table? What tools do localities need to maintain the infrastructure they already own and deliver impactful new projects? How can federal policy help build local capacity rather than inadvertently slowing projects down?
As federal reauthorization negotiations continue, STV’s experience working with both states and municipalities has shown that there are experienced, committed leaders across the country who remain focused on shaping the infrastructure outcomes in their local communities for the better. Finding common ground will be essential in sustaining the momentum for long-term benefits for our communities. Together, we can view this framework as a vehicle for dialogue about the system’s complexity.
3. What message do you hope attendees take away from your panel?
This is a moment of opportunity. The past five years showed what local governments can achieve when they have meaningful access to federal resources. The next authorization cycle is a chance to reinforce that progress: by advocating effectively, building on previous successes, and strengthening partnerships.
Most importantly, attendees should leave knowing that their voices matter. When local leaders share their experiences and engage in sincere conversations about both the benefits and the challenges of different funding approaches, it strengthens the overall decision-making process.
The more local leaders tell their story and have these conversations across all levels of government, the better equipped our communities will be to collaborate on outcomes they can see, feel and ultimately trust. The process matters, but the final result (safer modes of transportation, stronger connections and improved infrastructure) is what residents will experience firsthand.
