PBS高端访谈:关于奥巴马在市政厅上发表的国情咨文

 　　JUDY WOODRUFF: A day after the president's State of the Union address, both Republicans and Democrats² predict most of his proposals won't go very far.

　　The gridlock in Washington has left the heavy lifting of government to more local levels, the cities and towns across the country.

　　We wanted to find out what some local leaders think about the issues raised last night, among others, what the economy and infrastructure³ look like to those managing it.

　　For perspective on that, we are joined now by two mayors. They are Democrat¹ Stephen Benjamin. He is the mayor of Columbia, South Carolina. He's had the job since 2010. And Richard Berry is mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has been at his city's helm since 2009. He was that city's first Republican mayor in three decades.

　　And we welcome you both to the program.

　　MAYOR STEPHEN BENJAMIN, Columbia, South Carolina: Good evening.

　　MAYOR RICHARD BERRY, Albuquerque, New Mexico: Glad to be here.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: So, Mayor Berry, let's start first with a question about the president's speech last night. What did you hear that you think you could support that sounded good to you? What did you think that you couldn't support?

　　RICHARD BERRY: Well, as a Republican leader that actually takes pride in being able to work with the White House, there were some things that I heard that are really exciting to me, because we're working on those in our city.

　　Women's pay equity⁴, for example, I think is an important issue nationally. We were the first city in the country really to put forward an incentive⁵ for our local companies to really make that a priority.

　　From the standpoint of taxing the capital gains, certainly can support a middle-class tax cut, but as a small business person myself, with my wife and I having really worked hard for 20 years to build a business, I think he's off-base with the capital gains tax increase, because I think that's really going to hurt Main Street and it's going to hurt those that are really trying to invest to create jobs in our country.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: Even though the purpose of it would be to put money in the pockets of the middle class?

　　RICHARD BERRY: Right, but you can do that in any number of ways.

　　So, once again, I think we're all heading towards some similar goals, but just maybe some different philosophies on how we get here.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: So, Mayor Benjamin, what about you? What did you hear that you liked, that you could support, and what gave you pause?

　　STEPHEN BENJAMIN: Well, certainly, heard a great deal in the president's speech that we could support, pay equity, obviously making child care more affordable⁶, making access to higher education, community college being potentially free, a focus on apprenticeships and getting more people into the work force and starting earlier directing children towards some real opportunities in the 21st century economy.

　　All of those were very appealing. What I wanted to hear more of — and we will certainly wait for the president's budget — and I think Richard would agree with me here — is hear more talk about infrastructure and the way in which we finance infrastructure.

　　As you know, over 90 percent of America's gross domestic product is created in cities and metropolitan⁸ economies. And our ability to invest in infrastructure, water, sewer⁹ or roads using the tax-exempt municipal bonds is essential to America's prosperity and our ability to compete globally.

　　So, we want to make sure that our message, that we protect that 100-year-old tax exemption¹⁰ on municipal bonds. Local governments don't tax federal debt, and we're asking the federal government not to tax municipal debt.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: And infrastructure, it's interesting you raise that. I know that is an issue for you in Columbia.

　　What about in Albuquerque, Mayor Berry? How much is that an issue is that? Tell us about your economy.

　　RICHARD BERRY: It's a big issue, infrastructure.

　　And we just had a great example of our community about — understood that you can't do just it by yourself anymore. We can't just rely on dollars coming from Washington. We just did a major infrastructure project where the taxpayers¹¹ of my city and the state, people in the legislature and our governor teamed with the federal government to get things done.

　　We need to do more of that. Yesterday, our governor outlined a great infrastructure proposal for the state. But we have an aging infrastructure in New Mexico and in the country, and we need to do more. And mayors are really at the center of that. And I agree with the mayor wholeheartedly. We need to protect those tax-free municipal bonds that the cities can put out and we need to do more in our country to rebuild the infrastructure.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: So, is federal help on infrastructure going to be important to…

　　RICHARD BERRY: It's vitally important, but we have to have a target that's set.

　　And the problem we have had in the last couple of years is, with continuing resolutions and not having things solidified¹² in Washington, we have some uncertainty¹³ and it's difficult to finance the projects that we need to do. And this is where I think mayors have some really important lessons for Washington in general, for our friends in Congress and for the president and others.

　　Let's work together and maybe take some of the bipartisanship out of some of the discussions and get some of that common sense from Main Street going up here.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: What about that?

　　STEPHEN BENJAMIN: Oh, I couldn't agree with Richard more.

　　The reality is, is that there's no Republican way to pick up the trash or Democratic way to pick up the trash. It's got to be picked up. And in America's cities, we have got to get it done. Columbia, South Carolina, is experiencing some significant economic growth right now, over $1 billion investment in our downtown just in the past four years.

　　Our unemployment rate's been cut by 40 percent over the last four years. We're — Columbia is on fire, and I don't mean it in the General Sherman sense, although…

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: Yes. Yes.

　　(LAUGHTER)

　　STEPHEN BENJAMIN: … although next month, we celebrate 100 — we commemorate¹⁵ 150 years since the burning of Columbia.

　　The city has risen like a phoenix¹⁶ from the ashes. And it's because we don't allow partisan¹⁴ gridlock to shut us down. We realize that we have to get things done and at the U.S. Conference of Mayors, we work across the aisles¹⁸ on a regular basis to get things done.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: Well, we know — I know you, Mayor Benjamin. I have been reading about what has been going on in Columbia. You have put some emphasis on job training. We know the employment rate has — employment story has picked up in Columbia.

　　STEPHEN BENJAMIN: Sure.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: Is there federal assistance that's helped you that you are looking for or that you don't need?

　　STEPHEN BENJAMIN: Absolutely.

　　You know, we have worked well with the administration on the transportation piece you mentioned earlier. We received an $11 million infrastructure grant, a TIGER grant that's helped us, that's going to help us complete a $40 million project to redevelop our city.

　　There are some really exciting apprenticeship⁷ opportunities that Secretary Perez at the Department of Labor¹⁹, a $100 million grant opportunity that he's sharing with mayors all around the country. And, really, you know, a four-year college is not for every young person. I know some young people who go get a certificate from a community college in a particular discipline, and they will make more money than someone graduating from one of our universities with a four-year degree.

　　Making sure that we create opportunities for everyone, regardless of backgrounds, regardless of strikes they may have against them, give them a chance to participate in this wonderful country's economic prosperity is our goal.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: And to Albuquerque, because, again, I'm reading that you're looking at job training as something you want to expand.

　　RICHARD BERRY: Sure.

　　We're a city that needs to diversify²⁰ our economy. We were overly relying on federal government spending. Some of the gridlock that happens in Washington has, frankly²¹ hurt our city. So we're trying to bring more entrepreneurship to the forefront.

　　And Mayor Benjamin and myself and others, really, this is an area where we can really agree with the White House, job training, skills training, taking our work force and helping²² them work through, whether it's the minimum wage band and move up economically, be more economically mobile.

　　This is what mayors, Democrats and Republicans, around the country are on, so that we can set the basis for this 21st century economy and give people the skills that they need to succeed, rather than just putting another program in place.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: Does it matter for your cities whether Democrats and Republicans cooperate more in Washington?

　　RICHARD BERRY: It's absolutely vital. I couldn't — it cannot be overemphasized.

　　And I think, once again, this is where mayors have an important lesson for Washington. We're getting it done in our cities. Mayor Benjamin and I work together. Democrat majors have to balance budget. Republican mayors are working on homeless initiatives. We are not allowing ourselves to be pigeonholed²³. And this is something that I think is much needed in our country.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: Do you say that to your legislators?

　　STEPHEN BENJAMIN: Oh, absolutely. Working together, working across the aisle¹⁷ is essential.

　　There are no quick fixes for any issues we face. These are real complex issues, some that took years to create, and they're going to take years to fix. So, long-term solutions are key.

　　We have been able to in our city. We are required by law to balance our budgets. I know that Mayor Berry is as well. So, we balanced our budgets. For five years, we have had a budget surplus in Columbia, eight years without a tax increase.

　　That comes with some planning. The ability to be able to do that, along with a state government that is being a participant, and certainly with the ability to plan according to a long-term federal budget would be an incredible blessing²⁴.

　　JUDY WOODRUFF: Well, we're glad to have both of you here to tell some of the story of what's happening.

　　Mayor Steve Benjamin from Columbia, Mayor Richard Berry from Albuquerque, we thank you both.

　　STEPHEN BENJAMIN: Thank you.

　　RICHARD BERRY: Thank you.

1 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

2 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

4 equity   

n.公正，公平，（无固定利息的）股票

参考例句：

• They shared the work of the house with equity.他们公平地分担家务。
• To capture his equity,Murphy must either sell or refinance.要获得资产净值，墨菲必须出售或者重新融资。

5 incentive   

n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机

参考例句：

• Money is still a major incentive in most occupations.在许多职业中，钱仍是主要的鼓励因素。
• He hasn't much incentive to work hard.他没有努力工作的动机。

6 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

7 apprenticeship   

n.学徒身份；学徒期

参考例句：

• She was in the second year of her apprenticeship as a carpenter. 她当木工学徒已是第二年了。
• He served his apprenticeship with Bob. 他跟鲍勃当学徒。

8 metropolitan   

adj.大城市的，大都会的

参考例句：

• Metropolitan buildings become taller than ever.大城市的建筑变得比以前更高。
• Metropolitan residents are used to fast rhythm.大都市的居民习惯于快节奏。

9 sewer   

n.排水沟，下水道

参考例句：

• They are tearing up the street to repair a sewer. 他们正挖开马路修下水道。
• The boy kicked a stone into the sewer. 那个男孩把一石子踢进了下水道。

10 exemption   

n.豁免，免税额，免除

参考例句：

• You may be able to apply for exemption from local taxes.你可能符合资格申请免除地方税。
• These goods are subject to exemption from tax.这些货物可以免税。

11 taxpayers   

纳税人，纳税的机构( taxpayer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Finance for education comes from taxpayers. 教育经费来自纳税人。
• She was declaiming against the waste of the taxpayers' money. 她慷慨陈词猛烈抨击对纳税人金钱的浪费。

12 solidified   

（使）成为固体，（使）变硬，（使）变得坚固( solidify的过去式和过去分词 )； 使团结一致； 充实，巩固； 具体化

参考例句：

• Her attitudes solidified through privilege and habit. 由于特权和习惯使然，她的看法变得越来越难以改变。
• When threatened, he fires spheres of solidified air from his launcher! 当危险来临，他就会发射它的弹药！

13 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

14 partisan   

adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒

参考例句：

• In their anger they forget all the partisan quarrels.愤怒之中，他们忘掉一切党派之争。
• The numerous newly created partisan detachments began working slowly towards that region.许多新建的游击队都开始慢慢地向那里移动。

15 commemorate   

vt.纪念，庆祝

参考例句：

• This building was built to commemorate the Fire of London.这栋大楼是为纪念“伦敦大火”而兴建的。
• We commemorate the founding of our nation with a public holiday.我们放假一日以庆祝国庆。

16 phoenix   

n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生

参考例句：

• The airline rose like a phoenix from the ashes.这家航空公司又起死回生了。
• The phoenix worship of China is fetish worship not totem adoration.中国凤崇拜是灵物崇拜而非图腾崇拜。

17 aisle   

n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道

参考例句：

• The aisle was crammed with people.过道上挤满了人。
• The girl ushered me along the aisle to my seat.引座小姐带领我沿着通道到我的座位上去。

18 aisles   

n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊

参考例句：

• Aisles were added to the original Saxon building in the Norman period. 在诺曼时期，原来的萨克森风格的建筑物都增添了走廊。
• They walked about the Abbey aisles, and presently sat down. 他们走到大教堂的走廊附近，并且很快就坐了下来。

19 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

20 diversify   

v.（使）不同，（使）变得多样化

参考例句：

• Our company is trying to diversify.我们公司正力图往多样化方面发展。
• Hills and woods diversify the landscape.山陵和树木点缀景色。

21 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

22 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

23 pigeonholed   

v.把…搁在分类架上( pigeonhole的过去式和过去分词 )；把…留在记忆中；缓办；把…隔成小格

参考例句：

• This document was pigeonholed for quite some time. 这份公文压了不少时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The scheme has been pigeonholed. 这个方案被压下来了。 来自辞典例句

24 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。