WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement is from Marie Lopez Rogers, president of the National League of Cities and mayor of Avondale, AZ in response to today's unemployment report:

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"Today's unemployment numbers, while showing positive growth, still show the economy is in a precarious position that demands continued support. 

"This week's fiscal cliff deal did little to address the harm the automatic spending cuts will have on the economic recovery we are only now beginning to see in our communities, but only postponed it for two months.  Combined with a need to raise the debt ceiling, the nation could see itself facing into the abyss of more economic uncertainty and another recession. It is imperative that our nation's leaders find a balanced approach to addressing the nation's long-term fiscal challenges while preserving investments in our communities. 

"We remain concerned that the programs cities utilize to support infrastructure, help train the nation's workforce and provide housing are all still in consideration to be cut.  These are primary tools used to drive economic growth in cities and must be preserved.  We must not solve our nation's budget issues on the backs of people in our cities."

The National League of Cities is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities.  NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. 

SOURCE National League of Cities