08/30/2026
Dear Mr. President and Members of Congress:
As Mayor of the City of Linden, New Jersey, I am writing to urge the federal government to take climate change seriously and provide states and municipalities with the funding needed to repair and modernize our aging infrastructure.
Like many Linden residents, I experienced flooding during our most recent storm. My own basement flooded. Across our city and state, homes, streets, businesses, and public buildings were affected.
Climate change is here. Storms that were once expected every 10, 50, or 100 years are now happening much more often. When several inches of rain fall in a short period of time, local drainage systems can become overwhelmed. Even when drains are properly cleaned and maintained, they cannot always handle the extraordinary amount of water produced by these storms.
Modernizing a city’s infrastructure is a massive undertaking. It may require replacing underground pipes and drainage systems, closing and tearing up streets, changing traffic patterns, and rebuilding roads afterward. Planning alone could take years, and construction could take many more. These projects could cost hundreds of millions—or even billions—of dollars.
Cities like Linden cannot carry this financial burden alone. Local taxpayers should not be expected to pay the full cost of infrastructure improvements needed to respond to a national and global climate crisis.
If the federal government can find money for wars and expanded ICE operations, it can also find money to protect American families here at home. This is not a political issue. Flooding affects Democrats, Republicans, independents, and people from every background.
I respectfully ask the President and Congress to:
Create a major federal infrastructure fund for states and municipalities.
Give priority to communities experiencing repeated flooding and severe storms.
Help cities replace outdated drainage and stormwater systems.
Fund climate-resilient roads, bridges, and flood-control projects.
Provide financial support for planning, construction, and long-term maintenance.
Ensure that federal funding reaches communities without placing an unfair burden on local taxpayers.
Residents have every right to raise concerns and expect action. However, we must also recognize the true size and complexity of this challenge. There is no quick or simple solution.
Addressing our aging infrastructure will require careful planning, major investments, and cooperation among local, state, and federal governments. Most importantly, it will require our national leaders to recognize that climate change is real and that communities need help now.
It is time to invest in the American people. It is time to rebuild our infrastructure, protect our families, and prepare our country for the future.
Respectfully,
Derek Armstead
Mayor, City of Linden, New Jersey
