He joined Monday with the mayors of New York and Chicago to outline a nearly $180 billion public works program. In a plea to the Obama administration to funnel public works money through city government, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined Monday with the mayors of New York and Chicago to outline a nearly $180 billion public works program.

Villaraigosa joined Mayors Michael Bloomberg and Richard Daley at a news conference in Washington and met with congressional leaders to promote a program called "Main Street Economic Recovery -- Ready to Go," outlining projects that could be undertaken immediately to stimulate the economy.

"The unprecedented economic crisis will require unprecedented action by the federal government," Villaraigosa said. "Los Angeles is not saying 'Show me the money.' We are putting our money where our mouth is."

The mayor pointed to voter approval of Measure R, the half-percent sales tax for transit programs, as well as bond issues to build schools and community colleges, and the city's own plans for a massive solar energy project.

The mayors are concerned the federal government will funnel the money through the states, leaving them with either reduced funding or no money for their projects.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors, which arranged the event, estimates a direct payment to cities would create more than 847,000 jobs on 11,931 projects.

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, president of the conference, said the projects are in line with President-elect Barack Obama's calls for rebuilding the nation's infrastructure, creating jobs and promoting energy independence.

"But, to work, we must make sure the funding is spent quickly and not stuck in state or federal bureaucracies," Diaz said.