HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4703-12-2016 A Resolution
NO. 4703-12-2016
ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S
2017 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the 115th Congress will convene in January 2017; and
WHEREAS, the Governmental Relations staff, in conjunction with the City's
federal legislative consultants, received input from various members of the Fort Worth
City Council, the City Manager's office, and department directors to identify the City's
programmatic and funding needs that could, potentially, be resolved by Congressional or
federal administrative actions; and
WHEREAS, based upon those recommendations, the Governmental Relations staff
and federal legislative consultants made a presentation to the Fort Worth City Council's
Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on November 1 , 2016 for review of
the recommendations; and
WHEREAS, staff and the federal legislative consultants made a presentation on the
recommendations to the entire City Council on November 15, 2016; and
WHEREAS, following review of those recommendations, staff was directed to
proceed with a resolution for the City Council's approval;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH:
1. That the 2017 Federal Legislative Program as outlined in the attached
document be adopted; and
2. That the City Manager is authorized and directed to distribute copies of the
City's 2017 Federal Legislative program to members of Congress, to other
cities, and other interested parties; and
�RbRTWRTii
3. That the appropriate City officials are authorized and directed to send letters
of support or to meet with federal officials to discuss the City's position on
the attached initiatives; and
4. That the City's Government Relations and the City's federal legislative
consultants are authorized and directed to take the appropriate actions to
advance the 2017 Federal Legislative Program before Congress, the
Administration and corresponding federal agencies.
Adopted the 6th day of December, 2016. t��
q�pOa'0 "V
All 0
A.a► �f0000�004 �'��D
g a "_�
ATTEST: P� $o o * 1
Ar
By: � "m
Mary JKayser, City Secre ary
FoRTWORTH
FORTWORTH
CITY OF FORT WORTH 2017 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PRIORITIES
Pursuing Community Development and Renewal
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
• New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC)
• Second Chance Act
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP/WAP)
• HOME Grants
• Low Income Housing Tax Credits
• Education Opportunity Programs
• Healthy Communities Initiative
• Long-term Transportation Reauthorization/"Highway Trust Fund"
• HHS and Community Health
• Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR)
• Land and Water Conservation Fund Reauthorization/Full Funding
• Museum and Library Funding (IMLS Reauthorization)
• Energy/Sustainability Grants
• Flood Insurance Premiums
• Employment Non-discrimination Initiatives
Exploring Economic Development Opportunities
• Mixed Income Community Development Funding
• Municipal Debt Income Tax Exemption
• State and Local Tax Deductibility
• Collection of Remote Sales Taxes
• Internet and Wireless Tax Authority
• Municipal Bond Access and Liquidity (HQLA, Dodd Frank)
• Federal Aviation and Contract Tower Funding Increases
• Clean Energy and Natural Gas Initiatives
• Management and Collection for use on Local Rights of Way
• Wet Weather Facility
• Alternative Asbestos Control Method (AACM) Wet demolition
Fighting for Public Safety Funding and Support
• Emergency Management Preparedness Grants (EMPG)
• Homeland Security Top 10 Re-Designation for Urban Areas Security
Initiative (UASI) funding
• CASA Funding (innovative weather satellite pilot)
• Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS)
• Broadband Spectrum for First Responders
• Opposition to Federal Collective Bargaining Legislation
2
Federal Congressional Priorities for 2017
Sumortine the Trinity River Vision
Summary: Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in America.
The Trinity River Vision (TRV) project is a key element in flood control,
recreational river access, and sustaining our enormous growth and
capturing its full potential. The TRV will drive new economic development
north and east of our current downtown while providing much needed
urban renewal to these communities. Ongoing support for TRV will remain
a key priority.
Fighting for Mass Transit
Summary: Traditional and alternative forms of mass transit are essential to
Fort Worth's current and planned investments in economic growth and
community development. Support for ongoing highway improvements (I-
35W North, 1-30, 1-20, and HWY 199), robust passenger rail, and alternative
transit opportunities, including bike trails, will be continuing priorities in the
115th Congress.
SuI21 orting Our Local Military
Summary: Fort Worth's economic growth and development is inextricably
tied to the health of America's military and defense industries. The Naval
Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) and Fort Worth's synergistic
relationship with top military contractors in the United States are models
for many cities across our nation. Continuing support for NASJRB and
sustaining the growth of our defense contracting industries will be a key
priority. Additionally, Fort Worth is home to a large and growing
population of active duty and reservist military personnel as well as
veterans of all ages. Supporting those who have served and continue to
serve our country will be a top priority in the 115th Congress.
3
Support for Educational Development
Summary: Fort Worth's continued growth and economic success depends
in large part on our city's ability to deliver quality educational opportunities
for our future workforce. Families in our community deserve access to
programs that provide a diverse continuum of educational resources with a
particular emphasis on workforce development. Supporting high school
programs that encourage workforce preparedness, better equipping
students for the needs of today's job market, will be a priority in our
Washington, DC engagement in 2017. Additionally, early childhood
education programs are critical to the long-term success of Fort Worth's
school aged children. Identifying opportunities to enhance and create
programs that increase quality and access to early childhood education,
including quality pre-kindergarten programs in Fort Worth, will be a key
priority in the 115th Congress.
4