HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4872-12-2017 A Resolution
NO. 4872-12-2017
ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S
2018 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the 115th Congress convened in January 2017, and will continue
throughout 2018; and
WHEREAS, during the fall of 2017, 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 on those recommendations, the Governmental Relations staff
and federal legislative consultants made a presentation to the Legislative and
Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on November 7, 2017 for review of the
recommendations; and
WHEREAS, following the Committee's approval of the proposed program, the
proposal was presented to the full City Council on November 14, 2017; and
WHEREAS, following that presentation, 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 THAT:
1. The 2018 Federal Legislative Program as outlined in the attached document is
hereby adopted; and
2. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to distribute copies of
the City's 2018 Federal Legislative program to members of Congress, to other cities, and
to other interested parties; and
ORT WORT
3. 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. The City's Government Relations staff and the City's federal legislative
consultants are authorized and directed to take the appropriate actions to advance the 2018
Federal Legislative Program before Congress, the Administration and corresponding
federal agencies.
Adopted this 12`h day of December, 2017.
ATTEST:
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By: •
--r------ -- - ---------------
Mary J. ser City Secretary
FORTWORTH
FORTWORTH®
FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2018
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
• Increased Funding Sources for Homeowner Lead Removal
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
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
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Federal Congressional Priorities for 2018
Supporting 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. Substantial federal funding for the
continued development of TRV was secured in the 114th Congress. Ongoing
support for TRV will remain a key priority in the 115th Congress.
Fighting for Mobility Improvements
Summary: Traditional and alternative forms of transit are essential to Fort
Worth's current and planned investments in economic growth and
community development. Fort Worth is completing transformative
infrastructure improvements that will increase access to jobs and
encourage new residential and business developments. Support for
ongoing highway improvements, robust passenger rail, enhanced public
transportation systems, and alternative transit opportunities, including bike
trails, will be continuing priorities in the 2nd Session of the 115th Congress.
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Supporting Our Local Defense Economy
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 an ongoing priority in the 115th Congress.
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, especially in STEM.
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 2018. 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.
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Calling on Congress to Reform America's Broken
Immigration System
Summary: The City of Fort Worth is a large and growing community, deeply
rooted in diverse and multicultural Texas traditions. For more than 140
years, laws governing and regulating immigration to our country have been
the exclusive responsibility of the United States Congress.' As a community
that chooses to stand united, the City of Fort Worth calls on the United
States Congress to fulfill its duty to the American public and pass
immigration reforms in 2018 that strengthen our nation's rule of law and
sovereignty, beginning at our national borders, while also treating all
people, regardless of their origin, with the dignity and respect our nation's
shared values and principles of democracy demand.
1 Chy Lung v. Freeman,92 U.S.275(1875)
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GENERAL LEGISLATIVE POLICY
♦i♦ As a general policy, the City of Fort worth seeks to preserve its
authority to responsibly govern the city, its citizens, and its property.
The City supports any legislation viewed as advancing the City's
Comprehensive Plan or the City's Strategic Goals; or that improves
the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that reduces the cost
of governing the City.
♦i♦ In addition, the City will oppose any legislation viewed as detrimental
to its Comprehensive Plan or its Strategic Goals; or that is contrary to
the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that mandates
increased costs or decreased revenues; or that would diminish the
fundamental authority of the City.
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