HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 436 6� 4/5 Re�Olu �n
WHEREAS, the City Council of Fort Worth, Texas, actively participates in all
aspects of national, state and local government: to promote the general welfare of
the local municipality and the residents thereof; and
WHEREAS, the Fort Worth City Council has reviewed the Public Works Employment
legislation both existing and proposed; and.
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Public Works Employment Act is to provide assis-
tance to the unemployed via work programs; and
WHEREAS, unemployment has similar effects upon all people throughout our
nation irrespective of geographical boundaries; and
WHEREAS, Title I, HR 11 as passed by the House on February 24, 1977, provides
that additional Public Works Employment funds shall be awarded to states on the
basis of the number of unemployed persons; and
WHEREAS, the current funds distribution formula provided in Title I, S 427
is not as equitable nor as effective and is discriminatory, as is the General
Revenue Sharing formula contained in Title II, against the majority of the "Sun-Belt"
residents as opposed to the residents of the Northeast;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the City Council of Fort Worth, Texas, supports
Public Works Employment Title I, HR 11, and urges that the provisions of Public
Works -Employment Title I, S 427 be amended to reflect the per capita distribution
of funds based upon the number of unemployed as provided in HR 11, and that any
additional monies under Title II be awarded to cities solely on the basis of
unemployment above 4.5 per cent.
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POLICY PROPOSAL
DATE FILE NUMBER SUBJECT Public Works Employment PAGETOF_
4/5/77 CP-24 Legislation Resolution
PROPOSAL PROPOSED BY: Councilman CITY ANAGER'S
Woodie W. Woods
While in Washington recently, Councilman Bradshaw, the City Manager and I met with the
members and staff of the Texas Congressional delegation to discuss several key issues
of particular interest to Texas cities.
One of the issues concerns the "distribution of funds" formula under the Public Works
Employment Act. The formula discriminates against the "Sun Belt" areas in favor of
the Northeast. An example is that Texas received only $185 per unemployed person
under Title I of the Public Works Bill, while allocations to other states were
noticeably higher ($333 per unemployed person in New York, $408 in Michigan) .
i
Title I, HR 11, as passed by the House on February 24, 1977, provides that additional
++ Public Works Employment funds should be awarded to states on the basis of numbers of
unemployed persons. I believe this formula is a far more equitable method of dis-
tributing Public Works funds and should be adopted by the Senate.
In addition, the current formula for allocating Title II countercyclical funds is
based on a city's General Revenue Sharing entitlement and unemployment rate above
4.5 per cent. Because the General Revenue Sharing entitlement formula has historically
worked against Texas cities, tying these grants to an already discriminatory program
is counterproductive to our best interests. An alternate consideration is that any
additional Title II monies be awarded solely on the basis of unemployment above
4.5 per cent.
Proposal
It is proposed the attached resolution be adopted supporting: 1) Public Works Employ-
ment Title I, HR 11; 2) Amendment of Title I, S 247 to reflect the formula contained
in HR 11; and 3) Amendment of Title II to provide for any new funds to be distributed
solely on the basis of unemployment above 4.5 per cent.
Legality
Council has authority to adopt resolutions.
Fiscal Note
The changes would increase revenues to Fort Worth.
City Manager's Comments
Enactment of these changes would benefit the City of Fort Worth.
LEGALITY ® -
FISCAL NOTE 0 f
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS In Woodie W. Woods, Councilman