HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4062-02-2012A Resolution
NO. 4062 -02 -2012
ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S 2012 FEDERAL
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the 1 12th United ,States Congress second session convened on January
3, 2012; and
WHEREAS, prior to the beginning of each U.S. Congressional session, the City
Manager seeks input from the Mayor and Council, City staff, and members of the City's
legislative delegation regarding legislative issues that affect the City and the way in which
the City conducts its business; and
WHEREAS, based upon the input received, proposed legislative initiatives are then
taken to the City Council Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee for
discussion and analysis; and
WHEREAS, the attached City of Fort Worth 2012 Federal Legislative Program
represents the recommended initiatives forwarded to City Council by the Legislative and
Intergovernmental Affairs Committee following its review of recommended initiatives on
February 7, 2012; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that other issues may arise prior to and during the
2012 legislative session and these will be brought before City Council at a later date; and
WHEREAS, once City Council adopts the 2012 Federal Legislative Program, staff
will distribute the program to members of our delegation, departments, agencies and upon
request to major cities in furtherance of the 2012 Federal Legislative Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS:
1.
That the City Council adopts the 2012 Federal Legislative Program as outlined in the
attached document.
2.
That the City Council authorizes and directs the City Manager to distribute copies of the
City's 2012 Federal Legislative program to members of the Legislature, other cities, and
other interested parties.
ORT W0IJT
3.
That the City Council authorizes and directs the appropriate City officials to send letters
of support and to meet with legislators or federal officials to discuss the City's position on
the initiatives outlined in the attachment.
9
That the City Council authorizes and directs the City's Government Relations staff and the
City's federal legislative consultants to take the appropriate actions to advance the 2012
Federal Legislative Program before the U.S. Congress, the Administration and
corresponding federal agencies.
Adopted this 14thday of February, 2012.
ATTEST:
B y' - - - - -- ' -- - - - - --
Mary J. Kayser, ity Secretary
FORTWORTH
Resolution No. 4062 -02 -2012
Attachment
2012 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE PROGRAM SUMMARY
By the Governmental Relations Division
Presented on February 7, 2012
REVISED
It is recommended, that the major issues the City should consider for a federal advocacy plan in
2012 include:
TIER I - PROPOSED MAJOR 2012 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES:
(The City will actively pursue these major initiatives)
1. Support and pursue funding for Transportation initiatives, including I -35 funding and
TexRail. Concentrate on funding and enhancing the TIFIA program. It is
undercapitalized and one of the major methods that NTTA and NTEMP are trying to
raise capital to support the I -35W and related projects. Support for the US Public Transit
New Starts application for the TEXRAIL Commuter Rail Line
2. Support and pursue funding for all Trinity River Vision initiatives
3. Oppose and defend against cuts or elimination of funding to critical municipality
operations programs such as CDBG, CSBG, LIHEAP, Weatherization, E13-5 (Immigrant
Investor Program), New Markets Tax Credit Program, HEARTH Act (homelessness),
Workforce Investment Act, Second Chance Act and HOME grants
4. Support and pursue funding initiatives through Department of Justice for Police and Fire
Training Facility
TIER II - PROPOSED MAJOR 2012 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES:
(The city will support and make agency visits on these issues)
• Support NASJRB (BRAC issues)
• Support Alternative Asbestos Abatement Method (Wet Demolition)
• Support UASI funding (Homeland Security)
• Support Clean Energy and Natural Gas Initiatives
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Resolution No. 4062 -02 -2012
Attachment
TIER III — OTHER PROPOSED FEDERAL LEGISLATIAVE ISSUES:
(The city will monitor and be supportive of any efforts on these issues, including agency
visits as necessary)
PUBLIC SAFETY
• Support Broadband for First Responders Act (Improve Interoperability)
• Support CASA funding (weather satellite pilot for North Texas)
AVIATION
• Support FAA reauthorization
WATER
• Support funding for Wet Weather Facility
• Support legislation to lower cost of infrastructure investments and increase availability of
lower cost capital
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
• Support increase on administration cap for Stimulus Grant Funding
• Oppose cuts to Low Income Housing Credits Program
PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Support increasing Land Water Conservation Fund
Support reinstitution of Urban Park funding to 2002 levels (UPARR)
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
• Support Energy /Sustainability Plan — 3 year EECBG funding program which would
include legislation for planning and strategy initiatives, lighting efficiency improvements,
"Green" building initiatives, traffic signalization, bicycle commuting, renewable energy
initiatives
HUMAN RESOURCES
• Oppose any collective bargaining issues
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Resolution No. 4062 -02 -2012
Attachment
EDUCATION
• Monitor and support appropriate bills on education in conjunction with all area school
districts
HEALTH
• Monitor and support appropriate bills on health/human services issues that the City of
Fort Worth can use to address appropriate health issues within the community
FINANCE
• Oppose legislation to preempt state and local taxing authority over wireless
communications
• Work with FCC on protecting local government's ability to manage and collect for use on
public rights -of -way
• Work with GAO on municipal disclosure regime
• Work with GASB on allowing continued use of annual required contribution as an
essential part of pension accounting and reporting
• Work with SEC on forthcoming rule on financial advisors and need to exempt appointed
members of state/local boards
• Work with SEC on rule to provide clarification on how advice may or may not be given
to issuers by underwriters
• Work with SEC /MSRB on rule placing standards on types of disclosures underwriters
must make to issuers
• Work with SEC /FDIC regarding clarification on definition of municipal securities in
proposed Volcker Rule
LIBRARY
• Oppose Cancellation of funding on Perkins Loans (SB 1121)
• Support for assuring rights for libraries to provide services without exorbitant vendor
costs for web based communication service access (SB 215)
• Support for preservation of materials for public libraries (HR 1201)
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