HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5864-12-2023 A Resolution
NO. 5864-12-2023
ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S
2024 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
WHEREAS, the 118th United States Congress is ongoing, will reconvene on January 8, 2024,
and will end on January 3, 2025; and
WHEREAS, during the fall of 2023, the City's Governmental Relations Office staff, in
conjunction with the City's federal legislative consultants, solicited input from the Mayor, City Council,
and City departments to identify programmatic and funding needs that could potentially be resolved by
Congressional or federal administrative action; and
WHEREAS, recommendations for the Federal Legislative and Administrative Agenda were
presented to the City Council Legislative Affairs Committee (LAC) for discussion and review and, on
October 31, 2023, the LAC authorized forwarding the attached 2024 Federal Legislative and
Administrative Agenda to the full City Council for consideration and final approval; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 Federal Legislative and Administrative Agenda was presented to the City
Council through an Informal Report on December 5th, 2023 and the approval of this resolution will serve
as City Council's adoption of the 2024 Federal Legislative and Administrative Agenda.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS THAT:
1. The 2024 Federal Legislative and Administrative Agenda 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 2024 Federal
Legislative and Administrative Agenda to members of Congress, other cities, and other interested parties;
and
3. The appropriate City officials are authorized and directed to send letters of support or to meet with
legislators or 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 2024 Federal Legislative and Administrative
Agenda before Congress, the Administration, and corresponding federal agencies.
Adopted this 12th day of December 2023.
ATTEST:
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oo °o 0By. �oo oJannette S. Goodall, City Secretary
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FORT WORTH,
FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2024
Pursuing Community Development and Renewal
• Education Opportunity Programs
• 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)
• Expanded LIHEAP Eligibility Documentation Requirements: Voter ID
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• Low Income Housing Tax Credits
• Housing Choice Vouchers: Budgetary Increases for FWHS
• Affordable House and Rental Assistance Programs
• Support and Expansion of Fair Housing
• Support for Whole Health Community Clinic Expansion
• Healthy Communities Initiative—Mortality and Life Expectancy
I' • Employment Non-discrimination Initiatives
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• Energy and Sustainability Grants
• FEMA Designations and Flood Insurance Premiums
• Fund"non-FEMA Food Plane"Flooding Recovery
• Fund Universal Broadband Coverage—Building Access
• Fund Broadband Infrastructure&Affordable Connectivity Program
Urban Park and Recreation Recovery(UPARR)
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• Fund and Support Greenspace Preservation and Development
• Museum and Library Funding(IMLS Reauthorization)
• East Lancaster Transit Corridor Project
• Increased Funding Sources for Homeowner Lead Removal
9 Stormwater and Sewer Remediation Funding
• Oppose Federal Collective Bargaining Legislation
• Support Federal Funding and Guidelines for Drone Usage
FEDERAL CONGRESSIONAL PRIORITIES FOR2024
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Fi14htin11 for Mobility& Connectivity 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 and this will require continued
cooperation with the Regional Transportation Council. (Bivens) Support for ongoing
mobility and connectivity improvements—including support for more favorable federal,
state, and local grant formula requirements, increase capacity in key corridors, support
high-speed passenger rail that spans the city, expand TEXRAIL to additional stops in SW
Fort Worth, including the medical district, enhanced public transportation systems, and
alternative transit opportunities will be continuing priorities in the 118th Session of
Congress.
Support for Educational and Career 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 youth development initiatives and programs
that provide a diverse continuum of educational resources with particular emphasis on
workforce development, especially in STEM/R&D. Supporting high school programs that
encourage workforce preparedness, better equipping students for the needs of today's job
market, will remain a priority in our federal engagement in 2024. Additionally, early
childhood education programs, nutritional development, and access to health services are
critical to the long-term success of Fort Worth's school aged children. Identifying
opportunities to enhance and
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create programs that increase access to quality early childhood education and care through
"flexible," locally distributed federal funding dollars will continue to be a key priority in
the 118th Congress. Also, the City is committed to partnering with the Texas A&M
University System on the expansion of the A&M campus in Fort Worth.
Supporting "Central City"Flood Control
Summary: Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in America. The "Central
City"flood control project is a key element in managing and modernizing the"Fort Worth
Federal Floodway" levee system, essential to protecting our rapidly expanding population
and economy. The "Central City" flood control plan will protect people and businesses
north and east of our current downtown while providing much needed economic security
and certainty to these flood prone communities. Continued modernization of the Trinity
River levee system will depend greatly on additional and sustained federal funding and
administration support for the "Central City"flood control project and is a key priority for
2024.
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 as well as sustaining the growth of our defense contracting industries through
federal 2024 budget and appropriations support 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. Honoring and supporting those who have served
and continue to serve our country through federal support for veteran-owned small
businesses (Williams), increased veterans services, and the establishment of a US Veterans
Memorial in Fort Worth will be a key priority in the 118th Congress.
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Calling on Congress to Reform America's Broken Immil4ration 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.1 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 2024 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.
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Chy Laing v. Freeman, 92 U.S. 275 (1875)
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