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HomeMy WebLinkAbout033527 RES - 12/03/2024Resolution adopting the City of Corpus Christi's Legislative Agenda for Federal Legislative Priorities for the 119th U.S. Congress WHEREAS, the 119th United States Congress will convene on January 3, 2025 for two annual sessions; and WHEREAS, the City of Corpus Christi, its residents, businesses, industry, governments, agencies and institutions benefit significantly from federal and state government agency programs and services provided in the community and are greatly impacted by legislative activities; and WHEREAS, during every congress, thousands of bills are filed and many have the potential to either directly or indirectly impact the City of Corpus Christi (City), its programs and services, its citizens, the tax base, and community needs; and WHEREAS, The City's Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Department is responsible for monitoring state and federal governmental activities, developing legislative priorities approved by City Council, managing the City's legislative consultants at Hance Scarborough in Washington, D.C., and coordinating legislative activities with other public and private sector entities and municipal advocacy organizations; and WHEREAS, to be successful, this ever -evolving business environment requires close contact and constant communication with legislative leadership, external legislative consultants, national and statewide municipal advocacy organizations, national and statewide partners, community leadership, and community stakeholders. WHEREAS, it is necessary to provide guidance for the City's officers and representatives in conducting the City's federal legislative efforts and relations; Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas: SECTION 1. The City Council generally SUPPORTS federal and state legislation and/or administrative actions that: • Protects policies previously established by City leadership through Charter, ordinances, resolutions and master plans • Furthers local control; • Protect and enhance City revenues; • Provide revenue or eliminate mandates that reduce or eliminates costs to the City; and • Provides increased educational opportunities and job creation/retention for the citizens of Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend region through the military, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, public schools, community colleges and universities. 033527 CANNED SECTION 2. The City Council generally OPPOSES federal and state legislation and/or administrative actions that: • Nullify or undermine the City's policies contained in existing provisions of the Charter, ordinances, resolutions, and master plans, unless such changes expand the City's ability to manage its own affairs. • Diminishes the authority of cities to regulate and manage their growth and development. • Imposes unfunded mandates that requires any expenditures by the City unless all costs are fully reimbursed by the mandating governmental entity. • Undermine the principle of home rule and local control by the City, • Results in the loss of revenue or negatively impacts potential revenue growth to the City. SECTION 3. The City Council adopts the following policy issues as its federal legislative agenda for the two annual sessions of the 118th Congress: A. FEDERAL PRIORITIES Preserve Local Decision Making Oppose pre-emption by federal agencies that nullify or undermine the policies contained in existing provisions of the Charter, ordinances, resolutions, and master plans, specifically the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) proposed regulatory overreach on small cell telecommunication deployment and FCC's rules that significantly reduce cable franchise fees and impact Public, Educational and Government (PEG) channels. Protect existing tax-exempt status of municipal bonds and support legislation that would restore advance refunding of tax-exempt bonds. Public Safety Support funding to increase existing grant programs to local law enforcement agencies and fire departments that provide for personnel, equipment, training, or operational expenses. Support for Military Communities and Installations Protect the investment made by taxpayers over the past 80 years, support adequate funding from the U.S. Department of Defense for the vital military missions and national security value of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (NASCC), Naval Air Station Kingsville (NASK), the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD), the United States Coast Guard and all tenant commands located at NASCC, including active duty and civilian personnel, training, equipment, maintenance of aging facilities and infrastructure and new construction of necessary facilities, including a new Child Development Center and unaccompanied enlisted housing, and infrastructure to ensure force readiness. Support the elimination of the Production Tax Credit for wind farm developments within close proximity of military installations and flight training routes. Support compliance with the 50/50 rule, to be reported by installation, and other federal policies that guarantee depots, like CCAD, with adequate workload. Support the elimination of the 180-day rule, which limits the ability of CCAD from immediately hiring retiring military members. Oppose definitions or procedural changes or practices at the Department of Defense that would result in reduced workload at military depots. Support increased funding of the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) and include flexibility in the program standards which will allow for more complex projects to be submitted. Oppose the elimination of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC), which is the only means for the Department of Defense (DoD) to directly support civilian activities that, in turn, provide direct value and savings to the warfighter by allowing DoD, to engage a more resilient and responsive supply chain and competitive defense manufacturing sector, and enhancing the lethality of our assets through joint land use planning. Environment and Utilities Prohibit redefining "Waters of the United States". Prevent the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency from expanding the definition of surface waters and wetlands that are subject to the Clean Water Act's regulatory requirements and protection. Monitor the impact of EPA's new Lead and Copper rule and PFAS rule for water utilities. Support funding and legislation that enables the city to permit, develop, and fund drought -resistant water supply sources including low -interest loans, grants, or other financing tools. Homelessness and Affordable Housing Preserving the funding levels of congregate meals and home -delivered meals. Preserving funding levels for all other aging services programs, including Senior Companion Program and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Support level or increased funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and Homeless Assistance programs. Support legislation and funding available for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Section 42 Low -Income Housing Tax Credit program allowing Corpus Christi to increase the number of units created or rehabilitated and allow for deeper income targeting. Infrastructure and Transportation Support funding for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs that support Corpus Christi International Airport Improvement projects. Support federal infrastructure programs, including full funding for the Highway Trust Fund, which promotes investment in highways, rail, waterways, utilities, and technology without requiring excessive local debt and additional unfunded mandates. Increase the rate of return for Texas from the Highway Trust fund to correct the imbalance of Texas' status as the only donor state to the trust fund. Support legislation that funds and enables broadband infrastructure and universal access across the city. Education and Economic Competitiveness Support expansion of federally designated opportunity zone program and allow for local governments in economically disadvantaged areas to advocate for and participate in opportunity zone designation and development. Create a pathway for residents living within opportunity zones to have access to participate in Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds. Support the preservation of and improvements to the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) as seen in the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO). Oppose any actions that would increase barriers to trade, such as tariffs on intermediate goods. Oppose any barriers that would prevent Coastal Bend businesses and industries from staying competitive in a global economy and result in a net loss for the economic health of our regions, state, and country. Oppose legislation that would restrict public beach access on local, state, or federal property in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of our city charter and ordinances. Disaster Assistance & Emergency Management Reform Support funding to assist local governments with recovery, mitigation, and resiliency projects following natural disasters. Support the continuation of local government ability to pass ordinances and issue orders that address needs in an emergency or disaster. Support Stafford Act reforms that would streamline disaster response timelines and clarify the act with regard to funding of projects affected by duplication of authority and/or duplication of benefits. Support legislation and funding, including grants, to develop stormwater and flood control infrastructure. Support reform and funding of the federal flood insurance program to ensure sustainability of the program and affordability for residents and businesses. SECTION 4. ENDORSEMENTS. The City Council endorses the federal legislative priorities and recommendations of affiliate professional, trade, community and services organizations in which the City, its elected officials, and/or staff in their official capacity are members of or serve on the boards of directors, when those policy recommendations are aligned with the mission of the City and are not in conflict with a specific policy adopted by the City Council. Those entities may include, but are not limited to: National League of Cities National Community Development Association National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Alliance for Interstate 69 Texas Association of Defense Communities Army Aviation Association of America Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance American Planning Association United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce South Texas Military Task Force Visit Corpus Christi Corpus Christi Economic Development Corporation National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) American Public Works Association SECTION 5. The Legislative Priorities remain in effect until amended by the City Council. SECTION 6. Staff is directed to distribute these State Legislative Priorities to the local legislative delegation, legislative leadership, external legislative consultants, municipal advocacy organizations, federal and state municipal partners, community leadership, and community stakeholders to solicit their advice and support. This resolution takes effect upon City Council approval on this the 3 Ry day of t)ttentbfae, , 2024. ATTE it-/01 tetYr Rebecca Huerta City Secretary Y •F C US CHRISTI 7 G aulette Guajardo Mayor 033527