HomeMy WebLinkAbout032930 RES - 12/06/2022Resolution Adopting the City of Corpus Christi's State Legislative Agenda for the
88th Texas Legislature
WHEREAS, the 88th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature will convene on January
10, 2023 for 140 days; and
WHEREAS, the City of Corpus Christi, its residents, businesses, industry, governments,
agencies and institutions benefit significantly from state government agency programs
and services provided in the community and are greatly impacted by legislative activities;
and
WHEREAS, during every state legislative session and 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 Focused
Advocacy in Austin, TX, and coordinating legislative activities with other public and private
sector entities and municipal advocacy organizations; and
WHEREAS, to be successful, requires close contact and constant communication with
legislative leadership, external legislative consultants, statewide municipal advocacy
organizations, 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 state and 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 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;
• 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.
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SECTION 2. The City Council generally OPPOSES 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; and
• 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 agenda for the 88th
Regular Session and any potential Special Called Sessions of the Texas Legislature.
A. PRIORITIES:
Preserve Local Decision -Making
The City strongly supports the principles of local decision-making from residents,
stakeholders and local elected officials who are most directly responsive to their
neighbors. The City opposes undermining the principle of home rule and local control
and opposes legislation that diminishes the authority of cities to regulate and manage
their growth and development.
Oppose State of Texas preemption of municipal authority in order to protect residential
neighborhoods from activities that would degrade homeowner property values, and more
specifically oppose eroding municipal authority related to development matters including
annexation, eminent domain, land use planning and zoning, building codes and
inspections, and tree preservation.
The City strongly opposes legislation, especially revenue caps, that undermines the
authority of local elected officials to establish budgets and generate revenues through
various authorized taxes, and user fees, to improve quality of life and secure the essential
municipal services, personnel, facilities, and initiatives prioritized by local taxpayers.
Oppose legislation that would erode the ability of a city to issue debt. Oppose legislation
taking away local authority to draft bond and referendum ballot language and
interjecting the State of Texas, an agency or statewide elected official into a local
election process.
Support increased transparency for Municipalities in the sales tax audit process that result
in any type of audit adjustment or refund.
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Oppose state legislation that would erode the authority of a city to be adequately
compensated for the use of its rights-of-way and/or erode municipal authority over the
management and control of rights-of-way.
Oppose legislation that would prohibit the City from using public funds to communicate
with legislators or state agencies and advocate on behalf of the community through:
• Participation in grassroots advocacy efforts
• Membership with municipal associations
• Employment of in-house intergovernmental relations staff; and
• Engagement of legislative consultants.
Support legislation that would allow cities to remove themselves from an Emergency
Service District when the city can provide service to the area.
Port of Corpus Christi
Preserve the power of the City of Corpus Christi to appoint 3 members of the governing
board of the Port of Corpus Christi. Oppose Legislation that would expand the authority
of the Port of Corpus Christi beyond their role and responsibility to maintain and promote
navigable commerce. Oppose legislation that would expand the unilateral economic
development and real estate development authority of the Port of Corpus Christi.
Public Health
Support simplified reporting system and increased investment in public health IT
Infrastructure needs to allow for real time communication and disease surveillance
between local health departments, point of care clinics, medical institutions, Emergency
Medical Service providers, first responder agencies, Texas Department of State Health
Services, Health and Human Services, and the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention
Support legislation to increase funding for public health, health care coverage and access
for Texans.
Protect and strengthen access to behavioral health care (mental health and substance
use disorder services) to create healthier communities as well as healthier workforce.
Support for our Military Community and Installations
The City supports legislation which protects the investments made by taxpayers in
facilities, equipment, infrastructure, training of active duty and civilian personnel to fulfill
the critical national security missions performed at military installations throughout Texas.
Support Legislative Appropriations of at least $50 million for the Defense Economic
Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) Program.
Oppose legislation to offer tax exemptions for wind energy developments in close
proximity to military installations. Ensure provisions from Senate Bill 277 (85th Regular
Session) are included in economic development tax credit programs.
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Disaster Assistance and 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 windstorm insurance reform that will provide affordable, equitable rates for the
Texas coast. Oppose unnecessary rate hikes from the Texas Windstorm Insurance
Association (TWIA).
Environment and Utilities
Support continued funding for air quality monitoring and mitigations projects to enable
Corpus Christi to remain in compliance with federal Clean Air Standards.
Support improvements to Texas Water Development Board Regional Water Planning
process, the unified cost model and other plan requirements
Support legislation that enables the city to permit, develop, and fund drought resistant
water supply sources.
Support legislation and funding that provides for the development of resilient and
sustainable utility infrastructure
B. ACTIVELY SUPPORT
Support improvements to the appraisal and appraisal appeals process to align the refund
interest charged with current municipal investment returns.
Support legislation that funds and enables broadband infrastructure and universal access
across the city.
Education and Economic Competitiveness
Protect all economic development tools that attract new jobs and companies to Texas,
including but not limited to the Skills Development Fund, CPRIT, Sales and Use Tax
Exemptions, Enterprise and Tax Increment Financing Districts, industrial district
agreements, the film incentive fund, and other statutes related to economic development.
Support increased educational opportunities and job creation/retention for the residents
of Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend region through the Corpus Christi Regional
Economic Development Corporation, Port of Corpus Christi Authority, public schools, Del
Mar College (DMC), Texas A&M University Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) and Texas A&M
University Kingsville (TAMUK).
The City supports an increase in the state's share of public education, therefore reducing
the property tax burden of local taxpayers, and updates to the state's school funding
system to include an increase in the basic allotment.
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Establish a well -funded pre -K-12 school finance system that:
• requires locally collected tax revenue for education to stay in the education system;
• includes education for all children starting with full-day pre -k;
• provides financial transparency and accountability to taxpayers for all education
funds;
• explores additional revenue sources aligned with enhanced outcomes and
efficiencies,
• ensure student progress and post -secondary readiness with high levels of pre -K-
12 academic rigor and accountability.
The City supports enhanced formula and non -formula funding for Del Mar College,
TAMUCC and TAMUK and authorizing requests for capital construction assistance
program (CCAP) projects.
Advance the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Building a Talent Strong
Texas goals for TAMU-CC and DMC which are:
• Attainment of certificates or degrees so at least 60% of Texans have post-
secondary credential of value by 2030
• Postsecondary credentials of value aligned with workforce demands that will raise
incomes for individual Texans while reducing debt.
• Research, development and innovation that drives discovery, improves lives,
broadens education, and creates new jobs.
• Community College Finance Reform -- Support legislation developed from
the Texas Commission on Community College Finance final
recommendations that rewards community colleges for positive outcomes,
increases affordability for students and increases capacity at college to
meet changing workforce needs.
• Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) — Equate required match to
what is allowed for TEXAS Grants and expand to cover continuing
education courses/credentials.
• Department of Information Resources — Seek funds to address unfunded
mandates for colleges in their required work with the state information
technology agency.
• Statutory changes to implement the Texas Transfer Framework — Seek
statutory authority for the THECB to ensure accountability with the new
Texas Transfer Field of Studies acceptance and applicability upon transfer.
• Nursing Clinical Sites — Address shortage of clinical sites for nursing
students.
Meet industry workforce needs through alignment and expansion of trade and technical
skills training, apprenticeships, internships, and work -based learning opportunities, along
with funding for workforce Dual Credit programs, and Career and Technical Education
(CTE) and industry -specific certifications and degrees
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Transportation
Support legislation and funding that provides for the development of resilient and
sustainable transportation infrastructure
Support legislation that would enhance community safety initiatives such as Vision Zero
by allowing cities more flexibility to reduce speed limits on local streets for the overall
safety of all road users.
Protect the local prioritization of policies and funding for improved transportation and
additional transit options.
Utilize new project delivery tools to allow for innovative and smart infrastructure financing
and the use of innovative technologies that would not further obligate state funds.
Develop roads and rail, as part of an integrated, multi -modal transportation network to
maximize our state's capacity to move people, goods and services throughout the state.
Support legislation and funding that implements the recommendations of the TXDOT
Urban Air Mobility Advisory Committee's recommendations included in their final report
dated September 2022, including recommendations for technology, airspace and
infrastructure, safety and security, and commerce and community integration.
Tourism
Support retention of full State tourism funding.
Protect existing authority to use Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues to construct a convention
center hotel and oppose any restrictions, limitations or changes which would alter the
existing authority.
Positive changes to local Hotel Occupancy Tax Laws to include expansion of sporting
facilities category to include additional sports activities.
Homelessness and Affordable Housing
The City supports legislation and funding that allows for flexible and innovative solutions
to create local options to increase the supply of affordable housing for low to moderate
income families.
Support funding to create and rehabilitate units in federal housing subsidy programs and
create additional housing, shelter and service options for low income and homeless
populations, including youth who are aging out of the foster care system.
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C. ACTIVELY OPPOSE
Education and Economic Competitiveness
Oppose legislation that would limit the authority of Type A or Type B economic
development corporations statewide.
Oppose legislation that would limit or eliminate the current flexibility of the Major Events
Reimbursement Program as a tool for cities to attract or host major events and
conventions.
Oppose proposals to use local Hotel Occupancy Taxes for non -tourism purposes.
SECTION 4. ENDORSEMENTS. The City of Corpus Christi will coordinate with the
following local stakeholders to endorse legislative priorities to promote the overall health
and prosperity of the Coastal Bend region, provided they do not conflict with the City's
own legislative agenda. These entities may include, but not be limited to:
United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce
South Texas Military Task Force
Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau
Del Mar College
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation
Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend
Coastal Bend Council of Governments
United Way of the Coastal Bend
The following municipal advocacy or professional associations will adopt legislative
priorities, which the City of Corpus Christi may endorse during the session, provided they
do not conflict with the City's own legislative agenda. These entities may include, but not
be limited to:
Texas Municipal League (TML)
Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS)
Texas Mayors of Military Communities (TMMC)
Texas Police Chiefs Association
Texas Fire Chiefs Association
Texas Court Clerks Association (TCCA)
Texas Municipal Courts Association
Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO)
Texas Chapter American Planning Association
Texas Coalition for Affordable Power (TCAP)
Transportation Advocates of Texas (TAOT)
Alliance for Interstate 69 Texas
Lone Star Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (TXSWANA)
Texas Chapter of American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (TXASBPA)
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Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT)
Texas Chapter of the 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 thec.P.\day
of QQ,r,^( , 2022.
Rebecca Huerta 'aulette Guajardo
City Secretary
6 of I rte( , 2022
Mayor
The above resolution was passed by the following vote:
Paulette Guajardo
Michael Hunter
Mike Pusley
John Martinez N'a
Billy Lerma
Roland Barrera
Ben Molina
Greg Smith
Gil Hernandez
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