HomeMy WebLinkAbout032999 RES - 03/07/2023Resolution adopting the City of Corpus Christi's Legislative Agenda for Federal
Legislative Priorities for the 118th U.S. Congress
WHEREAS, the 118th United States Congress convened on January 3, 2023 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;
• 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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SCANNED
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
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 and infrastructure to ensure force readiness.
Support elimination of the Production Tax Credit for wind farm developments within
close proximity of a military installation and flight training routes.
Oppose definitions or procedural changes or practices at the Department of Defense
which would result in reduced workload at military depots such as CCAD.
Oppose pre-emption by federal agencies which 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.
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 for water utilities
Support policy that enables the city to permit, develop, and fund drought resistant water
supply sources.
B. ACTIVELY SUPPORT
Preserving the funding levels of congregate meal and home -delivered meals, and
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, and Homeless
Assistance programs.
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 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 Stafford Act reforms that would streamline disaster response timelines and
clarify the act with regard to funding of projects affected by duplication of authority.
Support preservation of and improvements to the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) as seen in
the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC -GO)
Support legislation that funds and enables broadband infrastructure and universal
access across the city.
C. ACTIVELY OPPOSE
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 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 reduce costs by shedding excess infrastructure, engaging a more
resilient supply chain and competitive defense manufacturing sector, and enhancing the
lethality of our assets through joint land use planning.
Oppose any legislation that would restrict access to federal beaches in South Texas.
SECTION 5. The Legislative Priorities remain in effect until amended by the City Council.
SECTION 6. Staff is directed to distribute these Federal 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 /h day
of no.rc,VA , 2023.
ATTEST:
THE CITY OF CORPUS CH STI
Rebecca Huerta Paulette Guajardo
City Secretary
of , 2023
Mayor
The above resolution was passed by the following vote:
Paulette Guajardo
Michael Hunter
Mike Pusley
James Klein
Everett Roy
Roland Barrera
Sylvia Campos /435-0,)(
Dan Suckley
Gil Hernandez
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