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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. 032 999 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 032 999