Department: Communications and Customer Service
Staff Contact: Tim Danneberg
Subject: Discussion of Federal Legislative Agenda
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Item Description:
title
Discussion of Federal Legislative Agenda.
Body
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Summary:
The draft 2019 Federal Legislative Priority statement again provides a policy level filter for assessing and advocating for/against federal legislative initiatives. The priorities were established based input from departments, organizations such as MARC and NLC as well as guidance from Congressional staff. It follows the Council practice of focusing on City specific issues.
The draft includes discussion of federal funding assistance for expansion of the 119th/I-35 interchange, and that issue will be a primary focus of our March visit to Washington, DC in March.
The 2019 draft has several changes including: sharing information about the staggering and growing costs the City faces in addressing lack of treatment for mental health, the importance of returning Land and Water Conservation Fund revenue back to state and local governments and the issue of small cell wireless deployment’s impact on local infrastructure.
Again, this year we ask our federal delegation to remain vigilant in monitoring the reasonableness of federal environmental issues, including water quality issues. It addresses unreasonable financial burdens created by issues such as eliminating or reducing tax exemption for municipal bonds. Other key standing issues include forcing local governments to recognize collective bargaining, federal mandates and preserving local control.
Per Council direction, the draft agenda is in a red-lined mark up format to make it easier to identify changes from the previous year.
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Financial Impact:
None
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Action Needed:
Review the proposed platform and provide direction for any changes or additions.
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Attachment(s):
Draft 2019 Federal Legislative Agenda