HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2016-R0437 - Adopt Legislative Package For 85Th TX Legislative Session - 12/01/2016Resolution No.2016-R0437
Item No.6.11
December 1,2016
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK:
THAT the City Council of the City of Lubbock hereby adopts a Legislative Package
for the 85th Texas Legislative Session for the purpose of defining the position of the City
of Lubbock on State Legislative issues. Said Legislative Package is attached hereto and
incorporated in this resolution as if fully set forth herein and shall be included in the
minutes of City Council.
Passedbythe City Council this 1st dayof _ December 2016.
ATTEST:
Rebecca Garza,City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT
Chad Weaver,Acting City Manager
APPKOTEDOS~fO FORM:
DANIEL M.POPE,MAYOR
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>auerwhite
Fif*st Assistant City Attorney
Res.Legislative Package
11.7.16
2017-18 City of Lubbock Legislative Agenda
Background:
Communicating with state and federal representatives and tracking legislative issues are
important to ensure the City Council has a strong voice in legislation and rulemaking that
impacts City governance and operations.
The Lubbock City Council affirrns to all necessary persons and parties the following City
legislative positions, based on the following principles:
* The City will work to pass its priority legislation.
• The City will oppose any legislation that would erode the governing authority of the
Lubbock City Council.
• The City will monitor proposed legislation and take appropriate action to assure a
predictable and sufficient level of revenue and resist efforts to diminish that revenue.
• The City will oppose the imposition of any state mandates that do not provide for a
commensurate level of compensation.
The City Council recognizes the speed with which bills move through the legislative process. In
order to respond in a timely manner to issues that fall outside the Council's approved principles,
the Mayor will consult with two Council members to direct lobbying efforts.
The Lubbock City Council identifies the following legislative priorities for 2017-18:
The Eighty -Fifth Texas Legislature
The City will initiate:
Amending Section 351.102, Tax Code to allow for a non-profit corporation acting on behalf of
the City of Lubbock to pledge the revenue derived from sales and hotel taxes to be used for
eligible bonds for public projects
The creation of a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) funding stream to pay
for the recycling and removal of materials at the closed TCEQ-permitted recycling center on 1-27
The City will support:
Lubbock Power & Light's efforts to move in to ERCOT
The Sunset Commission Report Issue 2, regarding Railroad Commission review of Natural Gas
to the Public Utilities commission. "Contested Hearings and Gas Utility Oversight should be
transferred to other agencies to promote efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, and fairness."
Changes to Chapter 143, Local Government Code that would enhance Police Chiefs' authority in
personnel matters.
Additional funding for transportation and highway projects
The Lubbock Metropolitan Planning Organization's recommendations for road project funding.
The City will oppose:
New limits on City authority
Higher regulatory fees on cities
Restricting cities' ability to annex
Diminishing Regional Water planning processes.
The 115 Ih United States Congress
The City will support:
Additional fimding for mass transportation and highway systems
Continuing tax-exempt status for municipal bonds.
Continued fimding for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Partnership
Programs