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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2012-R0493 - Adopt Legislative Package For 83Rd TX Legislative Session And 113Th US Congress - 12/17/2012esolution No. 2012-R0493 ecember 17, 2012 [em No. 6.5 RESOLUTION E IT RrSOLVED 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 83" Texas Legislative Session and the 113"' United States Congress for the purpose of defining the position of the City of Lubbock in both State and Federal 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. passed by the City Council this 17th day of December 1-012 GLrX C. ROBERTSON, MAYOR ATTEST: Rebec a Garza City Secrctmy APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: Lee Am Dumbauld, City Manager City of Lubbock, TX 2413 Legislative Agenda Background: Communicating with state and federal representatives, and tracking legislative issues are important to ensure the City has a strong voice in legislation and rulemaking that impacts City operations. The City of Lubbock recognizes the speed with which bills move through the legislative process. In order to respond appropriately, the City Council designates the Mayor, along with two additional members to direct lobbying efforts and affirm to all necessary persons and parties the City's position on behalf of the City Council, 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 Mayor and 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 supports open and transparent government at all levels. • Where possible, the City will be supportive of local educational, business, medical, and other community legislative efforts. Texas Legislative Issues The City will initiate: • Giving cities the ability to use the one percent payment in-kind on cable service or video service franchise fees on operation of institutional cable services, in addition to the current legislation which allows use for capital purchases of institutional network equipment and cable services to community public buildings. • Amending election rules to allow a city -only polling plan for municipal election runoffs. ■ For a run-off in a city District race, limit election day polling locations to within the District, even if there were county -wide or city-wide election day locations in the General Election. ■ For a run-off in a city "at large" position (Mayor or Municipal Court Judge), limit election day polling locations to within the city, even if there were county -wide election day locations in the General Election. Returning cities' ability to regulate the location and operations of propane (LPG) tanks. The City will support legislation: • Providing inmates exiting the prison system all medical records that will assist their ability to quickly assimilate back into the workforce and society -at -large. • The Lubbock Metropolitan Planning Organization's recommendations for road project funding. • Preserving cities' authority to regulate oil well production within the city limits and ETJ. • Enabling legislation to allow local voters to approve sales tax funded projects. • Local school districts' ability to adjust statewide accountability standards to reflect local student needs and career tracks. • Creating statewide laws regarding the use of mobile devices while driving. • Creating statewide laws regarding the sale of synthetic marijuana. • Continuing funding for Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), and for CitiBus. • Strengthening cities' voices in utility regulatory issues by supporting the Sunset Commission's recommendations regarding the Railroad Commission. ■ Limit the time that campaign contributions can be solicited and received. ■ Prohibit campaign contributions from an entity with a contested case before the Commission. ■ Require the Commission to adopt a recusal policy, with requirements for written explanation of recusal ■ Require the Commission to use the State Office of Administrative Hearings to conduct independent hearings for its contested gas utility and enforcement cases • Support of the State Library legislative appropriations request, including: ■ Shared Digital Content - $9.25 million over the biennium for digital (electronic) materials for all types of libraries. Resources include online homework help, college preparation, research, job searching, career and test preparation, and other assistance in helping people reach their economic goals. ■ Innovation Partnership Grants - $3.4 million/ biennium for training and programming built on local partnerships and innovative practices to advance educational attainment, workforce development, and written and digital literacy. The City will oppose: • The elimination of cities' original jurisdiction over investor-owned utilities. • Limiting cities' ability to be reimbursed for legal and other fees in utility rate cases. • Fees that double -charge cities that have already secured adequate water resources. • Any legislation that would inhibit the ability of cities to charge for the delivery of water, sewer, or other critical services to citizens. The City will monitor: • Statewide Water Plan — Water issues will be at center stage during the 83rd Legislature. The City will work closely with its water consultant Martin Rochelle, to monitor and analyze water legislation and its potential impact on Lubbock and West Texas. The City recognizes the need for comprehensive water planning to ensure Texas has adequate water resources to support our growth. We will support these efforts, with the following caveats: ■ When financing any State-wide water plan, we will oppose fees that unfairly penalize cities who have already paid for water infrastructure by making them pay again. ■ Oppose any legislation that would take away cities' rights to create and enforce its own conservation efforts and drought plans. ■ Improve TWDB financing terms through discounted interest rates and loan repayment deferrals. ■ Streamline TWDB application and reporting processes for larger utilities. ■ Lift restrictions on voluntary interbasin transfers. ■ Oppose legislation that threatens the City's ability to maintain ownership, control and delivery of its water supplies. ■ Oppose legislation that imposes additional regulatory burdens on water and sewer utilities without sound technical justification. Federal Issues The City will support legislation: • Continuing tax-exempt status for municipal bonds. • Continuing transportation funding to support the nation's highway system. • Continuing funding for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Partnership Program, and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and for CitiBus. 12/19/12