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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/2023 08. Draft 2024 State and Federal Legislative Priorities 1 a, ga, BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 8. For Meeting of: October 17, 2023 ITEM TITLE: Draft 2024 State and Federal Legislative Priorities SUBMITTED BY: Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Draft 2024 State and Federal Legislative Priorities have been developed based on observation of issues the Council has focused on in 2023, progress made on the City's 2023 state and federal legislative priorities, input from the City's contracted lobbyists in Olympia and Washington, D.C., City senior staff input, and review of legislative priorities established by other municipal advocacy organizations. The Council is being asked to consider adopting 2024 State and Federal Legislative Priorities at its October 17th regular meeting. ITEM BUDGETED: NA STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Trust and Accountability APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION: Adopt proposed 2024 State and Federal Legislative Priorities ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type D Draft City of Yakima 2024 State Legislative Priorities 10/5/2023 Coker Memo D Draft City of Yakima 2024 Federal Legislative Priorities 10/5/2023 Cover Memo 2 -�O t UY�4,it I. I-1 • ) 41 3y6UF , 4 sNiollp 1 'lr e r 0 �11°kpOR.1TA.AT ‘ �- City of Yakima 2024 State Legislative Priorities Actively Pursue - Funding to support the expansion of domestic water and sewer systems to underserved, low- income neighborhoods in Yakima - Regulatory and legislative advocacy to preserve community access to health care services, including additional funding for mental health response assistance to local governments and mental health providers - Legislation and state funding designed to reduce the high rate of domestic violence present in Washington State through enforcement, additional housing, and other support for victims - Funding for continued development of public infrastructure at the former mill site property - Funding for Phase 2 of the Nelson Diversion project - Increased state funding in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, funds for affordable housing, and funds to reduce homelessness including additional funding rounds for CHIP grants Support - Replacing the one percent property tax revenue increase limit to tie it to inflation and population growth factors - Cuts to intergovernmental shared revenue - Efforts to expand the ability and flexibility of cities to use Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) funds for additional capital needs, including maintenance and operation, and to support affordable housing - Efforts to reduce the impact of abusive public records requests and litigation - Legislation restricting the conversion of hotels located near event venues to housing Monitor - Legislation providing greater flexibility in the use of public funds for economic development purposes - Efforts to reduce abuse related to Labor and Industries claims - Modification of authorized outlets for publishing official local government notices , 3 if:-Adallik&I-"1# 71 11.I,,�RPONATCD ,,,, City of Yakima 2024 Federal Legislative Priorities Actively Pursue - Funding to be distributed to local governments to combat the fentanyl abuse crisis - Funding to support the expansion of domestic water and sewer systems to underserved, low-income neighborhoods in Yakima - Funding for the expansion of the Yakima Air Terminal/McAllister Field terminal building - Yakima Basin Integrated Plan funding requests, including funding requests for completion of the Nelson Diversion Project and the Gap-to-Gap Ecosystem Restoration Project - Efforts to address homelessness and enhance funding for affordable housing and human services programs locally, regionally, and nationally Support - Regulatory and legislative action to preserve community access to health care services - Increased funding for Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention ("OJJDP") and other federal programs designed to combat gang crime and violence - Development of adequate, predictable, and sustainable funding for airport capital projects and airport economic development projects - Ongoing funding assistance provided to local public safety entities through programs such as Community Oriented Policing Services ("COPS"), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response ("SAFER"), the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program ("AFG") and Local Law Enforcement Block Grants ("LLEBG"), which are consistently utilized by the City Monitor - Legislation to improve broadband accessibility in rural communities - Continued funding of the Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") program at current or increased levels. Enhance flexibility for use of funds in the CDBG program.