Title
2022 State and Federal Legislative Agendas
Description
This report requests input and approval from the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee on the City's priorities for inclusion in the 2022 State and Federal Legislative Agendas.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
Each year, the Office of Government Relations requests that City departments submit issues for inclusion in the City's State and Federal Legislative Agendas. Once input is received from the Mayor and Council, the State and Federal Legislative Agendas will define the City's legislative priorities and guide the City's lobbying activities during the Second Regular Session of the 56th Arizona Legislature and the 118th Congress, Second Session.
In order to prioritize and guide staff's lobbying efforts, we recommend that the Mayor and Council endorse familiar, but critical, guiding principles as our highest priorities - maintaining and protecting shared revenues, opposing unfunded mandates, preserving local authority, and involvement in water resources matters.
Shared Revenues - The City's budget includes revenues from a number of state sources, most importantly "shared revenues" from state income, sales and vehicle license taxes. Shared revenues make up approximately 32 percent of the City's general fund, helping to pay for police, fire, streets, parks, and other critical City services. Staff recommends the City oppose any reduction of shared revenues. The state shared revenue system first came into existence in 1942, when Arizona voters approved an initiative requiring that a percentage of state sales taxes be shared with cities and towns. In 1960, statewide voters approved a measure to share the statewide gas tax with municipalities. In 1972, statewide voters approved the sharing of a percentage of state income taxes with local governments. Shared revenues have become a critical component of the City's general fund budget.
Oppose Unfunded Mandates - Staff recommends the City oppose state legislative efforts to shift new responsibilities to the city without accompanying funds.
Local Authority - The City's Charter empowers Phoenix residents to determine the structure and authority of City government in our community. Staff recommends the City work to protect the ability of the Mayor and Council to set policy at the local level and oppose legislation that preempts local authority.
Water Resources - While Phoenix currently has sufficient water resources for the present and the foreseeable future, the Arizona Department of Water Resources and stakeholders from statewide organizations are working to coordinate efforts in building adequate infrastructure and protecting water resources. Staff recommends that the City participate in these efforts to ensure that Phoenix's water supply is protected.
In order to prioritize and guide federal lobbying efforts, staff recommends that the Mayor and Council endorse two guiding principles as the City's highest priorities: to promote fiscal sustainability and to protect local authority. To promote fiscal sustainability, the City would, for example, support efforts to achieve parity in federal funding for Phoenix compared to other cities of equivalent populations. Staff would also oppose federal actions imposing unfunded mandates on cities or reducing funding available for important programs or infrastructure needs. To protect local authority, staff would support federal action that empowers local communities and oppose efforts to preempt local decisions.
State Agenda
Staff recommends the following priorities for inclusion in the 2022 State Legislative Agenda. These items are described at the following link:
https://www.phoenix.gov/governmentrelationssite/Documents/2022_State_Legislative_Agenda_Draft.pdf
- Police and the Mental Health System
- Continued Public Safety Funding
- Authorized Transporters
- Addressing Homelessness
- Street Feeding
Federal Agenda
Staff recommends the following priorities for inclusion in the 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda. These items are described at the following link:
https://www.phoenix.gov/governmentrelationssite/Documents/2022_Federal_Legislative_Agenda_Draft.pdf
Police
- Office of Justice Programs Grants
- Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)
Fire
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grants
City Prosecutor
- Specialty Courts
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Jeffrey Barton and the Office of Government Relations.