TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file a report on travel to
Washington, D.C., March 19 - 21, 2012.
DISCUSSION
On March 19 to 21, 2012, Councilmember Delong traveled to Washington, D.C. to discuss federal issues of importance with our delegation, other members of Congress and the Administration. Chair Delong represented the Federal legislation Committee of the long Beach City Council on this trip, and was accompanied by Government Affairs staff and supported by the City's federal advocate Van Scoyoc Associates.
Attached is a list of meetings we participated in while in Washington, DC. Among the issues discussed were the following:
· Homeland Security grants and the Administration's grant consolidation proposal.
· Long Beach's transportation needs in the context of the Transportation Reauthorization Bill.
· A local hiring waiver from the Department of Transportation to allow cities to implement local hiring programs on the local share of dollars.
· The City's TIGER grant for the replacement of the Shoemaker Bridge.
· The need for Army Corps funding for the East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem Restoration Study.
· The recent progress of the Colorado lagoon and the next phase of the project.
· The need for continued funding for Community Development Block Grants.
· The City's opposition to defining much of long Beach as a "residual risk" flood control area.
· The City's support for the re-separation of investment and commercial banking through the reinstatement of the Glass-Steagall Act.
· The City's request that the federal government classify medical marijuana as a recognized pharmaceutical medication dispensed through pharmacies.
· Other issues on the City's Federal legislative Agenda.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GARY DELONG
COUNCILMEMBER, THIRD DISTRICT