TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file report on travel by the Federal Legislation Committee to Washington, D.C., February 22 - 25, 2010.
DISCUSSION
On February 22-25, 2010, the Federal legislation Committee traveled to Washington, D.C. to discuss federal issues of importance with our delegation, other members of Congress and the Administration. Chair Delong and Councilmember Garcia represented the Committee, and were accompanied by City Government Affairs staff and supported by the City's federal advocate Van Scoyoc Associates.
Attached is a list of meetings we participated in while back in Washington, D.C. Among the issues discussed were the following:
· Funding for the City's Fiscal Year 2011 Appropriation Requests, including a regional Stormwater improvement plan, the Breakwater Study, the Colorado lagoon, Water Conservation funds, Police Technology, Library Technology, and improvements to the lakes in Scherer and EI Dorado parks.
· Advocating for additional or unallocated Stimulus funding to be directed to infrastructure improvements and demonstrating long Beach's capability to spend additional funds.
· Continuation of the C-17 production line.
· Accessing the Troubled Assets Relief Program for the City's lehman Brothers Holding, Inc. commercial paper loss.
· Opposition to designating areas in long Beach as FEMA residual flood risk areas.
· Opposition to granting federal immunity to the Online Travel Companies from remitting hotel occupancy taxes to local governments.
· Other issues on the Federal legislative Agenda.
The trip was productive in maintaining strong personal connections with our federal representatives and communicating the City's legislative priorities. The Federal legislation Committee will continue to closely monitor issues of federal importance and work with the City's government affairs staff and our federal legislative representatives to advance the City Council's 2010 federal legislative priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
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