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Federal Issues Report

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Memorandum


To: State of Kansas Congressional Delegation
From: Lawrence, KS City Commission
CC: Mike Wildgen, City Manager; Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager; Dave Corliss, Assistant City Manager
Date: March 2, 2004
Re: Federal Issues Report (other than Heritage Designation)

The following are issues that the City of Lawrence would like you to be aware of and ask for your support in giving local governments the resources and authority necessary to provide services to its citizens in the most effective manner.

  1. Internet taxation


    2. The City of Lawrence opposes the Internet Tax Non-discrimination Act (S. 150) because it would preempt the ability of a local authority to collect gross receipts taxes, right-of-way fees, franchise fees, and other existing taxes on telecommunications services. Likewise, the City of Lawrence opposes the House companion bill (H.R. 49). Instead, the City of Lawrence asks you to support the Internet Access Ban Extension and Improvement Act (S. 2084) as a substitute bill. Senate Bill 2084 would allow local governments to continue to collect telecommunications taxes and franchise fees for another two years.

  2. Transportation


    3. The City of Lawrence asks that you continue to support federal funding for investments in highway, transit, and airport construction and improvement programs. By doing so, local governments will have more control over these dollars, thus allowing them to utilize the funds in the most effective manner possible for its residents. Specifically, we want to thank you for your support of legislation that provided $1 million for the reconstruction of runway 1/19 at the Lawrence Municipal Airport.

    In addition, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) expired September 30, 2003 and has been extended by congressional action to June 30, 2004. No issue is as vital to public transportation as the reauthorization of TEA-21 that retains guaranteed funding levels and maintains the capital grant match ratio of 80 federal - 20 local. The Lawrence Transit System appreciates the $497,000 allocated for the development of an off-street transfer station. Both services - fixed route and paratransit - experienced over a 14% increase in ridership in the past year, exceeding 300,000 riders.

  3. Public Safety


    The City of Lawrence asks that you continue to fund local programs, such as the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant programs, along with legislation that distributes financial resources to local governments. This funding will be used to implement programs addressing gun safety, drug control, and fighting gang violence.

  4. Housing and CDBG


    5. The City of Lawrence asks for your support of securing more funding toward the CDBG program. As a result, the community will have the flexibility to use the money to fund affordable housing and community development programs that are most effective for the citizens of Lawrence. Moreover, the City of Lawrence continues to utilize the Home Investment Partnership program (HOME) for the provision of affordable housing in the community, partnering frequently with non-profit organizations.

Thank you for your support of the City of Lawrence and we appreciate the opportunity given to us to share some of our priority issues with you.

Attachments:

National League of Cities "The 2004 Advocacy Agenda: Legislative Priorities"