City of Visalia, California
2022 Federal Legislative Agenda
Prepared by Thorn Run Partners for the
Visalia City Council
Mayor Steve Nelsen Vice-Mayor Brian Poochigian
Council Member Greg Collins Council Member Brett Taylor Council Member Liz Wynn
Questions regarding the information in this book may be directed to:
Greg Burns Leslie Caviglia
(202) 849-8523 (559) 713-4317
March 2022
City of Visalia, California
2022 Federal Legislative Agenda
Transportation and Infrastructure
Infrastructure Investment
Monitor implementation of the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act. Support all opportunities to secure funding for the City of Visalia’s infrastructure priorities. Support continued federal investment in infrastructure, including water infrastructure and for the transition to electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and electric grid reliability. Support the City’s investment in public and active transportation priorities and any efforts to secure federal funding.
Alternative Fuel Tax Incentives
Support the retroactive extension of a $0.50 per gallon equivalent tax incentive for natural gas when used as a motor fuel.
Federal Aviation Administration Authorization; Airport Improvement Program Support adequate annual appropriations for the Airport Improvement Program. Support any City of Visalia airport grant proposals through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program.
Water Resources and Environment
Central Valley Water Resources
Support efforts to improve water resources in the San Joaquin Valley and the State of California, including supporting additional storage, protecting existing storage facilities, and supporting funding for water recharge, conservation efforts, and other tools that would help the Kaweah Basin reach its sustainability goals as outlined in the Mid-Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Monitor Bureau of Reclamation water release proposals as they relate to the San Joaquin River Restoration Program.
National Flood Insurance Program
Monitor Congressional activities related to the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program, particularly with regard to the cost of flood insurance in Visalia. Oppose future attempts to force residual risk or other premiums onto homeowners behind certified flood control structures. Monitor FEMA’s implementation of the Risk Rating 2.0 program. Monitor FEMA’s next steps regarding changes to the NFIP Floodplain Management Standards.
Wildfire Policy
Support efforts to reform federal wildfire budgeting to enable the Forest Service to use more of their annual budget on forest management rather than fire suppression. Support using disaster funding to respond to forest fires and provide robust post-fire mitigation money to improve future fire prevention and forest health activities to improve air quality in the region and the health our forests.
Waters of the United States
Monitor activity related to the Waters of the U.S. rule. Oppose aspects of the rule that would negatively affect the City of Visalia.
Clean Air Act
Support the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s efforts to seek improvements to the Clean Air Act, including routine review of health-based air quality standards, clean air objectives that are technology-forcing, and clean-air deadlines that ensure expeditious clean-up and timely action. Support amendments to the Act to eliminate current confusion, restore Congressional leadership in clean air policy, and maintain and strengthen the health protection core of the Act.
Public Safety
Federal Funding of Public Safety Programs
Support continued adequate funding for the wide variety of Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security grants, i.e., Community Oriented Policing Services, Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, Emergency Management Performance Grants, Assistance to Firefighters Grants, and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants. Support the City of Visalia’s application for these funds.
Police Reform
Monitor federal police reform proposals for impacts to local public safety officers.
Cannabis Legislation
Monitor federal marijuana policy that may impact the City of Visalia.
Social Services & Economic Development
Homeless Assistance
Support increased annual funding for Department of Housing and Urban Development Homeless Assistance Grants, including the Continuum of Care program, and for other types of funding that would assist local governments in helping address issues and provide options for people experiencing homelessness, including mental health funding. This includes supporting other agencies that may garner funding to be used locally, such as the Tulare/Kings Continuum of Care, which in FY 2020 received $2.5 million in federal formula funding which was distributed to several local service providers to help address homelessness.
Affordable Housing
Support legislation to improve the availability of low-income housing, including through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program has been the most significant federal resource for creating affordable housing in the United States today. Created in 1986, the LIHTC gives State and local LIHTC-allocating agencies the equivalent of approximately $8 billion in annual budget authority to issue tax credits for the acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction of rental housing targeted to lower-income households. An average of almost 1,400 projects and 106,400 units were placed in service annually between 1995 to 2018. In California, the LIHTC-administering agency is the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
Department of Housing and Urban Development Formula Programs Support adequate funding for the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships programs for future fiscal years.
Economic Development Administration Programs
Support continued funding of the Economic Development Administration which often funds infrastructure projects, including several over the past decade in Visalia. Support City of Visalia Economic Development Administration grant applications.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Support funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help food-insecure families, stimulate local economies, and relieve pressure on other human services programs.
General Government Issues
National Park Service – Sequoia Shuttle and Park Fees
Support the Sequoia Shuttle partnership between the National Park Service and the City of Visalia. Oppose significant increases to park entrance fees that would negatively impact tourism and the ability of City residents to visit the Park.
Siting of Wireless Facilities
Oppose legislation that would preempt local government control and force local governments to lease publicly-owned infrastructure for the installation of “small cell” wireless towers. - Page 19 -
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