2018 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Adopted by Laredo City Council on February 20, 2018 115th Congressional Session The Honorable Pete Saenz, An excerpt from the 2017 State of the City Address given by Mayor Pete Saenz on Jan. 12, 2017: Laredo continues to grow in population and size. As per the U.S. Census, Laredo's population is Mayor estimated at over 282,000, an increase of 19.5% in the last 5 years. This represents an average annual growth of 3.9 %. Likewise, in 2016 the City of Laredo grew by over 2,000 acres which were voluntarily annexed. This year, the City has grown by an additional 1,900 acres. Hi, I am Pete Saenz, Mayor of the great City of Laredo, Texas! I am proud to represent a Building construction is on the rise; new businesses continue to open up shop; trade through community that is at the crossroads of many pressing topics for our nation’s economy, culture Laredo's ports of entry remains at the top of its game; crime is on the decline; public improvements and society. are changing the City's landscape and setting the foundation for future growth; public health and the environment continue to be protected; and, recreational amenities and housing opportunities Issues that may sound familiar including NAFTA, immigration and border security. continue to be expanded. As a municipal government, our task as civic leaders comes down to jobs being created and You will find Laredo’s viewpoint on all these important issues, and more, contained in this improving quality of life. digital copy of our Federal Legislative Agenda. Continued growth and prosperity requires that the private and public sector work together, that we communicate, and that we be receptive to new ideas. There is still a lot of work to be done, so that all This community has a long-standing tradition of creating bi-lateral connections, bridging members of our community prosper. two cities, two cultures and two nations. I can assure you that we will remain true to this character. Our mind set should be-------- "Let's Give it Our All!" As we continue to work together on issues that both affect and benefit Laredo and Texas, I ask that I invite you to get to know Laredo a little better. You will get a glimpse of who we are through our State agency counterparts and our State elected officials join in on the effort to "give it our all." the issues presented in our Federal Legislative Agenda; and if you desire an even closer look, I welcome you to visit our community on the edge of two great nations in South Texas. "For it is in giving that we receive."- Francis of Assissi Que viva Laredo! Laredo City Council The Honorable Mayor Pete Saenz The Honorable The Honorable Nelly Vielma Rudy Gonzalez, Jr. Council Member Council Member District V District I The Honorable The Honorable Charlie San Miguel Vidal Rodriguez Council Member Council Member District VI District II The Honorable The Honorable Mayor Pro Tempore Alex Perez, Jr. George J. Altgelt Council Member Council Member District VII District III The Honorable The Honorable Alberto Torres Roberto Balli Council Member Council Member District IV District VIII Front row L to R: District VIII - Cm. Roberto Balli Back row L to R: District VII - Cm. George Altgelt, Jr. District V - Cm. Nelly Vielma District VI - Cm. Charlie San Miguel Mayor - Pete Saenz District I - Cm. Rudy Gonzalez District IV - Cm. Alberto Torres, Jr. District II - Cm. Vidal Rodriguez District III - Cm. Alejandro Perez, Jr. 2018 Federal Legislative Agenda Table of Contents Arts Sweet Sounds of Home, Music Enrichment Program .......................................... 2 Health US/Mexico Border Region Federal Designation for Public Health Border Security ......................................................................................................... 5 Substance Abuse (Opioid Prevention and Treatment) and Mental Health Program ........................................................................................................ 7 Laboratory Response Network Certification ....................................................... 9 Training Center (Workforce Development) Healthcare Professions .................... 11 Women’s Health Services .................................................................................. 13 Chronic Disease Prevention (Obesity and Diabetes) .......................................... 15 Environment Rio Grande Basin - Chacon Creek Legislative Authorization & Next Phase Funding ........................................................................................................ 18 Funding for the Rio Grande River Low Water Weir Project ................................. 21 Quality of Life HUD Entitlement Programs / CDBG & HOME Funding Maintenance or Increase ........................................................................................................ 25 Additional HUD / Veterans Affairs HUD - VASH Vouchers .................................. 27 Increased funding for OPERATION CRACKDOWN (Texas Army National Guard/U.S. Border Patrol ............................................................................... 28 CBP Determination of Excess Property and GSA Conveyance of Excess Property for the City of Laredo Hotel Convention Center ............................... 30 Public Safety Body-Worn Camera Program .............................................................................34 Victims of Crime Act Formula Grant Program ....................................................36 Operation Stonegarden Funding ....................................................................... 38 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program .......................... 40 2018 Federal Legislative Agenda Table of Contents Transportation Modernization of the Laredo International Airport ............................................ 43 Construction of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Facilities .................... 46 Section 559 Donation Acceptance Authority Proposal Evaluation Procedures & Criteria Framework ................................................................... 48 Laredo World Trade Bridge Expansion ............................................................... 50 Revenue Vehicle Replacement Needs for Aging Transit Fleet ............................. 52 Funding Support for New Transit Maintenance and Operations Facility .............. 54 Grade Separation Opportunities ........................................................................ 56 Widening I-35 ................................................................................................... 58 River Road along the Rio Grande ....................................................................... 60 Policy North America Free Trade Agreement ............................................................... 62 Virtual Wall: Preferred Means to Enhance Border Security ................................. 64 Comprehensive Immigration Reform ................................................................. 66 Support for “Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act of 2018” (Legislation Introduced as H.R. Bill 4796 / Senate Bill 2367) ........................... 69 Preserving Laredo’s Proprietary and Regulatory Rights in Dealing with Communications Providers and Expanding Universal Service Fund Support for Broadband ................................................................................................ 72 2018 Federal Legislative Agenda Arts - Sweet Sounds of Home, Music Enrichment Program Arts SWEET SOUNDS OF HOME, MUSIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM Situation Assessment The City of Laredo is taking concerted steps to promote Arts and Culture as a means of promoting awareness, youth development, economic and recreational opportunities, and ultimately an improved quality of life for its community residents. As part of this initiative, the City proposes to implement The Sweet Sounds of Home; a pilot Music Enrichment Program in partnership with Texas A& M International University’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts. The City further submitted an application for $25,000 in funding through the National Endowment for the Arts, Our Town Program. Background Proposed is the initiation of twice weekly after school music instruction for children in grades 3rd, 4th and 5th . Instruction will be provided by TAMIU student musicians as part of the University’s Internship program. The program will be administered by the City of Laredo and made available at no cost to a class of up to 20 children who are of low income and considered to be at risk. Students will be introduced to the various elements of music, be taught how to read music and play guitar and ultimately participate in individual and ensemble performances. Classes will be held year round over a period of 36 weeks, meeting twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p. m. at the City of Laredo’s Joe A. Guerra Main Library. Through this program, economically disadvantaged children will be provided an opportunity to participate in music enrichment classes when they would otherwise not be able to do so due to financial limitations. As part of the curriculum, students will be provided access to a lending library of DVDs, CDs, books, and audio/video courses to supplement instruction. The City will further partner with TAMIU’s Dept. of Professional Programs, Literacy Leaders to provide academic tutoring and with the South Texas Food Bank, as part of its Kids Café Program, to provide an afternoon snack during each first hour of the program. The intent is to provide program