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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 12_Tulsa Regional Chamber 2015 OneVoice_2014.10.21CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -12 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA SUPPORTING THE TULSA REGIONAL CHAMBER 2015 ONEVOICE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. WHEREAS, the Tulsa region lead by the Tulsa Metro Chamber has built a Legislative Agenda for 2015; and WHEREAS, this agenda is taken to Washington, DC each year to present as OneVoice to members of congress and federal agencies; and WHEREAS, the power of OneVoice at the state legislature shows solidarity and needs for our region; and WHEREAS, there is a need to efficiently and coherently deliver regional messages to the state legislature; and WHEREAS, the OneVoice Agenda places significant emphasis on legislative priorities for the betterment of Owasso and Owasso citizens; and WHEREAS, the City of Owasso desires to support the Regional OneVoice Legislative Agenda efforts; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA, that, to -wit: The City of Owasso City Council hereby supports the Tulsa Regional Chamber 2015 One Voice Legislative Agenda and the Tulsa region's effort to accomplish the goals set forth in the 2015 OneVoice Legislative Agenda. ATTEST: Sherry Bishop, (SEAL) ClerkGnOFFICTAL APPR VED AS TO FORM: Lo►Y►�a�c� Juli Lombardi, City Attorney SEAL 2AZAHOMP' DATED this 21 st day of October, 2014 Je oberly, Mayor . _. TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Owasso FROM: John W. Feary SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2014 -12 Endorsing of the 2015 Tulsa Regional Chamber OneVoice Legislative Agenda DATE: October 17, 2014 BACKGROUND: The OneVoice Legislative Agenda is the regional advocacy effort lead by the Tulsa Regional Chamber. OneVoice includes more than 60 partners across the region, ranging from municipalities to chambers of commerce and community organizations, as well as, regional industry members. Through OneVoice, multiple task forces identify and prioritize key issues every year. In the summer, these issues were brought together at the Regional Legislative Summit, where attendees vote to define 10 state and 10 federal issues. These priorities are then shared with state legislators and members of Congress via the regional OneVoice Legislative Agenda, announced before state and federal sessions begin each year. The 2015 OneVoice Agenda has a wide array of focal points inclusive of both private and public interests. In preparation for the upcoming year, several members of the Owasso Chamber of Commerce and city staff were task force members and chairs for the individual committees. Once the committees reached a consensus, the legislative summit was held wherein over 460 citizens, businesses, legislators, councilors, educators and community leaders met to determine 10 priorities for both the state and federal agendas. A vital part of the OneVoice process is the endorsement of the agenda by all community partners and local government entities affiliated and involved in the development of the agenda. Former Oklahoma State Representative and current Sr. Vice President of Government Affairs for the Tulsa Chamber, Skye McNiel, has requested, on behalf of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, that Owasso join in the endorsement of and advocacy for the 2015 OneVoice Legislative Agenda. The established 2015 State Priorities are • Increase Education Funding • Diversify Municipal Revenue Sources • Build the Gilcrease Expressway • Expand Insure Oklahoma • Defend All Existing Road Funding • Preserve and Increase Funding for Health Care Services • Fund the Quick Action Closing Fund • Fund the OKPOP Museum Support Funding for OCAST Develop and Implement Robust Oklahoma Academic Standards The established 2015 Federal priorities are: • Arkansas River Corridor Project Implementation • Reauthorization of Federal Surface Transportation Programs • Increased Appropriations for the McClellan -Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System • Passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act • Address Critical Infrastructure Needs with Tulsa's Levee System • Continue and Expand Funding for Graduate Medical Education • Restore Full Funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers • Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act & the Higher Education Act • Funding for an On -site Fuel Storage Facility at the Air National Guard Base • Comprehensive Immigration Reform RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Resolution No. 2014 -12 supporting the 2015 Tulsa Regional Chamber OneVoice Legislative Agenda. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution No. 2014 -12 2015 Tulsa Regional Chamber OneVoice Legislative Agenda onevoice MI III smil I 2015 State Priorities Preserve and Increase Education Funding Preserve existing funds and appropriate additional funds for education at all levels (K12, higher education, and career tech) to prepare and grow an educated and skilled workforce to meet the demands of a changing economy and address workforce shortages. Funding increases should specifically target: Maximization of Higher Education return on investment in the form of economic and workforce development from an increased number of college graduates; the State of Oklahoma must empower Higher Education Institutions to achieve the Governor's Complete College. America Goals, while maintaining maximum accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness in delivering a quality postsecondary education at reasonable and affordable tuition rates for Oklahoma students. • Increased budget allocation for targeted training expansions for high school students, adults and the current workforce tied to Oklahoma career paths and employers' needs for customized training and consulting. Increased K -12 per pupil funding to add resources for interventions that support successful implementation of existing reforms, such as the Reading Sufficiency Act and the Teacher Effectiveness Initiative, recognizing that low socioeconomic, special needs and ELL students require extra supports. Attraction, retention and support of highly effective teachers to address teacher shortages. • Development of robust college and career ready standards and comparable high quality and streamlined assessments. Diversify Municipal Revenue Sources Support legislative action to preserve and diversify sources of revenue available to municipalities, including through increased local control. Key initiatives in this effort include ensuring a level playing field between community retailers and remote /internet sellers in the collection of sales taxes and increasing the state apportionment for municipal roads and bridges. Build the Gilcrease Expressway and Bridge Support the building of the Gilcrease Expressway and Bridge through any funding mechanism available in order to expedite this long overdue transportation system; a partnership with the City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and tribal governments is strongly encouraged. MI III smil I 2015 State Priorities Preserve and Increase Education Funding Preserve existing funds and appropriate additional funds for education at all levels (K12, higher education, and career tech) to prepare and grow an educated and skilled workforce to meet the demands of a changing economy and address workforce shortages. Funding increases should specifically target: Maximization of Higher Education return on investment in the form of economic and workforce development from an increased number of college graduates; the State of Oklahoma must empower Higher Education Institutions to achieve the Governor's Complete College. America Goals, while maintaining maximum accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness in delivering a quality postsecondary education at reasonable and affordable tuition rates for Oklahoma students. • Increased budget allocation for targeted training expansions for high school students, adults and the current workforce tied to Oklahoma career paths and employers' needs for customized training and consulting. Increased K -12 per pupil funding to add resources for interventions that support successful implementation of existing reforms, such as the Reading Sufficiency Act and the Teacher Effectiveness Initiative, recognizing that low socioeconomic, special needs and ELL students require extra supports. Attraction, retention and support of highly effective teachers to address teacher shortages. • Development of robust college and career ready standards and comparable high quality and streamlined assessments. Diversify Municipal Revenue Sources Support legislative action to preserve and diversify sources of revenue available to municipalities, including through increased local control. Key initiatives in this effort include ensuring a level playing field between community retailers and remote /internet sellers in the collection of sales taxes and increasing the state apportionment for municipal roads and bridges. Build the Gilcrease Expressway and Bridge Support the building of the Gilcrease Expressway and Bridge through any funding mechanism available in order to expedite this long overdue transportation system; a partnership with the City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and tribal governments is strongly encouraged. er ' 9"_" al Preserve and Expand Insure Oklahoma Support the preservation and expansion of Insure Oklahoma to extend health insurance coverage to over 120,000 uninsured Oklahomans using all available private, employer, state and federal funds. Creating a healthy workforce is paramount to an economically viable Oklahoma, and will alleviate cost shifting from uninsured residents that currently burdens employers, healthcare providers, and individual policy holders, as well as incentivize employers to make wellness investments and improve the health outcomes of employees. Defend all Existing Road Funding Defend all existing road funding; prevent any diversion of monies; and support increased funding for transportation by developing an adequate, comprehensive funding strategy and financing plan to broaden the sources of funds and increase the total amount going to transportation statewide to support the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's Eight Year Plan. Support moving the remaining twenty -five percent of motor vehicle fees, which currently go into the state general revenue fund, to transportation priority areas which may include state highways, city and county roads and bridges, and public transit. Preserve and Increase Funding for Health Care Services Preserve and increase state funding and leverage all federal matching dollars available to fund health care delivery and training programs at all levels. State and federal funds allocated towards health care spending represent a significant investment in the economic development of the State of Oklahoma, with the health care industry employing over 200,000 Oklahomans directly and generating an overall economic impact of $19.4 billion. Fund the Quick Action Closing Fund Increase funding for the Oklahoma Quick Action Closing Fund to a level that allows Oklahoma to be competitive with surrounding states. Greater funding for this economic development tool will assist in attracting high quality jobs and industry to the state, increasing the economic opportunity and quality of life for Oklahoma residents. Fund the OKPOP Museum Support a state bond issue for capital investment in the Oklahoma Historical Society's planned Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture. With over $6.5 million in private funding already secured, OKPOP will have an annual estimated economic impact of over $17.5 million and expand upon the over $1 billion already invested in downtown Tulsa, while further contributing to the state's third largest industry — tourism, an industry which generated over $7 billion in expenditures and 78,000 jobs in 2012. Support OCAST Funding Support an OCAST annual budget to a minimum of $24 million. Funding for OCAST assists Oklahoma in four vital areas: (1) research and development funding for businesses & universities, (2) two- and four -year college internship opportunities, (3) manufacturing support, and (4) early -stage funding for start -up businesses. This funding allows Oklahoma communities to attract and retain high - quality STEM businesses and critical college talent, which will encourage growth and expansion in these target industries. (BRE, Small Business, DET) Develop and Implement Robust Oklahoma Academic Standards Support the development and implementation of robust Oklahoma Academic Standards based upon Oklahoma's workforce needs and college admissions expectations, while also ensuring the national competitiveness of Oklahoma's high school graduates. Oklahoma's Academic Standards should be matched with comparable, high - quality, streamlined assessments that provide insight to educators and support the student's learning. Oklahoma's Academic Standards must meet or exceed other national models, to ensure Oklahoma's students are prepared to meet or exceed the performance of their peers in other states. 2015 Federal Priorities • Expedite Implementation of the Arkansas River Corridor Project Support efforts to expedite the implementation of the Arkansas River Corridor Project for river infrastructure improvements. Allow federal match credit to be accrued for state and local expenditures in order to advance construction activity while preserving the Tulsa region's access to future federal funding for this federally authorized project. Reauthorize Federal Surface Transportation Programs Support the reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs (MAP -21), including robust measures to permanently and adequately fund the Highway Trust Fund and continued flexibility for a coordinated local- and state -based decision - making process. The economic success of our country relies upon the strength of our transportation infrastructure. States must have long -term predictability in planning to meet their infrastructure needs, and a sustainably funded Highway Trust Fund is critical to providing that infrastructure security. Of key importance are the following regional high - priority projects: reconstruction of 1 -244; widening of 1 -44 east to the Will Rogers Turnpike; expansion of U.S. 169 to six lanes north to State Highway 20; construction of a four -lane Port Road on Highway 266 from U.S. 169 to the Port of Catoosa, and from the Port of Catoosa to 1 -44; expansion of US -7S to six lanes from State Highway 11 to State Highway 67; and the implementation of high - priority transit corridors. Increase Appropriations for the McClellan -Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System Support increased appropriations for the McClellan -Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) to overcome $100 million in critical maintenance backlog projects which, per definition of the Corps of Engineers, have a greater than 50% chance of failure within the next five years. A single failure threatens to shut down the full navigational system causing severe economic hardship for the businesses and consumers in Oklahoma who rely on the system. The economic impact to Oklahoma's economy from such a shutdown is estimated to be $2 million per day. Support efforts of the Oklahoma and Arkansas maritime industry to persuade the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) to designate the MKARNS as the "M -40 Corridor" within the Nations Maritime Highway system thereby expanding the use of our Nation's navigable waterways to relieve landside congestion, reduce air emissions, and generate other public benefits by increasing the efficiency of the surface transportation system. This maritime highway designation could benefit transportation projects in the region which may then be eligible for MARAD grant opportunities. e.. 4 is o Pass the Marketplace Fairness Act Support passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act or other federal legislation which will ensure that the sales and use taxes already owed from online purchases are fairly and effectively reported, collected, and remitted. Address Critical Infrastructure Needs with Tulsa's Aging Levee System Support addressing the critical infrastructure needs with Tulsa's aging levee system, which — if one fails — would be catastrophic for homeowners, two nationally strategic oil refineries, and multiple industries currently protected by levee system, and have devastating environmental impacts for our region. Continue and Expand Funding for Graduate Medical Education Support continued and expanded funding for Graduate Medical Education /Residency Programs through the following efforts: (1) reauthorize and expand the HRSA Teaching Health Center (THC) Program to build primary care capacity; (2) remove the cap on Medicare DGME and IME- funded positions; (3) and reallocate unused residency slots from other states to existing residency /fellowship programs, including THC programs, in Oklahoma with priority in current physician shortage areas. Restore Full Funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers Restore full funding to the Section 330 funding program for Federally Qualified Health Centers. The state's system of FQHCs provide access to health care for over 200,000 Oklahomans without regard to ability to pay, serving the most vulnerable, poor and geographically isolated population. A lapse in these federal funds will result in the loss of up to 70% in federal funding for FQHCs, and lead directly to the closure of health center sites, layoffs of health center staff, and most importantly, a loss of access to care for countless Oklahomans. Reauthorize the Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Higher Education Act (HEA) Support the reauthorization of the Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Higher Education Act (HEA) and fully fund federal mandates. Fund an On -site Fuel Storage Facility at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base Support funding the construction of a $17 million fuel storage facility at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base to retain the current mission and posture for the next generation fighter aircraft. With an annual budget of $80 million, the base employs 1,200 guardsmen and plays a key role in the continued vibrancy of the Tulsa region's aerospace community. Construction of an on -site fuel storage facility is vital to maintaining the current mission and capturing future missions. Voice Support Comprehensive Federal Immigration Reform Support federal measures to secure borders, establish reasonable and efficient visa policies and procedures, and comprehensive reform at the federal level that recognizes the need for essential workers so the U.S. can continue to attract the best and brightest talent from around the world. Oppose further state legislation related to immigration reform.