2016-03-22 LEGISLATIVE - Laserfiche WebLink

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2. Quarterly Federal Legislative Update from Holland & Knight - October 2015 to March 2016 Leslie Pollner commented the Empowerment Zone Employment Tax Credit was recently extended for another year. Dan Maldonado mentioned President Obama's budget includes $125 million for the Streetcar through the New Starts/Small Starts program. The project has the support of Senator Feinstein who is one of the senior appropriators on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Mayor Pro Tem Sarmiento added that during visits to Washington DC, the City of Santa Ana group along with Holland & Knight, met with staff from Senator Feinstein and Boxer's offices as well as Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and thus they are well informed of the Streetcar project. Leslie Pollner stated the City submitted an application for Promise Zone funding which will be highly competitive. Holland & Knight secured letters of support from Senators Feinstein and Boxer as well as Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. Leslie Pollner also mentioned Holland & Knight assisted the City in arranging congressional and agency meetings during the City advocacy trip to Washington D.0 in October, 2015. Mayor Pro Tem Sarmiento was appreciative of Holland & Knight's efforts to bring national exposure to the City. Leslie Pollner touched on several items. Holland & Knight worked in concert with the City of Santa Ana and several other cities impacted by the HOME Investment Partnership Program cuts to successfully increase funding levels in the final FY 16 Omnibus package. The City of Santa Ana received Urban Areas Security Initiative funding totaling $5.43 million from Department of Homeland Security / Federal Emergency Management Agency. Lastly, although Holland & Knight was able to thwart efforts to pass the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act at the end of 2015 (which includes language from the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act) by February 2016 the bill passed. Mayor Pro Tem Sarmiento asked which grants the City has pending. Jorge Garcia mentioned the City has been successful in receiving Active Transportation funding and continues to pursue Federal funding through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant. Also at the Federal level, it is important the City continue to search for funding for homelessness and veterans. 3. Quarterly State Legislative Update from Townsend Public Affairs - October 2015 to March 2016 Casey Elliot announced James Peterson has joined Townsend Public Affairs and along with himself and Cori Williams, James will be working to further the City's legislative agenda. Casey Elliot provided the Committee with an update on the release of the Governor's budget in January noting strong revenues are expected and therefore entities are looking to increase their funding as a result. Legislative Council Committee Minutes March 22, 2016, Page 2