HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit 13City of Miami, Florida Federal Lobbying Services RFQ 04-05-125R
OVERALL FEDERAL PRIORITY ISSUES
Miami Streetcar Project — Common sense mobility
In an effort to reduce traffic congestion in the urban core, the City of Miami is proposing to build the
Miami Streetcar Project, an urban transit circulator that will provide service connecting key
destinations in the downtown to mid -town corridor.
With over 60,000 additional residential units newly constructed, traffic mobility and relief are of
paramount importance to the City. Whereas traditional models of transportation have become
ineffective in reducing congestion in urban settings, the Miami Streetcar will use existing rights -of -
way and integrate itself into current streets providing improved transit connectivity.
The project will include modern, electric streetcars running over a fixed rail line within the street
travel lanes and will connect with the existing elevated Metrorail and Metromover rail systems,
eliminating thousands of daily automobile trips in Downtown Miami.
The recent transportation authorization bill SAFETEA-LU contained a $50 million dollar
authorization for the Miami Downtown Streetcar Project.
Preserving Community Development Block Grants --Economic opportunity for all
Started during the Nixon Administration, the Community Development Block Grants program funds
housing rehabilitation, public improvements, and economic development efforts in cities throughout
the United States. It is perhaps one of the most effective tools that local communities have to
enhance the development of their economies and to remedy poverty.
The City of Miami opposes recent efforts to eliminate the Community Development Block Grants
program and instead supports efforts to change the formula by which funds are allocated to place
greater emphasis on poverty percentages rather than population.
International Law Enforcement Training Facility - Teaching democratic policing
With the emergence of. the City of Miami Police Department as one of the top international polite
departments, the Miami Model of policing is now sought after by leaders worldwide that are
interested in the process of strengthening their ability to maintain an orderly society through
effective enforcement of laws.
Focused on the idea that stable foreign legal institutions are key in maintaining national security, the
City of Miami is building an International Law Enforcement Training Facility that will serve as a
teaching center where domestic and international police departments can learn the principles of
democratic policing.
Urban Area Security Initiative —Keeping our City safe
It is of utmost importance that the City of Miami be able to protect our residents and the numerous
visitors we receive from attack and natural or manmade catastrophes. Part of this protection stems
from providing the needed resources to the first responders that make up our first line of defense. At
this time, the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) continues to be the main source of federal funds
toward that end.
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City of Miami, Florida Federal Lobbying Services RFQ 04-05-125R
The City supports the continued existence and funding of the UASI Grant, supports formula
modifications that take into account infrastructure and population risk assessments, and further
supports Congressional intent that federal homeland defense funds to key urban areas be directed and
controlled by local urban municipalities, not diluted by state or other jurisdictional controls.
The City also opposes recent actions to cut funding for traditional law enforcement, policing and
crime prevention efforts at the local government level. While we welcome additional resources to
enhance homeland security, these new initiatives can not be done at the expense of ongoing
traditional law enforcement activities.
Advocacy for Arts and Tourism Cabinet Position —Promoting culture
Nationally, the arts industry generates $134 billion in economic activity per year. Art has a
significant impact on other industries, such as tourism, as well. A recent report by the Smithsonian
Magazine shows that 81 percent of adults who traveled included cultural activities in their itinerary;
30 percent of these travelers were influenced by cultural attractions when choosing their destinations.
Countries around the world realize the importance of culture and have created cabinet level positions
for Art, Tourism and Culture. Of the countries in the Western Hemisphere 66% have a cabinet level
minister of Tourism, and 58% have a minister of culture and arts. The difference is even more
astounding in Europe, where 80% of all nations have a minister of Culture and Arts.
Given the importance of the arts to our national economy, the City supports the creation of a federal
post that would become a focused national advocate on all issues related to travel, tourism, arts and
culture. This would be a national advocate charged with the task of forming the national policy for
tourism, art and culture, and solely dedicated to the protection, development and expansion of this
industry.
Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness - Increasing hope, for the most vulnerable
Together with the interagency Council on Homelessness, the City has embarked on a detailed
strategy that seeks to end chronic homelessness by insuring that appropriate permanent housing and
social and support services are made available.
Opposing Unfunded Mandates —Returning local control
The federal government continues to impose unfunded mandates on state and local governments, and
to pre-empt their legitimate powers. Congress should assure that mandates are funded and
preemptions minimized, and should review whether current federal law limiting the imposition of
mandates should be strengthened.
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