City of Tempe 2023-2024 Federal Principles

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TRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT AND TECHNOLOGY

• Transportation Funding – The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) reauthorized federal surface transportation programs through September 30, 2026. IIJA also established and funded numerous infrastructure grant programs for which the City is an eligible applicant. The City will continue to actively support and compete for road, bridge, transit, heat resilience, and water grant funding related to IIJA and future infrastructure resource bills.

• Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure – Support funding for electric vehicle programs, including expansion of the USDOT Low or No-Emission Bus Program, charging infrastructure, and electric vehicle purchasing programs.

• Transportation Connectivity and Access – Monitor federal proposals with the potential to affect transit coverage and accessibility, including first and last mile concepts and paratransit resources.

• Autonomous vehicles – Monitor federal efforts in Congress and at the Department of Transportation (USDOT) to encourage the development of automated vehicles, while ensuring their safe operations in the City. 

• Small Cell/5G Deployment – Advocate in Congress for the preservation of local decision-making on small cell deployment, while continuing to support the deployment of 5G wireless technologies in the City.

• Net neutrality – Monitor federal proposals for opportunities to support net neutrality and modify the Restoring Internet Freedom Order to promote public safety, service for low-income households, and broadband infrastructure.

• Digital Equity – Monitor federal proposals that could affect broadband accessibility and affordability in the City. Support federal programs, like the Affordable Connectivity Program, that provide eligible households with discounts on broadband service and connected devices.

• Aviation Noise and Safety – Support efforts in Congress to improve the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) community engagement practices so residents of the City are informed and have opportunities to express viewpoints on the effects of new flight patterns on their neighborhoods. Prepare for the next Congress to begin hearings on FAA reauthorization legislation and new noise provisions. Prioritize aviation safety.

• Drones – Support safety requirements for unmanned aerial systems, or drones, so they do not jeopardize public safety or the City’s critical infrastructure.

PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE

• COPS Hiring – Support the continuation of funding to hire career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase Tempe’s policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.

• Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) Program – Support full funding for programs that help the City improve law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.

• Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program – Advocate for funding of the UASI grant program, which is distributed by the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to local governments for organizational resources and planning, equipment, training, and exercise needs for urban areas.

• Public Safety Training – Evaluate federal proposals regarding training for public safety personnel in areas of human relations, intercultural communication, equal opportunity, and diversity that utilize national agencies and federal resources.

• Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program – Support funding to obtain protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

• Radio Communication Interoperability – Monitor opportunities that offer resources for the regional wireless cooperatives that Tempe utilizes.

HUMAN SERVICES

•  Affordable Housing and Workforce Development – Support proposals and programs that ensure access to and increase the production of affordable housing, improve rental assistance, expand homeownership opportunities, and advance sustainable communities. 

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program – Support continued increases in funding for public infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitation and construction, job creation and retention, and other public services.  Oppose efforts to eliminate or reduce the CDBG Program.

• HOME Investment Program – Support funding to increase the supply of affordable housing and expand homeownership for low income households in Tempe.  Oppose any efforts to eliminate or reduce the HOME Investment Program.

• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) – Support creation of new Housing Choice Voucher allocations; support full funding levels for Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (T-HUD) programming; and support Housing is Critical Infrastructure legislation.

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Support expanded LIHEAP funding and formula updates that better reflect Tempe’s proportional needs.

• Choice Neighborhoods Program – Support funding to transform neighborhoods into sustainable neighborhoods, with well-functioning services, schools, public assets, transportation, and access to jobs.  Oppose any efforts to eliminate or reduce the Choice Neighborhoods Program.

• Veterans Programs – Support funding and the development of programs to assist veterans, including housing, services, jobs training, and veterans’ courts.

• Homeless Funding – Support the increase of funding available to address services and housing of homeless in the East Valley, including work programs and mental health and substance abuse resources.

• Trauma Informed Care Program and Resources – Support funding for programs, resources, and personnel that support this national initiative. Programs of potential interest are the CDC’s Injury Prevention and Control program.

• Substance Abuse Prevention - Support funding to increase evidence-based programs for youth to address underage drug and alcohol use. Programs of potential interest are Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act funding, Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug Free Communities funding, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act future funding.

• Senior Citizens – Support reauthorization of and increased funding for programs focused on home-based services for elderly. Programs of potential interest are the Administration for Community Living’s Falls Prevention Program, the Older Americans Act Elderly Nutrition Program, and the Administration on Aging’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program.

• Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) – Support increased funding for childcare financial assistance to low-income families that allows for family members to work or attend job trainings or educational programs. Oppose efforts to reduce or eliminate the CCDBG program.

• Child Tax Credit - Support expansion of the federal Child Tax Credit as an effective means of addressing child poverty.

• Opioid Misuse Prevention and Treatment – Continue to support directing federal resources to local partners that are leading the response to opioid misuse. 

• Support Inclusivity – Evaluate proposals, rules and orders for the promotion of equitable treatment, focusing on the prevention of disparate impact and disparate treatment of local residents regardless of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, or United States military veteran status.  

• Mental Health Services – Support additional resources for mental health and wellness initiatives, including facilities and programs, as well as focused support for families at 120% AMI (Area Median Income) and lower.

 ENVIRONMENT/WATER 

• Waters of the United States – Monitor the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers development of a rule that redefines waters that fall under federal jurisdiction to ensure that efforts do not harm the City’s priorities and advocate for those priorities as legislation is developed to further clarify the Clean Water Act.

• Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) - Support reauthorization of WRDA 2022, including funding for Arizona Environmental Infrastructure projects and the Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility.

• WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) – Support Bureau of Reclamation program funding for Tempe’s growing water needs.

• Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Programs – Monitor grant opportunities and support increased funding for Community Development Block Grants, the EPA’s National Priorities and Water Research grant program, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, as well as any new water infrastructure programs that may be established by Congress.

• Environmental Updates – Evaluate proposals that impact environmental protections and evaluate their effect on City priorities.

• Resiliency and Climate Research – Support legislation that promotes climate change research and resiliency, as well as continued funding from entities such as the EPA, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Science Foundation for climate change research and resiliency programs, such as the Determinants of Indoor and Outdoor Exposure to Ozone, Extreme Heat in Warming Climate, and the Health Risks for an Aging Population program funding.

• Energy Innovation – Evaluate renewable energy, alternative fuels and energy efficiency proposals, and opportunities through the Inflation Reduction Act, for their effect on City priorities, including pilot project programs with solar energy battery storage and innovative building materials.

• Water conservation rebate tax parity - Support legislation that provides water conservation rebates the same status as energy rebates, which are exempted from federal income tax.

 FEDERAL FUNDS

• Coronavirus Relief – Support flexibility in the use of COVID-19 relief funds, including through direct funding to cities for grants, loans, supplies, and programs to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.

• Community Project Funding – Support community project funding in the annual appropriations process.

• Federal Grants – Identify and aggressively compete for federal grant funds, with an emphasis on direct funding, to support these and other City priorities. 

• Career Readiness – Evaluate federal proposals that provide resources to workforce development efforts, including those that address career and technical education, youth programs and re-careering.

• Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) – Coordinate with Tribal partners and Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) for extreme heat being categorized as an emergency for reimbursement and future infrastructure funding.

Reviewed by the Tempe City Council November 2023