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The Advocacy Agenda addresses the key initiatives for municipalities for the 2007-2008 biennium in priority order. It was developed by our members serving on legislative action committees and our board of directors. The full membership approved the advocacy agenda in late 2006.
Infrastructure financing
The League will seek legislation to provide additional funds for municipal infrastructure, including both short term funding in the form of bonds and a long-term permanent source of revenue.
The League will seek adequate permanent and dedicated sources of revenue for infrastructure needs.
The League will seek legislation to create additional local option revenue sources for municipalities, which may be dedicated to infrastructure needs including those required for transportation, water, and sewer services.
The League will seek legislation authorizing a state bond package that includes significant funding for clean water projects and urban transportation needs.
Transportation
Transportation funding shortfalls and the increasing cost associated with building and maintaining new roads need to be addressed at the state and local level.
The League will seek a legislative study of transportation issues, to include an evaluation of the DOT equity formula, a comparison of the total motor fuel tax collected in each county to highway trust fund expenditures, and realignment of DOT operational divisions to match regional planning needs and transportation functionality.
The League will seek legislation to prohibit transfer of Highway Trust Fund monies to the General Fund so that these funds can be directed to vital transportation needs.
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Public Duty Doctrine
In April 2000, two appellate court decisions removed the well-established public duty doctrine as a defense for local governments in negligence actions arising from situations where local govern-ments have sought to provide various services in furtherance of the public health, safety, and welfare.
The League will seek legislation to codify the public duty doctrine as a defense in tort actions brought against municipalities.
Planning and Land Use
Although municipalities have statutory options for addressing substandard dwellings, they need additional authority to remedy non-residential buildings.
The League will seek legislation to provide municipalities with additional authority to regulate non-residential dilapidated structures.
Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Permitting
Significant secondary effects can arise from the inappropriate location of alcohol establishments, yet under the current statutory framework and case law, there are substantial limitations on municipal authority to regulate such locations.
The League will seek legislation to enhance municipalities' ability to regulate inappropriate location of licensed alcohol establishments.
Environment
There are ongoing conflicts between municipalities and state agencies about the state’s responsibility to pay municipal stormwater utility fees for state property.
The League will seek legislation to clarify governmental agency responsibility with regard to local government stormwater utility fees.
The state should seek a bond referendum to create a substantial source of funding to address the depletion of natural resources due to growth and development.
The League will seek legislation authorizing a statewide bond referendum for the acquisition of land for the preservation of natural resources.
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Public Safety
Gang violence and associated activity has increased exponentially in many areas throughout the state and local governments need additional means to combat the negative impacts of this activity.
The League will seek legislation to provide new tools and funding for gang prevention.
Housing
Municipalities seek to provide a wide range of housing options for their citizens to provide a high quality of life. The League supports state efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing to complement the existing efforts of local governments.
The League will seek additional dedicated funding for affordable housing.
Ellis Hankins
Executive Director
Andrew L Romanet Jr.
General Counsel
