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Federal Legislative Priorities

Transportation

  • The city seeks assistance from the Kansas delegation for efforts to secure federal funds for a transportation project and the restoration of the FY08 Transportation program. As Johnson County continues to grow, north/south road capacity will be overwhelmed if no steps are taken. Currently, the city is partnering with the Kansas Department of Transportation to explore improving Kansas Highway 7 to accommodate that growth. Though the project is still years away, the city is experience development pressures along K-7. The city has already taken proactive steps to purchase right of way to allow development to move forward in light of the possible improvement. However, an in-depth study is critical to determine what responsible steps should be taken today. This study is estimated to cost $2 million dollars and is fully supported by KDOT. $500,000 was earmarked for the project last year, and the city hopes that funding will be restored and increased.
  • The City feels it is critical that the funding gaps in currently approved and designated transportation projects be addressed. Failure to do so would have a direct impact on the city's ability to fund the Lone Elm/I-35 interchange project.
  • Recognizing the major responsibility and role local governments have in building and maintaining the national transportation system, the city supports federal efforts to secure funding for key projects that not only enhance safety and quality of life, but lead to economic growth and job creation for Kansas.
  • To address the great funding need for railroad grade separation projects, the city supports creation of a dedicated funding source for highway/rail grade separation projects through the 4.3 cent/gallon federal diesel fuels tax on railroads.
  • The city anticipates increased traffic pressure on I-35 between 119th Street and I-435. As such, the city is supportive of any KDOT efforts to secure funding to add capacity to that stretch of highway.

 

Federal Budget & Tax Legislation

  • The city recognizes the federal 2007 budget will be crafted against a difficult background, the war in Iraq and the multi-dimensional war against terrorism. Within this environment, the city supports a federal budget plan that does not disproportionately target municipal assistance programs for reduction.
  • Nearly 60% of the city's operations fund is supported by sales taxes. With the passage of a destination sourcing program in Kansas, outlying economic centers such as Olathe are being adversely impacted. The point-of-sale legislation was passed by the state legislature with an eye toward capturing sales of remote goods and services over the Internet. Though the city has opposed the implementation of point-of-sale taxation at this time, it does increase the need for the city to capture remote internet sales to offset our current losses. With that in mind, the city continues to support efforts to treat remote sales similar to on-sight sales in terms of applying sales tax.

 

Takings Legislation

  • The city opposes the passage of takings legislation that would restrict local government's ability to exercise zoning and land use authority in the public interest. Takings legislation directly attacks the primacy of local officials in land use matters. The city believes current federal constitutional limitations on the regulatory powers of state and local governments are sufficient to protect private property interests.

 

Public Safety

  • The city calls on the federal government to recognize local governments as key players in homeland security. The city supports the First Responder initiative that would provide direct homeland security funding to local governments. Funding for new initiatives should not come at the expense of existing successful federal programs like the COPS program and the LLEBG. The city supports efforts to ensure funds directed to states are filtered down to first responders and efforts to ensure funds for regional public safety interoperability, especially with regard to communications and information sharing.
  • The city supports maintaining full funding for FIRE Act programs, which provide direct funding to local fire and EMS departments for training, education, and specialized equipment.
  • The city supports continuation of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Act (SAFER) to assist local fire departments in meeting adequate staffing levels.
  • The city supports maintaining full funding for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) under the previous allocation formulas to enable cities to improve public safety services.
  • The city supports maintaining full funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. The city has realized many benefits from community policing. For this success to continue, the city supports additional transitional funding to help communities absorb the long term cost of COPS funded officers and programs.
  • The city has concerns about federal immigration enforcement initiatives that require additional local enforcement without corresponding financial assistance. The city supports meaningful immigration reform with strong consideration and inclusion of local interests and impacts.
  • The city has concerns regarding efforts to nationalize driver licenses and undermine states' abilities to suspend or revoke driving privileges.

 

Housing and Community Development

  • The city has a long history of participation in CDBG, HOME, Section 8, Public Housing, and homeless programs. The city urges Congress to maintain full funding for housing and community development programs. The city supports reduction or removal of "set asides" within the CDBG program. With inflation and the increasing number of entitlement jurisdictions, CDBG set asides have resulted in smaller block grants.
  • The city supports continued funding at current or increased levels for the Section 8 Voucher Program, the HOME program and capital funding under public housing. The city believes the proposed flexible vouchers will hinder local jurisdictions from addressing their respective communities' needs.
  • To increase the visibility of Olathe historic and cultural attractions, the city supports efforts led by Mid America Regional Council (MARC) to designate the Kansas City metropolitan area as a National Heritage Area. That includes federal capital assistance for such attractions as the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop, Ensor Museum, Lone Elm Park, and other historic sites.

 

Environment

  • To address a significant gap between public funding and capital needs to meet environmental standards, the city supports efforts to enhance the federal financial commitment to water and wastewater infrastructure. These funds are allocated to states to capitalize state administered grants and revolving loan programs.
  • As a municipality with an integrated solid waste management system with strong interest in waste diversion through recycling, we would support recycling market development for e-waste; however, we oppose legislation to ban landfill disposal of e-waste as an additional unfunded mandate.
  • The city supports the practice of wet-weather blending as a sound, effective and reasonable method of managing peak effluent flows during extreme wet weathers. The city supports legislative efforts to ensure this practice of blending primary treated wastewater effluent with wastewater effluent that has received biological treatment continues to be available to wastewater treatment utilities.
  • To address the source water protection challenges facing drinking water suppliers, the city supports programs that provide federal financial assistance to afford urban and urbanizing communities the resources to engage in source water protection efforts for drinking water supplies.

 

Labor and Employment

  • Believing that the state and federal governments should not intervene in local government employee relations, the city opposes legislation granting special employment rights to police.
  • The city opposes extension of OSHA regulations to local government. The city already has federal, insurance industry, and self-imposed regulation and oversight of workplace safety.
  • The city supports legislation that would repeal the Davis-Bacon Act applicable to construction projects assisted with federal funds. This Act raises construction costs on public projects and adds administrative burden. As an alternative, the city would support legislation that increases the $2,000 threshold for the Act.

 

Telecommunications

  • The city believes the Telecommunications Act of 1996 is working to provide enhanced competition for telecommunications services. The city opposes legislation that would undermine the intent of the Act by restricting or preempting local government control of right of way management or franchising issues. Cities have a fundamental responsibility to ensure construction in or near roadways have a minimal impact on public safety and transportation.
  • The city supports the widespread deployment of high speed, or broadband information services in a manner that does not preempt existing local government authority to regulate cable television or telecommunications entities.
  • The city opposes any efforts under E-911 that would preempt local zoning authority over the siting of wireless facilities.