2008 Federal Issues Lis
Business Issues
Association Health Plans
Ø Issue: Support Association Health Plans to expand the availability of health coverage from small businesses.
Ø Position: Support the establishment of Association Health Plans.
Ø Poll Ranking: This issue ranked #8 in our Chamber member opinion poll.
Eliminations of “Death Tax”
Ø Issue: Eliminate the Death Tax (formerly listed as the Estate Tax).
Ø Position: REPEAL and COMPLETELY ELIMINATE the Death Tax.
Ø Poll Ranking: This issue TIED for #2 in our Chamber member opinion poll.
FAA Airpot Investment Program
Ø Issue: Airports need a multi-year Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funded in the Transportation Bill for the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).
Ø Postion: Approve a new AIP Program and fund it on a multi-year basis for 5 years.
Health Savings Accounts
Ø Issue: Make it easier to expand Health Savings Accounts.
Ø Position: SUPPORT legislation that will make it easier to expand Health Savings Accounts.
Ø Poll Ranking: This issue TIED for #2 in our Chamber member opinion poll.
K-12 Professional Development Schools
Ø Issue: LSUS intends to extend theProfessional Development School concept to secondary and/or middle schools in Northwest Louisiana. A professional development school is one whose performance scores are below the state average and whose students qualify for Title I support.
Ø Position: LSUS has established a PDS at Midway Elementary School in partnership with the Caddo Parish School Board. It is essential that this effort be expanded throughout Northwest Louisiana.
Labor Laws and Regulations
Ø Issue: Make Labor Laws and Regulations more business friendly.
Ø Position: Make Labor Laws and Regulations more business friendly.
Ø Poll Ranking: This issue TIED for #9 in our Chamber member opinion poll.
Medical Liability Reform
Ø Issue: Support Medical Liability Reform.
Ø Position: Support Medical Liability Reform.
Ø Poll Ranking: This issue ranked #5 in our Chamber member opinion poll.
Permanent Tax Cuts
Ø Issue: Extend or make the Bush tax cuts permanent.
Ø Position: Preserve and make permanent the Bush tax cuts.
Ø Poll Ranking: This issue TIED for #9 in our Chamber member opinion poll.
Small Business Liability Reform
Ø Issue: Support Small Business Liability Reform legislation.
Ø Position: Support Small Business Liability Reform legislation.
Ø Poll Ranking: This issue ranked #8 in our Chamber member opinion poll.
Tax Reform
Ø Issue: Support tax reform.
Ø Position: Support tax reform.
Ø Poll Ranking: This is the #1 issue among our Chamber members.
Airport Security Funding
Ø Issue: Transportation Security Administration needs more funding for Airport Security Systems such as explosive detection devices, access control systems, etc.
Ø Position: We need more TSA funding for Airport Security equipment and systems. Do not place the burden on already limited local airport funding.
The Fire Sprinkler Act
Ø Issue: Under the existing tax law, the cost of retrofitting an existing building with automatic fire sprinklers would be depreciated over 39 years (27.5 years in some instances). The Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act would reduce the depreciation period to 5 years, greatly reducing the economic burden of retrofitting a building.
Ø Position: We support investing in life safety in a way that helps private companies pay through Federal tax incentives. Please support helping this Act become law.
Health Care Requirements
Ø Issue: State’s setting individual health care requirements which preempt ERISA.
Ø Position: Our administrative costs would rise exponentially if we have to tailor our strong, comprehensive health care plan specifically to each state.
LIFO Recapture Upon S Corp Elections
Ø Issue: Simplifying tax structure for small businesses.
Ø Position: Support tax code revision that will allow Subchapter C corporations to elect to become Subchapter S corporations without triggering LIFO reserve recapture for tax purposes.
Ø Poll Results: This issue ranked #17 in our Chamber member opinion poll.
LSUS Cyber and Informational Technology Center
Ø Issue: LSUS is committed to support the Cyber Initiative at Barksdale Air Force Base and is in the process of developing programs to support that initiative in partnership with the City of Shreveport and the Parish of Caddo.
Ø Position: LSUS has connected to LONI and with access to QUEEN BEE at LSU A&M and other cluster computers across the state will make 80 terra flops available for scientific research including the Cyber Command and Cyber Innovation Center.
Renewal Community Tax Incentive
Ø Issue: Empowerment Zone and Renewal Community Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 2578; S. 1627)- Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to tax-preferred empowerment zones, rural enterprise communities, and renewal communities.
Ø Position: We support extending the benefits of the Renewal Community Zone program to allow communities involved to continue using this useful incentive to encourage more investment and jobs which help them remain viable places to live work and raise families.
Security for Caddo Parish Buildings
Ø Issue: Parish of Caddo would like to enhance Security in seven of our Parish Facilities.
Ø Position: The cost for doing this would be $500,000.00. This would completely bring us up to a standard that everyone would be safe with. The buildings that we are concerned with are the Courthouse, Government Plaza, Bickham Building, Juvenile Justice, Caddo Correctional Center, and Fleet Services
Environmental Issues
Brownfields Funding
Ø Issue: Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments is requesting funding for community wide hazardous and petroleum assessments and for capitalization of a revolving loan fund. Requested total funding from EPA Brownfields Program in the amount of $4,400,000 to be used as follows: $400,000 -Community Wide Hazardous Substance Assessment Grant, $400,000 -Community Wide Petroleum Pollutants Assessment Grant, and $3,000,000 -Community Wide Revolving Loan Fund.
Ø Position: We SUPPORT the Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments' applications to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields program for the purpose of hazardous substance assessment activities, petroleum assessment activities, and to capitalize a brownfields revolving loan fund. Without the cooperation and support of the EPA, the local entities in Northwest Louisiana could not afford to undertake the financial burdens the cleanup of these sites entails. Support for this program provides for a partnership among the local governments to maximize the effects of these grants.
Bio Fuel Tax Exemption
Ø Issue: Federal Tax Code does not adequately address a fuel tax credit for bio fuels (ethanol, diesel fuel oils) derived from “NON FOOD STOCK.” The science is now using both food and non food stock technologies and Federal rules should reflect both
Ø Position: We support providing a level playing field for non food stock technologies as they relate to bio fuels.
EPA Denial of CA Waiter to Set State CO2 Requirements
Ø Issue: EPA denial of CA waiver to set that state’s CO2 requirements.
Ø Position: Recently passed energy legislation included a tough national corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard -- 35 mpg by 2022. GM is committed to using its global technical resources to develop vehicles that meet this standard. Multiple standards would fragment the market and divert resources from meeting the new national standard…and make compliance and administration nearly impossible (see note above). Thorough their trade associations (AAM and AIAM), 22 carmakers support the EPA decision to deny the waiver
Incentives for Purchase of Advanced Technology Vehicles
Ø Issue: Establishing incentives for purchase of advanced technology vehicles and infrastructure for alternative fuels as well as research for the development and manufacturing of advanced battery technology
Ø Position: Support establishing incentives for purchase of advanced technology vehicles and infrastructure for alternative fuels as well as research for the development and manufacturing of advanced battery technology.
Highways & Transportation Issues
Bossier Parish Transportation Plan
Ø Issue: Lack of an adequate transportation system has had a negative impact on parish economic development.
Ø Position: We are requesting additional funding ($19,000,000) from the Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Transportation Appropriations Bill.
Intelligent Transportation Signal System
Ø Issue: The City of Shreveport and the Northwest Louisiana Region is requesting continued federal support of its efforts to install Intelligent Transportation System components on its major regional routes. Shreveport has received appropriations totaling $4,500,000 (later reduced to $3.789 million by budget cuts) in FY 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. Regionally, this will directly affect traffic in Caddo and Bossier Parishes, Bossier City, the City of Shreveport and the City of Greenwood as well as many surrounding municipalities.
Ø Position: We are requesting Federal Appropriations totaling $20 million over the next four years. These appropriations should come through the Federal Highway Administration.
Interstate 49 North
Ø Issue: Northwest Louisiana is requesting additional funding for the completion of I-49 from I-220 to the Arkansas-Louisiana state line. Requested additional federal funding in the amount of $94,000,000 to be matched by $74,000,000 in state capital outlay funding and $95,000,000 from state unclaimed properties fund. This funding will provide for the completion of I-49 from I-220 to the Louisiana – Arkansas state line.
Ø Position: Northwest Louisiana places the extension of I-49 from I-220 to the Arkansas line as the highest priority. The MPO has long supported this corridor and is anxious to see it come to fruition. We encourage your continued support for federal funding and ask the full cooperation of the Federal Highway Administration to proceed quickly on this project. Northwest Louisiana also supports the efforts by those in Arkansas and South Louisiana to complete the entire corridor from New Orleans to Kansas City.
Ø Poll Ranking: Streamlining the approval process of transportation projects TIED for #9 in our Chamber member opinion poll.
Interstate 69 – Louisiana
Ø Issue: Northwest Louisiana is requesting additional funding for the completion of I-69 Sections of Independent Utility (SIU) 14, 15 & 16 within Northwest Louisiana. Requested federal funding in the amount of $10 million in federal funds to be matched by $2.5 million.
Ø Position: Northwest Louisiana places a high priority on the extension of I-69 through our area. We support the environmental studies currently underway for Sections of Independent Utility 14, 15 & 16. The MPO has long supported such a corridor and is anxious to see it come to fruition. ROD’s for Sections 14 and 15 are anticipated within 2006.
Ø Poll Ranking: Streamlining the approval process of transportation projects TIED for #9 in our Chamber member opinion poll.
Southern Loop Completion
Ø Issue: Completion of the Southern Loop from Linwood all the way to Bert Kouns Hwy. 526 where it connects to I-49. For the past three years 93.1% of the population growth in Caddo Parish, Louisiana has taken place within a five mile radius of the City of Shreveport, Louisiana. 30% of that growth has been in the Southwest Corner of the Parish. Roads in that area are undersized and overused.
Ø Position: The cost of the Caddo Southern Loop Completion Project is $43.9 million for engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction. This project from Linwood Avenue to Bert Kouns Industrial Loop will eliminate 45% of all traffic congestion in the southern part of the Parish as well as add and East-West passage for better commerce and access for existing and new businesses.
Transportation Trust Fund
Ø Issue: Ensure that the Transportation Trust Fund dollars are fully dedicated.
Ø Position: Ensure that the Transportation Trust Fund dollars are fully dedicated.
Ø Poll Ranking: This issue TIED for #2 in our Chamber member opinion poll.
Military Issues
Barksdale Air Force Base Security Forces Squadron Complex
Ø Issue: Construct a new Security Forces Squadron Complex at Barksdale Air Force Base
Ø Position: $14.8 million should be added to the FY2009 Military Construction bill to fund construction of a new Security Forces Squadron Complex at Barksdale Air Force Base.
Barksdale Air Force Base Security Forces Working Dog Kennel
Ø Issue: Construct new Security Forces Military Working Dog (MWD) facility. Functional space allocation will include 14 kennel runs, administrative areas, veterinary treatment room, four (4) isolation kennels, food storage/preparations, and storage for detection/patrol training gear and deployment equipment. Existing buildings (B7050 and B7056) will be demolished.
Ø Position: Add $1.9 million to the FY2009 Military Construction bill to build a new Military Working Dog Kennel Facility.
Barksdale Air Force Base Weapons Load Training Facility
Ø Issue: Construct the first of two bays of Weapons Load Training Facility. The facility will provide a dedicated indoor load training facility required to train the 2nd Maintenance Group Weapons Standardization Section.
Ø Position: Include $16.5 million in the FY09 Military Construction bill to fund construction of the first of two bays of a Weapon Load Training Facility at Barksdale Air Force Base.
United States Air Force Common Battlefield Airman Training (CBAT) Facility
Ø Issue: After an extensive review of several sites, the Air Force has narrowed the search to three sites for the CBAT facility. Barksdale Air Force Base is one of the finalists for the training facility.
Ø Position: We are asking that our Louisiana delegation encourage the Air Force to locate the Common Battlefield Airman Training (CBAT) operation at Barksdale Air Force Base.
Barksdale Air Force Base Air Force Cyber Command
Ø Issue: Locate Air Force Cyber Command at Barksdale Air Force Base
Ø Position: Make Barksdale Air Force Base the permanent home of Air Force Base the permanent home of Air Force Cyber Command.
Regional Training Institute and Armed Forces Readiness
Ø Issue: To support the proposed Military Construction of an Armed Forces Readiness Center, Regional Training Institute, Military Training Ranges, Barracks, Unit Training Facilites, Dining Facilities and Training Site Support Structures on Camp Minden.
Ø Position: We support this project and encourage all elected officials to assist in obtaining the required funding and establish the Regional Training Institute and Armed Forces Readiness Center on Camp Minden.
Railroad Issues
KCS/UP Rail Connectors
Ø Issue: We are requesting replacement of an existing rail connection between Kansas City Southern (KCS) Railroad and Union Pacific (UP) Railroad in Shreveport, LA. The replacement would allow the Port of Shreveport-Bossier a multi-modal transportation and distribution center to be able to reach its full potential. This would allow replacement of a track connection which is not capable of handling over-dimensional products and would be located diagonally opposite of the existing interchange currently located under the I-49/LA 3132 interchange.
Ø Position: The Port of Shreveport-Bossier is requesting federal funding for the replacement of an existing rail connection between Kansas City Southern (KCS) Railroad and Union Pacific (UP) Railroad in Shreveport, LA. The referenced connection will enable the Port to reach its full potential as a multi-modal transportation and distribution center.
AMTRAK Service for Shreveport Bossier Area
Ø Issue: In February of 2001, Amtrak announced its intended route for new rail passenger service between Meridian, Miss., and Dallas/Fort Worth on the Crescent Star. The new train will be an extension of Amtrak's Crescent service, operating between New York and New Orleans via Meridian. The route would travel from Meridian Mississippi to Jackson, Mississippi to Shreveport-Bossier Louisiana, to Marshall, Texas and on to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. To date this service is still non-existent. This service along with the development of high speed rail service along this corridor is essential to the continued growth and development.
Ø Position: We support the appropriations request through Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-Texas) in the amount of $650,000 to conduct project development and engineering along Amtrak’s Texas Eagle route from Dallas along the I-20 corridor for potential new high-speed intercity passenger rail services into Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana.
Water Related Issues
Homeland Security
Ø Issue: Improve security at our nation’s ports.
Ø Position: We continue our efforts to urge the Federal Government to expand the investments to protect our ports from possible intrusion by terrorist’s threats. We also continue to support resources being provided to Federal agencies responsible for security
Red River Basin Chloride Control Project
Ø Issue: Just west of Wichita Falls, Texas there are ten natural salt source areas that contribute 3,600 tons of chlorides, per day, into the Red River. This renders downstream waters unsuitable for most purposes in all four states of the Red River Valley, to include Louisiana. Two sites have been completed and currently a re-evaluation of the Wichita River Basin has just been completed. This would construct two additional sites. It is also important to note that the Oklahoma Governor has agreed to a re-evaluation study of the Oklahoma site that contributes the most Chloride load per day than any other site.
Ø Position: The Red River will be a great resource for surface water once the chlorides are reduced to manageable levels, providing the potential for increased economic development in agricultural and industrial use. We request this project be funded at a level of $5.1 million for FY 2009.
Red River Waterway Project – J. Bennett Johnston Waterway (General Construction)
Ø Issue: The 5 Lock and Dams are complete and operational to Shreveport/Bossier; however, it is important to note that the total project is only 94% complete with approximately $125 million required for navigation works, recreation and mitigation.
Ø Position: It is important to move towards completion of this project for navigation, recreation and eco-system enhancement, so that the full economic benefits can be realized. We request that $10 million be appropriated for the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway in FY 2009.
Red River Waterway Project – J. Bennett Johnston Waterway (General Investigation)
Ø Issue: Currently the Waterway is authorized for a 9 foot channel for commercial traffic. Our Waterway connects with the Mississippi River and the Atchafalaya River, which goes to Inland Coastal Waterway. All these Waterways are authorized for 12 foot navigation. Industries are having to special load barges destined for our waterway to accommodate the lower draft. A Reconnaissance Study is needed to investigate the benefit/cost criteria of making our Waterway a 12’ draft.
Ø Position: Increasing the barge capacity reduces freight rates on the Waterway providing more competition to other modes of transportation. This competition is a great benefit for our existing industries and in recruiting new industries. The public ports will become more competitive and have another marketing tool to draw industries to their sites. We request that a Reconnaissance Study be funded, $100,000 in FY 2009, to determine the feasibility of authorizing a 12’ navigation channel for our Waterway.
Red River Waterway Project – J. Bennett Johnston Waterway (Operation & Maintenance)
Ø Issue: $11.9 million is required to operate and maintain the Waterway at the minimum level. This includes operating the 5 locks and dams, preventive maintenance and channel dredging. It does NOT include funding for major repairs or backlog maintenance. These include maintenance on the lock and dam structures and navigation works, such as the dikes and revetments.
Ø Position: Addressing these major maintenance items, now, will insure our Waterway remains safe and reliable. The minimum we would require is $11.9 million, just to remain operational for the year. An additional $2 million will allow for some backlog maintenance, so that we do not fall further behind increasing our future needs. We request that $14 million be appropriated in FY 2009.
Red River Watershed Management Institute at LSU Shreveport
Ø Issue: The LSUS Red River Watershed Management Institute is a partnership of LSUS faculty working in cooperation with other universities and professional personnel from city, parish and state agencies collaborating in research, education, and community service/outreach related to watershed management in the area drained by the Red River and its tributaries. The Institute provides scientific research information critical for developing resource management strategies focusing on the natural resources and biological diversity within the Red River Watershed.
Ø Position: The City of Shreveport and Parish of Caddo have entered into partnerships with the LSUS RRWMI and it is essential that the federal government continue support of this research effort which is of utmost importance to this region.
Bossier Parish Flood Prevention Study
Ø Issue: The study is investigating alternatives to address water resource problems and needs in Bossier Parish, LA. Major streams located in the area include Red Chute, Bayou Bodcau, Loggy Bayou, Cypress Bayou, Flat River, and the Red River. Bossier Parish is affected by both headwater and backwater flooding. The study will investigate placing controllable gates in Badcau Dam to control flood waters for the entire Parish, without impacting the eco-system of the original project.
Ø Position: The rapid growth of Bossier Parish has put a great strain on the bayou system creating more flood opportunities. This project would alleviate flooding for the residents, industries and Barksdale AFB. We recommend that this study be funded at the Corps of Engineer full capability for FY 2009
City of Shreveport Water Projects
Ø Issue: Provide funding for City of Shreveport water projects.
Ø Position: Our position is that we want Congress to provide funding (requesting up to $5 million) from the FY 2009 budget for this purpose.
Cross Lake Water Supply Improvements
Ø Issue: Cross Lake has served as a municipal and industrial (M&I) water supply source for the city of Shreveport since the 1920s. The lake is about 14 square miles in surface area. The watershed draining into the lake consists of about 260 square miles. The holding capacity of the already shallow lake (8.5 feet) is decreasing due to siltation, contributing to increasing difficulty in managing it as a water supply source. The feasibility study will evaluate options including additional pumping capacity on Cross Lake at lower elevations as well as new pumping stations and water treatment facilities on the Red River.
Ø Position: As Shreveport and Caddo Parish grow there will be a greater demand for water. Cross Lake is the major source and this study is very important for this region. We request continued funding at the Corps of Engineer full capability level for FY 2009.
Regional Water Study and Assessment for Caddo Parish
Ø Issue: The Parish’s water resources need to be assessed and a Comprehensive Action Plan developed to ensure that citizens have quality drinking water.
Ø Position: We feel that to do what we need to do will take at least $500,000.00 to accurately assess our needs and start the process of addressing our long range goals in the Northwest Region of Louisiana so we may keep with the growth we are experiencing.
|
