AGENDA - 04-20-2009 LEGISLATIVE MEETING INFORMATION

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ExH~B~T H . ~ach ear the Trion le J Council of Governments revises and a dates its Re ianal Legislative Y g p g Agenda setting forth the priority legislative issues of its member local governments from. across the seven-county area of Region J. This agenda has been complied for the purpose of conveying vitally important information to the General Assembly for its review, consideration, and use as the legislature conducts its legislative session. After taking into consideration the various challenges that will be confronting the State of Noah Carolina during its 20x9 Session, it is the intent of Triangle J that this Regional Legislative Agenda serve as an aid to the legislative delegations serving Lee, Chatham., Grange, 1Jurham, wake, Johnston and Moore Counties in assisting our cities, towns and counties with their legislative needs. The following information has been set forth in priority form for this purpose: ~ItX UGH PRI[]h~'I'I~S Provide Revenue D boas or ,Local Governmeat: Triangle J seeks legislation that authorizes a variety of revenue options by resalution_for local governments to fund municipal and county services that confront the significant growth.issues of Region J. An overarching principle is that any local government revenue source that is presently available to one or more local governments in the state should be available to all local governments uniformly throughout the state. Triangle J seeks authority for local government, on a reasonable basis, to levy local option sales taxes, use a prepared food tax., apply impact fees andlar taxes, utilize land transfer fees, allow a tax exemption method to recover municipal and county sales tax expenditures rather than a system of reimbursements, etc. ~'raus ortation Plannin and .Fundin : Triangle J seeks legislation and funding for the myriad of multi- modal transportation needs within the region that are now in crisis. The region seeks the funding of planning and infrastructure needs associated with the Transportation Improvements Plan TIP}, Metropolitan Planning Organizations ~MPO's}, Rural Planning Organizations ~RPO's}, Powell Bill Funds, local transit authorities, and the Triangle Transit Authority. The region also supports legislation to revisit and update the state's Bquity Formula to recognize growth, congestion and other factors bearing on the distribution of transportation dollars. Triangle J also supports legislation to provide for the funding of regional multi-modal planning of Region J's transportation needs, while fi~ther supporting adequate appropriations for road and bridge maintenance to maintain existing infrastructure. The region opposes the transfer of funds from the ~i.ghway Trust Fund to the General Fund and supports recovery of funds that were previously transferred. Any grant of additional or expanded authority to fund ar maintain transportation programs by local governments must be accompanied by equivalent revenue authority from the f.,,Jtater .Mental ~'"ealt~'i Crisis: Triangle J supports Mental Health Reform and seeks legislation that assures local capacity to serve the needs of these citizens. The state must support local government, both financially and statutorily, to equip itself with adequate tools far crisis intervention and appropriate housing for the mentally ill to allow their integration into local communities. Triangle J Council of governments N.ission Statement Tv serve as an inlergovemmentalorgonization forlocal elecfed atfrcrals thaf wogs proactively on regional issues r'n order to sustain and improve t11e qualr'ty of life for our citizens.