HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 LEGISLATIVE UPDATEAgenda Item _______
Reviewed:
City Manager _______
Finance Director _______
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 7, 2023
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MATTHEW S. WEST, CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
SUMMARY:
Recap of 2022 Legislative activities by the City’s advocacy consultant Townsend Public
Affairs (TPA), consideration of 2023 Legislative Platform and updates on legislative
activity at the state and federal level.
RECOMMENDATION:
1.Receive presentation on 2022 Legislative recap by TPA
2.Adopt 2023 Legislative Platform
3.Receive and file legislative update prepared by TPA
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION:
2022 Legislative Activities
TPA has prepared a presentation with a recap of the 2022 Legislative session.
2023 Legislative Platform
Each year, the City prepares a Legislative Platform that is designed to do the following:
-Provide direction to the City’s legislative delegation on priorities, projects and
principles of the City Council
-Allows staff and TPA to identify priority bills being discussed in Sacramento to create
a targeted outreach plan
-Allows staff and TPA to act quickly on priority issues being discussed in Sacramento
AGENDA REPORT
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N/A
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Agenda Report – Legislative Update
February 7, 2023
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The Legislative Platform includes guiding principles that give broad direction to staff and
TPA when considering legislative issues:
- Preserve Local Control
- Promote Fiscal Stability
- Support Funding Opportunities
The Legislative Platform also includes more specific statements in various policy areas
such as:
- Local Governance
- Economic Development
- Land Use Planning and Housing
- Parks and Recreation
- Public Works
- Water Quality and Water Supply
- Human Resources and Risk Management
- Public Safety
Each City department was given time to review and recommend modifications to the draft
Legislative Platform prior to City Council consideration.
Adoption of the Legislative Platform does not mean that staff and TPA will focus solely on
bills or issues that fall within the Legislative Platform, nor does it mean that TPA will not
continually seek the City’s input or positions on specific legislation. Staff and TPA will
continue to keep the City Council apprised of legislation and proposals (whether
specifically addressed by the Legislative Platform or not), and TPA will continue to seek
input from the City as legislation of legislative proposals are discussed.
Legislative Update
TPA has created a summary of state legislative activity for the month of January that also
includes updates on the Governor’s budget proposal and previews the 2023 Legislative
session.
Attachments:
- Draft 2023 Legislative Platform
- TPA January 2023 update
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CITY OF TUSTIN
2023 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
The Mayor and City Manager are authorized to submit advocacy letters on behalf of the City if the
proposed state or federal legislation clearly follows the City’s adopted legislative platform.
PURPOSE
The City of Tustin’s 2023 Legislative Platform confirms the City Council’s position on current
issues with the potential to directly or indirectly impact the City, thereby establishing guidelines to
actively pursue pending legislation through monitoring and communications activities. Below are
the Guiding Principles and Policy Statements that will allow City staff to address 2023 legislative
and regulatory issues in a timely manner, without precluding the consideration of additional
legislative and budget issues that may arise during the legislative session.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
I. PRESERVE LOCAL CONTROL
Preserve and protect the City’s powers, duties and prerogatives to enact local legislation
and policy direction concerning local affairs and oppose legislation that preempts local
authority. Local agencies should preserve authority and accountability for land use
planning, revenues raised and services provided.
II. PROMOTE FISCAL STABILITY
Support measures that promote fiscal stability, predictability, financial independence, and
preserve the City’s revenue base and maximum local control over local government
budgeting. Oppose measures that shift local funds to the County, State or Federal
Governments and/or make cities more dependent on the County, State or Federal
Governments for financial stability, such as unfunded mandates or mandated costs with
no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits.
III. SUPPORT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Support opportunities that allow the City to compete for its fair share of regional, state and
federal funding. Support funding for programs including, but not limited to economic
development such as infrastructure investment and housing, transportation projects
including road resurfacing, bicycle and pedestrian safety, multi-modal transportation
systems and transit-oriented development, air quality, water quality and local water
reliability, parks and recreation, historic preservation, natural resources, hazard mitigation,
public safety, public health and COVID-19 business and government recovery.
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POLICY STATEMENTS
Local Governance
1. Oppose state or federal efforts to “borrow” local revenues and encourage the state to find
other methods of balancing its budget.
2. Support local government action, rather than the imposition of state, federal or regional
mandates upon local governments, as well as federal mandates placed on the state.
3. Support maximum flexibility for local government in contracting and contract negotiations.
4. Support open government initiatives as well as the principles of the open meetings
provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act at all levels of government.
5. Support legislation that facilitates the flexibility of local governments to share resources to
increase efficiencies and decrease costs.
6. Support legislation that preserves the ability of local governments to determine the
appropriate type of election and representation for their jurisdiction.
7. Oppose and monitor efforts to increase City contribution cost to CalPERS.
8. Support the reimbursement of local governments for COVID-19 related expenses,
including the need for essential public safety service overtime, personal protective
equipment, and small business relief.
9. Support and monitor efforts to increase the City’s ability to recover payment related fees
from customers
10. Support efforts to provide local legislative bodies with additional flexibilities regarding
remote meetings and Ralph M. Brown Act requirements.
11. Oppose policies that would increase the voter threshold for local revenue measures or would
increase the potential for litigation over local taxes and fees.
12. Oppose efforts to de-localize the redistricting process.
Economic Development
13. Support international, statewide, regional, and local efforts to attract, retain and provide
resources for current and future commercial and industrial businesses.
14. Support policies and programs that encourage working with other cities, counties and
government agencies to jointly leverage resources and assets to create and strengthen
economic clusters within the region.
15. Support economic development initiatives that preserve and enhance a positive business
climate and maintain and grow the business tax base.
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16. Support policies and initiatives that will facilitate development of City owned property,
including Tustin Legacy and Pacific Center East. Oppose policies and initiatives that run
counter.
Land Use Planning and Housing
17. Oppose legislation, proposals, or regulations that impose regional, state, or federal growth
development or land use planning standards within the City without the City’s direct input.
18. Oppose legislation, proposals, or regulations that penalize local governments for
noncompliance with their housing element or regional housing needs assessment
requirements.
19. Support efforts to provide flexibility to local governments as well as resources for local
governments to allow them to submit compliant housing elements and complete the
required rezoning.
20. Support housing measures that promote the development and enhancement of safe and
affordable housing and accessible housing within the City for all economic segments of
the population, while still retaining local control.
21. Monitor local, state, and federal actions related to medical and recreational marijuana
regulatory changes.
22. Support local control over the licensure and regulation of alcoholism or drug abuse
recovery or treatment facilities.
23. Oppose legislation that would erode local control over City owned property, including
Tustin Legacy and Pacific Center East.
24. Support proposals that provide funding or tools to preserve historic neighborhoods and
structures.
25. Oppose proposals that increase requirements and place undue burdens on the City with
regard to the Surplus Land Act and Tustin Legacy.
26. Oppose efforts that require the City to ministerially approve housing development projects
without adequate input from local agencies or a robust public engagement process.
Parks and Recreation
27. Oppose efforts that erode funding for vital regional and community services that negatively
impact Californian's access to parks, open space, bike lanes and bike ways, after school
programming, senior services and facilities that promote physical activity and protect
natural resources.
28. Support efforts that strengthen policies to fund parks, open space acquisitions, bike lanes,
and active transportation opportunities.
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29. Promote local agency control over policies that recognize the benefits of parks and
recreation facilities.
30. Support efforts to increase funding, accessibility and programs for seniors.
Public Works
31. Support increased state and federal funding of transportation improvements with regional
or sub-regional benefits for all modes of transportation.
32. Support protection of dedicated transportation-related tax revenues and enhance the
ability of local agencies to finance local transportation programs and facilities.
33. Support all efforts to create efficiencies within CEQA.
34. Support measures and reforms which streamline the CEQA process for the development
of housing and mixed-use infill projects that support transit.
35. Support legislation that allows local governments to continue to retain full authority to
reject projects or to condition project approvals and impose mitigation measures.
36. Support efforts to facilitate public private partnerships to complete development projects.
37. Oppose efforts to remove City representation on regional boards that oversee water,
drainage and/or sewage.
38. Support efforts that fund broadband infrastructure.
39. Support efforts that assist the City in meeting its waste and recycling mandates and adding
flexibility to comply with state regulations.
Water Quality and Water Supply
40. Support and monitor legislation that increases the availability of, and funding for, water
conservation, water reuse technologies, water recycling, local water storage and other
water supply technologies such as the Groundwater Replenishment System project.
41. Support the enhancement of a reliable and sustainable water supply for California as well
as measures that improve water quality in the region.
42. Monitor the development of a state framework for long term water conservation measures.
43. Support policy development, funding and research for water conservation, addressing
urban runoff and beach closures and required programs associated with OC NPDES
permits.
44. Support efforts to address long term water resiliency and affordability without
implementing a statewide water tax.
45. Oppose efforts that restrict or eliminate local permitting and enforcement of water quality
measures.
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46. Oppose efforts that unilaterally reduces the indoor water use standards without the input
of local and regional stakeholders.
Human Resources and Risk Management
47. Oppose measures that reduce local control over employee relations issues or mandate
new or enhanced local government employee benefits.
48. Support pension reform measures designed to control or decrease employer liability or
increase transparency in reporting without imposing undo hardships or administrative
burdens on local government.
49. Oppose redundant or unnecessary proposals that require excessive human resources
burdens without sufficient reimbursement.
Public Safety
50. Support measures that encourage community safety and well-being including those which
support state and federal reimbursement of homeland security related expenses.
51. Oppose legislation that places burdensome restrictions on law enforcement and limits their
ability to protect public safety.
52. Oppose legislative attempts at early release of incarcerated prisoners and measures that
would further de-criminalize non-violent offenses.
53. Support funding for local mitigation related to Proposition 47 and Proposition 57
54. Support initiatives involving county, state, and federal governments to reduce and prevent
homelessness in Orange County.
55. Support measures that provide funding and local resources for wildfire fire prevention,
suppression, and mitigation.
56. Support local control over adult entertainment facilities, alcohol establishments and
properties where illegal drugs are sold.
57. Support local control for the regulation of cultivation, storage, manufacture, transport and
use of medicinal and recreational marijuana and monitor legislative and administration
activity to create a regulatory structure for medical and adult use.
58. Support legislation increasing resources and local authority for abatement of public
vandalism, especially graffiti.
59. Support regional and state proposals to increase funding for locally operated homeless
shelters.
60. Oppose efforts to limit the City’s ability to enforce parking rules and regulations and
recover the costs of doing so.
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61. Support efforts that adds de-energization to the list of conditions that constitutes a state
and local emergency.
62. Oppose efforts that changes the certification framework for public safety personnel and
subjecting the City to additional litigation.
63. Support efforts to address loud noise vehicles by providing public safety officers with
resources to enforce state laws and local ordinances.
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M E M O R A N D U M
To: City of Tustin
From: Townsend Public Affairs
Date: January 27, 2023
Subject: January Monthly Report
STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
In January, lawmakers prepared for the introduction of most bills this year and their consideration
in their respective policy committees. Nearly half of the total bills introduced thus far are vehicles
designated to each house’s budget committee to ensure there are enough bills for all budget and
budget trailer bills. In addition, there is a significant number of “intent” and “spot” bills, which lack
substantive implementing language, pending future amendments.
The deadline for bill introductions is February 17. While that will serve as a filter for the introduction
of new bill vehicles, it does not prohibit the use of “gut and amend” tactics, which amend the
previous scope of a bill in favor of an entirely new one. The Legislature typically introduces 2,000
or more bills each legislative session, which is roughly capped by a 50-bill introduction limit over
the course of the current legislative cycle spanning two years. Introductions will continue to
emerge as the Legislature nears the February deadline, with most introduced in the final week.
January Budget Proposal Released
On January 10, Governor Newsom released his budget proposal for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Overall spending trends in the proposed budget reflect a more conservative and disciplined
budget framework rooted in “strong fiscal planning” on account of projected shortfalls, compared
to the 2022-23 budget which held record surpluses. The 2023-2024 January Budget Proposal
anticipates a $22.5 billion budget shortfall, which aligns with previous projections from the
Legislative Analyst’s Office.
The proposed budget framework includes $297 billion in total spending and $223.6 billion in
General Fund spending. While this represents a modest decrease from last year’s adopted
budget, the plan will largely stabilize existing spending programs. In last year’s record budget
surplus, most of the new revenue was set aside for one-time investments due to the predicted
economic outlook of the budget this year, which largely prevented the State from having a
significant budget crisis.
While the budget proposal includes various spending reductions and deferrals, it is important to
note that the budget situation will continue to evolve over the next few months before its
enactment. The Governor’s proposal will be updated in May to reflect changes to tax returns,
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inflationary pressures, and federal monetary policy that could result in additional spending cuts or
the restoration of spending programs.
An overview of budget balancing tactics, local government impacts, and basic spending programs
is outlined below.
Budget Balancing Tactics
Despite a $22.5 billion budget shortfall, the Governor’s Budget largely maintains spending levels
across the board through addressing the shortfalls by using deferrals, special fund loans, and
fund shifts. The Governor specifically announced the deliberate steps that the State was going to
take to address the budget shortfall, namely the “balance plan to close the budget gap,”
highlighted below:
• Funding delays: $7.4 Billion
o Multi-year investments will continue, but could face certain delays
o Overwhelmingly capital based, not service based
• Spending Reductions: $5.7 Billion
o Pulling back items primarily from the 2022 Budget Act
o $3 Billion from the $10 Billion inflation resiliency included last year
• Fund shifts: $4.3 Billion
o Shifting funds allocated to the General Fund to other specified funds (like
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund)
o Bonds to cash
• Trigger reductions: $3.9 Billion
o If the state’s fiscal outlook improves prior to the adoption of the budget, $3.9 billion
in reductions will automatically trigger back to their previous levels.
• Borrowing/revenue increases: $1.2 Billion
o Derived of loans from Special Funds, namely the renewal of Managed Care
Organization Tax
Additionally, the Budget includes $35.6 billion in total budgetary reserves. These reserves include
$22.4 billion in the Rainy-Day Fund, which fulfills the constitutional maximum mandatory deposit
limit of 10 percent of General Fund tax proceeds. The reserve total also includes:
• $8.5 billion in the Public School System Stabilization Account
• $900 million in the Safety Net Reserve
• $3.8 billion in the State’s operating reserve – the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties.
Local Government Impacts
For local government priority programs, proposed spending levels remained mostly stable. These
programs include previous allocations to support local implementation of organic waste
procurement targets, and homelessness support dollars committed in previous budgets.
There were, however, proposed contingencies on the receipt of funds and spending cuts to a
handful of housing and transportation programs. Continencies were specifically added to local
governments’ receipt of flexible homeless support dollars. Governor Newsom iterated throughout
his presentation that “local accountability” metrics would be tied to receipt of funds for housing-
related programs. Specifically, the legislature will look toward conditioning eligibility for any future
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homeless-related grants and competitive programs through the Business, Consumer Services
and Housing Agency and the Health and Human Services Agency, on compliance with state
housing law.
Further, the Governor proposed reconfiguring funds dedicated to the Homeless Housing,
Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Program. He stated that the legislature will propose statutory
changes to the program to prioritize spending on activities such as encampment resolution,
Project Homekey operating sustainability, the Community Assistance, Recovery and
Empowerment (CARE) Act housing supports, and housing streamlining provisions – thus,
potentially diverting programmed allocations to the state’s largest cities.
For housing production, the proposed budget does not include any new funding and instead
focuses on recently approved housing laws and local accountability enforcement. A total of $350
million in housing funding was removed form this budget, including reductions in the Dream for
All, CalHome, and Accessory Dwelling Unit production funding programs. For transportation
programs, the budget proposal includes noticeable reductions in zero emissions vehicle
programs, the Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program, and the Active Transportation Program.
While the reductions and contingencies may present challenges to local governments, the
proposed budget noticeably omits the redirection of city funds to backfill state shortfalls. As
previously mentioned, funding for local programs is likely to be adjusted come May when the
Governor revises his budget proposal.
Overview of Proposed Spending, Deferrals, and Reductions
Below is a high-level overview of proposed expenditures, organized by issue area:
Budget Reserves: $35.6 Billion
• Rainy Day Fund: $22.4 Billion
• Public-School Rainy-Day Fund: $8.5 Billion:
• Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties: $3.8 Billion
• Safety Net Reserve: $900 Million
Retirement Liabilities
• $9.7 Billion: Paid Down within the Past four years (2019-2022)
• $7.1 Billion: Allocated for the next Four Years
• $1.9 Billion: proposed spending in upcoming Budget Year
Cannabis
• $83.9 million in cannabis local assistance grants to support public safety efforts associated
with cannabis sales
• $10 million to California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to support
its cannabis tax enforcement program
• $1.9 million to establish a permanent Department of Cannabis Control Enforcement
District Office in Fresno to further the enforcement activities of the department in the
Central Valley
Homelessness
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• Maintains prior budget commitments of $3.4 billion and $1 billion for HHAP Round 5
o Proposed statutory reconfiguration of HHAP program to reduce direct flexibility and
instead fund programs such as the encampment resolution grant program, CARE
Act, Homekey, etc.
• Maintains CARE Act funding for county start up programs totaling $88.3 million
• Delays $250 million of behavioral health care infrastructure capacity grants.
• Conditions receipt of homelessness related grants on housing element compliance
Housing
• Funding stabilized for accountability and streamlining like the Housing Accountability Unit
and CEQA reform.
• New statewide housing production goal jumped from 2.2 million to 2.5 million units, with
at least 1 million units in qualified affordable housing
• $350 million proposed spending cut to programs related to new home buying programs
o Dream for All first time Homebuyers program reduced from $500 to $300 million
o CalHome Program for local assistance for first time homebuyers program removed
($100 million)
o Accessory Dwelling Unit production program removed ($50 million)
Environmental Sustainability
• Maintains 89% of $54 billion dedicated to climate resiliency over 5 years.
• Includes budget forecast improvement triggers to restore funding to previous levels
• Wildfires: Maintains all wildfire prevention funding with a $10 million reduction for
defensible space and monitoring funding.
• Water and Energy bill relief: Winds down program for arrearage support by shifting $400
million from the program back into the General Fund
• Waste Management: Maintains $180 million dedicated to local implementation support of
SB 1383 regulations
• $202 million in new investments
o $136 Million: Urban flood risk reduction
o $41 Million: Delta levees
o $25 Million: Central valley flood protection
Public Safety
• Maintains funding for existing crime prevention and law enforcement support programs
• Emphasis on fatal drug overdose prevention:
o $79 million for statewide distribution of Narcan products to first responders and
community organizations
o $10 million in fentanyl education and prevention grants
o $3.5 million for statewide distribution of Narcan products to middle and high
schools
o $4 million for innovative approaches to fentanyl test strip technology
Transportation
• $17.7 billion in overall proposed transportation spending ($9.7 billion from the Highway
User Tax)
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• $2 billion reduction in Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program over 3 years
• $200 million reduction in funding for the Active Transportation Program (ATP)
• Reductions in general fund spending on zero emissions vehicle programs partially offset
by shifts from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund totaling $1.1 billion
Group of Legislators Express Concerns Over Governor’s January Spending Plan for Public
Transit
On January 18th, a group of legislators submitted a letter to legislative leaders and Budget
Committee Chairs expressing concern over the Governor’s January budget, which proposes to
defer more than $2 billion in transit capital funding, among other proposed reductions in funding
for public transportation.
The members urged that the State’s budget should include transit operations funding to avoid the
shortfalls as federal emergency funding ends. The legislators detailed how transit agencies are
already experiencing existential threats to long-term viability resulting from service cuts and
operating budget shortfalls. They listed three main attributed factors, including (1) stunted
rebound of ridership rates due to changed commute patterns and increased prevalence of remote
work, (2) the rising operating and capital costs due to inflation, and (3) the expiration of federal
emergency relief funds in this coming fiscal year.
Legislators expressed that the absence of additional state funding to transit agencies may result
in the continued loss of revenue and ridership, accessibility concerns for Californians who do not
own vehicles, and increased rates of greenhouse gas. Major public transit districts within the state
have reported significant decreases in ridership as they recover from pandemic losses. Members
concluded the letter by imploring the Legislature’s proposed budget to honor and restore
previously committed Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) as a response to the
Governor’s $2 billion proposed reduction to the program.
Crafting the state budget is an iterative process that will require consensus between the
Governor’s Administration and the Legislature. While the Governor has proposed reductions and
deferrals of public transportation funds, it is still unclear how the Legislature plans to respond
once it releases its own spending plan, which will spur additional discussions and negotiations.
Ban on Outdated Diesel Vehicles Takes Effect
On January 1, 2023, a set of clean air regulations implemented by the California Air Resources
Board (CARB) in 2008, and later signed into law as SB 1 (Beall, Statutes of 2017), went into
effect. The regulations ban any diesel vehicles weighing over 14,000 pounds and built before
2010 from operating on California road as of the beginning of this year.
CARB estimates that around 200,000 vehicles, including 70,000 big rig trucks, do not comply with
the rule and will be prohibited from operating in the state. Exceptions to the rule will be made for
vehicles that have replaced their engine with one manufactured after 2010, and vehicles that
travel less than 1,000 miles a year. The law will be enforced by DMV denying registrations to non-
compliant trucks and buses, and CARB's enforcement unit will conduct audits of commercial fleets
that may result in citations.
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The implementation of these regulations marks the first of numerous ambitious targets the agency
is seeking to codify into law. An even more ambitious plan was recently proposed by CARB to
remove all gas and diesel truck fleets from the state's roads by 2045 and replace them with zero-
emission vehicles, including city fleets of public works and waste hauling vehicles. While this plan
is still in the workshop process, it underscores the Agency’s desire to decrease emissions through
phasing out gas-powered vehicles.
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
After 15 rounds of votes for the next Speaker of the House of Representatives, Representative
Kevin McCarthy was elected to lead the House in the 118th Congress. The Speaker sets the
legislative agenda for the House and is second in line to succeed the President after the Vice-
President. Speaker McCarthy reportedly made several concessions to House Republican hold-
outs, including seats on the House Rules committee and lowering the threshold for votes required
to unseat the Speaker. The House and Senate have now officially begun 118th Congress and
await the Presidents Budget to be released in the coming months. President Biden is also set to
address a joint-session of Congress for the State of the Union on February 7 to lay out the
Administration’s policy priorities.
Department of Education Releases Proposed Regulations to Income-Driven Repayment
On January 10, the U.S. Department of Education proposed new regulations to transform Income-
Driven repayment (IDR) programs as part of the Administration’s debt relief efforts. The
regulations would amend the Revised Pay As Your Earn (REPAYE) plan rather than creating a
new repayment plan. From the Department of Education’s announcement, the Department
estimates that under the new plan:
• Future borrowers would see lifetime payments per dollar borrowed fall by 40 percent, on
average, compared to the current REPAYE plan. On average, Black, Hispanic, American
Indian and Alaska Native borrowers would see their lifetime payments per dollar borrowed
cut in half.
• Lifetime payments per dollar borrowed would fall by 83 percent on average for borrowers
in the bottom 30 percent of earnings, compared to just 5 percent for those in the top 30
percent.
• A student borrower with an income below $30,500 per year would not be required to make
monthly payments on their loans.
• A typical graduate of a four-year public university would save nearly $2,000 a year through
lower monthly payments compared to the current REPAYE plan.
• A teacher with a bachelor’s degree just starting in the classroom would save more than
$17,000 in total payments while pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) over
the first 10 years of his or her career—two-thirds less than what they would pay under the
current REPAYE plan.
• 85 percent of community college borrowers would be debt-free within 10 years of entering
repayment.
Other aspects of the proposed regulation include stopping unpaid interest accumulation,
shortening the path to loan forgiveness (from payments over the span of 20-25 years to just 10
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years), expanding eligibility for deferments and forbearances, implementing automatic enrollment
into an IDR plan for delinquent borrowers, consolidating repayment options, and sunsetting new
enrollment of other plans. Chair of the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, Rep.
Virginia Foxx, issued a press release in opposition to the proposal.
In addition, the Department announced it will identify and publish a list of programs at all types of
colleges and universities that “provide the least financial value to students.” The Department is
seeking input through a request for information (RFI) on how this will be determined. The
Secretary will request improvement plans from institutions with programs on the list following
publication.
Additional information on the proposed IDR rule, including a summary with background
information and a fact sheet, is available here. The full proposed rule and comment submission
is available here. The RFI regarding public transparency on low-financial-value postsecondary
programs is available here.
2023 Department of Transportation Notice of Funding Opportunity Schedule
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has shared a look-ahead to help potential applicants
prepare for upcoming grant opportunities that will arise throughout the year. The roadmap
includes the estimated timelines for key notice of funding opportunities that the department will
release throughout the year. The list does not include all programs and will be updated throughout
the year with any changes. Key programs are highlighted below and the full list can be found on
DOT’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law page.
→ Winter 2023- Community Charging and Fueling Infrastructure
→ April 2023- Safe Streets for All
→ Spring 2023- Mega, Infra, Rural
→ Summer 2023- Bridge Investment Program
→ Fall 2023- SMART Grants Program
House Republicans Announce Appropriations Committee Leadership
As House Republicans continue to organize their new majority, House Committee on
Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger announced the approval of her slate of subcommittee
chairs. The twelve appropriations subcommittee chairs are often referred to as “cardinals” owing
to the gravity of their role shaping their portion of annual federal spending. The subcommittee
chairs and their staffs are the main point of contacts for funding issues within their subcommittee
of jurisdiction. During the 118th Congress, with Republicans in control of the House and Democrats
in control of the Senate, the appropriations process will be one of the main legislative focuses of
2023, making the subcommittee chairs a key focus point of congressional power for the next two
years.
House Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs:
• Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration – Rep. Andy Harris
(MD)
• Commerce, Justice, Science – Rep. Hal Rogers (KY)
• Defense – Rep. Ken Calvert (CA)
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• Energy and Water Development – Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (TN)
• Financial Services and General Government – Rep. Steve Womack (AR)
• Homeland Security – Rep. Dave Joyce (OH)
• Interior and Environment – Rep. Mike Simpson (ID)
• Labor, Health and Human Services, Education – Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL)
• Legislative Branch – Rep. Mark Amodei (NV)
• Military Construction and Veterans Affairs – Rep. John Carter (TX)
• State Department, Foreign Operations – Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL)
• Transportation, Housing and Urban Development – Rep. Tom Cole (OK)
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