City Council Agenda and Packet 2013 12 06 LEGISLATORS

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the State Legislature must be willing to invest in the maintenance and expansion of the State’s transportation network including roads, bridges and transit projects. To this end, the City tentatively supports a possible 2014 statewide transportation revenue ballot question. The proposal offered by MPACT 64 (Metro Mayors and other regional organizations) would provide a general sales tax increase of seven-tenths of one cent (0.7%) that would raise approximately $600 million each year. One third of these dollars would be earmarked for transit – including RTD. The US 36 Mayors and Commissioners Coalition (MCC) is currently in discussions with MPACT 64 on how much and in what timeframe the transit portion dedicated to RTD could be utilized to complete Northwest Rail. The remaining two-thirds would be allocated under the current Highway Users Tax Fund (HUTF) formula of 60 percent CDOT, 22 percent counties and 18% municipalities. A second round of polling on the proposal will occur in late November. Position: The City supports designated State funding for transportation/not reliant on annual General Fund allocation. The City opposes use of HUTF for non-transportation line items. The City supports greater flexibility and increased revenues for multi-modal transportation systems. The City opposes legislation to transfer maintenance responsibility of State-owned roads to municipalities without adequate short and long-term funding to meet these additional responsibilities. Support funding needed to complete the Northwest Rail project. Marijuana Legislation The legislation from 2013 set out the rules for new retail marijuana stores, but has some minor issues that need to be addressed to allow “cleanup” and clarify some language. Position: The City supports “cleanup” bills that would clarify marijuana legislation and allow municipalities the option to access CBI and FBI records for background checks for marijuana licensees. The City supports legislation that would distribute of some of the state’s share of retail marijuana sales taxes to local governments. Potential Telecommunications Legislation Existing state law makes it difficult for governmental entities to provide, or partner with the private sector to provide, any type of broadband services to our constituents. Given the rapidly changing technology and the variety of private sector companies that may be interested in providing this in the future, the current legislation is too limiting. Position: The City supports changes to State law that would allow governmental entities to partner with private firms to provide better telecommunication services for our businesses and residents. Other issues the City intends to monitor during the session: Governmental Immunity Health Insurance Water Issues Public Notice on Web