2023 Legislative Priorities

Funding for training for the law enforcement and fire departments
Funding to support institutions of higher education, including Tarleton State University in Fort Worth, University of North Texas Health Science Center, and Texas A&M Law School and Fort Worth Campus
Funding to the City of Fort Worth and the UNT Health Science Center for the Economic Development and Technology Commercialization Partnership
Funding for transportation
Funding for the local parks grant program
Funding for library resource sharing
Funding for housing retention and supportive services for the homeless
Funding for mental health services for the homeless
Funding for Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant Program (DEEAG)
Funding for youth training and youth entrepreneur programs at the local level in an effort to prepare the next generations for financial leadership           
Funding for developing plans and resources needed for greater broadband connectivity       
Funding to provide additional protective equipment for the exterior of police vehicles
Funding for school resource officers in Texas
The City supports funding that allows continued recovery and growth for small businesses
Funding that incentivizes or benefits film and TV projects in the City of Fort Worth

Seek legislation to amend state law to add three events to the Major Events Reimbursement Program (MERP)

A. Bassmaster Classic

B. Professional Bull Riders World Finals

C. Fédération Equestre Internationale

(FEI) World Cup

 Legislation to request a two-year extension of state law that creates Project Financing Zones for Dickies Arena and the proposed expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center to recover the debt capacity lost during the COIVD-19 Pandemic

Education Opportunity Programs 
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC)
Second Chance Act
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP/WAP)
Expanded LIHEAP Eligibility Documentation Requirements: Voter ID
HOME Grants
Low Income Housing Tax Credits
Housing Choice Vouchers: Budgetary Increases for FWHS
Affordable House and Rental Assistance Programs
Support and Expansion of Fair Housing
Support for Whole Health Community Clinic Expansion
Healthy Communities Initiative—Mortality and Life Expectancy
Employment Non-discrimination Initiatives
Energy and Sustainability Grants
FEMA Designations and Flood Insurance Premiums
Fund “non-FEMA Food Plane” Flooding Recovery
Fund Universal Broadband Coverage—Building Access
Support for existing and future broadband funding opportunities to develop middle-mile and last-mile broadband infrastructure, as well as subsidy programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that help families acquire broadband service and internet devices.
Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR)
Land and Water Conservation Full Funding for Green Spaces
Museum and Library Funding (IMLS Reauthorization) 2
East Lancaster Transit Corridor Project
Increased Funding Sources for Homeowner Lead Removal
Stormwater and Sewer Remediation Funding

Home Ownership Focused Community Development Funding
Municipal Debt Income Tax Exemption
State and Local Tax Deductibility
Collection of Remote Sales Taxes
Internet and Wireless Tax Authority
Municipal Bond Access and Liquidity
Federal Aviation and Contract Tower Funding Increases
Management and Collection for use on Local Rights of Way
Wet Weather Facility
Juvenile Entrepreneurship Funding
Federal Assistance with Invasive Species (Egret Population)
Support for Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act
Youth Internship Initiative

Emergency Services Funding
Oversight Funding for Procedural Justice, Implicit Bias, Reconciliation, and Community Policing
Emergency Responder Funding for Prevention and Care of Dangerous Exposure Related Illnesses
Emergency Management Preparedness Grants (EMPG)
Homeland Security Top 10 Re-Designation for Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) funding
CASA Funding (innovative weather satellite pilot)
Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS)
Broadband Spectrum for First Responders
Opposition to Federal Collective Bargaining Legislation

Summary: Traditional and alternative forms of transit are essential to Fort Worth’s current and planned investments in economic growth and community development. Fort Worth is completing transformative infrastructure improvements that will increase access to jobs and encourage new residential and business developments. Support for ongoing mobility and connectivity improvements—including support for more favorable federal, state, and local grant formula requirements, money to elevate I-35 at critical junctions, increased capacity in key corridors, such as Lancaster Ave , robust high-speed passenger rail that spans the city, expansion of TEXRAIL to additional stops in SW Fort Worth, including the medical district, enhanced public transportation systems, and alternative transit opportunities will be continuing priorities in the 1st Session of the 118th Congress.

Summary: Fort Worth’s continued growth and economic success depends in large part on our city’s ability to deliver quality educational opportunities for our future workforce. Families in our community deserve access to youth development initiatives and programs that provide a diverse continuum of educational resources with particular emphasis on workforce development, especially in STEM/R&D. Supporting high school programs that encourage workforce preparedness, better equipping students for the needs of today’s job market, will remain a priority in our federal engagement in 2023. Additionally, early childhood education programs, nutritional development, and access to health services are critical to the long-term success of Fort Worth’s school aged children. Identifying opportunities to enhance and create programs that increase access to quality early childhood education and care through “flexible,” locally distributed federal funding dollars will continue to be a key priority in the 4 118th Congress. Also, the City is committed to partnering with the Texas A&M University System on the expansion of the A&M campus in Fort Worth.

Summary: Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in America. The “Central City” flood control project is a key element in managing and modernizing the “Fort Worth Federal Floodway” levee system, essential to protecting our rapidly expanding population and economy. The “Central City” flood control plan will protect people and businesses north and east of our current downtown while providing much needed economic security and certainty to these flood prone communities. Continued modernization of the Trinity River levee system will depend greatly on additional and sustained federal funding and administration support for the “Central City” flood control project and is a key priority for 2023. 

Summary: Fort Worth’s economic growth and development is inextricably tied to the health of America’s military and defense industries. The Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) and Fort Worth’s synergistic relationship with top military contractors in the United States are models for many cities across our nation. Continuing support for NASJRB as well as sustaining the growth of our defense contracting industries through federal 2024 budget and appropriations support will be a key priority. Additionally, Fort Worth is home to a large and growing population of active duty and reservist military personnel as well as veterans of all ages. Honoring and supporting those who have served and continue to serve our country through federal support for veteran owned enterprises, increased veterans services, and the establishment of a US Veterans Memorial in Fort Worth will be a key priority in the 118th Congress. 

Summary: The City of Fort Worth is a large and growing community, deeply rooted in diverse and multicultural Texas traditions. For more than 140 years, laws governing and regulating immigration to our country have been the exclusive responsibility of the United States Congress.1 As a community that chooses to stand united, the City of Fort Worth calls on the United States Congress to fulfill its duty to the American public and pass immigration reforms in 2022 that strengthen our nation’s rule of law and sovereignty, beginning at our national borders, while also treating all people, regardless of their origin, with the dignity and respect our nation’s shared values and principles of democracy demand.