Sponsor: Policy & Planning
Title
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2024 Ramsey County Federal Legislative Platform
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the 2024 Ramsey County Federal Legislative Platform.
2. Authorize Ramsey County representatives to work with members of Congress and other interested parties to promote legislation reflective of the positions contained in the platform.
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Background and Rationale
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On October 17, 2023, the Ramsey County Board held a workshop on the 2024 State and Federal Legislative Platforms. Government Relations staff and Aurora Strategic Consulting presented an analysis of the upcoming Congressional session as well as proposed draft platform items for discussion by the members of the board.
In preparation for the review of the proposed platform by the Legislative Committee of the Whole, Government Relations staff have included in the latest draft suggested changes from the commissioners and further input from department leadership staff. The 2024 Federal Legislative Platform draft includes summaries of positions regarding appropriations, programs and policies of importance to Ramsey County.
The Legislative Committee of the Whole reviews the draft Ramsey County Federal Legislative Platform and recommends its submittal to the Ramsey County Board. The documents presented here are drafts. Underlined text represents language to be added and stricken text represents language to be deleted.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The racial equity impacts of each item or position included in the draft of the 2024 Federal Legislative Platform were considered as part of the solicitation for proposed items and positions from service teams, departments and staff. Most of the proposed items have direct impact on racial equity, particularly those items that provide increased access to services or benefits specifically targeted to low-income individuals, families or communities, which disproportionately include more people of color and American Indians. These services or opportunities include improved access to health care, stable housing, childcare subsidies, employment opportunities and program and service refinements designed to positively engage cultural values. These efforts are reflected in the proposed top legislative priorities of the platform draft, which include housing stability and affordability.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Government Relations will share the 2024 Federal Legislative Platform with appropriate Ramsey County advisory committees. This platform will also be discussed with other county organizations and advocacy groups.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Many of positions in the federal platform have financial implications and would require state and/or county appropriations, if legislation is enacted. The platform items that require county expenditures may do so in the form of a federally-imposed maintenance of effort, a required local funding match, or through a new or revised operating cost. When there are implications for the current budget, necessary budget adjustments can be brought before the Ramsey County Board through a Request for Board Action; through adjustment to the current fiscal county budget; or through changes to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), depending on the specifics of the funding change.
Last Previous Action
On October 17, 2023, a Ramsey County Board workshop was held on the Federal Legislative Platform.
Attachments
1. Draft 2024 Federal Legislative Platform
2. Presentation