Legislative Report Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association October 23, 2015
Congress by the Numbers 31 86 74 262 76
Congress by the Numbers + 9 + 16
Congress by the Numbers 2016 US Senate Elections Republican-Held Seat Democratic-Held Seat Open Seat GOP defending 23 seats Dems defending 7 seats 4 open seats
2016 U.S. Presidential Election 2016. GET INVOLVED. #countiesconnectus
GOP Internal Battles Continue
GOP Internal Battles Continue Sen. Ted Cruz calls Leader McConnell a Liar!
Common Ground?
NACo Advocacy Report Strangest historical presidential vetoes
Is It Really Just Gridlock?
Key Issues for Counties Triple Threat Facing Counties Finalize a long-term surface transportation bill and address the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund Finish the FY 2016 appropriations process Negotiate a budget deal including debt-ceiling plan and federal spending caps/sequestration
#1 Transportation and Infrastructure MAP-21 Reauthorization and the Highway Trust Fund Congress passed short term through October Senate passed six-year; House still drafting Were hoping to use August to negotiate Biggest issue remains: How do we pay for a long term reauthorization?
Transportation and Infrastructure Rep. DeFazio's contest to rename MAP-21: START Short Term Authorization. Repeat Tomorrow. FUEL TAX For Us Everything Leads To Another Extension FAIL Fail to Adequately Invest Long-Term
#2 FY 2016 Appropriations Will there be a government shutdown? No agreement on the 12 annual bills House has passed 6; Senate zero Must find a deal by December 11 Biggest issues: funding levels and policy riders Options ahead: CR, omnibus or shutdown
#3 Debt Ceiling and Sequestration Will there be a major budget deal? Debt ceiling last raised in 2014 to $18.1 trillion Treasury currently using extraordinary measures Those measures expected to run out Nov. 3 Biggest issue: Will Congress grant authority without requiring major cuts in spending?
Debt Ceiling
#3 Debt Ceiling and Sequestration Will sequestration stick around? We ve had a two year reprieve; 6 years remain Both parties dislike parts of sequestration despite savings Since 2011 deficits have dropped by more than a half Unclear if Congress can agree to federal spending levels and will they tie to increase in debt ceiling
Other Issues Impacting Counties
Marketplace Fairness Act Would allow state and local governments to collect existing sales taxes from online or remote sales Senate passed last year; reintroduced this year Stalled in House House leaders have ordered progress
40% Excise Tax Repeal Legislation Under the ACA, state and local governments face a 40% tax on employer sponsored health benefits Would be imposed in 2018 on coverage above $10,200 for individuals and $27,500 for spouse or family coverage NACo opposes the taxation of employer sponsored health benefits many of which are offered by state and local governments to attract and maintain a quality workforce Bipartisan repeal bills introduced in House and Senate
Waters of the U.S. Rule Headed to the Courts Rule is now finalized Over one million comments submitted Several legislative proposals to stop the agencies Leaked documents show major concern from the Corps. No guidance documents; Only FAQ Lawsuits Recent Stay issued by 6th Circuit
Ozone Proposed Rule EPA to implement tighter air quality standards Have not fully implemented the more strict 2008 standards 500-700 counties would be in violation of the proposed standards Anticipated to be costliest regulation in history
New Advocacy Tools Telling the county story
New Advocacy Tools