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10 <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: LEGISLATIVE REPORT BY THOMAS JEFFERSON PLANNING <br />DISTRICT COMMISSION <br /> <br /> Mr. David Blount, Legislative Liaison for the Thomas Jefferson Planning District <br />Commission, reviewed the draft legislative program, which has five action priority items, <br />with the Comprehensive Services Act having top priority. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro noted that the local cost for CSA has increased $1 million in the <br />last five years. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said she is surprised there is not a stronger statement on <br />transportation in the package. She said we need to act as a region. <br /> <br /> Mr. Blount said that the Mayors and Chairs group turned their attention to CSA. <br />He said there is not a lot of serious money for transportation in this upcoming session. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that the payday lending issue is not just a City issue. He said <br />there has also been found to be racial disparity in loans. He said he hopes we can act as a <br />region on those issues. <br /> <br /> Mr. Blount said that a statement can be added to the package. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Taliaferro, seconded by Ms. Hamilton, the Thomas Jefferson <br />Legislative Package was approved, with the addition of the payday lending issue, by the <br />following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: CITY’S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM <br /> <br /> Mr. Brown explained that the City’s proposed legislative program contains the <br />following six action items: Homestead exemption; regulating smoking in public places; <br />affordable housing initiatives; study of agriculture laws; opposition to utility markings; <br />and support for the TJPDC and VML legislative programs. Mr. Brown said the issue of <br />payday/predatory lending can also be added. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he has a few other items that he would like to consider adding: <br />predatory lending; endorsing child care subsidies; restoration of voting rights for felons; <br />and establishing renewable energy portfolio standards. He asked if it is premature to ask <br />for legislative to establish a regional transit authority. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he agrees with adding voting rights and energy portfolio. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said Council has discussed in the past the concern about loading too <br />much in the legislative program. She said some things might be better served under <br />policy positions. She aid she is pleased to see the request for a study of agricultural laws <br />since we have an active City Market. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he sympathizes with keeping the program short and simple. He <br />said he would eliminate support of the Homestead act because he thinks it will pass <br />anyway and because he does not agree with it. <br /> Mr. Lynch suggested moving the Homestead Act to policy positions, and adding <br />renewal portfolio standards to policy positions. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said the child care issue is more policy. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he would support moving the Homestead act to policies; adding <br />predatory lending to action items, adding child care to policies; and adding sponsor or <br />support legislative regarding restoration of felons’ voting rights as an action item. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said she would support making the predatory lending item the <br />number one policy priority. <br /> <br /> <br />