2018
For 40 years, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce has traveled to Washington, D.C., to promote and drive important initiatives that benefit San Antonio s business community and ensure the city remains the best place to live, work, and play. Today, we partner with the Free Trade Alliance, the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the San Antonio Mobility Coalition, and the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce to create a robust delegation that speaks on behalf of the business community in San Antonio. To learn more, visit sachamber.org AEROSPACE CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY HEALTHCARE & BIOSCIENCES INTERNATIONAL TRADE MILITARY AFFAIRS TRANSPORTATION TOURISM & HOSPITALITY WATER 2 2 3 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 SAtoDC 1
THE SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER SUPPORTS: AEROSPACE 1. Authorizing and appropriating additional funding to improve Department of Defense (DoD) military readiness rates and reduce the maintenance backlog in tactical aviation in our military services. 2. Additional engineering, maintenance, and modification work to support the Department of Defense (DoD), military missions, and commercial aviation industrial work in San Antonio, thereby leveraging San Antonio s excellent capability, capacity, and competitive rates. 3. A comprehensive strategy for the recapitalization of Kelly Field, including the development, funding, and construction of an alternate runway to provide redundancy, enhance reliability, and encourage future growth for military, industrial, and general operations. CYBERSECURITY 1. The Section 809 Panel and their recommendations for Federal Acquisition Reform changes. 2. Funding of an independent cybersecurity capability evaluation center in San Antonio, with a primary focus of identifying solutions to critical national security issues. 2 Federal Agenda
3. Recommended changes to the process of onboarding new capabilities into military and federal agency operations. 4. An increase in the Department of Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack (CCTA) grant funding for the San Antonio Urban Area (SAUA). EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC EDUCATION 1. Reauthorizing the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and including adequate formula funding to support: Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs aligned with state, regional, and local needs; industry internships, apprenticeships, and mentorships; career and academic counseling; and testing for industryrecognized credentials. (H.R. 2353). 2. Opposing any reduction in overall education funding including any title program funding. 3. Improving flexibility in maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) by aligning it with Title I MOE requirement under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). HIGHER EDUCATION 1. Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act and including: a simplification of the various grant, loan, and other financial programs available to students and institutions of higher education; increased transparency of use of funds; and additional funding for institutions that SAtoDC 3
provide dual credit or concurrent enrollment opportunities for high school students to earn college credit. 2. Improving the Pell Grant program by increasing the maximum discretionary award available for each student and allowing for industry certifications to be among the approved uses for these grant funds. 3. Increased funding for all Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), specifically Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), through Title V (Parts A&B) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 with a focus on STEM education initiatives and research partner opportunities. ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTERS 1. Enhancing FY19 funding for our nation s academic health centers through increased appropriations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Health Research Services Administration (HRSA), an action which will benefit health education, research, and patient care in San Antonio, the South Texas Border Region, and beyond. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 1. Implementing policies, rules and regulations that allow for the investment in successful workforce development programs such as: Federal incentives to businesses that offer internships and apprenticeships; Adult education and training programs; Veteran training programs; Expanded Opportunity Youth program funding; and Educator development programs. 2. Passing legislation that establishes a permanent solution for DACA recipients, allowing them to receive lawful status and continue their contributions to the United States. 4 Federal Agenda
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY 1. Federal action and funding that assists the community in maintaining and improving its air quality and avoiding a non-attainment designation under the Clean Air Act. 2. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carefully evaluating and considering the entire range of legally permissible options available for implementing the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), particularly for new non-attainment areas Recommendations within the letter sent to Mr. Robert Lingard of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, endorsed by the Chamber s Energy & Sustainability Committee, and signed off on by the Chamber May 12, 2017. 3. The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding for the EPA National Clean Diesel Campaign to continue reducing diesel emissions, promoting the use of clean diesel equipment and trucks, and supporting voluntary measures that assist the region in meeting current and future NAAQS. 4. Consistent compliance deadlines for the Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELG) rule and the Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) rule which have overlapping requirements. 5. Continued reliance on the robust federal framework established by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the primary SAtoDC 5
mechanism to promote information sharing and protect the electric grid and connected infrastructure from cyber and physical threats. 6. Congressional support for industry and regulatory efforts to enhance and maintain a resilient electric grid through generation diversification and the modernization of the grid. 7. Promoting enhanced and efficient infrastructure investment through permitting reforms designed to facilitate the ability of developers to initiate projects in a timely manner, resulting in lower costs, while maintaining the appropriate safety and environmental protections. HEALTHCARE & BIOSCIENCES 1. Efforts to end the Opioid Epidemic by allocating funding for the prevention and treatment for addiction. 2. Preserving the 340B Drug Discount program as a vital tool for keeping drugs affordable and supporting the health care safety net. 3. Extramural Construction Funding at the National Institutes of Health in fiscal year 2019 to allow public, nonprofit, and not-for-profit to expand, remodel, and renovate existing research facilities or build new facilities to meet the demands of the nation s top biomedical researchers. 4. Efforts to improve the mental health care delivery system relating to enforcement of current laws, expansion, use, and improved reimbursement of community-based services and health information technology. 6 Federal Agenda
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 1. A modernized North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that continues to strengthen the local and regional economy. 2. Restoring full functionality of the Ex-Im Bank MILITARY AFFAIRS 1. Advocating for strategic basing decisions to grow fighter pilot training at JBSA-Lackland, including a permanent basing decision to relocate two F-16 squadrons from Hill AFB to JBSA-Lackland for reassignment to the F-16 Formal Training Unit (FTU) currently hosted by the 149th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air National Guard. 2. Continuing Impact Aid, which makes up a significant part of the total budgets for Lackland Independent School District (ISD), Ft. Sam Houston ISD, and Randolph Field ISD. 3. Legislation to protect service members personal contact information by exempting them from public records requirements. 4. Encouraging, promoting and incentivizing base operating support and community partnerships with military installations through a variety of methods, especially retained savings programs. 5. Legislative efforts to protect Guard and Reserve military service members by strengthening language in the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) providing for adjudication of employment issues SAtoDC 7
and work to deconflict any issues with the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA).(H.R. 2631 and S.696). 6. All efforts to minimize mission encroachment and protect and sustain current missions integral to the success of Joint Base San Antonio. 7. Rescinding the Budget Control Act or modifying it to exempt military spending to ensure our long-term national security. TRANSPORTATION 1. A federal transportation initiative and/or the next federal Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill with: Robust and sustainable multi-modal funding including highway, transit, and rail; Expanded federal authority/increases regarding public-private partnerships, particularly for megaprojects such as IH 35; Continued streamlining/simplification of environmental process; and Elimination of donor state status for Texas. 2. VIA Metropolitan Transit in their pursuit of additional federal investment to address the longterm, multi-modal transportation needs of our region. 3. The effort to secure nonstop service between San Antonio International (SAT) and Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Congressional action that authorizes an inside-outside perimeter slot swap to allow airlines the flexibility to swap an inside perimeter route for an outside perimeter route. 4. An increase in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding and greater flexibility for the use of AIP 8 Federal Agenda
funds and raising or eliminating the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) cap of $4.50. 5. Smart Cities funding and technical assistance legislation that will help San Antonio implement innovative technologies to address growing congestion and safety on our roadways. TOURISM & HOSPITALITY 1. Protecting Open Skies agreements, which will ensure continued growth in international aviation and create American jobs in the travel and manufacturing industries. 2. Preserving the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Provisions such as better information-sharing among intelligence and law enforcement agencies, screening of all travelers against INTERPOL databases, and increased use of fraud-resistant e-passports that contain biometric information. 3. Preserving funding for Brand USA. 4. Extending a welcome message to legitimate travelers and pursuing policies that will encourage visitation by legitimate visitors to the U.S. 5. The Travel & Tourism Caucuses in the House and Senate, which demonstrate members commitment to the travel industry and the millions of jobs it supports. SAtoDC 9
WATER 1. Securing $15M in each of the FY 18 and FY 19 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work Plans from within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction General Account to reimburse Bexar County for advancing a portion of the federal share of the San Antonio Channel Improvement Project (Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project). 2. Securing $1.1 million for Preliminary Engineering and Design of the Westside Creeks Ecosystem Restoration Project through the FY 18 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan or in the FY 19 Budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers General Investigations Account to secure the full federal share of Preliminary Engineering and Design costs of $2.335 million. 3. Securing $2M in the FY 18 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work Plans from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers General Investigations Account to initiate the surveys and geotechnical investigations and complete the preliminary engineering design of the Leon Creek Flood Control Project. 4. Including a study on Mitchell Lake improvements in the FY 18 and FY 19 Budget and Work Plan for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and ensuring understanding of the uniqueness and community value of Mitchell Lake among Congressional leaders, within the U.S. Army Corps, and within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 5. Full funding for water infrastructure financing tools, primarily the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority (WIFIA) and the State 10 Federal Agenda
Revolving Funds (SRF) for drinking and clean water projects. 6. A strong national response in terms of evaluating the risks and associated preparedness to flooding essential to San Antonio s well-being and economic competitiveness. SAtoDC 11
2018 LEADERSHIP SA to DC Chair Leo Gomez President & CEO Brooks Shaun Kennedy Chairman of the Board San Antonio Chamber of Commerce San Antonio Regional Chairman, Texas Capital Bank Richard Perez President & CEO San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Erika Prosper Nirenberg Chairwoman of the Board San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Director of Consumer Insights, HEB Ramiro Cavazos President & CEO San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chris Theil Chairman of the Board North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President & CFO, Alterman Duane Wilson President & CEO North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce 12 Federal Agenda
Erica Gonzaba Chairman of the Board South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Public Relations Director, Gonzaba Medical Group Al Arreola President & CEO South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce James Carter Chairman of the Board Free Trade Alliance San Antonio Shareholder, RSM Carlos Jarquin President & CEO Free Trade Alliance San Antonio Ray Lopez Chairman of the Board San Antonio Mobility Coalition Victor M. Boyer President & CEO San Antonio Mobility Coalition SAtoDC 13
2018 SPONSORS 2018 FRIENDS OF SAN ANTONIO VIA VISIT SA SA AREA TOURISM COUNCIL SA HOTEL AND LODGING UNION PACIFIC