2025-26 State and Federal Legislative Platform
Ashleigh E. Aitken, Mayor
Natalie Meeks, Mayor Pro Tem – District 6
Ryan Balius, Council Member – District 1
Carlos A. Leon, Council Member – District 2
Natalie Rubalcava, Council Member – District 3
Norma Campos Kurtz, Council Member – District 4
Kristen Maahs, Council Member – District 5
City of Anaheim 2025-26 Legislative Platform Page 2
Introduction........................................................................................ 3 Guiding Principles ............................................................................. 4 Policy Statements ............................................................................. 5 General Government ....................................................................................... 5 City Clerk ......................................................................................................... 5 Community Services ........................................................................................ 6 Economic Development ................................................................................... 7 Finance ............................................................................................................ 7 Housing & Community Development ............................................................... 8 Human Resources ........................................................................................... 8 Planning .......................................................................................................... 9 Public Safety .................................................................................................. 10 Public Utilities ................................................................................................ 11 Public Works/Transportation .......................................................................... 12
Appendix: Anaheim Elected Officials ............................................ 13
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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The purpose of the legislative platform is to provide a means for summarizing the City’s core legislative principles for the purpose of advocacy efforts at the regional, state and federal levels. The legislative platform sets forth the City’s legislative objectives for the 2025-26 legislative session and provides direction for our legislative advocates as they work to secure clear and strategic initiatives in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Approval of the legislative platform also streamlines the City’s process and allows City Council, City staff, and the City’s legislative advocates to more effectively respond and take immediate action on pressing legislation under City Council direction.
The legislative platform contains general policy statements that establish the City’s position on legislative matters. The policies listed in the platform do not preclude City Council consideration of additional legislative matters arising throughout the year. Specific legislation may be brought forward by a Council Member or City staff for the City Council’s consideration to take on a formal position on behalf of the City. Additionally, a Council Member can take a formal position on behalf of their district without formal action.
Once approved by the City Council, the legislative platform will be shared with our delegation at the regional, state and federal levels. The City Manager’s Office will continually update the legislative platform, taking into account new issues or priorities as they relate to Anaheim or other regional partners. The actions approved by this platform shall remain until a new document is approved.
With the growth of our City in recent years and planned development in our future, the City’s legislative platform is aimed at securing legislative policies and resources that will help the City manage our growth, fund critical infrastructure needs, keep our City safe and maintain and enhance the quality of life our residents have come to enjoy.
INTRODUCTION
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I. Preserve and Enhance Local Control
Support measures that preserve and protect the City’s local authority as a charter city to enact policy pertaining to local affairs. Oppose measures that seek to preempt local control without the concurrence of the City.
II. Maintain Fiscal Responsibility
Support measures that promote fiscal stability, predictability and financial independence at the local level. Support efforts that preserve and promote the City’s ability to maintain and grow its revenue base. Oppose measures that place unfunded mandates upon the City or measures that diminish the City’s revenue sources that are required to maintain critical services, including efforts to limit taxing authority or shift local funds to the County, State or Federal Governments and/or make cities more dependent on these entities for financial stability.
III. Promote Economic Development
Support legislative efforts that are designed to provide local governments with the tools necessary to bolster economic development. Support legislation and regulatory streamlining initiatives that would enhance the City’s ability to attract and retain businesses as well as encourage business expansion and job retention. An important part of this is ensuring that the City’s growth and development also supports residents and workers through policies that promote the development of sustainable high paying jobs.
IV. Support Funding Opportunities
Support measures that allow the City to compete for its fair share of regional, state and federal funding. Support initiatives that promote dedicated funding streams to cities for critical service areas.
V. Collaborate with Regional Partners
Support opportunities to work collaboratively with local and regional partners on areas of mutual interest. Maintain strong relationships with other municipalities, local transportation agencies, special districts, regional government agencies, local elected officials, school districts, and college boards.
VI. Support Strategic Plan Goals
Support initiatives that can effectively implement the City's Strategic Plan Anaheim 2024- 2034 goals and priorities, ensuring the availability of essential resources and tools to achieve key strategies.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
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GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Support efforts that are consistent with the doctrine of local control especially in the areas of police powers, land use planning and public safety.
Protect the City’s right to levy and collect our full share of Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) from hotels, including online hotel intermediaries. This includes opposing any federal or state legislation that would prohibit the City from collecting (retroactively or otherwise) our fair share of TOT.
Oppose any state or federal mandates without the direct or indirect reimbursement for the costs associated with complying with new and/or modified laws, regulations, policies, procedures, permits and/or programs.
Support state and regional collaborations that seek to address homelessness as well as grant programs that provide direct funding to cities in order to implement local strategies. Oppose policies that would increase the voter threshold for local revenue measures or would increase the potential for litigation over local taxes and fees. Support policies that would maintain prevailing wage standards for city projects and that enhance our ability to bring high paying jobs to the benefit of our residents and local workforce.
CITY CLERK
Support measures that preserve the integrity and fundamentals of the Brown Act and enhance public participation, while opposing measures that would constrain communication among staff and local officials.
Support measures that increase local autonomy, protecting privacy and maintaining our authority over public records.
Support measures to improve election security and voter access, as well as enable cities to maximize their ability to efficiently and effectively administer local elections, including programs designed to encourage and increase voter education, registration and voter turn-out.
Support efforts to amend rules that limit and restrict local governments’ ability to achieve greater transparency of governmental business by taking advantage of new technology and communication platforms in which agencies can publish and advertise notices, resolutions, orders, or other matters required by law.
Support measures that promote transparency, public participation and first amendment rights, while preserving procedures that continue to foster efficient government proceedings.
POLICY STATEMENTS
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COMMUNITY SERVICES
Support legislation that establishes funding of grants which would allow for design and construction of new parks, community facilities, senior centers, and library development in under serviced regions and/or that assist underserved populations including children and adults with disabilities and senior citizens.
Support funding for the development and rehabilitation of new and existing infrastructure and essential technology in parks, libraries, public right of ways, and similar neighborhood and community-serving facilities.
Support efforts to redevelop the Santa Ana River corridor, including OC River Walk through both regional partnerships, local initiatives, and public funding.
Support efforts to provide an expedited process for the fair distribution of State bond funds and other grant opportunities.
Support initiatives that leverage City and school partnerships that enhance neighborhood school sites as key City amenities, including park spaces and aquatic centers.
Support legislation and funding for youth-related prevention and intervention programs, including after school educational and recreational programs.
Support legislation that provides funding opportunities and efforts to support public art and historic preservation.
Support legislation and funding to provide mental health support and access to supportive service programs.
Support initiatives that help connect resources to underserved and isolated neighborhoods.
Support funding for the improvement, protection and restoration of city-owned historic structures and for the preservation and digitalization of local historical materials.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Support economic development initiatives that preserve and enhance a positive business climate and maintain and grows the business tax base.
Support efforts to bolster the city’s small business community.
Support programs that provide direct assistance, both technical and financial, to industries within the City.
Support the growth of the region’s key industry clusters, including, but not limited to, biotechnology, life sciences, high tech, software, advanced manufacturing, tourism, sports and active lifestyle, digital economy, clean tech, telecommunications and cyber security.
Support efforts that provide funding to the city’s Storefront Improvement Program which assists local businesses in upgrading their storefronts, fostering a more vibrant and attractive commercial environment.
Support the revitalization of the City’s commercial corridors to enhance its competitiveness in attracting commercial development and improving residents' quality of life.
Manage the dissolution of the former Redevelopment Agency and lead the strategic disposition of its properties to maximize benefits for the City including the facilitation of property sales for housing and commercial development while identifying opportunities for municipal use.
FINANCE
Support efforts to maintain and expand the types of municipal investment-grade revenue bonds.
Oppose any attempt to eliminate or limit the traditional tax exemption for municipal bonds.
Oppose any effort by the State or Federal government to preempt the City’s right to levy and collect taxes, fees and assessments as authorized by the City Charter.
Oppose efforts that would significantly alter Proposition 13 and the tax benefits that are currently provided to residents and businesses in Anaheim.
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HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Support measures that provide municipalities with increased input in the development of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA).
Support continued or expanded funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs and protect from budgetary cuts.
Support additional Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) and Project Homekey funding to provide the City with support for regional coordination and expand or develop local capacity to address immediate homelessness challenges.
Support measures and grants that provide increased funding for housing programs within the City, including incentives for private sector investment in housing projects.
Support the creation of new programs or grants at the federal, state and local level to assist municipalities in providing creative and permanent housing solutions for the homeless including funds that support critical social services.
Support measures that maintain and strengthen funding for workforce investment and workforce development programs, providing innovative work and school-based programs.
Support regulatory and fiscal measures that support the creation of housing for the middle-income workforce, inclusive of homeownership programs.
Advance policies that ensure that Orange County receives a fair share of State and Federal resources to address the needs of vulnerable populations inclusive of individuals experiencing homelessness, seniors, and other very low-income populations.
Advance policies and fiscal measures that support the provision of emergency shelters.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Support measures that put reasonable parameters over public pension plans, while opposing measures that would eliminate local control over plan specifics.
Monitor state and federal efforts to manage the rising cost of health insurance and urge officials to fully consider the financial impact on local governments when considering any health care coverage legislation.
Oppose measures that would mandate upon local governments any additional and costly program for employee benefits without local control.
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PLANNING
Monitor land use issues and support measures that preserve local control over planning and zoning matters.
Support efforts that provide municipalities with more control over the establishment and placement of transitional and supportive housing uses and will increase oversight, transparency, and accountability.
Support efforts that provide municipalities with more control over the establishment and placement of licensed and unlicensed group homes and sober living homes and will increase oversight, transparency, and accountability.
Support efforts that provide municipalities with more control over the regulation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on multi-family zoned parcels, when it can be shown that the addition of ADUs to multi-family and/or single-family attached dwellings would have a substantially negative impact based on local factors.
Support legislation that encourages regional and sub-regional entities to incorporate locally acceptable planning strategies, developed in consultation with local governments, within regional and sub-regional plans, especially when those plans are tied to funding allocations.
Support legislative efforts to reform State housing element laws to simplify and streamline processes and requirements, including the process of establishing Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) requirements and achieving housing element certification.
Support legislative efforts to reform CEQA to facilitate infill development and redevelopment.
Support legislation that maintains local control over cannabis-related businesses and upholds cities’ ability to regulate and/or prohibit cannabis-related businesses.
Support legislation that reduces requirements in the Building Codes that are not related to constructing safe and structurally sound buildings.
Support legislation that reduces requirements for local jurisdictions to enforce State mandates without additional funding in which to do so.
Support legislation that increases a local jurisdiction’s authority to be more selective of which provisions of the Building Codes are to be adopted and locally enforced.
Support efforts that will streamline and fund the development of Gypsum Canyon Cemetery Project.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Support for measures that would provide appropriate reimbursement for the City’s Community Care Response Team (CCRT).
Support measures and grants that would provide funding for mental health support that works in coordination with the police department and homeless outreach teams.
Support legislation that upholds local control and confirms a city’s “Section 201” rights with regard to their ability to continue to contract for or provide their own ambulance service.
Support legislation that gives the City and its community partners the ability to address human trafficking and solicitation along corridors.
Support legislation that would provide the City with more authority to regulate needle exchange programs proposing to operate within our jurisdiction.
Support legislation and funding for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and other funding initiatives administered by the Department of Homeland Security to enhance the City’s ability to respond to regional or national threats.
Support legislation or State and Federal funding, including grant opportunities, which target specialized local law enforcement and prevention programs including the Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (GRIP) program, and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program.
Oppose legislation or other administrative actions that seek to limit the police department’s ability to collect and utilize asset forfeiture funds for a wide variety of police services.
Support legislation that provides frontline funding for police services associated with the early release of state prisoners as a result of state-mandated criminal justice realignment provisions.
Continue to support efforts to coordinate the development of telecommunications infrastructure within the region for use during large scale emergency situations.
Provide local government with the authority to further regulate local fire inspection and investigations.
Support legislation that would provide direct funding and alternative avenues of health care to local first response agencies to adequately address behavioral health issues.
Support for legislation that would address the wait time for 911 ambulances when transitioning patients at local hospitals and emergency rooms.
Support the development and use of new firefighting technology in order to produce higher levels of health and safety.
Support initiatives involving County, State and Federal governments to reduce and prevent homelessness in Orange County.
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PUBLIC UTILITIES
Support measures that uphold the ability of locally elected city councils to regulate and manage their publicly owned water and electric utilities so that local policy making authority is not eroded by state or federal agencies, authorities, or other regulatory bodies, and keeps local funding from being transferred to state or federal control.
Support legislation that ensures the best interests of ratepayers with respect to cost, value, quality, safety and reliability of infrastructure and resources are considered, and that there are useful benefits in relation to implementation costs for programs.
Support legislation that minimizes municipal borrowing costs to the benefit of ratepayers, such as preservation of the tax exempt status of municipal bonds for infrastructure investments.
Support legislation that ensures environmental stewardship and drought mitigation is consistent with the goals that the City Council has endorsed, and such legislation is balanced with the need for reliable, cost-effective service that does not act as a disincentive to local employers staying in California.
Oppose unfunded federal and state legislative mandates on water and electric utilities, including any stemming from the action of regulatory agencies.
Support legislation and other measures that seek to bring federal sources of funding to California and would benefit Anaheim, including for example, measures that would assist in the state’s clean energy transition, drought mitigation, electric and/or water infrastructure development and system reliability, utility service provision and customer protection.
Take alternative positions on federal or state legislation that will help mitigate negative impacts and/or improve the benefits to Anaheim customers.
ELECTRIC
Support measures to retain or enhance the ability of municipal electric utilities to provide reliable, clean, low-cost, technologically feasible and technology neutral energy resources.
Oppose the imposition of a federal energy tax or other financial requirements upon local government that would adversely affect the competitiveness of utility services.
WATER
Support measures to improve water supply and drinking water quality in the region where cost causation principles are employed and users/beneficiaries pay for the costs of those measures.
Support legislative and administrative efforts to adopt cost-effective, science-based drinking water quality regulations.
Support local control of groundwater uses and groundwater rights.
Oppose any legislation that conflicts with these principles.
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PUBLIC WORKS/TRANSPORTATION
Support measures that increase the ability of Anaheim to maintain and enhance transportation improvements.
Continue to seek state and federal support for the use of public private partnerships for the implementation of local and regional transportation projects.
Support measures and discretionary grant programs that provide funding for critical transportation infrastructure projects that improve mobility for residents and visitors in and around the City of Anaheim.
Support legislation that expands transportation planning, funding, and voluntary incentives to include an increasingly multi-modal perspective focusing on transit, alternative fuel vehicles and fleets, pedestrian ways, bikeways, multi-use trails and parking.
Support measures to provide funding for congestion relief projects along the State Route 91 (SR-91), State Route 241 (SR-241), State Route 57 (SR-57) and Interstate 5 (I-5) freeways.
Support measures which provide the City’s fair share of funding from the State’s cap and trade funding sources.
Oppose efforts that seek to remove local regulatory authority on wireless infrastructure development.
Support measures that seek to reevaluate the method and manner in which the state and federal gas taxes are collected and allocated fairly to local jurisdictions.
Oppose efforts to withhold transportation related funding to enforce compliance with state mandates for housing and organics recycling.
Support efforts to secure our fair share of funding from SB 1 revenues to fund local transportation projects.
Support efforts to accelerate the deployment and maintenance of public infrastructure that will support major international events (e.g., World Cup, Olympic Games), including enhancements to transportation systems, street safety and mobility services, as well as enhance public transit options.
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California Governor
Name Capitol Address Capitol Numbers
Governor Gavin Newsom
(Democrat)
Current term: 2023-2027
1021 O Street
Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone:
916-445-2841
California State Assembly
Name Capitol Address Capitol
Numbers Local Address Local
Numbers
59th Phillip Chen
(Republican)
Current term: 2025-2026
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249
Phone:
916-319-2059
3 Pointe Drive
Suite 313
Brea, CA 92821
Phone:
714-529-5502
67th Sharon Quirk-Silva
(Democrat)
Current term: 2025-2026
Capitol Swing Space
1021 O Street
Room #4210
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone:
916-319-2067
4 Centerpointe Drive
Suite 120
La Palma, CA 90623
Phone:
714-521-6713
68th Avelino Valencia
(Democrat)
Current term: 2025-2026
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249
Phone:
916-319-2068
2400 E. Katella Ave.
Suite 640
Anaheim, CA 92806
Phone:
714-939-8469
California State Senators
Name Capitol Address Capitol
Numbers Local Address Local
Numbers
34th Tom Umberg
(Democrat)
Current term: 2022-2026
1021 O Street
Suite 7510
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone:
916-651-4034
1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd.
Suite 220B
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone:
714-558-3785
37th Steven Choi
(Republican)
Current term: 2024-2028
1021 O Street
Suite 7130
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone:
916-651-4037
2151 Michelson Dr.
Suite 258
Irvine, CA 92612
Phone:
949-223-5472
APPENDIX: ANAHEIM ELECTED
OFFICIALS
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U.S. Congress
Name Capitol Address Capitol
Numbers Local Address Local
Numbers
40th Young Kim
(Republican)
Current term: 2025-2027
2439 Rayburn House
Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone:
202-225-4111
180 N. Riverview Dr.
Suite 150
Anaheim, CA 92808
Phone:
714-984-2440
46th Lou Correa
(Democrat)
Current term: 2025-2027
2082 Rayburn House
Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone:
202-225-2965
2323 N. Broadway
Suite 319
Santa Ana, CA 92706
Phone:
714-559-6190
U.S. Senators
Name Capitol Address Capitol
Numbers Local Address Local
Numbers
Alex Padilla
(Democrat)
Current term: 2023-2029
331 Hart Senate Office
Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone:
202-224-3553
255 E. Temple St.
Suite 1860
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone:
310-231-4494
Adam Schiff
(Democrat)
Current term: 2025-2031
112 Hart Senate
Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone:
202-224-3841
Location TBA Phone:
310-914-7300
Orange County Board of Supervisors
Name Address Numbers
2nd District – Vicente Sarmiento
Current term: 2023-2027
400 W. Civic Center Dr.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone:
714-834-3220
3rd District – Donald Wagner
Current term: 2025-2029
400 W. Civic Center Dr.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone:
714-834-3330
4th District – Doug Chaffee
Current term: 2023-2027
400 W. Civic Center Dr.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone:
714-834-3440