1 2025
Legislative
Advocacy Platform
2 Purpose
The City of Corona Legislative Platform (“the Legislative Platform”) aims to establish and adopt City Council policy positions on various State and Federal legislation.
Adoption of the Legislative Platform guides City officials in advocating City interests to Federal, State, and County governments, thereby precluding the need for the Council to take individual positions reactively on legislative issues that arise during the year.
Objective
The Legislative Platform aims to promote proactive, timely representation of Corona’s interests through education, effective advocacy, and legislation.
Implementation
The Legislative Platform will be implemented as follows:
1. The City Manager shall direct the scope and activities of any State and Federal lobbyist hired on behalf of the City, consistent with the Legislative Platform and other directions provided by the City Council.
2. On an annual basis, the City Manager will present a Legislative Platform outlining the City’s position on various legislative issues for the City Council's consideration and adoption.
3. The Mayor and City Council will be informed of any legislative activities, proposed State or Federal legislation, and other policy-related matters that may have a direct and significant impact on the City’s fiscal, operational, and environmental health and the overall quality of life enjoyed by residents and other stakeholders.
4. The Mayor and City Council may establish joint advocacy efforts with other entities, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Corona-Norco Unified School District, the County of Riverside, and other cities.
5. The Mayor and Council, through their involvement with the League of California Cities, Riverside County Transportation Commission, the Western Riverside Council of Governments, and Southern California Association of Governments, may communicate with lawmakers at the County, State, and Federal levels through correspondence, personal contact, or testimony.
6. Letters of Support
a. Staff may prepare letters of support or opposition consistent with the adopted position in the Legislative Platform for signature by the Mayor on behalf of the City without taking the letter to the full Council, so long as the position letter represents the City Council’s adopted position as stated in the legislative platform.
3 b. Should the Mayor choose not to authorize their signature on a position letter, the Vice Mayor may sign in their stead. Where neither the Mayor nor Vice Mayor chooses to sign a position letter, the item will be placed on a meeting agenda for review and consideration by the full Council.
c. A summary of all position letters issued will be included in a regular Legislative update and distributed to the Council, outlining the need for them and citing the specific approved legislative policy used to expedite the city’s position.
d. In cases where a pending legislative proposal falls outside of the scope of the approved legislative platform, that item will be placed on a future council agenda for review and consideration by the full Council.
7. The Council has the option of adopting any one of 6 positions on proposed legislation:
a. Support - A support position indicates to the legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders that the City supports the legislation. b. Support if Amended - A support if amended position indicates to the corresponding legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders that the City supports the legislation if the requested changes are adopted.
c. Oppose—An opposed position indicates to the legislature, regulatory agency, and other stakeholders that the City opposes the legislation. d. Oppose Unless Amended—An oppose unless amended position indicates to the legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders that the City opposes the legislation in question unless the requested changes are adopted.
e. Neutral – A neutral position indicates to the corresponding legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders that the City is impartial on the legislation in question and does not wish to take a position or has formally removed their prior adopted position due to changes being made to the legislation or proposal (e.g., a bill that the City had an “oppose unless amended” position on was amended to address concerns, therefore the City is formally withdrawing its opposition and moving to a “Neutral” position).
f. Watch – A watch is traditionally an internal position that indicates the City is monitoring the legislation. Should the bill be amended, the City reserves the right to adopt a position as indicated above.
8. The Legislative Platform is not intended to limit the prerogative of individual Councilmembers from expressing their individual support for or opposition to any Local measure, State proposition, State or Federal legislation, or grassroots advocacy actions. However, in doing so, the Councilmember should clearly state that they are speaking for themselves, not on behalf of the Council or the City.
4 Standing Legislative Platform
The Legislative Platform reflects the adopted, standing position of the City Council until superseded. The priorities are generally stated so they can be applied broadly to various legislative proposals. Advocacy efforts on behalf of the City by staff or Councilmembers are expected to reflect the adopted position of the Legislative Platform. However, this is not intended to limit the prerogative of individual Councilmembers from expressing their individual support for or opposition to any Local measure, State proposition, State or Federal legislation, or grassroots advocacy actions. However, in doing so, the members should clearly state that they are speaking for themselves, not on behalf of the Council or the City.
The Legislative Platform is divided into 12 sections dealing with the following topics:
1. Community Services
2. Economic Development
3. Home Rule
4. Housing Reform
5. Homelessness
6. Municipal Finance
7. Public Safety
8. Public Utilities
9. Tort Reform
10. Transportation
11. Unfunded Mandates
12. Human Resources and Risk Management
13. Municipal Communications
Section 1. Community Services: Support activities that enhance the quality of life for Corona residents through effective education programs, safeguarding community services and facilities, and promoting arts and culture.
1.1. Library
a) Support efforts that provide funding for library branch extension. b) Support efforts to enhance understanding of how libraries are integral to building and sustaining our communities.
c) Support efforts that provide funding for library print and electronic materials. d) Support efforts that provide funding for additional library services, including staff costs.
e) Support efforts that fund library and Heritage Room services, including additional archival and digitization services and staff and equipment costs.
1.2. Parks & Recreation
a) Support recreation programs and events efforts, especially for youth and seniors.
b) Support efforts that provide funding for adaptive/special needs programming. c) Support efforts that provide funding for purchasing open space recreation land and constructing recreational facilities.
d) Support efforts that fund renovating and maintaining existing parks and recreation facilities to provide more sustainable facilities and trails. e) Support legislation that would expand the regional trail system and increase active transportation options within the City.
5 f) Support funding for trail projects that improve city connectivity and facilitate Cleveland National Forest access.
g) Support efforts that provide funding or reimbursement for volunteers and volunteerism.
Section 2. Economic Development: Support job creation, business attraction, and expansion to prosper Corona businesses and residents. Oppose legislative proposals or executive actions that hinder our community’s economic growth. a) Support efforts to grow the manufacturing industry.
b) Support efforts to retrain displaced/low-income workers. c) Support efforts to embrace living and working locally, particularly legislation that impacts housing costs and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. d) Support efforts to embrace innovation by seeding new businesses and linking new workers with new jobs and career pathways created by the pandemic. e) Support the creation of business incubators, such as the Corona Innovation Center, in partnership with local and regional partners that can lend expertise, resources, education, and access to capital.
f) Support efforts to embrace entrepreneurship by growing existing entrepreneurship tracks in Corona.
g) Support local Business Grants and California Dream Fund for those underrepresented and/or impacted by the pandemic, creating accessibility to capital and improving opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. h) Support legislation that promotes greater local jurisdiction flexibility with Surplus Land Act requirements relating to redevelopment, acquisition, or disposition of blighted commercial areas such as downtowns and older shopping centers.
i) Support initiatives that offer Vehicle Miles Exchange Travel Credit banking to residents and businesses to reduce driving and other vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction policies and programs.
Section 3. Home Rule: Preserve local governance and protect government revenue. a) Support efforts that allow local jurisdictions to operate under their police powers to reasonably control the use of property in the interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the community health, safety, and welfare. b) Oppose legislation that removes or limits local governments’ land use and development decisions.
Section 4. Housing Reform: Create a diverse, affordable, and sustainable housing environment that meets the needs of all residents while promoting responsible development and community well-being.
a) Support efforts that make affordable housing more attainable for local jurisdictions by providing financial resources or subsidies that are less competitive and do not require affordable housing developments to compete with one another.
6 b) Oppose expanding State and Federal authority over local jurisdictions' housing and land use decisions.
c) Oppose penalties on a jurisdiction’s Housing Element, such as monetary fines issued by the state and withholding state public transportation (“gas tax”) monies to local jurisdictions that are not capable of meeting their Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
d) Oppose housing legislation that restricts a jurisdiction’s local discretion or eliminates the public engagement process for evaluating the impacts of housing developments.
e) Oppose housing legislation that does not consider the differences of local jurisdictions and imposes a “one size fits all” requirement. f) Support legislation that reconsiders the methodology used in allocating the Regional.
g) Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), considering the extensive growth in California cities since the inception of this law.
h) Support legislation providing RHNA credit for preserving affordable housing units.
i) Support tax increment financing tools, including re-establishment redevelopment agencies or other permanent ongoing state funding sources to subsidize low and very low-income housing.
j) Oppose legislation that mandates the elimination of impact fees for affordable housing, thus removing a jurisdiction’s ability to negotiate with developers on pending projects.
k) Support legislation that includes manufactured homes as an affordable option for residents and provides protection from predatory landlords. l) Support State-mandated rent stabilization (like AB1035-Muratshuchi, 2023) for mobile home parks.
m) Support anti-displacement legislation that promotes and protects the ability of our City’s most vulnerable residents, seniors who are physically and/or developmentally disabled, to remain in the community, including tenant protection and anti-price gouging policies.
Section 5. Homelessness: Support State legislation to strengthen local government’s ability to set local policies relating to homelessness. a) Support legislation to incentivize and maintain city investments in homeless programs.
b) Support legislation to permanently include the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (HHAP) in the State Budget at a recommended $3 billion statewide level.
c) Support legislation and funding opportunities for the development of permanent supportive housing, including resources to finance the development of new units and resources to provide long-term sustainability for supportive services.
d) Support legislation and funding opportunities to increase Federal and State funding to prevent and reduce homelessness in Riverside County. 7 e) Support legislation and funding opportunities for mental health and drug abuse treatment to address chronic homelessness in Riverside County. f) Support legislation and funding opportunities to improve discharge planning from jails and prisons and to expand re-entry housing programs to prevent and address homelessness among inmates, parolees, and probationers in Riverside County.
Section 6. Municipal Finance: Maintain a balanced budget and ensure that assets and resources are properly safeguarded and appropriated practically and efficiently. a) Support efforts that will protect the revenue base of local governments. b) Support efforts to redirect State and Federal tax dollars to the City of Corona. c) Support efforts that protect the ability of local governments to raise revenue responsibly.
d) Support efforts that allow the City to control operating costs to the City and its residents.
e) Oppose actions that will reduce the City of Corona revenues or limit the ability to raise revenue.
f) Support and monitor the lawful implementation of Proposition 1A, which was passed to protect local government finance.
g) Support state legislation and ballot measures that would authorize the City to lower the voter threshold to 55 percent for certain municipal bonds to fund the construction or rehabilitation of public infrastructure, including affordable housing.
h) Oppose legislation eliminating or redefining any development tax, fee, condition, or other monetary change.
Section 7. Public Safety: Promote the general safety of all City residents. a) Support efforts that increase public safety within the City. b) Support efforts that fund or reimburse municipal public safety services. c) Support efforts to protect the health and safety of law enforcement officers and firefighters.
d) Oppose efforts that reduce funding dedicated to municipal public safety services.
e) Support legislation allowing cities to determine public safety service levels and services offered, from suppression staffing to Emergency Medical Services. f) Support emergency response funding initiatives that would support adequate local fire services and enhance the State’s ability to respond to major emergencies, including large-scale fires, rescues, and medical and hazardous materials incidents.
g) Support legislation that enhances Emergency Management Program Capabilities to include core functions performed during emergencies and daily program functions.
8 h) Support efforts that provide State and Federal funding to augment our capabilities in the four phases of Emergency Management:
Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation.
i) Support legislation that would allow for effective law enforcement and oppose legislation that hampers that process.
j) Support wildland fire initiatives, such as fire prevention, mitigation, and suppression.
k) Support efforts to lengthen felony sentences for repeat offenders of retail theft.
l) Support legislation that recognizes serious crimes as felonies, not misdemeanors.
m) Support legislation to charge those who possess illegal drugs with a felony. n) Support efforts to improve coordination between customers, regulators, government officials, and public safety partners during public safety shut-off (PSPS) events.
o) Support efforts to address the cancellation of fire or home insurance and rate increases for Corona residents by the State Insurance Commissioner due to natural disasters.
p) Support efforts to ensure a fair market cost for fire insurance for the city’s residents.
Section 8. Public Utilities: Preserve the local rate-making authority of municipally owned utilities and promote voluntary compliance with CEC reporting.
8.1 General
a) Oppose regulations that affect publicly owned utilities that do not consider the cost of implementation.
b) Support efforts to provide penalties for theft of metal and other crimes that can harm or jeopardize the delivery and safety of the City’s water, sewer, and electric systems.
c) Support efforts to provide funding for potable reuse, drought relief, disadvantaged communities, Delta management and sustainability, water supply reliability, statewide water system improvements, groundwater protection, water quality improvements, water reclamation, water conservation, watershed protection, and water bond issues. d) Support Federal efforts to address long-term drought through newly established water supply or water capture programs that will benefit the City of Corona.
e) Support Federal and State funding for long-term low and no-interest loan programs that will enable utilities to replace aging infrastructure. f) Oppose legislation that would reduce the inverse condemnation standard for incidents caused by a utility, whether retroactive or otherwise, and support the City’s ability to recover applicable damages.
9 8.2 Oppose legislation that imposes legal responsibility for PFAS on passive receivers such as water and wastewater utilities.
Water Supply
a) Support policies and principles that recognize and maintain the “co-equal” goals of water supply reliability and ecosystem enhancement for the California Delta.
b) Support the financing and construction of an alternative conveyance facility for the Delta to improve water supply reliability for the region and state. c) Support efforts to control and reduce imported water costs. d) Support the development of alternative water sources, such as desalinization plants and potable reuse, by streamlining the regulatory approval or permitting processes and providing funding for such projects. e) Support funding for planning and construction projects that provide for the sustainability of existing and future developments.
f) Support legislation and funding for projects that promote long-term regional water reliability.
g) Support funding for and create construction projects associated with reservoirs and dam-related projects that increase the storage volume to equal the required volume needed to meet the water supply volume needed for housing requirements mandated by the state.
8.3 Water Quality, Reclaimed Water and Greywater
a) Support water softener discharge and salinity management requirements to help maintain groundwater quality and reduce wastewater treatment costs. b) Support direct potable reuse of reclaimed water to help offset potable water use.
c) Support changes to the CEQA permitting process to help streamline the installation of reclaimed water lines within existing rights-of-way. d) Support the implementation of reasonable emergency requirements for water quality notifications to the public.
e) Support funding for water reclamation and advanced reclamation treatment technology projects.
f) Support policies that encourage science-based results for setting water quality standards.
8.4 Groundwater Management
a) Support voluntary groundwater monitoring regulations that maintain local control of groundwater supplies and management.
b) Support the increased use of stormwater and reclaimed water for groundwater recharge and storage funding for groundwater recharge basins. 10 8.5 Water Conservation
a) Support efforts to maintain reasonable and area-specific conservation targets.
b) Oppose statewide water conservation targets that are a targeted one-sizefits-all effort. c) Support funding for stormwater recharge planning and projects. d) Support legislation that seeks to solve the water crisis through supply enhancement and diversification, such as local stormwater capture and stormwater capture, increased storage in existing and new reservoirs.
Simplify regulations to promote such actions and projects. e) Support funding for turf removal projects on sports fields and eliminate the watering of fields.
8.6 Electricity
a) Support efforts to stabilize electricity rates.
b) Support the expansion of direct access programs that give electric customers a choice and encourage competitive pricing.
c) Support efforts to consolidate electrical reporting requirements for the California Energy Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, and the Department of Energy.
d) Support funding for solar power projects and other alternative energy sources. e) Oppose expanding State and Federal authority and controls on municipal facilities or operations.
f) Support legislation and rule-making that would allow small Publicly Owned Utilities (POU), supplying less than 200,000 MWh of energy per year, to meet Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and other obligations through flexible options that consider small POU constraints.
g) Support standardizing open-source protocol for electric vehicle charging station networks.
h) Support monitoring mandatory Electric Utility grid reliability and resiliency requirements mandates.
i) Oppose mandatory electrification of vehicle fleets for utility companies within the water, sewer, and electric sectors.
j) Oppose legislation that promotes 100% electrification and seeks to find a balanced energy platform.
8.7 Biosolids
a) Support efforts that recognize the science-based benefits of recycling and using biosolids and promote the use of biosolids in industries such as agriculture and fuel production.
11 Section 9. Tort Reform: Encourage efficient dispute resolution, limit excessive litigation costs, and protect public resources.
a) Support efforts to reform liability statutes to reduce City exposure to "deep pocket" claims.
b) Oppose expansion of liability for municipalities. Protect from erosion of the defenses.
Section 10. Unfunded Mandates: Support the empowerment of local control and flexibility; ensure accountability and fairness; support legislative and policy reform. a) Support efforts to increase cities' service delivery and funding flexibility. b) Oppose legislative actions that impose Federal or State mandates on cities without sufficient funding for implementation or reimbursement.
Section 11. Transportation: Cultivate a city with safe, appealing, and efficient motor and non-motor transportation infrastructure to attract and retain small and large businesses, new entertainment and recreation, and residents and support growth in the goods movement industry.
11.1 Regulation
a) Oppose legislation that would make the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act more restrictive on public projects.
11.2 Funding
a) Support efforts to provide State and Federal funding for local and regional transportation projects, especially those that increase the public safety capacity of State Route 91, Interstate 15, State Route 71, and the various interchanges and on/off ramps associated with those routes in the Corona area.
b) Support efforts to provide State and Federal funding for constructing alternate or additional transportation corridors.
c) Support efforts to provide State and Federal funding for grade separation or other upgrades of existing roadway grade crossings of the railroad corridor to establish a Quiet Zone throughout the City of Corona.
d) Support efforts to provide State and Federal funding to repair and upgrade aging bridges and transportation infrastructure.
e) Oppose efforts to eliminate and/or restrict the use of Riverside County State Improvement Transportation Funds, Federal Surface Transportation program, Measure A, or Gas Tax funding for local transportation projects. f) Oppose the State's efforts to divert Riverside County State Improvement Transportation Funds, the Federal Surface Transportation Program, Measure A, or Gas Tax funding sources to help pay for the State budget deficit.
12 g) Support efforts to increase federal programs and funding to mitigate the environmental and traffic congestion impacts of national goods movement on Inland highways and grade crossings.
h) Oppose efforts by the State to divert Proposition 42 funding away from transportation projects to fund the State budget deficit. i) Support legislation safeguarding Corona’s fair share allocation of Proposition 84 funds.
j) Support legislation that provides funding for the construction of Phase 2 of the parking structure at the North Main Metrolink Station or any expansion or improvements to the Station.
k) Support truth in tolling initiatives.
l) Support the development of bank and exchange programs that build on municipalities existing environmental mitigation efforts.
11.3 Transit
a) Advocate for Medicaid policies that promote transit use as Medicaid providers.
b) Support additional funding for transit operations, including services for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
c) Support for inter-county transit services to assist commuters between Riverside and Orange Counties.
d) Support legislation and grant programs encouraging transit ridership, active transportation, and congestion relief programs for western Riverside County.
e) Support partnering efforts with local and regional agencies to improve the coordination of transit services.
11.4 Rail
a) Support legislation that provides funding for improving and expanding commuter rail (Metrolink) services on the Inland Empire line. b) Support legislation implementing the statewide high-speed rail (HSR) system, including the segment from Los Angeles to San Diego via the Inland Empire, and light rail, which would increase intercity mobility from Corona and relieve traffic congestion through the Corona area. c) Oppose congressional efforts to prohibit federal funding from being utilized for the California HSR project.
d) Support the implementation of an HSR alignment and station in Corona. e) Support legislation that promotes transit-oriented development and transitadjacent development around rail transit stations while retaining local oversight and decision-making.
f) Support funding and planning of rail facilities along I-15 to support growth in Southwest County and lessen traffic impacts on the I-15 and Corona streets. 13 11.5 Airport Infrastructure Safety
a) Support efforts that provide funding for repairs and renovation of the Corona Municipal Airport.
b) Support efforts to fund and complete the Santa Ana Regional Interceptor line to minimize impacts on Corona Municipal Airport due to flooding. c) Support funding for the Corona Municipal Airport security, lighting, and paving improvements.
11.6 Congestion
a) Support measures that lessen congestion and the wear and tear of Corona surface streets due to freeway “cut-through” traffic.
b) Support efforts to fund and promote bike trails and pedestrian paths as viable alternatives to driving.
c) Support efforts to provide State and Federal funding for future phases of the Advanced Traffic Management System (“ATMS”), which provides traffic signal synchronization and incident management.
d) Oppose any changes in Department of Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities (ADA) regulations or interpretations without full public notice and comment.
e) Support legislation that provides tax incentives for people who use public transit instead of a personal vehicle.
f) Oppose any legislation that diverts additional fuel tax from the City. g) Oppose any action that removes or allows the use of toll revenue from the commuting corridor.
Section 12. Human Resources and Risk Management: Foster a secure working environment for employees while effectively managing risks to safeguard our community and municipal operations. Enhance Employee Engagement and Development, promote a positive and inclusive workplace, ensure compliance and best practices, proactively manage risks, and ensure safety and health. a) Support maximum flexibility to local governments when contracting for services.
b) Support maximum flexibility for local government in contract negotiations. c) Support legislation that promotes efforts to advance workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion.
d) Oppose measures that reduce local control over employee relations issues or mandate new or enhanced local government employee benefits. e) Oppose measures that impose compulsory and binding arbitration with respect to employees.
f) Support efforts to maintain fiscal solvency regarding unfunded pension and retiree healthcare liabilities and efforts to decrease local costs. 14 g) Support legislation and administrative efforts that provide clarity and flexibility in CalPERS workplace rules, including working after retirement and using contract service providers.
h) Support implementing and enforcing health and safety standards to protect employees and ensure a safe working environment.
i) Support health and wellness programs to support employees' physical and mental well-being, including access to health services and support for managing stress and work-related health issues.
Section 13. Municipal Communications: Preserve local governance and allow effective and accessible communication and council participation. Uphold the principles of open government established by the Brown Act, ensuring that our residents are informed, involved, and engaged in the decision-making processes affecting their lives.
a) Support legislation that strengthens cities’ ability to foster civil and respectful participation in public meetings and provides tools to help legislative bodies address disruptive behavior, including hate speech, while protecting the public’s First Amendment rights.
b) Support amendments to the Ralph M. Brown Act that allow alternative and cost-effective methods of meeting posting requirements, including electronic and digital media.
c) Support legislation permitting a minority of council members to participate in meetings virtually without physical location posting requirements, so long as a physical, in-person meeting quorum is present.