4.3. CONTINUED:
4.3.19 Government entity’s name: San Diego County Water Authority
4.3.20 Services that your firm provided:
4.3.21 Starting / ending dates of services: 4/1/2021/ 10/31/2024
4.3.22 Fee(s) that your firm charged: $20,000/month (included another firm)
4.3.23 Was your firm:
Selected by a bid or RFP? Yes X No
Under a contract or agreement? Yes X No
4.3.24 Contact Person: ________________________Phone Number: _________________
4.7 Response
In this section, we provide additional details about the uniquely tailored qualifications, experiences, and knowledge provided by the LHGK team, led by Awet Kidane as Project Manager, that would be dedicated to helping CITY OF GLENDALE achieve its state advocacy goals.
LHGK offers access to high-level policy makers in the Legislature, Newsom Administration, and the various agencies, commissions, and boards critical to CITY OF GLENDALE.
Collectively, our team has the capacity to ensure cohesive and timely execution of CITY OF GLENDALE’s legislative agenda and strategy. Finally, we will bring energy, enthusiasm, and well-developed strategic and technical expertise that will successfully deliver results on behalf of CITY OF GLENDALE. These attributes combined will serve as a meaningful driving force behind successful implementation of CITY OF GLENDALE’s legislative agenda in Sacramento.
LHGK does not propose any subconsultants or subcontractors and the firm assures CITY OF GLENDALE that it will not substitute key personnel with other personnel or reassign key personnel without CITY OF GLENDALE’s prior approval. The demands of the legislative, budget, and regulatory cycles vary during the year and as such, we are committed to all necessary tasks and time commitments to successfully deliver results for CITY OF GLENDALE. We also affirm that LGHK and the firm’s principals are duly registered lobbyists and have secured the required registration with appropriate state agencies.
Project Team Members
Awet Kidane – Project Manager and CITY OF GLENDALE Advocate Mr. Awet Kidane will serve as the project manager for our firm’s representation of CITY OF GLENDALE and the main point of contact for all assigned projects during the duration of the contract. Mr. Kidane will handle day-to-day communications with CITY OF GLENDALE officials, as well as coordinating efforts of LHGK in support of CITY OF GLENDALE initiatives.
Before joining the LHGK family in 2020, Awet Kidane has been engaged in public policy for over two decades serving in both the Legislative and Executive branches.
4.7 Response Continued
During his career in the California State Assembly, Mr. Kidane was the staff point-person on multiple high-level policy and fiscal issues including budget negotiations and legislative compromises. Some of his key work included the creation of the film tax credit during budget negotiations and the first CEQA exemption for a Los Angeles stadium during a special session. Additionally, Mr. Kidane’s work also included the passage of the first and second Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Mr. Kidane’s service in the Administration included Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs where he managed close to 5,000 staff and led efforts to reform licensing and enforcement for all consumer boards and commissions, including negotiating the continuance of the boards and commissions under his jurisdiction. In this capacity, Mr.
Kidane worked closely with Governor Brown’s Cabinet and was among those advising the Governor directly on issues within his jurisdiction.
During his five years of service in the Administration, Mr. Kidane served as a constant advisor and chief negotiator for the Administration on all issues pertaining to the Department of Consumer Affairs, forming strong relationships with members and staff of the Legislature of both parties. Moreover, while serving the Governor, he successfully negotiated many contentious budget and policy issues pertaining to his Department, such as sunset review.
Mr. Kidane’s unique experience allows him to provide clients with world class strategic consulting and advice on any matters coming before state policy makers. Mr. Kidane concentrates his energy on providing high quality work and unparalleled customer service to his clients. Because of Mr. Kidane’s experience, LGHK can offer its clients insight into everything from house leadership decisions, budget process, to the inner workings of the Governor’s Administration.
Bob Giroux – CITY OF GLENDALE Advocate
With policy expertise based on decades of public service and political acumen forged in all aspects of political advocacy, Bob Giroux brings LHGK an unparalleled understanding of the legislative and political processes that drive California’s government.
Bob began his career in public service as an Assembly Fellow in 1984 and most recently served as Chief Advisor to Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez. Prior to that Bob served as Senior Advisor to John Burton, President Pro Tem of the California State Senate for over 6 years.
4.7 Response Continued
In addition to policy expertise in labor and employment issues, Bob has extensive experience in all phases of political work including coalition building, grass roots mobilization, legislative and initiative campaigns.
Bob’s knowledge of transportation earned him an appointment to the High-Speed Rail Authority where he currently serves as a Board Member. In addition, Bob was named in May 2005 as the Speaker’s Appointee to the Employment Training Panel.
Bob’s career in the capitol also includes serving as a consultant on labor and workforce development issues to former Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Chair, Dick Floyd. He has also consulted on a multitude of committees such as Budget, Ways & Means, as well as for the Democratic Caucus.
Bob also served as a Senior Consultant to Senator Lucy Killea, where he worked on controlled substances, transportation, insurance, corporate finance, and domestic violence.
Before joining Senator Killea’s staff, Mr. Giroux worked as the Senior Consultant to the Assembly Ways & Means Budget Subcommittee #6, where he was responsible for the budget of the California Department of Transportation, the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
He also worked for three years on the staff of Speaker Willie Brown in the Office of Member Services.
Bob’s political experience is not limited to the halls of the California Legislature, as he has run and won several successful campaigns throughout the state of California, even earning a “Pollie Award” for outstanding campaign management.
Joe Lang, CITY OF GLENDALE Strategic Advisor
Mr. Joe Lang will serve as strategic advisor, assisting the project manager and providing key advice counsel to the team. Joe is managing partner of LHGK and has been involved working in or around the State Capitol for over 40 years. During that time, he has been directly involved in many of the major legislative efforts occurring over those years and has consistently been ranked within the “Top 50 Most Influential Californians” by Capitol Weekly.
4.7 Response Continued
Mr. Lang’s career in politics began in 1974 when he was appointed as staff to the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee. During his tenure as the principal staff consultant to the committee, Mr. Lang oversaw major legislation reorganizing the Health Services Agency, restructuring horseracing in California, and improving California’s disaster preparedness.
In 1982 Joe became Chief of Staff to the Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore, where he was responsible for overseeing floor action on legislation in the Assembly and developed the Congressional liaison for the State Assembly with California’s Congressional delegation.
In 1984 Joe opened his lobbying firm which has now become LHGK. Major issues Joe has been involved with include the comprehensive 1993 Worker’s Compensation Reform Act, the Electrical Restructuring Act of 1996 and efforts to achieve comprehensive regulation of gaming in California.
4.8 Response
Los Angeles Clippers
In its work with the Los Angeles Clippers, LHGK provided a comprehensive and ultimately winning strategy for the team’s relocation efforts to Inglewood, California, including managing legislative relationships, labor negotiations, and approval of project (new stadium) at both the local and state level. Successes include comprehensive stadium plan approval, successful labor negotiations, and securing specific legislation authorizing CEQA streamlining for the new arena enacted in 2018.
Los Angeles Rams
Bob Giroux and Joe Lang co-managed the successful relocation of the Los Angeles Rams from St. Louis. This project included a wide variety of services, which were successfully delivered resulting in the development and construction of a $5 billion sports stadium complex. This high-stakes project involved several complex, critical, and interrelated aspects that had to be managed simultaneously – the overall political management, labor management, environmental issue coordination, and advancement of special legislation.
In addition, further efforts to expand public transportation to the complex continue.
Westlands Water District
LHGK secured $100 million in the 2021-22 State Budget for canal linings in the Central Valley on behalf of the Westlands Water District. Services include comprehensive state budget work from drafting budget language, working with the Administration, legislative leadership, budget committee chairs, and other key elected officials, developing supportive collateral, testifying in budget committee, and more.
County of Riverside
LHGK was able to secure specific items requested by Riverside County in the eventual agreement on Proposition 4 allocations during the 2025-26 budget negotiations.
In 2024, SB 1224 (Ochoa-Bogh) created an exemption for Riverside County fairgrounds to allow them to continue to sell alcoholic beverages for public consumption under an existing ABC license.
Urban Counties of California
The legislative measure that eventually became Proposition 1 (2024) included locked mental health facilities as an eligible project for funding in large part due to advocacy by
4.8 Response Continued
UCC. Informed by internal polling, the UCC counties sought to incorporate this category of facilities as a much-needed component of behavioral health treatment.
San Deigo County Water Authority (San Vicente Energy Storage Facility) Secured $18.7 million for Phase One of the project – design and engineering. Work remains ongoing to secure some of the remaining funding needed for full implementation of the $1 billion project. Services include comprehensive state budget work from drafting budget language, working with the Administration, legislative leadership, budget committee chairs, and other key elected officials, developing supportive collateral, testifying in budget committee, and more.
4.9 Response
AB 339 (Ortega) Local public employee organizations: notice requirements. Our efforts involved coordination with a large coalition of local government entities including UCC and Riverside County of advocacy in opposition to this legislation.
While our efforts were successful in achieving amendments to the bill, ultimately the coalition was unsuccessful in advocating for a veto of this legislation. The legislation was sponsored and supported by the California Labor Federation and various union members and their advocacy efforts resulted in the Governor's approval of the legislation.
SB 577 (Laird) was a measure designed to limit local agency liabilities associated with childhood sexual assault claims that had moved through the legislative process. While not without controversy, legislators understood that there were significant and growing fiscal impacts to local agencies and schools that were not sustainable. However, the bill stalled at the end of the legislative session when some members became uncomfortable with a perceived impact on the ability of survivors to be compensated.
4.10 Response
Established in 1997, Lang, Hansen, Giroux & Kidane (LHGK) has provided governmental relations/lobbying services to clients for over 20 years. Our comprehensive services include strategic planning and plan implementation, legislative and regulatory monitoring and direct engagement, and advising clients on “macro” political issues so that our clients can achieve successful advocacy outcomes regardless of the current political, fiscal, or policy environment.
Our firm is consistently listed amongst the top five lobbying firms in California by revenue and recognized as one of California’s premier lobbying firms. Led by managing partner, Joe Lang (with over 42 years of experience in the State Capitol), our team, Awet Kidane and Bob Giroux, represent well over 100 years of experience in and around California politics.
Our professionals enjoy exceptional bipartisan relationships with leaders and members of both houses of the legislature as well as the Administration and contribute a wide array of policy expertise to further the interests of clients. Of specific interest to CITY OF GLENDALE is our firm’s experience and expertise in energy, water, natural resources, and utility related policy issues.
Our firm currently employs 5 individuals in one Sacramento-based office, located in the Senator Hotel Building directly across the street from the State Capitol. Our firm represents nearly 40 clients covering many disciplines and receives annual revenues in excess of $5 million.
5.4.8 Response
AWET KIDANE
PARTNER
Before joining the LHGK family in 2020, Awet Kidane has been engaged in public policy for over two decades serving in both the Legislative and Executive branches.
During his career in the California State Assembly, Mr. Kidane was the staff point-person on multiple high-level policy and fiscal issues including budget negotiations and legislative compromises. Some of his key work included the creation of the film tax credit during budget negotiations and the first CEQA exemption for a Los Angeles stadium during a special session. Additionally, Mr. Kidane’s work also included the passage of the first and second Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Mr. Kidane’s service in the Administration included Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs where he managed close to 5,000 staff and led efforts to reform licensing and enforcement for all consumer boards and commissions including negotiating the continuance of the boards and commissions under his jurisdiction. In this capacity, Mr. Kidane worked closely with Governor Brown’s Cabinet and was among those advising the Governor directly on issues within his jurisdiction.
During his five years of service in the Administration, Mr. Kidane served as a constant advisor and chief negotiator for the Administration on all issues pertaining to the Department of Consumer Affairs, forming strong relationships with members and staff of the Legislature of both parties.
Moreover, while serving the Governor, he successfully negotiated many contentious budget and policy issues pertaining to his Department, such as sunset review.
Mr. Kidane’s unique experience allows him to provide clients with world class strategic consulting and advice on any matters coming before state policy makers.
5.4.10 Response:
LANG, HANSEN, GIROUX & KIDANE’S
CURRENT LIST OF LOBBYING CLIENTS
AEGIS TREATMENT CENTERS LLC & ITS AFFILIATED ENTITIES
ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES
AMERICAN BAIL COALITION
AMITY FOUNDATION
AXIOM ADVISORS
BALLARD PARTNERS
BREAKTHRU BEVERAGE GROUP-CALIFORNIA
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF EYE PHYSICIANS & SURGEONS
CALIFORNIA CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
CALIFORNIA MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION
CATALINA MEDIA DEVELOPMENT II LLC
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES
CLEARWAY ENERGY GROUP LLC
DAIRY INSTITUTE OF CALIFORNIA
E & J GALLO WINERY
EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
HILMAR CHEESE COMPANY , INC.
HOLLYWOOD PARK CASINO COMPANY LLC.
HURST BROOKS ESPINOSA, LLC
INSURED RETIREMENT INSTITUTE
INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PAINTER AND ALLIED TRADES AFL-CIO INTUIT INC.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY PROFESSIONAL PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
LOS ANGELES RAMS
MURPHY'S BOWL LLC
NATIONAL UNION OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS
PACIFIC COAST ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTERS
SMART HORIZONS CAREER ONLINE EDUCATION
SONNYS CONSTRUCTION
TRINET HR III, INC.
WAYFINDER FAMILY SERVICES
WESTLANDS WATER DISTRICT
WINE & SPIRITS WHOLESALERS OF CALIFORNIA
YOUNGS MARKET COMPANY LLC DBA REPUBLIC NATIONAL DISTRIBUTING
COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA
6810 Five Star Blvd., Suite 100 | Rocklin, CA 95677 | Ph. 916.626.5000 | Fax. 916.626.5015 2400 Del Paso Road, Suite 100 | Sacramento, CA 95834 | Ph. 916.640.1500 | Fax 916.640.1515 3100 Zinfandel Dr., Suite 100 | Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 | Ph. 916.851.5440 | Fax 916.851.5458
December 16, 2025
To: Mr. Joseph Lang, Managing Partner, Lang, Hansen, Giroux & Kidane 1121 L Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814
Regarding: Statement of good standing
From: Jason R. Saslow, SVP - Five Star Bank California
Via: email (Joseph Lang)
Dear Joe,
Per our telephone conversation earlier this week, please feel free to use this letter memorializing that your firm an excellent customer of the Bank, is held in high regard, and is in good standing.
Please feel free to contact me directly should there be any questions or should you or anyone else at your specific direction require additional information. My direct telephone line is (916) 640- 1506, and my email address is [email protected]
Best regards,
Jason R. Saslow
Senior Vice President
Managing Director of Private Client Services
Five Star Bank California