Attachment A
CITY OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
2026 Federal Legislative Platform
Guiding Principles
1.) Preserve and Enhance Federal Assistance to Local Governments: Declining federal funding for important domestic discretionary programs has severely limited the ability of the City to meet the needs of our most underserved residents.
Continued reductions would do little to reduce the federal deficit, but the effects on Pasadena families would be devastating.
2.) Oppose Federal Preemption of Local Authority: Pasadena opposes federal efforts to curb the ability of local governments to address matters traditionally handled on the local level such as the imposition of taxes and fees, enforcement of zoning and land use regulations, or the ability to ensure the safety of our residents. j
Declaration on the Middle East
In March 2024, the City issued a declaration regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has claimed the lives of many individuals in the region and caused immeasurable suffering to countless persons. As part of the declaration, the City calls on leaders at the federal level to continue to work cooperatively with the global community to release all hostages, seek bilateral de-escalation and ceasefire, ensure timely delivery of aid to Gaza, and pursue peace in the Middle East to guard and protect the lives, health, and security of all innocent civilians.
For more information about City positions on this topic please contact the City Manager's 0fficeat(626)744-4333.
Immigration
The City strongly believes that immigrants strengthen the community economically and culturally and welcomes their contributions to society. With regard to federal legislation aimed at reforming federal immigration laws, the City would urge Congress and the President to reaffirm that addressing unlawful immigration in a compassionate manner is the primary responsibility of the federal government and that sufficient resources must be committed on the federal level for this purpose.
Per a resolution adopted by the City Council in October 2013, the City hereby supports a humane and comprehensive immigration reform proposal with the following principles:
provides an attainable and affordable pathway to full citizenship for the nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States;
family unity as a cornerstone of our immigration system; provides due process and labor protections;
allows access to key essential services such as health care; and local governments should not be mandated to enforce federal immigration laws, particularly when resources necessary to enforce local laws are already stretched. •
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1 In 2017 the City Council adopted a Resolution declaring that the City of Pasadena will not enforce federal immigration laws, and that no City employee will use City funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law or to gather or disseminate information regarding the immigration status of individuals in the City, unless required by law. That same year, the City established a policy which sets forth the City's commitment to the confidentiality of information gathered for municipal purposes. The policy explicitly limits collection or dissemination of information regarding a person's religion, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, and immigration status.
The City supports federal legislation that would protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program which protects children who were brought to the United States at a young age and are pursuing education and the American Dream.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the City Manager's 0fficeat(626)744-4333.
Reconnecting Communities Funding
Through the City's collaborative multi-year effort with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the California Transportation Commission approved the relinquishment of the State Route 710 Northern Stub transportation network and transferred ownership of the 50-acre area to the City in August 2022. The City is working with community stakeholders on a vision plan to identify future land uses and to define the local street network. The City supports continued federal and state funding for this project, which will include restoration efforts in line with the City's Complete Streets Policy, provisions for local mobility, neighborhood connectivity, and opportunities for development in line with the City's General Plan Guiding Principles. The City supports infrastructure funding for the transition of freeway facilities to local street networks, providing for the safe movement of people. The City further supports funding for the U.S.
Department of Transportation's Reconnecting Communities grant program and, as part of the reauthorization of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), considerations to honor existing projects and previously awarded projects.
For more information about City positions on this topic please contact the City Manager's 0fficeat(626)744-4333.
Disaster and Pandemic Responses
Direct and timely fiscal aid is the only way communities like Pasadena are able to respond to natural disasters and global pandemics, such as the January 2025 Baton Fire disaster and COVID-19 pandemic. Direct and timely aid is necessary to maintain continuity of vital services in areas like public safety, public health, utility services, and outreach to the City's most vulnerable residents. The City is supportive of proposals to increase the federal cost share for the FEMA Public Assistance program to 100% for actions taken in relation to a pandemic. In addition, the City supports legislation and federal actions that would provide:
2026 Federal Legislative Platfonn2
Direct fiscal assistance to local governments of all population sizes to address the catastrophic loss of revenue resulting from a natural disaster, global pandemic, or other similar disasters.
Funding towards building capabilities by local governments to respond to bioterrorism events.
Direct fiscal assistance to local health jurisdictions to support expanded epidemiological functions such as case investigation, contact tracing, testing, medical countermeasures (such as vaccine distribution), environmental threat assessment, workforce development, and services that support family and child physical, mental health and wellness harmed by a pandemic, including access to food and housing, access to primary and preventive care services, and safety.
Direct fiscal assistance to publicly-owned utilities to credit delinquent utility bills for their affected customers.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact:
• Finance Department: (626) 744-4355
Public Health Department: (626) 744-6000
• Housing Department: (626) 744-8300
Water and Power Department: (626) 744-4409
Early Childhood
A comprehensive approach to early childhood must include whole child/whole family approaches that address the systemic needs of families. The City acknowledges that parents and caregivers must have adequate financial resources, stable quality housing, access to quality and culturally congruent healthcare, and proper nutrition to enable their children to flourish during the critically-developing period of 0 to 5 years of age and beyond. Improved access to high-quality early childhood education, including preschool, will help develop meaningful early learning solutions that support young children and their families. It is vital for early childhood education programs to have consistent, well- funded and diverse resources at the federal, state and local level. The City is supportive of legislation and funding to improve access to whole child/whole family approaches and early learning and care so that young children, especially those from low- and middle- income families, and their families can flourish during this critical developmental period of their lives. The City is also supportive of federal opportunities for "early learning" initiatives to assist and expand activities associated with the City's Office of the Young Child.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact:
City Manager's Office - Office of the Young Child: (626) 744-4060 Housing Department: (626) 744-8300
Library and Information Services Department: (626) 744-4066 Parks, Recreation and Community Services: (626) 744-4386 Public Health Department: Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health Program: (800) 304-0015 2026 Federal Legislative Platform3
Finance
The City is concerned that the federal government has attempted to impose itself into the area of local taxation, a matter traditionally handled on the local level. City officials are better suited than the federal government to understand community needs and should have all the tools necessary to ensure the safety and health of the public while properly maintaining the public's largest investment, its infrastructure.
The City supports:
Legislation to restore the tax break for advanced refunding bonds.
Protection of federal Build America Bonds rebates from budget sequestration or any other proposed cuts to previously issued direct pay bonds.
The City opposes:
• Any effort to eliminate or cap the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds (including private activity bonds), one of the few tools left for local governments to finance large capital projects.
Legislative proposals to impose limits on governmental deferred compensation plans.
Attempts to exempt online travel companies from collecting state and local bed taxes when they resell hotel rooms to consumers shopping at their internet sites.
Federal efforts to erode local authority by prohibiting state and local taxes and fees in areas such as wireless services, video services (including, but not limited to, internet protocol (IPP) enabled, streaming, and over-the-top services), and the sale of digital goods.
• Mandatory participation in Social Security for local government employees covered by other retirement and/or pension systems.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Finance Department at (626) 744-4355.
Utilities
The City operates a municipal utility Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) and, as a result, is subject to federal programs and oversight in a number of areas. As a provider of electricity, the City has set ambitious goals with regard to the use of renewable energy. In addition, the City Council declared a climate emergency on January 30,2023,and set a goal to source 100% of Pasadena's electricity from carbon free sources by 2030.
While federal resources that help achieve these goals are encouraged, unfunded federal mandates in this area may hinder efforts by forcing PWP to focus resources in ways that may not be in the best interest ofPWP customers.
The City is committed to providing safe drinking water to PWP customers and supports federal efforts to impose standards that are based on sound scientific principles and protocols.
The City supports:
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A swift decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess legal responsibility to polluters for contaminant such as perchlorate in the City's groundwater supply, including in the Pasadena sub-area basin initiated from the current NASA/JPL superfund site.
Increased federal investments in utility infrastmcture projects such as water supply and distribution system replacement and upgrades, water reuse, water quality treatment, stormwater management, utility modernization (e.g. advanced metering infrastmcture), energy storage, electric vehicle charging infrastmcture, power plant emissions retrofits, smart grid implementation, replacement of inefficient generators, and constmction of transmission lines to access renewable energy generation.
Federal initiatives that avoid duplicative climate policies and are designed to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while urging consideration of technical feasibility, costs to ratepayers, as well as the time that will be required for utilities to become compliant with proposed initiatives.
Federal initiatives to reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector through increased incentives for electric vehicles and funding for associated infrastructure.
Federal initiatives to reduce GHG emissions from commercial and residential buildings through incentives and policies that support building electrification.
Federal incentives for renewable energy, such as the Clean Renewable Energy Bond (CREB) program.
^/[odifications to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) transmission rate incentive policies that account for the additional costs to ratepayers.
Hydropower reform legislation and funding to facilitate development of new hydropower projects, particularly small and in-conduit hydropower development, as well as promoting more efficient hydropower re-licensing process.
Federal efforts to encourage, but not mandate, increased energy and water-use efficiency as well as federal assistance to encourage or meet operational improvements within the City.
Changes to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program to provide assistance for 100% of the cost of a project. In addition, the City is supportive of the WIFIA program for local and regional water supply projects that help protect against drought related shortages or supply interruptions.
Federal resources to address severe western drought conditions, including increased funding for water reuse infrastructure and storage.
Federal funding for City water reuse projects, which will enhance local water supply reliability and could provide approximately 10 to 25% of the City's water demand by delivering additional water supplies for groundwater recharge, new development, landscape irrigation and other uses in the future.
Federal funding for the Arroyo Seco Canyon Project, including repairs and upgrades to the stream intake structure and spreading basins needed for stonnwater capture and groundwater recharge, which were significantly damaged in the 2009 Station Fire in 2026 Federal Legislative Platform5
the Angeles National Forest. Ultimately, this project will restore the City's ability to utilize its long-standing surface water rights. Replenishing local groundwater allows for increased local supply resilience and helps optimize the utilization of regional and local water resources. The project will revitalize a portion of the Arroyo Seco stream, improve ecosystem health, and enhance the experience for recreational users. • Federal engagement by the EPA to address constituents of concern for safe drinking water through reasonable protocols and sound, science-based standards.
Federal efforts to address legacy contamination issues such as Per- and Poly- fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and other chemicals, which may have been released into the environment resulting from national defense initiatives.
Federal authorization for the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Electric Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits for the payment of residential tap water service charges. Water is a basic nutritional necessity. Bottled water is a SNAP- and EBT-eligible item. Authorizing SNAP and EBT funds for municipal water payments will promote equity, reduce the financial burden on low-income households, and discourage dependence on costly and waste-generating bottled water. Extending SNAP and EBT benefits will help to promote environmental objectives alongside public health goals.
Federal and state funding to improve California's headwaters, which provide flow to surface and groundwater supplies, and are critical to sustain local watersheds. Funding to implement local strategies will help create more resilient forests, improve wildfire mitigation, and help provide communities with clean, reliable water.
Armual appropriations for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) at the Department of Energy at least at the FY 2022 level of $550 million.
The City has several energy efficiency initiatives that would benefit from the flexible funding that EECBG provides.
The City opposes:
Efforts to change the cost-based rates used by the federal Power Marketing Administrations (PMA). Such changes would significantly increase costs for the City, which entered into a 50-year contract with the Western Area PMA for hydroelectric power from the Hoover Dam.
Efforts that would allow multiple federal agencies to have regulatory authority over cybersecurity related to the power system, and mandatory compliance with "one size fits all" security regulations that circumvent local control of City assets. The public- private partnership agreement between industry and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and overseen by FERC, to implement mandatory cybersecurity standards should be preserved. Rather, the City supports bipartisan cybersecurity and information sharing legislation and a risk-based, utility-specific approach to prioritizing assets that require protection.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Water and Power Department at (626) 744-4409.
2026 Federal Legislative Platform6
Public Safety
Federal assistance for local police, fire, and homeland security initiatives has been declining for several years, and as a result, communities like Pasadena have been left to maintain public safety services largely on their own. The City believes there is a place for federal contributions to local public safety and homeland security efforts.
The City supports:
• Increased federal resources for law enforcement recruiting efforts and training, particularly as it relates to de-escalation and proportional use of force, and maintenance of body-worn camera programs.
Non-traditional crime prevention activities such as federal homeless assistance, mental health programs, and substance abuse initiatives.
Increased federal resources for homeless assistance, mental health programs, and substance abuse initiatives to increase awareness, public education, and training opportunities as well as grant programs that provide direct funding to cities to implement local strategies.
• Legislation and funding to reduce and prevent gun violence, crimes, drug use, and gang violence.
Legislation and funding to promote public outreach and intervention programs that specifically divert juveniles from the criminal justice system.
Encouraging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop clear rules and regulations governing the use of drones and other unmanned aircraft systems in communities.
Ongoing procurement of advanced technology that helps mitigate dangerous situations, locate and arrest offenders, gather evidence, solve crimes, and protect public safety entities on the frontlines.
• Providing resources for prisoner re-integration and restorative justice programs, prevention of human trafficking, development of additional diversion programs, and programs for at-risk youth.
Legislation, funding, and resources to reduce recidivism and help rehabilitate recidivist offenders.
•Federal programs such as SAFER (firefighter hiring), COPS (police hiring), Violence Against Women Act programs, gang intervention programs, Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, Urban Area Security Initiative, and State Homeland Security Grant Program.
Emergency management training as well as equipment and technology purchases necessary for day-to-day operations, disaster planning, and operation of a fully capable Emergency Operations Center.
Creating a voluntary federal patient registry to collect data on the incidence of cancer among firefighters.
Funding for seismic upgrades and other urgent upgrades to City fire stations. 2026 Federal Legislative Platfomi7
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Increased funding for early warning earthquake systems.
Increased federal reimbursement rates for ambulance services and emergency medical services (EMS).
Additional funding for Mobile Integrated Health Programs.
Increased federal reimbursement for wildland firefighting activities.
Efforts to change current FEMA disaster assistance reimbursement formulas that penalize small communities in large population states.
Development of a reward system for communities that implement successful pre- disaster mitigation.
The City opposes:
Efforts to preempt local regulation of drone use in communities. • Efforts to condition federal funding to local cooperation and assistance towards enforcing federal immigration laws.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact:
City Prosecutor's Office: (626) 744-4141
• Finance Department: (626) 744-4355
Fire Department: (626) 744-4655
• Police Department: (626) 744-4501
Transportation
Maintaining and improving the City's transportation infrastructure is one of the highest priorities of Pasadena residents. The City urges federal action to craft a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that includes the necessary resources to meet the urgent need of our multi-modal transportation system. Transportation projects in need of federal assistance in Pasadena that are partially or completely unfunded at this time are included below.
The City supports:
Resources to equip Pasadena bridges with suicide prevention barriers and other deterrent measures.
Funding for constmction of transit facilities for the growing fleet of Pasadena Transit buses as well as opportunities to apply for state or federal grant funding in order to maintain the current and future expanded fleet in a state of good repair. • Resources, including tax credits, to assist in purchasing zero-emission buses and converting its existing transit fleet to hydrogen and battery electric, establishing hydrogen fueling and battery electric charging infrastructure to sustain a zero- emissions fleet, and operating these services.
Funding and resources to assist in offsetting operations costs for the purchase ofzero- emission vehicle fueling/charging infrastructure for both hydrogen fuel cell buses and battery electric buses.
2026 Federal Legislative Platform8
Resources for the construction and operations of a network of hydrogen production sites in the region, especially green hydrogen production infrastmcture.
Funding for the safe movement of spectators to and from large-scale special events, including the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Efforts of the Southern San Fernanda Valley Airport Noise Task Force to urge the FAA to consider changes to recent alternations to aircraft flight paths at Burbank and Van Nuys Airports that have had adverse noise impacts on several neighborhoods in the region.
Efforts of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority to secure FAA funds for terminal replacement.
Funding for technology towards the City's Intelligent Transportation System program.
Funding for completion of the Foothill Extension of the Metro A Line Light Rail System from Pomona to Montclair.
• Funding for Pasadena Transit, which is one of the largest (1.6 million annual trips pre- COVID-19) locally funded fixed route transit systems in Los Angeles County, and the City's mobility goal of being a city where people can circulate without a car. As a locally funded transit agency in Los Angeles County, Pasadena is precluded by state statute from directly receiving most state and federal transit funds., Access to City- eligible state and federal funding, either formula- or grant- based, is extremely limited and the few funding opportunities that are available are met with significant competition.
Funding opportunities to transition former highway corridors to neighborhood boulevards.
Reauthorization of the Bipartisan Infrastmcture Law and all of its grant programs that promote safer streets, including the Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
Use of the "Safe System Approach" - including through support of technologies, strategies, policies, and enhanced motor vehicle safety standards that advance local road safety - to reduce vehicle collisions resulting in serious injuries and fatalities.
This approach provides a holistic view of the road system that helps anticipate human mistakes and minimizes the harm caused to those involved when crashes occur. The City believes speed limits should be established at the local level based on knowledge of roadway segments, local context, goals, engineering judgment, and the Safe System Approach principles.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Transportation Department at (626) 744-7664.
Local Streets, Sidewalks, and Pavement Preservation
The City maintains more than 350 miles of streets and 500 miles of sidewalks that serve as the foundation of its transportation network. Sustaining this infrastmchire requires consistent reinvestment to ensure safety, accessibility, and fiscal responsibility. The City supports federal programs that directly fund local roadway preservation, rehabilitation, 2026 Federal Legislative Platform9
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and accessibility improvements and that are separate from transit or intercity mobility funding streams.
The City supports:
Creation and expansion of federal programs focused specifically on local street resurfacing, reconstmction, and ADA-compliant sidewalk upgrades.
Federal-state collaboration to modernize transportation revenue sources through vehicle-miles-traveled fees, road-usage charges, or equitable EV contributions, recognizing that the traditional gas-tax base is flat or declining.
Integration ofstonn drainage, curb ramp, and sidewalk repair elements within federally eligible street rehabilitation projects to improve long-term system performance.
•Support for data-driven asset management practices that extend pavement life and reduce lifecycle costs.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Public Works Department at (626) 744-7311.
Housing
Federal and state assistance to the City for the production of new affordable housing has vacillated significantly over the past decade, presenting difficult challenges as the City looks for ways to serve almost 7,500 very low-income households on its Section 8 voucher waiting list. In addition, limited funding in programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) have hindered the City's ability to provide services to low-income neighborhoods and residents who are expenencing homelessness.
The City urges policymakers to recognize that programs such as these have already suffered debilitating cuts and further cuts, through the annual appropriations process or budget sequestration, are likely to result in the denial of Section 8 renewals, the closing of tmsted community non-profit service providers, and other important pieces of the social safety net in the community.
The City supports:
Expansion of federal assistance to address the many issues related to homelessness in communities across the country.
Increased funding for HUD programs such as Section 8 assisted housing (including both tenant-based and project-based vouchers), CDBG, Section 108 loan program, and HOME.
•Protection of the federal Affordable Housing Tmst Fund. • Programs that provide supportive services and housing services to seniors and residents with disabilities.
Enhancement of tax incentives that will promote affordable housing construction, such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and New Markets Tax Credit. 2026 Federal Legislative Platform10
Retention of funding for Tier 1 in the Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) at 90% of the CoC's Annual Renewal Demand (ARD).
The City opposes:
Cuts to caps on use ofHUD funds for administrative fees and proposals to reduce administrative fees for housing assistance to non-income earning clients (this especially hurts programs for seniors and people with disabilities).
Proposals to prohibit the repayment ofHUD Section 108 loans with future CDBG allocations.
A permanent housing cap or any changes to scoring that would punish applications submitted in accordance to HUD's then-stated priorities for the CoC NOFO.For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Housing Department at (626) 744-8300.
Public Health
The City recognizes that many factors affect the health of the community, including changing population demographics, the built environment, access to healthcare services, and social determinants of health. As a result, the City utilizes a cross-departmental approach to address and improve community health: one that promotes interdisciplinary programs such as youth violence prevention programs; outreach and linkage to services for people experiencing homelessness; affordable housing programs that also address mental health and substance use; and transportation improvements that support walkability and healthy food access. The nationally accredited Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) provides core public health services and functions and also serves as a foundation for the collective impact approach to improve the health of populations within the City and across the region.
The City seeks federal assistance to support a collaborative interdisciplinary public health model with PPHD providing backbone support as a health strategy catalyst.
The City supports:
Increased funding for federal programs that support public health such as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Act programs, community health centers, bioterrorism response, communicable disease investigation capabilities, home visitation programs, immunizations. Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, chronic disease prevention programs, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) nutrition program.
Increased funding for tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment programs to identify and treat the increase in TB cases and to make progress toward the goal ofTB elimination.
Efforts to increase access to affordable health care coverage, and to increase the number of insured people.
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Continued funding for U.S. Centers for Disease Control programs for population health and related public health infrastmcture, including workforce retention, workforce development, and information technology.
Increased funding to address the dramatic rise in STD rates and protect funding for family planning programs that prevent the spread ofHIV and STDs.
Resources for mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment.
Legislation and funding for support of improved health outcomes, support of improved health equity, and protection of the rights of diverse populations, the LGBTQ+ community, and of women (including reproductive rights).
Legislation supporting studies to identify and resolve the effects of institutional racism that drive health inequities in the population to address social determinants of health.
Violence prevention research and intervention programs, including reducing the risk of gun violence in our community.
Federal funding to local health department jurisdictions in support of preparedness, response, and recovery activities in the event of an infectious disease outbreak, epidemic or pandemic, or natural and manmade disasters.
Local, City-based collective impact initiatives to improve outcomes for child health, wellness, and education. Specifically, funding to prevent or mitigate the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), reduce racial disparities in infant mortality and maternal perinatal outcomes, and improve the rates of kindergarten readiness among pre-school age children.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Public Health Department at (626) 744-6000.
Technology
The City supports legislative initiatives and funding to promote the use of data and technology to create efficiencies, promote economic development, enhance public safety, improve transportation and mobility, improve sustainability, enhance municipal quality of life factors, and help solve other civic challenges.
The City supports:
Legislation regarding cybersecurity and information sharing reform, as well as federal resources to assist local government in meeting the challenges ofcybersecurity.
Federal efforts to encourage investment in expanding fiber optic technology to homes, and local government input in the distribution of financial incentives to meet community-specific needs.
Federal assistance for the Interagency Communication Interoperability (ICI), a regional effort to ensure communications interoperability.
Legislative initiatives and funding to advance economic and digital inclusion and equity for all constituents, including access to computers, high-speed Internet, and 2026 Federal Legislative Platform12
similar technology; and to provide training in computer, cybersecurity, and technology skills.
Policies, legislation, and funding to increase the number of households and businesses which have access to low-cost or free high-speed and reliable Internet as well as low- cost or free quality, Intemet-enabled technology devices and technical support.
Policies, legislation, and grants that treat Internet access as an eligible utility for federal housing vouchers and other subsidies.
Policies, legislation and funding that ensure transparency, accountability and nondiscrimination of data, content, and algorithms.
Policies, legislation, and funding that promotes responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) use in government services, ensuring AI is developed and deployed transparently, with clear accountability, and without bias.
The City opposes:
Legislative and regulatory efforts to curb the ability of local governments to charge telecommunication providers fairly and reasonably for the use and mainteiiance of public rights-of-way.
Federal intrusion into local permitting and zoning laws with respect to siting of telecommunications facilities.
For more infonnation about City positions on this topic, please contact the Information Technology Department at (626) 744-4220.
Workforce Development
The Foothill Workforce Investment Board provides job training and job seeking services to City residents and neighboring communities. Services are funded primarily through federal resources, but the City also provides local funding to a successful summer youth employment program. During the most recent economic downturn, local employment and training programs were stretched thin, so federal support in this area is particularly critical to the effort to maintain and enhance a skilled workforce.
The City operates a program that plays a critical role in supporting employment readiness, community reintegration, and workforce development for residents with barriers to employment. Through partnerships with local agencies and service providers, the program delivers job training, transitional employment, and supportive services designed to promote self-sufficiency, reduce recidivism, and strengthen community resilience. The City recognizes that federal investment in workforce and re-entry programs is essential to sustain and expand these efforts to ensure that every resident has equitable access to opportunity and economic stability.
The City supports:
Implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that allows for continued flexibility and the primacy of the one-stop system as the presumed deliverer of employment and training services, as well as strong local participation and governance in the workforce investment board process. 2026 Federal Legislative Platform13
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Long-term federal investment in summer youth employment and WIOA reauthorization that would be linked to locally developed and supported summer jobs and internship efforts.
Increased federal investments in apprenticeship programs.
Continued and expanded federal funding for workforce development programs that provide training, job placement, credentialing, and transitional employment opportunities for residents. Sustained investment in these areas strengthens the local economy, reduces unemployment, and promotes equitable access to stable, fully- benefited, living-wage careers with promotional opportunities for people from all backgrounds.
Federal programs that link employment with comprehensive re-entry services, including job readiness, skill development, and supportive wrap-around resources to promote long-term success. Stable employment is one of the most effective tools for preventing recidivism and supporting the successful reintegration ofjustice-impacted individuals.
Federal investment in on-the-job training programs. Public sector on-the-job training- based programs connect individuals to rewarding careers and ensure employers have access to a skilled and diverse workforce.
The City opposes:
Federal actions that restrict municipal flexibility to design and manage workforce programs and employment initiatives tailored to community needs.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact:
City Manager's Office: (626) 744-4333
Housing Department: (626) 744-8300
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
The City's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department sponsors a variety of programs for some of the City's most disadvantaged neighborhoods and families. It also serves as the primary liaison to the Pasadena Unified School District. Working in tandem with other City departments, some important federal actions to support include increased resources for:
After-school and childcare programs.
•Programs that improve recreational opportunities in the community, including those that recognize the impacts of strict water conservation measures on recreational facilities.
Parks, recreation, health, and fitness programs.
Gang-diversion initiatives and anti-bullying programs.
Capital improvements to aging parks and recreation facilities, as well as federal funding opportunities for facility operations and maintenance costs. 2026 Federal Legislative Platform14
• Measures that maintain and strengthen funding for workforce development initiatives that provide innovative work and school-based programs.
Additionally, maintaining and enhancing the City's parks and recreational system is a high priority for City residents, and the City has committed significant resources to offering safe and accessible recreational opportunities. Although federal assistance in the areas of recreation, preservation, and conservation has declined sharply, the City believes there is a federal role for assisting local governments with these matters.
The City supports:
Efforts to bring back the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) program, where the City believes the small federal commitment provided great benefits to a number of communities across the country.
The National Park Service proposal to protect additional lands and habitats in the area by adding the "Rim of the Valley" corridor to the existing Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, with the understanding that the proposal retains existing local land use and regulatory authorities, fire prevention policies, water rights, and utility infrastmcture systems.
Federal funding and swift completion of the feasibility study for the Arroyo Seco Ecosystem Restoration Project, being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
Additional federal resources for local tree planting initiatives.
Federal funding to combat climate change by providing funds for shade structures within City parks to cover play equipment, bleachers, and other park amenities.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at (626) 744-4386.
Library Services
In 2021, the City identified critical infrastructure needs in Pasadena's historic Central Library. Given the importance of the Central Library as a community hub that supports literacy, social welfare, and civic engagement, the City is supportive of federal funding for capital improvement projects that address life/safety issues in library buildings.
The City's Central Library and nine branch libraries provide services to more than 2,000 patrons per day, sponsoring an array of activities for both adults and children. The City encourages federal assistance to provide libraries with multi-year funding models in order to ensure continuity of library services for the public beyond capital improvements, including dedicated operational funding to support staffing, extended hours, and essential services - especially in underserved neighborhoods.
In recent years, it has been the focus of the City's Library and Information Services Department to enhance its information and technology services to better meet the needs of City residents. Given the increasing importance of accessing the Internet for library customers without the means to do so at home, the City is supportive of any efforts to expand high speed, high-capacity broadband funding. The City is also supportive of 2026 Federal Legislative Platform15
legislation on protecting library user data in digital platforms and ensuring vendors comply with strict privacy standards.
The City supports:
Full funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) programs at the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
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Continued IMLS funding of National Leadership grants for Library and Recmitment for Librarians for the 21st Century, and early childhood literacy programs that involve partnerships between libraries, the local school district, and other community-based agencies.
Funding for library partnerships with justice system agencies to support re-entry services, legal aid, and restorative justice programming.
Funding for library-housed youth diversion and literacy programs to reduce recidivism and promote educational equity.
Continued funding of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Increased funding for programs, scholarships, and loan forgiveness - especially for underrepresented communities - that provide or encourage training and outreach for those interested in a career in library science.
Efforts that allow for increased flexibility with regard to copyright laws and increased access to electronic books and media.
Efforts to maintain net neutrality, open access, and intellectual freedom.
Funding for resources to protect and preserve America's historic libraries.
Funding for public libraries serving people experiencing homelessness and/or mental illness.
Funding for libraries to provide programs and resources to those impacted by public health crises, such as those who have lost their jobs or are underemployed, those experiencing mental health issues, needing help with schoolwork, and those experiencing social isolation.
Designation of libraries as eligible recipients for FEMA and DHS resilience funding to support their role as community hubs during emergencies (e.g., wildfires, heatwaves, pandemics).
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Library and Information Services Department at (626) 744-4066.
Economic Development
The City supports federal legislation and funding that enhance local capacity to foster economic opportunity, attract private investment, and create quality jobs. Federal programs are essential to advancing the City of Pasadena's innovation economy, supporting small businesses, and strengthening workforce and community resilience. 2026 Federal Legislative Platform16
The City supports:
Funding and expansion of the Economic Development Administration (EDA), including its Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs, and Planning and Local Technical programs that provide flexible resources for local economic development, infrastmcture, and innovation capacity-building.
Funding and expansion of the Small Business Administration (SBA), including Microloan, 504, and 7(a) programs, as well as robust funding for Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Women's Business Centers (WBCs), and other entrepreneurial resource partners that provide critical technical assistance, mentoring, and access to capital for local businesses.
Funding of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, particularly funding allocations that support neighborhood-based economic development and small business assistance.
Federal investments that strengthen local innovation ecosystems, including implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act and the EDA Recompete Pilot Program to expand regional manufacturing capacity.
Improvements to the federal Opportunity Zone program to ensure investments generate equitable, community-serving outcomes in the City's designated tracts.
Federal programs and investments that fund local infrastmcture, broadband, and clean energy projects that drive equitable and sustainable economic growth.
For more information about the City positions on this topic, please contact the City Manager's office at (626) 744-4333.
Campaign Finance
In September 2013, the City Council approved a resolution that urges Congress to propose and support, and the state legislature to ratify, a Constitutional amendment to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that prohibits the government from restricting political independent expenditures by corporations, associations, or labor unions.
The resolution maintains that reversal of the decision would enable the people, through their elected representatives, to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures in all elections at the federal, state, and local levels and ensure that corporations are not entitled to the entirety of protections or "rights" of human beings, specifically so that the expenditure of corporate money to influence the electoral process is no longer a form of constitutionally protected speech.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the City Attorney's 0fficeat(626)744-4141.
Environmental Stewardship
The global climate is changing, and ocean water levels are rising largely due to increases in levels ofGHG emissions in the environment, which affects human health and the 2026 Federal Legislative Platform17
economic well-being of our communities. The City has developed a variety of programs and policies to proactively reduce its carbon footprint. In addition, the City Council declared a climate emergency on January 30, 2023, and set a goal to source 100% of Pasadena's electricity from carbon free sources by 2030.
The City seeks to increase its role in promoting environmental stewardship and urban sustainability through activities such as the endorsement of the United Nations Green Cities Declaration, the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and the adoption of the Urban Environmental Accords Action Plan.
As demonstrated in other sections of the Federal Legislative Platfonn, "Utilities" (p. 3), "Transportation" (p. 7), "Parks, Recreation and Community Services" (p. 12) and "Solid Waste Resource Management" (p. 16), the City is committed to mitigating climate change, while balancing the needs of the Pasadena community. The City supports legislation that:
Improves the availability of renewable energy.
Increases energy efficiency.
• Reduces GHG emissions.
Reduces waste to landfills.
• Reduces the use ofnon-renewable resources in the manufacturing of products.
Supports green buildings and advances urban planning while protecting wildlife habitats.
Improves opportunities for environmentally beneficial jobs.
Enhances parks and recreational opportunities.
Increases the urban forest canopy.
Increases affordable public transit.
Supports cleaner emissions from vehicles.
• Improves air quality.
Ensures and conserves safe drinking water.
Supports sustainable urban watershed and wastewater planning and implementation.
The City also supports renewable energy derived from sustainable resources such as wind, geothermal (steam), landfill gas (methane produced from decomposing waste), solar, and hydroelectric facilities that can be cost-effectively procured for residents and businesses.
The City supports air quality legislation that may include strategies to mitigate emissions as well as port operations that reduce air pollution and relieve traffic congestion. This is best demonstrated through the City's use of alternative fuel vehicles for the City's transit services.
For more infonnation about City positions on this topic, please contact:
City Manager's Office: (626) 744-4333
• Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department: (626) 744-4386 2026 Federal Legislative Platform18
Planning and Community Development Department: (626) 744-6833 • Public Works Department: (626) 744-7311
Transportation Department: (626) 744-7664
Water and Power Department: (626) 744-4409
Solid Waste Resource Management
The City is committed to waste reduction and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which is an important strategy for redesigning problematic waste products and packaging.
This approach would also reduce the financial and environmental burdens placed on localjurisdictions for managing these products at their end-of-life by shifting these responsibilities to the product manufacturers.
As such, the City adopted an EPR Resolution in 2010, which included expanding product stewardship efforts, and updated key initiatives in the City's Zero Waste Strategic Plan to extend producer responsibility in the City's path to achieving zero waste by the year 2040 through 19 waste reduction strategies. California has set a statewide goal of a 75 %reduction in organics disposed by 2025, which continues to drive the City's solid waste management plan.
Additionally, in November 2018, China implemented a Green Sword Policy that drastically lowered the contamination level of accepted items and eliminated the import ofmixed plastics and unsorted paper. These changes have affected the entire recycling market and have forced recycling programs to change to meet market demands.
Additional actions the City supports include:
Product and disposal bans: The City supports legislation aimed at reducing disposableproducts and packaging, including product and disposal bans for environmentally problematic materials. Such legislation should not overly burden municipalities with data capture, reporting and enforcement but should include reasonable phase-out periods.
EPR Initiatives: The City supports EPR initiatives to place a shared responsibility forend-of-life product management on the producers and all entities involved in the production chain, instead of passing costs along to the general public or municipalities. Initiatives should encourage product design changes that minimize a negative impact on human health and the environment at every stage of the product's lifecycle.
• Organics processing: Effective January 1, 2022, SB 1383 (Lara, 2016) required California cities to recycle their organic waste, including food waste. The City supports funding and pennitting assistance to help facilitate local and regional organics processing capacity and fund additional related program costs.
For more infonnation about City positions on this topic, please contact the Public Works Department at (626) 744-7311.
2026 Federal Legislative Platform19