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SACRAMENTO • WASHINGTON, DC
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA • CENTRAL CALIFORNIA • SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Legislative
Presentation to
The City of San
Leandro
January 9, 2023
Slide 2
Agenda
Overview of Legislative Process
About TPA
2023 Sneak Peek
The Value of the Legislative Platform
Slide 3
About TPA
• Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. (TPA) was founded in 1998 by Christopher Townsend with a mission to support organizations that improve our communities. • TPA has represented over 300 clients, including 250 local public agencies, such as cities, counties, transportation agencies, water and sanitation districts, school districts, community college districts, park and recreation districts, and other special districts, as well as nonprofit organizations.
• TPA has secured over $2.5 billion in public sector funding for our clients. • On behalf of the City of San Leandro, since 2019 we have helped secure nearly $10 million in public sector funding and numerous pieces of legislation signed into law since 2016.
Slide 4
About TPA continued
TPA has a team of 14 registered state and federal lobbyists and grant writers, with the policy expertise, advocacy experience, and bi-partisan relationships necessary to achieve legislative and funding results.
TPA maintains five offices to serve its clients:
• State Capitol Office in Sacramento
• Federal Office in Washington, DC
• Northern California Office in Oakland
• Central California Office in Fresno
• Southern California Office in Newport
Beach
Slide 5
The TPA Advantage
TPA uses a collaborative approach to provide “the best of all worlds.” • Attention of a small firm: Customized and focused customer service from a dedicated client manager as well as senior executives based in Sacramento and Washington, DC.
• Strength of a large firm: Extensive network of relationships and knowledge of public policy issues and grant funding opportunities from a large team of legislative advocates with the breadth and depth of lobbying experience not available at smaller firms.
• Commitment of the owner: Active participation by the Founder and President of the firm to develop strategy, engage top-level relationships, and personally ensure high-quality customer service.
Slide 6
CA Legislative Process
Lifecycle of a Bill
Standard Legislative Calendar
House of Origin
• January – Return/introduce bills;
Governor’s Budget Proposal
• February – Bill introduction deadline
• March/April – Committee hearings
• Late April – Policy committee deadline
• Mid May – Appropriations deadline
• Late May – House of origin deadline
Second House
• June – Committee hearings
• Late June – Policy committee deadline
• Late August – Appropriations deadline
• Mid September – End of Session
• Mid October – Deadline for Governor to
act on bills
Slide 7
CA Legislative Process – Behind the Scenes
Sponsoring Legislation
• September/October – Develop Bill Idea
• October-January – Bill Shopping, Secure
Author, Draft Language
• January-September – “Work the
Process” & “Run the Traps”
• September/October – Lobby the
Administration
Budget Requests
• September/October – Formulate menu of
budget requests
• November/December – Send Budget
Letter to Delegation; Set up Meetings
• December-February – Ideally receive
verbal commitment from “champion”
• February-May – Brief relevant
stakeholders and secure letters of support
• June – Budget Bill passes (monitor for
funded request)
• June-August – Budget Bill Jr and Trailer
Bills pass (monitor for funded request)
Slide 8
Role of Legislative Platform/Framework
Remain nimble in policy
making decisions
Quick to respond to everchanging legislative proposals Higher level of public
transparency and trust
Streamlining engagement with
Legislators
Slide 9
Successful Advocacy Day-to-Day
• Easy and Frequent communication
between Client and Advocate is KEY
• Daily intensive bill tracking
• Advocate “walks the halls” frequently.
“Shoe leather Lobbying”.
• Showing up to committee hearings (in
person)
• Structured advocacy trips
• Site visits (for priority projects)
• Relationship Maintenance
• Weigh in with Bill Suggestions
Slide 10
CA Legislature – 2023 Sneak Peek
Redistricting
New Members
Leadership Changes
Slide 11
CA Legislature – 2023 Sneak Peek
Budget
• Surplus Uncertainty
• Limited Spending
• Increased Focus on
Reserves
Future Legislation
• Homelessness
• Behavioral Health
• Housing
• Climate
• Electrical Grid
• Technology and Innovation
Slide 12
Niccolo De Luca
Vice President
[email protected]