City of San Leandro
2024 Federal Legislative Platform and Policy Guidelines Adopted by City Council: January 9, 2023
The City of San Leandro’s federal legislative agenda for 2023 is designed to reflect the adopted priorities and policy direction of the Mayor and City Council with direct input from the City Administration. This strategic agenda establishes a platform for advocating for legislation, regulations, and funding that is consistent with the City’s adopted priorities. Adoption of this document is designed to provide standing authority for the Mayor and members of the City Council, City staff, or the City’s legislative advocates to take action on pending federal legislative or regulatory matters on behalf of the City of San Leandro when time or other constraints preclude bringing such matters before the City Council in advance. Such actions could include issuing letters, expressing the City’s position in committee hearings, attending or scheduling meetings, or otherwise advocating for actions that are consistent with the policy language contained herein.
This document is also designed to provide the public and the City’s advocates with a better understanding of the Mayor and City Council’s policy preferences regarding a variety of legislative and intergovernmental issues that might arise during the course of the year at the federal level.
Summary of Federal Policy Issues for Advocacy or Monitoring:
Affordable Care Act. Support efforts to expand health insurance coverage to the public and build upon key provisions of the Affordable Care Act that provide insurance coverage for at-risk populations. Support funding for Community Health Centers.
Broadband Infrastructure. Support federal programs that facilitate the expansion of public and private access to broadband, recognizing it as critical infrastructure, and the protection of public wi-fi system integrity. Support protection of local land use authority over related infrastructure. Support network neutrality protections to ensure a level playing field among market competitors. Oppose actions that limit consumer protections or local control.
Cannabis Regulation. Support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation to modify the Schedule I status of cannabis at the federal level, including efforts that facilitate additional scientific research and study. Support efforts to protect public safety and facilitate effective regulation, including bills like the SAFE Banking Act, which would provide statesanctioned businesses with banking access and protections at federally regulated financial institutions. Oppose federal actions that interfere with states’ rights to oversee a regulated market or restrict local control.
Carbon Fee and Dividend. Support the exploration of innovative ways of addressing carbon emissions at the federal level, including proposals for a national carbon fee & dividend to assess fees at the sources of fossil fuel extraction or other activities that generate carbon emissions.
Program revenues could be returned to American households in the form of a dividend, or otherwise reinvested into programs to benefit the environment or public health.
Climate Emergency, Climate Change Mitigation, and Adaptation. Support federal actions and resources for communities to address the climate emergency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage, support long-term adaptation and resiliency and mitigate the immediate impacts such as wildfire smoke & heat waves. Oppose efforts to weaken environmental regulations. Support climate programs that prioritize public health, equity, workforce development, and frontline communities as part of a just transition. Seek funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Cyber Security. Support and pursue federal grant programs designed to help states and localities with cybersecurity, including those programs established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to be administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) COPS Programs. Support efforts to identify federal funding for various local or regional law enforcement initiatives through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, or other relevant programs administered by the Department of Justice or other federal agencies.
Department of Energy. Support efforts to develop innovative renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage projects to achieve energy security. Seek funding opportunities that could assist local efforts to develop a renewable energy micro-grid or other relevant projects.
Support annual appropriations for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.
Environmental Protection Agency. Support appropriations for resilient infrastructure programs and programs that protect the environment, public health, or plants and wildlife.
Support regulations designed to protect the environment or endangered species or help communities to mitigate impacts of climate change.
Federal Aviation Administration. Work with federal officials to mitigate ongoing noise and other disparate impacts to the San Leandro community associated with flight patterns and/or the operations of surrounding Bay Area airports, including preventing public exposure to leaded fuel.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Support funding for resilient infrastructure improvements and hazard mitigation efforts such as green infrastructure, recycled water pipelines, levees, and innovative solutions to protect vital community assets threatened by sea level rise, rising temperatures, wildfire, drought or other hazards associated with climate change.
Gun Safety. Support legislative and regulatory efforts to promote gun safety and initiatives to prevent mass shootings or active shooter incidents. Support and seek funding for law enforcement training or programs to address gun violence or reduce access to firearms by at-risk individuals, such as the mentally ill, as authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act or other measures.
Homelessness & Permanent Supportive Housing. Support additional federal funding to address issues related to homelessness, including operations and services for navigation centers and emergency/transitional housing. Support substantial increases in Project Based Section 8 vouchers to create needed permanent supportive housing for homeless and/or persons with disabilities in San Leandro and Alameda County. Monitor or oppose potential federal interventions that do not align with local policies.
HUD CDBG and HOME Programs. Advocate for annual appropriations for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME) programs to address local community development and affordable housing needs. Support appropriations for other critical HUD programs and housing opportunities.
Immigration Policies. Monitor developments at the federal level that would impact undocumented populations, including immigration enforcement practices. Oppose efforts that restrict municipal access to federal funds based on local policy positions. Support positive relations between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Support efforts to protect DACA recipients.
Infrastructure. Work with the Administration to secure new discretionary and formula federal investments for local infrastructure provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or other federal legislation, including funding for transportation projects, especially safety measures for railroad crossings, green infrastructure, and reclaimed water projects. Support legislation that would lead to the creation of a National Infrastructure Bank, similar to HR 4052.
LGBTQ+ Protection. Support efforts that would protect for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning community, including the Equality Act. Support legislation that regulates or restricts conversion therapy. Oppose legislation or actions that would prevent transgender people from using bathrooms, accessing facilities or places of public accommodation, or be discriminated against in schools or the workplace on the basis of gender assigned at birth.
Libraries and Museums. Support legislation or initiatives such as the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) that expand federal funding for libraries and museums. Work with the Institute of Museums and Library Services to support funding, policy, and research that enhance library and museum efforts to serve the public through programming, exhibits, events, collections, and technology.
Money in Politics. Support legislation or initiatives that would expand transparency in the sources of funds used to influence election outcomes. Monitor legislation or other federal actions that would affect campaign financing and related regulations.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Support Congressional efforts for the long-term reauthorization and reform of the National Flood Insurance Program. Support provisions to expedite the claims process, ensure that premium rate increases do not unfairly impact residences and businesses, and acknowledge the accelerating impacts of climate change. Work with FEMA to support property owners potentially impacted by changes to flood maps. Support infrastructure projects to reduce flooding or mitigate flood insurance rate increases.
National League of Cities and U.S. Conference of Mayors. Support efforts by the National League of Cities and U.S. Conference of Mayors to protect the interests of cities and local communities at the national level, including related advocacy efforts by these organizations.
National Safe Medication and Needle Disposal Program. Support federal legislation for a nationwide comprehensive, producer-funded, safe medication and needle disposal program similar to California's SB 212. Support federal efforts to help remove old or expired medication from the public’s homes, thereby preventing accidental poisonings, abuse, and environmental damage (e.g., flushing medication down the toilet). Support legislation will help protect solid waste facilities, parks, hotel, and wastewater workers, and the public from needle stick injuries.
Policing Reform. Support comprehensive policing reform legislation that establishes uniform national standards to increase officer accountability, improve transparency, and eliminate discriminatory practices when identified. Support programs and efforts designed to build community trust. Support federal programs that fund or provide training on de-escalation tactics, use-of-force alternatives, mental health or other crisis intervention, and other innovative strategies that better protect all members of the community.
Railroad Safety. Support legislation that enhances railroad safety and oversight, such as the Railroad Safety Act, which addresses requirements for rail carriers and trains transporting hazardous materials and expands training for local first responders. Urge Congress and the Administration to work towards implementation of Positive Train Control technology in locomotives. Support U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration initiatives for new safety measures, such as reduced train speeds in urban areas. Support federal funding for rail safety improvements to rail crossings.
Racial Equity. Support federal efforts or legislation addressing racial injustice and equity, including racial biases that may be identified in the legal system, policy implementation, and other government programs.
Reproductive Rights. Support federal actions to protect reproductive rights, ensure equitable access to healthcare services including abortion, and promote access to contraception.
Resiliency. Support federal funding for resilient infrastructure improvements such as green infrastructure, recycled water pipelines, levees & other innovative solutions to protect vital community assets threatened by sea level rise, rising temperatures, wildfire, drought, or other natural hazards associated with climate change.
Shoreline Project. Support legislative efforts or funding opportunities that would assist in the successful redevelopment of San Leandro’s shoreline. Support federal funding for the dredging of recreational marinas.
Small Cell and Telecommunications Facilities. Support efforts to modify or overturn any Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations that preempt local land use regulations related to the location, placement, size, appearance, screening, or siting of “small cell” or other telecommunications transmission and receiving facilities, or other facilities such as satellite dishes, radio towers, broadcast and microwave equipment, or similar facilities. Oppose further preemption of local control over local rights-of-way and land use authority by federal agencies, including the FCC. Support local control related to the installation of 5G infrastructure.
Smart Cities Initiatives. Seek opportunities through the CHIPS and Science Act and other federal funding to leverage public-private partnerships and emerging technology resources that would assist communities in transforming traditional industrial sites into modern manufacturing workplaces. Support opportunities to humanize industrial districts, including funding for placemaking activities.
Social Justice. Support federal efforts to uplift historically marginalized communities and remedy long standing social, legal, economic, educational, and health disparities among those populations. Support legislation that protects civil rights and prevents discrimination. Work with federal partners to increase representation within institutions and direct federal resources to minority or women-owned businesses. Support the rights of the public to protest peacefully and to petition the government. Oppose attempts to restrict access to federal funds by municipalities that protect First Amendment rights.
Social Security and Medicare. Support federal actions to protect public benefits created by Social Security and Medicare, while balancing reasonable reforms that would bolster the financial solvency of both programs.
Tobacco and Vaping. Support federal efforts to discourage youth access to tobacco and vaping products. Support enforcement of the federally mandated minimum age of 21 years to purchase such products. Support federal efforts to regulate or restrict access to flavored products.
Urban Greenway. Support efforts that could lead to additional funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, including the East Bay Greenway project.
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grants. Support appropriations for vital state and local government grants provided by the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies to support local water infrastructure needs. Support regulations that protect public drinking water supply, including the prevention of exposure to lead and copper in drinking water.
Voting Rights. Support the rights of all United States citizens to access the polls and vote.
Support increased federal funding or legislation that augments election security and ensures public access to polling stations. Oppose efforts that would restrict voting rights or access.