City of San Leandro
2025 Federal Legislative Platform and Policy Guidelines Presented for City Council Consideration:
January 13, 2025
The City of San Leandro’s federal legislative agenda for 2025 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 act 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 or at legislative conferences, 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. Oppose efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Support efforts to protect health insurance coverage to the public and build upon key provisions of the 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 state- sanctioned 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.
Clean Energy Tax Incentives. Support efforts designed to maintain clean energy tax incentives and other resources authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Cyber Security. Support federal grant programs designed to help states and localities with cybersecurity, including those programs administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
COPS Programs. Support 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 and other federal agencies. Support the appropriation of funds to protect the public and ensure fair and impartial justice for all through the advancement of effective, accountable policing.
Department of Energy. Support funding opportunities and efforts to develop renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage projects, including micro-grids, to achieve energy security. Support annual appropriations for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.
Early childhood policy, youth engagement, and care infrastructure: Support funding opportunities and legislation that will increase access to high-quality childcare such as the Child Care Development Block Grant to fund tuition subsidies for families, pediatric well-child visits, meals, and staff training and the increase the availability of childcare centers.
Environment & Climate. Support federal actions and resources to help communities prepare for and adapt to climate change, enhance resiliency of infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate immediate impacts that endanger constituents’ public health and property, such as risks associated with sea-level rise, wildfire, poor air quality, and heat waves. Ensure efforts to streamline project permitting processes and federal environmental regulations do not diminish protections for constituents’ public health and their access to clean air and clean water. Support annual appropriations for infrastructure resiliency programs that protect the environment and public health administered by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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.
Food Access. Support funding opportunities and legislation to support equitable food access for all, such as the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program.
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, particularly those contending with documented mental health disorders, as authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
Housing & Homelessness. Support federal funding to address issues related to homelessness, including operations and services for navigation centers and emergency/transitional housing. Support actions, programs or funding for the Housing Choice Voucher program, as well as Project-based Section 8 vouchers to create permanent supportive housing for homeless, persons with disabilities, or for working families. Advocate for annual appropriations for (and against reductions in) 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 programs Administered by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Monitor or oppose potential federal interventions that do not align with local policies.
Immigration Policies. Monitor developments at the federal level that would impact local immigrant populations. Support positive relations between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Support efforts to protect DREAMERs and find a pathway to citizenship for those DACA recipients.
Indigenous communities. Support efforts by Native American indigenous communities with demonstrated ancestral ties to San Leandro and/or the East Bay region to garner official federal recognition by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs.
LGBTQ+ Protections. Support efforts that would protect the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning community. Oppose legislation or federal actions that would prevent transgender people from 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, and collections. Support administrative actions or legislation that promotes the development and application of new technologies and advancements in telecommunications that increase access to information, encourages resource sharing among all types of libraries, promotes digital literacy and workforce development, and quality library and information services.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Support Congressional efforts for the longterm 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 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (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 through participation in related advocacy efforts led by these organizations, or their committees.
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.
Nutrients and Harmful Algal Blooms. Support legislation that provides funding for wastewater agencies to upgrade treatment processes to remove nutrients such as nitrogen from their discharges. Related efforts could include technical assistance or support for multi-benefit coastal resilience projects. Oppose legislation or regulations that mandate “one size fits all” approaches to regulation of nutrients.
Pedestrian Safety: Support efforts to address pedestrian fatalities and safety: increased crosswalks, traffic calming measures and related activities that further the city’s efforts to achieve Vision Zero goals.
Policing Reform. Support 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.
PFAS and Other Emerging Contaminants. Support efforts that would prevent emerging contaminants or products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from entering the environment via wastewater treatment facilities or other pathways.
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 and Social Justice. Oppose federal actions or legislation that seek to restrict addressing racial injustice and equity, including racial biases that may be identified in the legal system, policy implementation, and other government programs. Oppose actions that would undermine efforts to uplift historically marginalized communities and remedy longstanding social, legal, economic, educational, and health disparities among those populations. Oppose legislation that would restrict civil rights or prevent discrimination. Support the rights of the public to protest peacefully and to petition the government.
Reproductive Rights. Oppose federal actions that would further restrict reproductive rights. Support equitable access to healthcare services including abortion, and promote access to contraception.
Shoreline Area. Support legislative efforts or funding opportunities that would assist in the successful redevelopment of San Leandro’s shoreline, including the Shoreline Park project. Support federal funding for the dredging of recreational marinas, as well as for passenger ferry service.
Small Cell and Telecommunications Facilities. Oppose Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations that would 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 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 place- making activities.
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.
Transportation Infrastructure. Work with the Administration to secure new discretionary grants for local transportation system and other infrastructure provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, especially safety improvements at railroad crossings and along infrastructure facilities, including the Urban Greenway project. Support funding for crosswalks, traffic calming, street repairs (including Lake Chabot Road), or other efforts to achieve the City’s Vision Zero program. Support legislation that would lead to the creation of a National Infrastructure Bank, similar to HR 4052.
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure. 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. Support for reclaimed water projects.
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.