2026-2027 State and Federal
Legislative Program
City Council Meeting
August 18, 2026
Item #10.5
Legislative
Advocacy
Program
Objectives
• Advocate in Sacramento and
Washington, D.C. to accurately
and persuasively present the
positions of the City of Stockton
• Establish relationships with key
Legislators and Staff
• Provide early intelligence on
emerging issues
• Share knowledge of trade-offs
impacting legislative framing
and funding
• Target funding allocations and
grant applications
• Achieve the priority State and
Federal objectives of the City
Legislative Advocacy
Program
Scope
• Legislative Program Consultation - Annual Legislative Programs, government relations strategy and funding
strategy development
• Legislative Advocacy – Represent the City; review
executive proposals, legislation, administrative rules; provide regular reports; prepare letters and testimony; facilitate communication and meetings
• Funding Advocacy and Assistance – Advise and assist in the preparation of appropriations, earmarks and other
funding opportunity requests
• Political Reform (State Program) – Register on behalf of the City, and comply with all reporting requirements
mandated by the Lobbying Disclosure Act
Legislative Program
Timeline & Process
State Legislative Year: July 1 – June 30
Federal Legislative Year: October 1 – September 30
• Biweekly Meetings: Update Meetings throughout year.
• July-August: Present State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Program for Council approval.
• October-December: Discuss City funding and policy environment in preparation for new calendar year.
• January: Departmental legislative discussions with Federal and State lobbyists.
• January-February: State Bill season. Conduct City staff brainstorming and planning session for earmarks/appropriations.
• February-March: Develop funding/program proposals to present to Council at Strategic Planning and Goal Setting Workshop. • April: Submit appropriations requests. Develop annual Leg. Program. • May: SJCOG One Voice project proposal and advocacy during annual trip to Washington, D.C.
State Level Advocacy
California Public Policy Group (CPPG)
• Statewide firm representing 31 local government and
special district clients
• Expertise: Water Policy and Infrastructure, Housing
and Homelessness Funding, Public Safety, Labor
and Pension Policy, Transportation, Local Land Use
Authority
• Monitor and analyze hundreds of legislative Bills each session
• Defend Local Control, including sponsoring legislation • Dedicated Grant Services Team that identify,
develop, and submit competitive state and federal
funding applications
• Demonstrate even-handed Bipartisan advocacy
Legislative Program Accomplishments
State Level
YEAR ACTION
2026
2025
Worked with coalition of lobbyists to stop legislation
aimed at moving forward the Delta Conveyance Project
Worked with coalition to stop key budget trailer
legislation to expedite/streamline the DCP
2026
2025
Worked with Big City Mayors lobbying coalition to ensure full HHAP funding in State Budget
Worked with BCM to secure $500M for HHAP Round 7
2026 Worked to stop CA High Speed Rail Authority from
establishing state-controlled TIF
2025 Supported legislation to ban use of PFAS
Supported legislation to enhance penalties for metal theft Supported enhanced penalties for human trafficking
2026 Tracked over 2000 Bills
Since 2015 Helped procure over $37M in direct funding to City Recent Program Funding History
State Level
YEAR PROJECT FUNDING
2023
Bubbler System and Trash Boom
Morelli Park
$3,000,000
Miracle Mile Public Safety
Maintenance Substation
$3,100,000
Vocational Opportunities for
Adults w/Intellectual Disabilities
$1,000,000
2022
Miracle Mile Redevelopment $20,000,000
Aquatics Infrastructure Repairs $4,000,000
Homeless Shelter Navigation Center $1,000,000
2021
Dentoni Park Playground Equipment $250,000
Aquatics Facilities
McKinley Park and Victory Park
$5,400,000
State Legislative
Challenges
• Protection of Local Government Funds in
State Budget – HHAP Grant funds,
Transportation and other funding
• Legislation on Delta Conveyance and Water
Rights Curtailment
• Legislation related to Flood Protection
• Legislation related to Homelessness and
Affordable Housing
• Legislation related to Data Centers and
Warehouses
• Funding for Proposition 36 – Retail Theft
• November 2026 Ballot – 14 propositions
FederalLevel Advocacy
Townsend Public Affairs
• Founded in 1998 as full-service legislative advocacy and grant funding firm dedicated to advancing priorities of CA cities and public agencies.
• With nationally-recognized federal expertise, TPA ranks among nation’s top 100 federal lobbying firm and represents more CA public agencies in Washington, DC than any other firm.
• Comprehensive services include congressional and federal agency advocacy, appropriations and earmark strategy,
legislative and regulatory monitoring, grant position, coalition building, and coordination of DC advocacy trips.
• Areas of Municipal Expertise
• Transportation and Infrastructure
• Water and Wastewater
• Public Safety
• Housing and Economic Development
• Parks and Community Facilities
• Energy and Environmental Policy
• Local Government Operations
Legislative Program
Accomplishments
Federal Level
• Developed and managed a multi-year federal community
project funding pipeline.
• Advanced more than $3.02 Million in enacted FY27 federal funding through House appropriation process. Secured
$1.25 Million in enacted FY26 federal funding.
• Secured congressional support for the City’s Delta
Conveyance Project advocacy.
• Positioned the City to respond to major federal housing and homelessness policy changes.
• Elevated Stockton’s transportation and infrastructure priorities before federal decision-makers during Surface Transportation Reauthorization.
• Advanced the City’s public safety and emergency-response priorities.
• Expanded Stockton’s federal engagement on maritime
and shipbuilding opportunities.
Legislative Program Accomplishments
Federal Level
YEAR ACTION
2026 Advanced more than $3.02 Million in enacted FY27
federal funding through House appropriation process.
2025 Secured $1.25 Million in enacted FY26 federal
funding.
Ongoing Secured congressional support for the City’s Delta Conveyance Project advocacy.
Ongoing Positioned the City to respond to major federal housing and homelessness policy changes.
Ongoing Elevated Stockton’s transportation and infrastructure priorities before federal decision-makers during
Surface Transportation Reauthorization.
Ongoing Advanced the City’s public safety and emergency response priorities.
Ongoing Expanded Stockton’s federal engagement on
maritime and shipbuilding operations.
May / July 2025
May 2026
Planned and led three Washington, DC advocacy
efforts.
Recent Program Funding History
Federal Level
YEAR PROJECT FUNDING
2026 Stockton Fire Regional Training Center Expansion $250,000 Real Time Policing Technology Project $772,700
UOP School of Medicine: Phase 1 $2,000,000
2025 Combatting Crime in Real Time $1,000,000
Pershing Avenue Road Safety Improvement and
Enhancements Project
$250,000
2024 Strengthening Stockton’s Public Safety Program $963,000 Van Buskirk Park: Expanding Community Spaces,
Phase 1
$500,000
City of
Stockton
Priorities
Questions/Comments
on 2026-2027
Legislative Program