City of Stockton
Federal Advocacy Accomplishments and Completed Objectives January 2025 – June 2026
During the 18-month reporting period, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) worked closely with City leadership and departments to advance Stockton's federal legislative, funding, and policy priorities. The following summarizes TPA's ongoing services, key actions taken, and objectives completed on behalf of the City.
Ongoing Federal Advocacy Services
Throughout the reporting period, TPA provided the following recurring services to support the City's federal advocacy program, maintain regular communication with City leadership and staff, and ensure accountability for advocacy activities. - Monthly Federal Legislative Updates
Prepared and delivered monthly federal legislative memoranda highlighting key congressional developments, federal policy changes, emerging legislative priorities, and issues affecting Stockton. These updates provide City leadership and departments with timely information on federal legislation, appropriations, executive actions, and opportunities to advance the City's priorities.
- Monthly Federal Grants Updates
Prepared and delivered monthly federal grants memoranda identifying available and upcoming federal funding opportunities aligned with the City's priorities. These updates highlight relevant grant programs, funding availability, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and potential funding strategies to support Stockton's infrastructure, public safety, transportation, housing, and economic development objectives. - Biweekly Coordination Meetings with City Staff
Conducted biweekly check-in meetings with City leadership and staff to discuss federal legislative and funding developments, review the status of ongoing advocacy initiatives, identify emerging City priorities, coordinate federal funding applications, and establish next steps for advancing Stockton's federal agenda.
- Monthly Billing and Activity Memoranda
Prepared and submitted monthly billing memoranda documenting federal advocacy activities undertaken on behalf of the City. These memoranda outlined actions taken, meetings conducted, legislative and funding developments monitored, and progress made toward advancing the City's federal priorities.
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1 - Quarterly Federal Lobbying Disclosure Reports
Prepared and filed quarterly lobbying activity reports (Form LD-2) with the Secretary of the U.S. Senate and the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, documenting federal lobbying activities undertaken on behalf of the City in accordance with applicable federal disclosure requirements.
Chronological Summary of Federal Advocacy Activities and Accomplishments January 2025
- Developed and managed a multi-year federal funding pipeline Worked with City departments and congressional offices to identify priority projects, develop competitive funding narratives, prepare and submit applications, and advocate for Stockton's public safety, transportation, workforce development, and infrastructure priorities. This work continued throughout the reporting period. - Provided guidance on federal grantmaking changes and funding uncertainty Advised the City on changes to the Department of Transportation's RAISE/BUILD grant program and provided timely analysis of the Administration's federal funding freeze, executive orders, and OMB directives. Evaluated potential implications for City funding and provided guidance on evolving federal grant requirements and funding risks. - Initiated advocacy on surface transportation reauthorization Engaged congressional offices, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Build America Bureau, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to elevate Stockton's transportation priorities, advocate for local government needs, and identify federal infrastructure funding opportunities. These efforts continued throughout the reporting period.
January – March 2025
- Developed and submitted three FY26 community project funding requests Worked with City departments and congressional offices to finalize and submit federal funding applications for the Pershing Avenue Road Safety Improvement & Enhancements Project, Stockton Youth Employment Summer Success, and Safe Routes to Schools Sidewalk Gap Closure Project. TPA supported the development of project narratives, preparation of application materials, and coordination with congressional offices to advance the City's funding priorities through the FY26 appropriations process.
February 2025
- Secured congressional support for Stockton's Assistance to Firefighters Grant application
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2 Coordinated with Representative Harder's office to obtain a letter supporting the City's grant application and facilitated its delivery to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), confirming receipt by the agency.
May 18–22, 2025
- Organized and led the City's first Washington, D.C. advocacy trip Coordinated meetings with congressional offices, federal agencies, and key stakeholders to advance Stockton's funding, infrastructure, public safety, and economic development priorities. Prepared briefing materials, facilitated delegation strategy, supported City representatives during meetings, and developed recommended follow-up actions.
June 2025
- Provided City-specific analysis of federal funding conditions Prepared and delivered a comprehensive memorandum examining the Administration's efforts to impose new federal funding conditions on local governments, including those designated as sanctuary jurisdictions. Developed in consultation with legal professionals and informed by Congressional Research Service analysis, the memorandum evaluated potential legal limitations on withholding congressionally appropriated funds, relevant federal court decisions, and the implications of new funding conditions for Department of Transportation and Department of Housing and Urban Development programs. TPA provided guidance to help the City evaluate potential risks to existing and future federal funding, understand its options when presented with new grant conditions, and make informed decisions regarding federal grant agreements.
July 2025
- Provided legislative analysis of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Following passage of the legislation, TPA provided City leadership with a detailed analysis of major federal policy and funding changes, including modifications to Medicaid (Medi-Cal), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/CalFresh), clean energy tax credits, and affordable housing incentives. The analysis outlined potential increases in state and local administrative and financial responsibilities, changes to program eligibility and work requirements, and the implications of reduced federal support for certain clean energy initiatives. TPA also identified changes to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program that could create additional opportunities for affordable housing development.
July 21–25, 2025
- Organized and led the City's second Washington, D.C. advocacy trip Facilitated additional meetings with federal decision-makers and industry stakeholders to build upon prior advocacy efforts, advance priority projects, and identify opportunities for federal partnership and investment.
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3 September 2025
- Prepared an assessment of federal government shutdown impacts Provided City leadership and departments with a detailed memorandum outlining the potential consequences of a federal government shutdown and the implications for City operations, federal funding, and public services. The analysis addressed potential disruptions to federal grant administration, delayed reimbursements and disbursements, reduced federal agency operations, and the continued availability of funding for transportation, housing, public safety, emergency management, and other municipal priorities. TPA identified potential risks to federally funded City projects, including delays in grant processing and the availability of federal agency personnel, and provided guidance to help Stockton anticipate and prepare for potential funding and operational disruptions.
October 2025
- Coordinated congressional advocacy to protect pending federal funding Helped organize and coordinate a coalition letter to congressional leadership representing 45 California public agencies, advocating for the protection of pending community project funding requests amid federal appropriations uncertainty. The coordinated effort elevated the concerns of local governments and emphasized the importance of preserving congressionally directed funding for critical community infrastructure and public service projects.
February 3, 2026
- Secured $1.25 million in enacted federal funding
TPA's advocacy helped deliver $1 million for the Combatting Crime in Real Time Project and $250,000 for the Pershing Avenue Road Safety Improvement and Enhancements Project through the FY26 appropriations process, with both projects receiving funding signed into law.
February 19, 2026
- Secured congressional support for the City's Delta Conveyance advocacy Helped draft and obtain a letter of support from Representative Harder as Stockton prepared to present its appeal regarding the Proposed Delta Conveyance Project to the Delta Stewardship Council.
March 2026
- Provided guidance on proposed federal reporting changes Advised City departments of a U.S. Department of the Treasury proposal that could impose additional reporting requirements on recipients of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, including State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), Emergency Rental
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4 Assistance, and the Capital Projects Fund. TPA identified potential administrative and financial burdens associated with duplicative reporting requirements and provided recommendations to help the City prepare for possible changes, including reviewing previously submitted federal reports, documenting compliance with prior Treasury guidance, and assessing additional staff and financial resources that might be required. TPA also shared a draft comment letter and guidance from the U.S. Conference of Mayors to support the City's potential engagement in federal rulemaking and coordinated advocacy efforts with national local government organizations.
April 2026
- Provided analysis of the FY27 Presidential Budget Request and its potential Prepared and delivered an update to City leadership outlining the President's proposed federal funding reductions, including potential elimination of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships, Pathways to Removing Obstacles (PRO) to Housing, and the Continuum of Care program. TPA also highlighted proposed reductions affecting Department of Energy infrastructure programs, Environmental Protection Agency grants and State Revolving Funds, FEMA non-disaster programs, and federal cybersecurity funding.
- Supported the City in evaluating the status of its $8.4 million SS4A grant Responded to City concerns regarding the status of Stockton's implementation grant for the Main and Market Complete Streets Project following federal revisions to grant eligibility and project requirements. TPA reviewed updated U.S. Department of Transportation grant terms and conditions, provided the City with the latest federal guidance, and initiated efforts to obtain clarification from DOT regarding the award's implementation status and next steps.
May 5–8, 2026
- Organized and led the City's third Washington, D.C. advocacy trip Coordinated meetings with congressional offices, federal agencies, and committees to advance Stockton's federal priorities. Across the three advocacy trips, TPA facilitated more than two dozen meetings, including engagement with the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, federal maritime and shipbuilding officials, the U.S. Navy, and private industry representatives to advance the City's public safety, maritime, infrastructure, workforce, and economic development interests.
June 2026
- Identified and positioned Stockton for DOJ’s Model Cities Initiative Building upon prior engagement with senior Department of Justice officials, who had encouraged Stockton to pursue the forthcoming initiative during a previous Washington, D.C. advocacy trip, TPA promptly notified City leadership and departments of the program's announcement and provided the full funding notice. TPA highlighted eligible activities,
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5 including personnel, equipment and technology, training, facility improvements, mental health and substance use services, reentry programs, victim services, and youth crime prevention. TPA also communicated the September 1 application deadline and offered to discuss the opportunity with City staff.
- Advanced more than $3.02 million in FY27 federal funding requests Advocated for $250,000 for the Fire Regional Training Center Expansion Project, $772,700 for the Police Department Real-Time Policing Technology Project, and $2 million for the School of Medicine Phase I Equipment Project through the FY27 congressional appropriations process. These funding requests remained under congressional consideration. - Initiated advocacy regarding proposed federal financial-assistance regulations Evaluated the White House Office of Management and Budget's proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance governing federal grants, published May 29, 2026. Assessed potential changes to federal funding conditions, grant administration, and the authority of federal agencies to suspend, withhold, or terminate awards.
Additional Actions Outside the Requested Reporting Period July 2026
- Provided implementation guidance and regarding OMB's proposed revisions Prepared and delivered a detailed, City-specific memorandum examining the proposed changes to federal financial-assistance regulations and their potential impacts on Stockton's grant administration, financial oversight, and existing federal awards. TPA coordinated with congressional committees, members of Congress, and national local government organizations, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, and Government Finance Officers Association, to develop advocacy strategies and implementation recommendations. The memorandum provided actionable guidance on centralizing federal grant oversight, strengthening compliance and auditing procedures, reviewing grant terms and funding drawdown requirements, evaluating subrecipient obligations, and assessing potential financial risks associated with delayed or terminated federal awards. TPA also outlined opportunities for the City to provide public comments and engage its congressional delegation regarding the potential impacts of the proposed regulations on municipal services and federally funded projects.
August 2026
- Provided guidance regarding potential changes to federal E-Rate funding Alerted City leadership to the Federal Communications Commission's ongoing review of the E-Rate program, which provides telecommunications and internet connectivity discounts of 20% to 90% for eligible schools and libraries. TPA analyzed the FCC's proposed rulemaking and highlighted questions regarding the program's future, including the potential
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6 implications of reducing or terminating federal support. Provided background materials, relevant federal regulatory documents, and information regarding the positions of national education and library organizations. TPA also offered to submit formal comments to the FCC to communicate Stockton's concerns regarding the importance of continued federal support for school and library connectivity.
September 2026
- Provided guidance on FY27 federal appropriations
Delivered a comprehensive update to City leadership and departments regarding congressional passage of a continuing resolution extending federal government funding through December 11, 2026. The update also addressed extensions of certain federal infrastructure and surface transportation programs authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as the postponement of implementation of OMB's revised federal financial-assistance regulations.
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