MEETING DATE:
JANUARY 28, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-9402 - APPROVING THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT a resolution approving the 2025 San Marcos Legislative Platform to guide the City’s legislative program and advocacy activities.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not applicable
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Planning for the Future
Good Governance
Introduction
The City Council has prioritized an active legislative program that seeks to protect the City’s local autonomy and ensure that the interests of its residents and businesses are protected and/or enhanced. The City continues to retain legislative advocates in Sacramento who actively monitor legislation, assist with funding requests, and advocate on behalf of the City of San Marcos in committee hearings and in meetings with legislators and agency officials.
Discussion
Reflecting the priority of influencing legislative activity, the City Council has adopted policies and procedures to guide legislative monitoring and advocacy at the state and federal levels.
Legislative procedures, adopted in 2008 and revised in 2013, direct the development of the legislative platform and day-to-day bill tracking. The legislative platform, amended annually, serves as the foundation for a focused advocacy strategy and provides the clarity required to ensure efforts are directed towards only the most important and impactful bills.
The 2025 draft legislative platform includes many of the same priorities as the 2024 platform, including the protection of local finances, the preservation of local control, sustainability and energy strategies, labor relations, transportation, and communications. Similarly, the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) has adopted its 2025 Advocacy Priorities (Attachment C) to include: protect local revenues and expand economic development tools; strengthen climate change resiliency and disaster preparedness; strengthen and modernize critical infrastructure; and secure investments to prevent and reduce homelessness and increase the supply of affordable housing.
Staff recommends that City Council review and adopt the 2025 Legislative Platform.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact directly associated with the adoption of the legislative platform.
Attachments
Attachment A: Draft 2025 Legislative Platform
Attachment B: Resolution
Attachment C: Cal Cities 2025 Advocacy Priorities
Prepared by: Phil Scollick, City Clerk
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager