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Paragon and county lobbyists brief supervisors; board sets positions on multiple state and federal bills
Summary
Federal advocates described a short-term continuing resolution and an unfolding budget-reconciliation effort in Congress; the board then recorded consensus positions on a number of state bills and asked staff and lobbyists to seek meetings with key federal lawmakers.
Federal and state lobbyists who represent Solano County told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that Congress had just enacted a continuing resolution to fund the government through part of fiscal 2025 and that lawmakers were beginning a high-stakes budget-reconciliation process that could affect safety-net and agriculture programs.
Rachel Mackey and Hassan of Paragon Government Relations briefed the board from Washington, D.C., and described the continuing resolution, the possible effects on discretionary grant programs and the risk that a reconciliation package could propose cuts to programs including Medicaid. They said the county’s requests for congressional earmarks were affected by the continuing resolution and that the firm is resubmitting a previously promising project for the next cycle.
Paragon told supervisors that some members of Congress were considering large deficit-reduction targets that could change funding for programs counties rely on. Mackey said the reconciliation process could move large sums across committee jurisdictions and that county advocates were meeting with members of the delegation to explain local impacts.
Karen Lang, the county’s state legislative advocate, and county staff then reviewed a set of California bills the board had asked staff to monitor. Supervisors recorded consensus positions in the meeting for a set of bills after staff presentations and public comment:
- Support: AB 259 (teleconferencing for local legislative bodies) — consensus support. - Support: AB 303 (battery energy storage siting / local input) — board directed support and asked staff to press for local consultation language; staff noted there are competing bills. - Oppose: AB 470 (carrier-of-last-resort/telecommunications) — board opposed due to concerns about maintaining landline access for emergencies and vulnerable populations. - Oppose: AB 518 (provisions for low-impact camping) — board opposed, citing enforcement and public-safety concerns. - Oppose: AB 874 (Mitigation Fee Act changes for affordable rental housing) — opposition due to potential impact on county fee revenues. - Oppose: SB 16 (homelessness cost-sharing language as drafted) — board opposed a proposal that could require counties to fund up to 50% of city-run shelter operations. - Support: SB 239 (flexibility for advisory bodies to teleconference) — consensus support. - Support: SB 346 (short-term rental platform reporting of assessor parcel numbers) — consensus support to aid TOT collection and enforcement. - Support: SB 496 (Advanced Clean Fleet exemptions and appeals) — consensus support. - Oppose: SB 707 (expanded open-meeting accessibility mandates without funding) — consensus opposition; staff will seek amendments or oppose if unfunded mandates remain.
Board members urged Paragon to secure meetings with Republican appropriations and agriculture officeholders in Washington, D.C., and asked that delegation offices receive local impact stories to illustrate the consequences of proposed federal cuts. Supervisor Mashburn asked Paragon to prioritize meetings with offices that carry Republican influence, saying face-to-face advocacy with lawmakers in the majority party may be necessary to shift outcomes.
What’s next: Paragon and county staff will continue advocacy with the county’s congressional delegation, resubmit a pending earmark candidate, and convey the board’s California bill positions to state legislators and coalition partners.
