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Lebanon expands lobbying program; city officials meet state, federal leaders to press infrastructure needs
Summary
City staff and contracted lobbyist Sean Tate told the council the city built a government affairs program this legislative session, tracking more than 100 bills, meeting with state legislators and visiting Washington, D.C., to press for funding and regulatory changes tied to wastewater, grants access and housing production.
City leaders described a newly expanded government affairs program at the June 10 work session, saying staff and lobbyist Sean Tate constructed a work plan to increase Lebanon’s visibility and to advocate for infrastructure and housing priorities.
“Visibility, connections and counsel, and local advocacy. We did all 3 of those things, very, very well,” lobbyist Sean Tate told the council about the session in Salem.
City staff said they tracked more than 100 bills this session, provided oral testimony five times and submitted about 20 written letters. Staff said their priorities included infrastructure funding, a 2025 transportation package, a permanent fix to recreational immunity, behavioral health enhancements and alignment for housing production.
Kelly (staff member) said the city worked directly with the governor’s office on House Bill 3031 (an infrastructure measure) to ensure wastewater and water treatment plants were considered, not just pipes, and that the city helped shape a path allowing arguments tying plant needs to housing production.
The council also discussed a federal outreach trip to Washington, D.C., during which the delegation met eight times in 2½ days and raised grant‑access issues for small cities. Staff reported immediate follow‑up from Senator Jeff Merkley’s office and contacts in subcommittees overseeing water resources.
Lobbyist Tate urged the council to pursue “offense” as well as defense — proposing proactive policy ideas such as lowering match requirements for selected state grant programs. Tate said a companion bill HB 3654, which would lower some grant match rates for cities under 20,000, passed the House 48–1 and remains alive in the Senate.
Ending
Staff said they will bring a longer legislative platform work session in September to catalog priorities for 2026 and to develop coalitions for proactive policy proposals.
