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Oroville council adopts state legislative priorities, delays federal item
Summary
Council approved broad state legislative priorities and advocacy platform to guide the city’s lobbyists in Sacramento; federal advocacy will be brought back later.
The Oroville City Council unanimously adopted a draft platform of state legislative priorities on March 4, 2025, directing staff and the city’s contracted lobbyists to use the document to respond quickly to legislation that aligns with council goals.
City staff explained the priorities were developed by the council’s retained teams — the Ferguson Group and Shaw Yoder Antweets Schmelzer & Lang — after meetings with council members and department heads. The priorities are intentionally broad to allow the city’s representatives to take timely positions on bills consistent with the adopted platform, staff said.
Paul Merrill (Ferguson Group) and other lobbyists briefed the council on key areas to watch, including infrastructure, flood funding, housing and transportation bond discussions. Merrill told the council that—because of the California two‑year legislative cycle—some significant proposals can appear late in the cycle and require quick responses. He also reported that local lawmakers submitted several earmark requests, including a request for sidewalks and sewers in South Oroville.
Councilmembers approved the document and directed staff to use it as the basis for state-level advocacy. The council postponed the federal advocacy item until a later meeting because of a potential conflict with the federal team’s availability.
