Fullerton council adopts 2025 legislative platform after transparency debate

The Fullerton City Council on May 20 adopted its 2025 legislative advocacy platform after a prolonged debate over transparency and last-minute edits. Councilmember Ahmad Zara had pulled the item to press for clearer procedures for how letters and positions are circulated and for a public portal to disclose letters sent to state and federal legislators.

Zara said the problem began when he and other members discovered a letter taking a position on SB 79 that they had not been copied on. He asked that "any letter from any council member [be] disclosed in a portal, easily accessed by the public on our website," and that councilmembers be CC'd so they can respond.

Deputy City Manager explained that language such as "opposed unless amended" often reflects negotiations by the League of California Cities or lobbyists and that the city routinely leaves room to change positions when amendments address local concerns. Public commenters offered competing views: some urged quick adoption to keep the citys voice effective in Sacramento, while others echoed calls for more time and explanation.

Mayor Jeong moved adoption with a friendly amendment to reorder the platforms guiding principles to emphasize fiscal stability; the motion passed on a roll call vote with Councilmembers Dunlap and Valencia voting Aye, Zara abstaining, Mayor Pro Tem Charles Aye, and Mayor Jeong Aye.

Council directed staff to implement Zaras request about CCing and to return with a plan for posting outgoing advocacy letters and for a process to review platform language before it is placed on consent. The council indicated it would consider forming an ad hoc process to review the platform annually.

The council will receive staff proposals for procedural changes and a public-facing portal in a future meeting.