Lobbyists tell Roseville to expect funding shifts: FEMA boost, transportation trade-offs and housing pressures
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Summary
Federal and state lobbyists told the Roseville council that recent appropriations and pending state bills will reshape grant opportunities and regulatory pressure, citing an increase in FEMA funding, changes in transit and railroad funding, and ongoing housing bills that can constrain local land-use authority.
Federal and state lobbyists who represent Roseville briefed the city council on Feb. 4 about shifting funding patterns and legislative trends that could affect local projects and permitting.
Mike Miller, partner with the Ferguson Group, told council members that staffing reductions across federal agencies have slowed permit reviews and that Congress has passed 11 of 12 appropriations bills, leaving Department of Homeland Security operating under a continuing resolution through Feb. 13. ‘‘When you go to meet with someone in an agency, sometimes that position is not filled,’’ Miller said, arguing reduced agency staffing has affected permit timing for Roseville projects.
Miller highlighted several appropriations changes he called material for municipal planning: various social-services programs he cited (including SNAP and WIC) showed funding shifts; he said FEMA received an approximately 18% funding increase for 2026 compared with 2025; Department of Transportation overall received increased funding while Federal Railroad Administration and some transit programs saw decreases. Miller also emphasized that grant-making volume and velocity have picked up after an earlier pause in federal funding, creating new opportunities for city project requests.
On housing and the state budget, Jason Gonsalves (Gonsalves and Sons) said the legislature continues to introduce bills that can limit local land-use discretion. ‘‘It’s a bill mill as we call it,’’ Gonsalves said, noting recent bipartisan votes that enabled measures like SB 79 and SB 9 and warning that proposals for by-right housing and sales-tax sharing could erode local authority or revenue if enacted.
What it means for Roseville: Both presenters urged council members to be proactive in advocacy and to align platform priorities so staff and lobbyists can press the city’s positions early. Miller said the city already has several project requests positioned for FY27 appropriations and that a federal advocacy trip is planned for April to pursue funding for public-safety and transportation needs.
Council reaction and next steps: Council members offered praise for the lobbying teams and had limited questions. Staff said Mike Miller and Jason Gonsalves would remain engaged as Roseville works to convert platform priorities into specific grant and appropriation requests. The presentations were informational; no votes were taken.
The council moved on to a department-by-department review of proposed platform redlines that will return to the council for formal adoption.
