Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael Callagy, County Manager
Connie Juarez-Diroll, Legislative Officer
Subject: 2020 Legislative Session Program
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution approving San Mateo County’s 2020 Legislative Session Program.
body
BACKGROUND:
The 2020 Legislative Session Program for San Mateo County details state and federal legislative priorities for the County in the new legislative sessions. These priorities, in combination with standing positions and policies taken by your Board, guide the County’s legislative advocacy efforts. The County Manager’s Office develops the County’s Legislative Session Program with direction from your Board and in collaboration with County departments, the County’s state associations, our state and federal legislative advocates, and community partners. The County’s Legislative Coordination and Advocacy Policy, approved by your Board on June 4, 2019, sets out the County’s processes for conveying official Board positions and coordination of actions between the Board of Supervisors, County Manager’s Office, County departments/agencies, and the County’s legislative advocates in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
DISCUSSION:
In 2020, County state advocacy efforts will be focused on advocating for: 1) ongoing state funding and proposals that advance the County’s efforts to combat homelessness, including state funding to help build the new Maple Street Homeless Shelter, as well as additional funding for homeless prevention services and permanent housing to help the unhoused achieve more permanent housing solutions; 2) more and ongoing state funded tax credits for the development of affordable housing and a more expedited process by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for the release of NOFAs and awards; 3) protection and expansion of Medicaid funding, eligibility, and covered services, included in Healthier for All California and the Sections 1115 and 1915(b) Waivers, and related funding mechanisms for the most vulnerable residents; 4) ensuring that the County has the necessary funding to support local criminal justice focused programs that may be threatened as a result of the possible elimination of criminal fines and fees; 5) flexible funding at the local level to help prepare, respond and recover from disasters; 6) funding to assist the County’s new Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (FSLRRD) in its mission through any climate resiliency bond legislation that emerges from the Legislature and/or the Administration in 2020, and 6) approximately $2.83 million in state funding for The Big Lift Inspiring Summers Program
At the federal level, 2020 advocacy efforts will be focused on: 1) continuing to advocate for the retention and preservation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA); 2) opposing efforts to convert Medicaid funding into a block grant as recently proposed by the Trump Administration; 3) opposing cuts in funding to social safety net and entitlement programs, such as Social Security, Medicaid, and food and cash assistance for the poor; 3) opposing federal efforts that fail to uphold and protect the rights of all San Mateo County residents, regardless of ethnic or national origin, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or immigration status; 4) opposing efforts that would roll back and/or dilute current federal environmental protections laws/regulations/enforcement; and 5) advocating for consistent, predictable and dedicated federal funding to assist counties with meeting the significant federal requirements administering elections, as well as supporting efforts to combat cybersecurity threats in a way that is inclusive of county election and technology officials.
County Counsel has reviewed the resolution as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2018-19 Anticipated |
FY 2019-20 Projected |
|
State/Federal Measures analyzed and acted on |
150 |
200 |
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.