Lakewood's current legislative platform

2025 Legislative Platform

Purpose Statement

The Lakewood City Council recognizes the need for an active state and federal legislative program to protect the city’s interests in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.  The 2025 Legislative Platform provides a framework for the City of Lakewood’s legislative program.  Adopted annually, the Legislative Platform is the foundation of a focused advocacy strategy and serves as a reference guide for legislative positions and objectives that provide direction for the City Council and staff throughout the year.

Legislative Program

The primary objective of the Legislative Platform is for the City Council to adopt official city positions on clearly stated legislative issues.  By doing this, the legislative approval process is streamlined by eliminating the need for repetitive concurrence and direction from the City Council on previously approved issues. The Legislative Platform is developed and maintained using the goals and objectives of the City Council, a review of legislative priorities from the League of California Cities, League’s Los Angeles Division, California Contract Cities Association and other partner agencies (see below), input from City Council and staff, research of current law and pending legislation, as well as discussions with local legislative staff and the City’s legislative advocates.  

Federal and state legislative proposals and policies consistent with the Legislative Platform may be supported by the City. Policies and proposals inconsistent with this Legislative Platform may be opposed by the City.  For proposed legislation, either consistent with the City’s Legislative Platform or consistent with legislative positions the City has taken in the past, City staff shall be authorized to prepare position letters with the Mayor’s authorization.  Items not addressed in the city’s Legislative Platform may require further direction from the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and/or the City Council.  

Legislative priorities may only address issues directly relevant to or impacting the provision of municipal services.  Generally, the City will not address matters that are not pertinent to the City’s local government services.  

Organizations whose legislative programs the City follows:

Federal

  • American Planning Association
  • American Public Works Association
  • American Water Works Association
  • International Council of Shopping Centers
  • National Recreation and Parks Association
  • National League of Cities
  • National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA)
  • U.S. Conference of Mayors

State

  • Association of California Water Agencies
  • California Association of Local Economic Development
  • California Building Officials
  • California Contract Cities Association (CCCA)
  • California Municipal Revenue and Tax Association
  • California Municipal Utilities Association
  • California Park & Recreation Society
  • CalCities
  • California Chapter, American Planning Association
  • California Association of Environmental Professionals

Regional

  • Central Basin Water Association
  • Coalition for Practical Regulation
  • Gateway Cities Council of Governments (Gateway COG)
  • Gateway Water Management Authority
  • Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
  • Metropolitan Transportation Authority
  • Southern California Chapter of NATOA
  • Southeast Los Angeles Workforce Development Board
  • Southeast Water Coalition
  • Southern California Association of Governments
  • California Joint Powers Insurance Authority
  • Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District

Program Goals and Strategies

Program Goals:

I. Advocate the City’s legislative interests at the Federal, State and County levels.

II. Inform and share information with our Legislators, City Council and staff on the legislative process and key issues and legislation that could have a potential impact on the City.

III. Serve as an active participant with other local governments, the League of California Cities, regional agencies such as CCCA, Gateway COG and other local professional organizations on legislative/regulatory issues that are important to the City and region.

IV. Seek grant and funding assistance for City projects, services and programs to enhance infrastructure and services for the community.

Strategies:

I. Communicate legislative positions on proposed Federal, State and County legislation, measures, initiatives and governmental regulations.

a. Work with City departments and legislative advocates to develop positions on proposed legislative measures.

b. City staff will review the positions and analysis done by the League of California Cities, legislative advocates’ feedback, and other local government/professional associations in formulating the City’s positions.

c. The City will take positions only on proposals that clearly impact the City or pose a threat to local control.

d. Actively track key bills through the legislative process, utilizing the City’s advocacy services, various legislative websites and other government and professional associations.

e. Work cooperatively with other cities, associations and the League of California Cities on advocating the city’s legislative positions.

f. As necessary, participate in the drafting and amending of proposed federal and state measures that have the potential to significantly impact the City.

g. Meet with legislators and their representatives, as well as other federal, state and county government officials on a regular basis, to discuss local government issues, proposed legislation, requests for funding assistance and City projects, programs and services.

II. Seek federal, state and county funding through earmarks, grants and other discretionary funding for City projects, services and programs.

a. Identify City projects for potential submittal for federal earmark consideration.  Develop a submittal packet for legislators that provides funding need and project information.

b. Provide information to City departments on potential grant funding opportunities and recognition programs.

c. Advocate and request letters of support for grant applications that are being considered for federal, state and county funding.

III. Share information with the City Council, staff and the community on legislative issues.

a. Work closely with department heads and staff to determine their legislative priorities and funding needs for the upcoming legislative session.

b. Provide updates on legislative issues to the Council and departments throughout the year.

c. Educate the community in the City’s advocacy efforts on legislative issues and funding requests.

PDF copy available

You can download and print a PDF version at the button below.

Current Legislative Platform(PDF, 175KB)

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