Councilmember Mike Newman report on League of California Cities’ Legislative Action Day

Council Member Mike L. Newman joined nearly 200 city officials from throughout
California in Sacramento on April 23 for the League of California Cities’ Legislative Action Day. The
annual event gives city officials an opportunity to visit the state Capitol and meet with their legislators to
discuss issues of importance to California cities.

“It was an honor to be in Sacramento today to represent the City of Eureka. The League’s annual
Legislative Action Day is about building and maintaining relationships and exchanging information with
our state lawmakers. I was able to meet with Assembly Member Chesbro, Assembly Member Bonilla and
Assembly Member Gomez, and attended the League’s briefings on priority legislation, the state budget
and economic development,” said Council Member Newman. “I returned to Eureka with information of
value for the city.”

The event kicked off Wednesday morning with a budget and policy briefing led by League First Vice and
Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara, League Executive Director Chris McKenzie and League Legislative
Director Dan Carrigg. Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) provided a keynote address to the
gathered city officials Wednesday morning. The morning session wrapped up with a news conference at
the state Capitol covering legislation by Assembly Member Susan Bonilla of Concord that would create
new regulations for massage therapists and massage therapy establishments that stop the proliferation of
illicit massage and provide true public safety protections.

League First Vice and Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara’s remarks focused on fostering legislative
relationships and promoting economic development. “Through strong relationships with legislators, we as city officials are able to make our voices heard. California cities need new options for infrastructure investment
and economic development. We’re calling for new tools, authority and funding to facilitate investment in both state and local infrastructure to help spur job growth and economic opportunity for all Californians.”

Following meetings in the Capitol with their legislators, city officials participated in a legislative forum that
featured a panel on job creation, economic development, water, transportation funding, redevelopment,
economic development and AB 2280. League Immediate Past President and Pasadena Mayor Bill
Bogaard moderated the panel that included Assembly Member Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood),
Assembly Member Luis Alejo (D-Salinas), and California Transportation Commission Commissioner and
California Alliance for Jobs Executive Director Jim Earp.