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BACKGROUND <br />In calendar year 2008, Pleasanton's federal legislative strategy (in order to obtain 2009 <br />Federal Appropriations) is being driven by a regional approach in the Tri-Valley <br />including the cities of Dublin, Danville, Livermore and San Ramon. This approach is <br />appropriate since California federal office holders are seeking to support multi <br />city/county projects that effect a significant number of their constituents. Collective <br />support from local, county and state officials on a project creates greater chances of <br />success in this competitive environment. <br />At the state level, Pleasanton's legislative approach will be to support the strategic <br />policies adopted by the Board of Directors of the League of California Cities, namely, <br />protecting funding for vital community services, supporting green and sustainable cities <br />and expanding infrastructure investment. <br />This report provides a summary of the three federal legislative priorities discussed with <br />lawmakers in January 2008. Tri-Valley mayors were successful in delivering <br />information about the priorities that would address the needs of the region. Additional <br />efforts continue to be coordinated through contracted lobbying firms and city staff to <br />ensure these priorities remain highly visible with federal lawmakers. This report also <br />provides a summary of city efforts statewide to advance the League's priorities. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Current Federal Priorities: <br />East Bay Regional Communication System-JPA and Tri-Valley Request <br />Request: $3,000,000 <br />Appropriations Bill: Commerce, Justice, Science <br />Account: Law Enforcement Technology and Interoperability <br />Lawmakers: Sen. Feinstein, Sen. Boxer, Rep. Lee, Rep. McNerney, Rep. Stark, <br />Rep. Tauscher, Rep. Miller <br />Neither Contra Costa nor Alameda County possesses a radio communications system <br />that enables first responders, public works units and other units of government to <br />communicate with one another during critical incidents. The East Bay Regional <br />Communications System (EBRCS) JPA was formed on September 11, 2007, as an <br />independent governmental agency representing 33 member agencies including both <br />Alameda and Contra Costa counties, 27 cities and four special districts, to build and <br />operate a state of the art communications system for these public agencies. <br />The EBRCS JPA is leading the efforts to advocate for this priority. Member agencies <br />are supporting EBRCS's legislative effort by submitting similar funding requests to <br />specific lawmakers and coordinating between local government agency lobbying firms <br />to ensure adequate outreach is made to appropriate congressional delegations. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />