Riverbank Vice Mayor Cal Campbell and City Councilmember Darlene Barber-Martinez joined nearly 200 city officials from throughout California in Sacramento recently for the League of California Cities (LCC) 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 to represent the City of Riverbank and its residents. 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 Kristin Olsen and Senator Tom Berryhill, and attend the League’s briefings on priority legislation, the state budget, and economic development,” said Councilmember Barber-Martinez. “I returned to Riverbank with information of value for our city.”

The event kicked off with a morning budget and policy briefing led by League First Vice President 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. 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, according to officials.

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,” Ferrara said. “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, and AB 2280 regarding community revitalization. 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.