City of Merced Legislative Platform

The City of Merced’s 2025 Legislative Platform confirms the City Council’s position on current issues that may directly or indirectly impact the City. The platform establishes guidelines for actively pursuing support or opposition of pending legislation. Below are the Guiding Principles that allow City staff to address 2024 legislative and regulatory issues in a timely manner, without precluding the consideration of additional legislative and budget issues that may arise during the session. Adoption of the Legislative Platform enables City officials to advocate for the City’s interests at the Federal, State, and County levels—reducing the need for Council to take individual positions on legislation throughout the year.

📄 Download the 2025 Legislative Platform (PDF)

Implementation

1. The Office of the City Manager directs the scope and activities of any State lobbyist hired on behalf of the City, consistent with the Legislative Platform and City Council direction.
2. Each year, the City Manager’s Office presents the Legislative Platform for Council review and adoption annually.
3. Through partnerships (e.g., League of California Cities, MCAG), the Mayor and Council communicate with lawmakers via letters and meetings.
4. Letters of Support:
   • a. Letters consistent with the platform may be signed by the Mayor without full Council approval.

Submit Your Own Position Letter

Community members may submit position letters directly to the California State Legislature through the California State Legislature Position Letter Portal.

Legislative Position Letters

Click a year below to view official Legislative Position Letters submitted by the City of Merced.