Orange County has spent millions so far this year asking the California Legislature and state agencies for money.
An analysis of the most recent available lobbying expenditures for 49 local governments, government and public agencies in Orange County shows that in 2023, upwards of $2.9 million was spent on intergovernmental lobbying.
That’s roughly 12% of the nearly $24 million total that local governments and agencies, including water districts and transit agencies, have spent this year.
The main reason why local governments hire lobbyists is twofold, said Sarah Hill, a Cal State Fullerton political science professor with a research background in California government. One reason is that local governments want state regulations to be in their favor.
“The state regulates local government in lots of ways, and of course, local governments care about what those regulations are,” Hill said. “They’ll lobby for policies that go the direction they want them to go, probably for less regulation in general.”
The other reason is that local governments simply want more money.
“In California, local governments are heavily dependent on the state for funds,” Hill said. “The numbers look big in terms of what they’re spending on lobbying, and they are big. But another way to think about it is that the returns are potentially even greater.”
Since the beginning of this year, the County of Orange has spent $518,257 lobbying the state, the most cash any local government or agency in the county has spent so far. That six-figure amount accounts for nearly 20% of the $2.9 million total.
Aside from the budget, the county has lobbied on legislation related to funding for opioid and fentanyl prevention, flood investments and local government control over public works projects. (Data from the California secretary of state does not specify whether local governments have lobbied for or against the legislation.)
Up next is the Irvine Ranch Water District…
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