Inaugural Association Event to Washington D.C. Promotes Education and Dialogue on Host of Federal, State and Regional Issues
ORANGE, CA (SEPT. 21, 2017) – The Association of California Cities– Orange County (ACC- OC)— the region’s leading public policy, strategy, education and advocacy group—is excited to announce its first ever travel to Washington D.C Sept. 24-26, 2017. Over 40 dedicated public officials, elected representatives, policy makers and the ACC-OC staff will venture to the Nation’s Capital to attend a series of scheduled conversations with federal agency personnel, House and Senate Members and Congressional staff and the Administration. During these conclaves participants will discuss a myriad of legisaltive and regulatory priorities pertinent to Orange County, the region, state and federal stakeholders.
Agenda topics for the contingent include among others: Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Drone Regulation, Transportation, Cannabis Regulation and Sober Living Homes
“Traveling to D.C. with these talented public servants with the opportunity to substantively affect federal, state and local governance is an enormously exciting prospect,” said Heather Stratman, ACC-OC Chief Executive Officer. “As the Association’s voice has grown increasingly relevant and authoritative at the regional, state and national level, the timing was right to lead a group to Washington and provide insight and expertise on a range of issues.”
Beginning Sunday night with a welcome reception for the members of the envoy, the following two days will incorporate a dawn-to-dusk slate of meetings, speaking engagements, policy symposiums and face-to-face conferences with federal and state leadership.
Several highlights include:
- Housing, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development with speakers from Secretary, Ben Carson’s Staff.
- Homelessness, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness-Speaker Executive Director, Matthew Doherty.
- Transportation, United States Department of Transportation with speakers from Secretary, Elaine Chao’s staff.
- Cannabis Regulation, United States Department of Justice with speakers from Attorney General, Jeff Sessions Office.
- Speaking engagements with Congressman Ed Royce, Congresswoman Mimi Walters, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and Congressman Alan Lowenthal
On Monday evening, Kaiser Permanente will host a reception at their D.C offices for the delegation, along with invited guests including members of Congress, Administration officials and Washington professionals.
“Over these three days we hope to convey to Washington, the passion of Orange County municipality, County and regional leaders relative to critical policy topics,” said Steve Jones, ACC-OC President. “Working collaboratively in the spirit of federalism, leadership at each level of government can solve the pressing issues facing our communities and the nation.”
ABOUT THE ACC-OC:
The Association of California Cities – Orange County (ACC-OC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization representing the interests of the 34 cities in Orange County. ACC-OC is committed to protecting and preserving local governance, while offering a vast array of benefits and resources for city staff and elected representatives. ACC-OC’s ongoing mission is to be the authoritative regional voice for public policy issues, with focus on: education that empowers, policy that is collaborative and advocacy that is service-oriented. Learn more at www.accoc.org.
