Lobbyist paid $65,750 during first three quarters of legislative session by Elk Grove

Anthony Gonsalves (left) and Jason Gonsalves represent the City of Elk Grove's state lobbying efforts.  | 

UPDATED

August 31, 2018 |  

In reports filed with the California Secretary of State, the City of Elk Grove spent $65,750 for the period ending June 30, 2018, with its primary State of California lobbyist.

In their quarterly Form 625, Report of Lobbying Firm, Joe A. Gonsalves & Son, reported that among their several clients, the City of Elk Grove paid them $65,750 starting on January 1, 2017. Of that total, $$11,250 was paid in the second quarter of 2018.  

Gonsalves & Son, which has had a long-term relationship with the city, lists several activities done on behalf of the city during the first six months of the year. Among them are lobbying the California Transporation Commission and California State Transporation Agency for the Kammerer Road extension project.

Along with lobbying for funds for the Kammerer Road project, Gonsalves & Son worked on three Assembly bills, one Assembly constitutional amendment, and four Senate bills.

In the Assembly, they advocated for bills 1912, 2596, and 3208. In the Senate, the lobbyist worked on bills 827, 840 - the state budget,  1415, and 1416. 

Perhaps their biggest failure on behalf of Elk Grove was their inability to shepherd AB 3208. Introduced by Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D - Elk Grove), the controversial bill sought to expand civil forfeitures to the City of Elk Grove, which continues to be plagued by illegal marijuana grow house operations.  

The bill faced stiff opposition and died in the public safety committee without a vote last April. Although Gonsalves & Son will simultaneously advocate legislation for several of its municipal clients,  Elk Grove is the only client listed for AB 3208, and it is unknown at this time how much of the $65,870 in taxpayers money was dedicated to that bill.

5:30 p.m. Story updated to reflect a change in the reporting period. The reporting period was for the legislative session starting January 1, 2017.