ABOUT TPA
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Meet the Team

Carlin Shelby

Senior Associate

Since joining TPA, Carlin has worked diligently with clients to develop their legislative advocacy agendas in Sacramento to secure legislative and funding success.

Areas of Policy Expertise:

  • Housing and Land Use
  • Waste and Recycling
  • Revenue and Taxation
  • Community Services
  • Water and Wastewater
  • State Budget

Previous Experience:

  • Legislative and Policy Development Assistant, League of California Cities
  • Press Assistant, Office of Speaker Anthony Rendon

Protection of Critical Funding During Budget Deficit:

  • In the 2024 Legislative Session, Carlin worked with clients, stakeholders, and lawmakers to advocate for the protection of over $1.5 billion in proposed budget cuts that threatened funding for local housing, homelessness, and transportation initiatives. These key accounts included funds for programs like the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Grant, the Active Transportation Program (ATP), and the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Grant. Carlin coordinated coalition efforts, provided testimony, and worked with lawmakers on behalf of client interests on behalf of the protection of these funds. Ultimately, nearly all proposed cuts were reinstated in the budget package signed into law.

Advocacy for Grade Separation Project Funding:

  • Faced with potential cuts to grade separation projects amid the 2024 Budget Deficit, Carlin worked with clients to advocate for the preservation of hundreds of millions of dollars in funding critical to local agency projects. For a client facing a $30 million cut, she organized emergency advocacy meetings, drafted advocacy letters, and provided testimony at budget hearings. Her work with budget consultants and stakeholders led to the development of budget trailer bill language that ensured project funding continuity and mitigated delays.

Securing Federal and State Project Funding:

  • Carlin successfully advocated for over $9 million in community project funding through the FY 2024 Federal Appropriations Process, addressing key areas such as housing, water infrastructure, public works, and park improvements. Additionally, she worked with clients to advance over $20 million in state budget funding requests in the 2022 and 2023 State Budget Acts by collaborating with Assembly and Senate leadership.

Strategic Positioning in Statewide Bond Proposals:

  • Carlin has advised clients on securing funding in various statewide bond proposals related to climate resilience, housing production, and behavioral healthcare infrastructure. This has included efforts related to the passage of SB 867, which proposes a $10 billion climate bond proposal on the November 2024 ballot. Her efforts included working closely with legislators, state officials, and stakeholders to elevate client priorities and establish their role as leaders in these significant initiatives.

Municipal Finance Policy Advisory:

  • Carlin provided strategic counsel to clients on municipal finance policy, including potential changes to local tax regimes that impact revenue generation. These efforts culminated in work to stall the progress of a bill that would have impacted client budgets to the tune of millions of dollars per year. This advocacy work included strategic coalition development, working with lawmakers to explain the nuances of the issue at hand, and providing written and verbal testimony in opposition. Her insights have helped shape client strategies and responses to evolving fiscal policies.

Public Safety Advocacy on E-Bike Usage:

  • Carlin convened a regional task force of law enforcement officials to address concerns about reckless e-bike usage. Leveraging the data and insights gathered, she collaborated with legislators to draft legislation aimed at improving safety regulations for e-bike use.

Development of Advocacy Tools and Communication:

  • Carlin has built and refined advocacy tools for clients, including legislative analyses, tracking matrices, and position letters. She has also delivered verbal presentations on key policy issues, provided expert policy analysis, and drafted official correspondence to elevate client concerns with Sacramento decision-makers.

California State University, Sacramento, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

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