What are the major functions of the Port's Government Affairs Department?
The Port's Government Affairs Department serves as a liaison and advocate for the Port before legislative and regulatory bodies at the local, state, and federal levels. The Government Affairs staff educates legislators and regulators on key aspects of the Port's three lines of business, helping public policy decision-makers make informed decisions on legislation or regulations that impact the Port. In recent years, the Government Affairs Department has devoted tremendous energy at the federal and state levels in order to bring federal and state dollars to several important Port related capital infrastructure projects.

What division of the Port does the Government Affairs Department operate under?
The Government Affairs Department is part of the Port's External Affairs Division. The External Affairs Division is comprised of three departments: government affairs, community relations, and communications. The entire External Affairs Division supports all three revenue divisions: maritime, aviation, and commercial real estate.

Who is on the Government Affairs staff?
The Government Affairs team has two permanent staff members working at the Port headquarters at 530 Water Street at Jack London Square in Oakland.

• Matt Davis is Manager of the department. As such, he oversees all of the department's many initiatives, while focusing more specifically on state and federal issues.
• Joanne Karchmer is the Port's Government Affairs Representative and serves as the primary liaison with local and regional government officials and works on many of the Port's efforts at the state and federal levels.

Does the Port employ lobbyists in Washington, D.C. or Sacramento?
Yes, the Port retains the firm of Gephardt Government Affairs in Washington D.C. to assist with its advocacy efforts in the nation's capitol. In Sacramento, the Port is represented by firm of Lehman Levi Pappas & Sadler. The Government Affairs team works closely with these firms to ensure that public policy decision-makers understand the importance of the Port to the national and state economies as they consider proposed legislation or regulations that affect the Port.

Does Government Affairs make political contributions on behalf of the Port?
No. As a public agency, the Port is prohibited by law from making political contributions.

Does Government Affairs take positions on legislation on behalf of the Port?
Yes, the Government Affairs staff, in consultation with senior management and the Port Board of Commissioners, will actively support or oppose legislation with possible impacts on the Port.

Does the Port take positions on ballot initiatives?
As a general rule, the Port does not take positions on ballot measures. However, the Port Board of Commissioners does from time-to-time take positions on ballot measures that could affect the Port.