The California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) hosted another successful Sacramento Legislative Tour (SLOT) from January 7-9, 2019. This was CCCA's 52nd  year welcoming nearly 100 mayors, councilmembers, and senior city staffers to Sacramento to advocate for our member cities and to work toward strengthening local control. Our delegation focused on CCCA's 2019 Legislative Priorities which provide a framework for our position on legislation that would impact issue areas, ranging from community choice aggregation, housing/homelessness, taxation, and public safety. More information about CCCA's 2019 Legislative Priorities can be found here.

 

On January 7 (Monday), CCCA gathered at the State Capitol for a number of briefing sessions, including a panel discussion with State Senator Scott Wiener (D-11) to discuss his bill, SB 50. SB 50, a revised version of last year's most contentious housing bill, SB 827, would authorize a housing developer maximum controls on density and limit parking requirements in proximity to major transit stops and job-rich areas. Noting the author's intent to reintroduce a housing density bill, CCCA collaborated with Sen. Wiener, Thaddeus McCormack, City Manager of Lakewood, and Juan Garza, Contract Cities' Legislative Chair, to discuss SB 50 from a local's perspective on density, such as concerns regarding the reliability of transit schedules, passenger capacity, CEQA reforms, and strains to public services. The   discussion was well-received from both the delegation and Senator Wiener, helping bridge the dialogue that was lost during the discussion's in last year's bill. Senator Wiener expressed his commitment to working with the Association on SB 50 in the coming months.    

 

The delegation also received early introductions to proposed legislation concerning housing ( SB 4, SB 6, SB 50) and a new tax-increment financing tool, better known as redevelopment 2.0 ( AB 11, SB 5). Speakers included Senator Anthony Portantino, committee consultants from Assembly Housing and Community Development, Assembly Communications and Conveyance, and Assembly Local Government. The Legislative Committee will review these bills in the coming months.

 

On January 8 (Tuesday), the delegation participated in over forty-six small group meetings with legislative offices that represent the entirety of CCCA. Members cities shared three key talking points important to CCCA's 2019 Legislative Priorities: local control, housing/homelessness, and public safety. CCCA wrapped up Tuesday's activities with a luncheon with Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and its Annual Sacramento Legislative Reception. The Association welcomed numerous state legislators where conference attendees and legislators could engage in casual conversation about the legislative year ahead.

 

The annual tour concluded with many cities conducting meetings with their legislators on Wednesday, January 9. CCCA would like to thank everyone who attended this year's legislative tour. We expect to see a lot of legislation that will impact our communities and we are prepared to continue our dialogue with bill authors. This year's SLOT highlights the deep and diverse discussions forming in the state legislature that will have profound implications for local governments. Member cities are highly encouraged to remain engaged in the policy discussion, especially when the Legislative Committee considers action in the coming months.

 

Lastly, I want to congratulate more than 50 newly elected councilmembers, city treasurers, and city clerks for their election this past November from across the CCCA membership. I hope you will lend your leadership and perspectives to CCCA as we advocate and strengthen local control. I hope everyone will join me in recognizing these new leaders at our upcoming events as we introduce them to the CCCA family.