Issue highlights:
Read below for more news and events.
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Cal Cities filed an amicus brief last week urging the Los Angeles County Superior Court to rule in favor of charter cities in an SB 9 (Atkins, 2021) lawsuit. The controversial law circumvents local review processes and allows homeowners to build up to four homes on a single-family parcel of land. Read more
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Cal Cities is asking city officials to sign a letter by this Friday urging Assembly leaders to include cities in an upcoming informational hearing on the fentanyl crisis. The letter also calls on lawmakers to take further action to protect communities from the fentanyl crisis. Read more
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A new round of infrastructure grant bootcamps is available for smaller cities. Federal agencies also released a torrent of new grant opportunities for street safety, infrastructure resiliency and equity, electric vehicles, rural broadband, energy efficiency, workforce development, and urban forestry. Read more
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It’s the calm before the storm this week in the Capitol — metaphorically, not meteorologically. Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to propose a more austere state budget revision this Friday. The state’s budget deficit has only grown since the Governor’s January budget proposal. Expect another grueling budget fight this year, as lawmakers haggle over spending cuts to many of the state’s biggest priorities, including climate programs and public transportation. Read more
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Wednesday, May 31, 1:00 p.m. — Tani Cantil-Sakauye is a trailblazer and leader of one of the state’s most respected think tanks, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). Before taking the helm as PPIC President and CEO, Cantil-Sakauye was the Chief Justice of California — the first person of color, the first Filipina American, and the second woman to serve in the role. Join Cantil-Sakauye as she shares insights about leading California’s top court and her vision for PPIC. Register today
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A third round of Homekey funding is available. The program helps cities quickly build or purchase housing, including hotel conversions, for people experiencing homelessness. Due to demand, applicants should submit their applications as soon as possible. Unsure about how to develop a Homekey project? Earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom and others publicly praised a motel conversion in Redlands, with one expert calling it an “important model” for other cities. Read more
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The California Energy Commission (CEC) released information about a grant program that helps increase the visibility of electric vehicle chargers, charging stations, and hydrogen refueling stations. The program funds the installation of signs along freeways, highways, major urban boulevards, surface streets, and within larger parking lots, such as malls or shopping centers. The CEC hosted a pre-application workshop in April. Applications are due June 29. Read more
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The California Statewide Communities Development Authority issued $76.9 million in tax-exempt Essential Housing Revenue Bonds for Acacia Creek in Union City. CSCDA partnered with the cities and others for the acquisition of the properties and issuance of bonds. Read more
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The League of California Cities needs your help picking the 2023 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program winners. Each year, Cal Cities invites city officials to serve as volunteer judges. Volunteers are vital to the success of this program, which brings positive attention to cities and provides opportunities for city officials to learn from one another. Read more
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May 24-27 — The National League of Cities’ Hispanic Elected Local Officials Constituency Group is hosting its annual summer conference in Coral Gables, Florida. The conference provides a space for Latino/a/x elected officials and allies to share best practices and discuss challenges and priorities facing Latino and Hispanic communities. The theme for this year’s event is Cities Work for All: Count Latinos in the Lead. Register today
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Wednesday, May 24, 1:00 p.m. — In 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2022 (Ramos), which requires public agencies to remove the word “squaw” from all geographic features and place names. The word is a racist and derogatory term that was historically used as an offensive ethnic, racial, and sexist slur, particularly for indigenous women. During the webinar, state officials will discuss the new law and next steps for local public agencies. Register today
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Interested in attending this summer’s Local Governance Summer Institute at Standford University? The California Statewide Communities Development Authority has one scholarship left! The program brings together Stanford, industry, and local governance experts to develop innovative solutions to local challenges. This year’s Institute will cover equity and inclusiveness, community engagement, public safety, wildfire planning, housing, homelessness, and more. Read more
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Thursday, May 25, 1:00 p.m. — Local governments are looking for creative ways to educate the next generation of leaders about civic issues and encourage them to be active and informed community members. Join the Institute for Local Government to learn how local agencies are constructing and delivering youth development programs focusing on critical issues, including sustainable transportation, housing, leadership, and economic inequities. Register today
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Have you ever wondered what happens with the sales tax you pay at a retail counter or online? What can cities do with that money? Here are 10 things you should know — but may have been afraid to ask — about California’s sales and use tax. Read more
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Palo Alto is gearing up for a battle against a 2024 ballot initiative that will make it harder for the state and local municipalities to raise taxes and fees and that could effectively overturn the two revenue measures that city voters approved just last November. ... "This far-reaching measure would significantly jeopardize cities' ability to provide services and critical infrastructure to local residents," Carolyn Coleman, executive director and CEO of League of California Cities, said in a statement. Read more
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May 17-19
May 24
May 24
May 31
Sept. 20-22 (Save the date!)
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Dec. 13-14 (Save the date!)
Dec. 13-15 (Save the date!)
14-15 (Save the date!)
Jan. 24-26 (Save the date!)
Feb. 7-9 (Save the date!)
March 13-15 (Save the date!)
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