March 3, 2022
The League of California Cities is ramping up outreach efforts opposing the California Business Roundtable’s ballot measure that would benefit wealthy corporations at the expense of local government services. This morning, the Los Angeles Times published a column, "Big business pushes another California tax rebellion to line its own pockets," featuring interviews with Cal Cities and several city managers, alongside fellow opposition coalition members. Make sure your city’s voice is heard by adopting a resolution opposing the measure. Contact your regional public affairs manager for a sample resolution. Read the column

Cal Cities News

The Cal Cities Board of Directors met last week, where they adopted recommendations to advance Cal Cities' governance initiative, reviewed progress on the 2022 Action Agenda, and voted on policy positions, among other actions. Read more

New reporting guidance available for Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds; upcoming webinars to help cities access Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding; and how the recent lifting of some pandemic-era executive orders impacts cities. Read more

With an impressive career as an educator, legislator, California’s current Secretary of State, and a life-long commitment to secure and expand civil rights, Dr. Shirley Weber brings an unique and captivating perspective to issues and trends that matter most to cities and city leaders. Read more
Commentary by the Executive Director

Recent headlines about California’s housing crisis fixated on a sensational story about a protected species, but unfortunately, they didn’t focus on the real elephant in the room – the millions of new homes that cities have planned and approved despite the many obstacles in their way. The real story, which feels like a well-guarded secret, is that day in and day out cities are approving new homes at all income levels. Read the entire op-ed in Cal Matters
Education and Events

Tuesday, March 29, noon — Still need to take Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661)? Cal Cities has you covered. To receive credit, you must log in under your own name, be present for the full two-hour training, and participate in live polling during the session. The training is free for 2022 New Mayors and Council Members Academy attendees and $50 for all other members. Participants must register by noon on March 25. Register today

The League of California Cities is seeking unique, forward-looking topics for the 2022 Annual Conference and Expo, taking place at the Long Beach Convention Center, Sept. 7-9. These sessions will support city leaders by equipping them with the latest knowledge, resources, and tools to advance their communities and assist them in their daily roles and operations within their city. Submissions from individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations on any topic of interest to cities are welcome. Submissions are due March 31. Read more
Opportunities for Cities

California’s forests face several threats, including wildfires, drought, and pests. CAL FIRE’s Forest Health Program helps conserve forests and improve forest health through fuel reduction, degraded area treatment, and other region-wide activities. Projects that implement a mix of activities with multiple, experienced partners will be given priority. The minimum grant amount requested should be no less than $750,000; the maximum allowable amount is $5 million. Read more

It is critical that communities are able to respond quickly and efficiently to wildfires and other natural disasters. The Listos California CERT Support Grant Program provides funding to new and existing community emergency response programs, including non-English training programs, that help prepare vulnerable and underserved populations. Approximately $500,000 in funding is available; applicants may apply for up to $15,000. Read more

COVID-19 showed how precariously close many Californians are to experiencing poverty. The state’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Program is just one way that cities can create much-needed financial security for vulnerable residents. To help cities prepare, the California Department of Social Services released a preliminary planning document for prospective applicants. Income exemption waivers for participants who already receive public assistance benefits are available but must be submitted by a county. Read more

Taking place July 24-29, the Local Governance Summer Institute seminar brings together Stanford University, industry, and local governance experts to create innovative and appropriate solutions for pressing, local government challenges. This year's program will focus on COVID-19, equity and inclusiveness, community advocacy group engagement, public safety, wildfires, public housing, and homelessness. Seminar applications will be reviewed until capacity is reached. Six scholarships from the California Statewide Communities Development Authority are available for potential attendees. Read more

While there is a critical shortage of housing in California, there is no shortage of media coverage and commentary on the topic. However, current coverage and commentary often fail to tell the whole story. What’s often missing is the focus of a recent op-ed I authored for CalMatters. Cities are making real progress to spur housing production in their communities. Read more
More News and Events

Each year, the League of California Cities honors the outstanding work of member cities through the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program. The awards, sponsored by Cal Cities League Partners, recognize the successes of cities, as demonstrated by beneficial innovations, resourceful efficiencies, improved public service, and overall enhanced public trust and support. Entries must be submitted online by April 14, at 5:00 p.m. Read more

The City Clerks Association of California is accepting nominations for two prestigious, statewide awards: the Pat Hammers Spirit Award and Municipal Clerk of the Year. The Pat Hammers Spirit Award recognizes a nominee’s attitude, commitment, and overall presence in the municipal clerk community. The Municipal Clerk of the Year recognizes the nominee’s abilities, skills, and accomplishments to their organization, community, and profession. Read more

Tuesday, March 15, 10:00 a.m. — Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Charge Ready Program has launched! The program offers significant financial incentives and technical support for local governments, businesses, and property owners. Hear directly from SCE experts and learn how your community can get electronic vehicle charging stations on their property safely, quickly, and at a reduced cost. Register today 

Thursday, March 17, 10:00 a.m. — Since last summer, the U.S. Supreme Court decided, and agreed to decide, numerous cases involving states and local governments. This webinar will cover several cases, including ones about First Amendment rights, state intervention, qualified immunity, the Clean Power Plan, and Miranda warning liability. Join lawyers Michael Dreeben, O’Melveny; Harker Rhodes, Kirkland and Ellis, and Morgan Ratner, Sullivan & Cromwell, as they discuss the potential impacts of these cases. Register today

Friday, March 18, 9:00 a.m. — This year’s virtual Municipal Law Institute Symposium will provide an in-depth exploration of issues facing municipal lawyers in 2022, including the national opioid settlement, water rights, remote work, wildfire impacts, and new developments in labor and employment relations. Registration is $50 for public agency employees; general registration is $100. Learn more
Cal Cities in the News

The initiative’s general goal is to make it harder for local governments to impose or raise taxes and fees. It would prohibit advisory votes on the spending of local taxes appearing on the same ballot as the tax measure. Cal Cities is clear-eyed about the purpose of the initiative. “It would undermine voters’ rights and create major loopholes for corporations to avoid paying their fair share,” Nicolas Romo, a revenue and taxation expert at Cal Cities, told me. Read more

When CalPERS misses its investment return target, cities have to pay more to make up for the shortfall. A lower target means less risk, but higher upfront costs. The reduction to 6.8% will increase the upfront costs. That feels unfair to some city managers. “When the fund goes down, our contributions increase. When the fund goes up, our contributions may go up. So cities are in a tough spot,” said Jim Lewis, city manager of Pismo Beach and a board member of the League of California Cities, an organization that lobbies on behalf of cities. Read more

Ceres joins other local governments and labor organizations in opposing the proposed ballot measure. “Basically, it takes away local control from us when it comes down to taxes and revenue so that (there would) be less money for us to invest back into the community,” Mayor Javier Lopez said during the meeting Monday. The council directed staff to send its resolution to the League of California Cities, which opposes the initiative and requested municipalities adopt such resolutions. Read more

Derek Dolfie, legislative representative at the League of California Cities, said in a statement that the organization “has worked with a large coalition of local governments, waste haulers, and environmental groups to support efforts to make all single-use plastics bought or sold in California recyclable or compostable and to develop strong domestic markets for recyclable materials.” Read more

The "Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act," would amend the state Constitution to change the rules for how state and local governments can impose taxes, fees, and other charges. The initiative would also require voter approval for fines, penalties or levies against corporations or property owners that break state and local laws, unless a "new, adjudicatory process is used" to impose the fines. The League of California Cities is again opposing this measure and has asked local communities to draft resolutions to "demonstrate how harmful this measure would be," according to Gassaway. Read more
How to spur housing production in California, Feb. 25, Cal Matters, the Orange County Register, and 10 others

Cities work every day to do their part to increase housing supply and have planned and zoned for millions of new homes. But California will never produce the number of homes needed without a long-term investment that matches the scale of this long-term crisis. Read more