Issue highlights:
Read below for more news and events.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday marks the first part of a twice-yearly legislative tradition: the demise of hundreds of bills. Known as the suspense file, the rapid-fire process allows the appropriations committees to review the fiscal impact of hundreds of bills before they go to the floor for a full debate. Read more
|
|
|
|
Gov. Gavin Newsom called his past revised state budgets “unprecedented” and “historic.” On Friday, he struck a different tone, repeatedly emphasizing the value of prudence and restraint as he unveiled a revised state budget proposal. The budget includes a few wins and disappointments for cities. Read more
|
|
|
|
A measure that would significantly restrict the use of police canines, AB 742 (Jackson), is scheduled for a key appropriations hearing this week. The League of California Cities opposes the bill, as it may limit police officers' ability to keep their communities safe. Read more
|
|
Thursday, May 25, 2:00 p.m. — Regardless of the type or size of a local agency, its investment policy is the foundational component of a prudent and organized cash and investment management strategy. Join California CLASS, a joint powers authority investment pool sponsored by Cal Cities and the California Special Districts Association, as they explain the importance, structure, and key concepts of an investment policy, as well as how it serves as a guiding document for making cash and investment decisions. Register today
|
|
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
|
|
The state is continuing to accept applications for the California Automated Permit Processing Program (CAL APP), which helps cities pay for the cost of a mandated automated online solar permitting platform. Most cities must adopt the platform under a law passed last year. The platform is free for all agencies. Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. However, since the official deadline has passed, there is no guarantee of funding. The state is urgently encouraging cities to apply before June 1, 2023. Read more
|
|
Thursday, May 25, 12:30 p.m. — Federal agencies are holding a virtual listening session on the Shelter and Services Program, which helps fund short-term sheltering and related activities provided by non-federal agencies to relieve overcrowding in migrant holding facilities. Relevant federal agencies administer grants or cooperative agreements with tribal nations, state and local governments, as well as non-governmental organizations, through the program. Federal officials will also discuss the program's requirements during the webinar. Register today
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
Nearly 400 city officials responded to Cal Cities’ call and joined a letter urging Assembly leaders to include cities in an informational hearing on the fentanyl crisis. The letter also calls on lawmakers to take further action to protect communities from the fentanyl crisis. Cal Cities will continue adding names to the letter until the hearing on May 24. Email Legislative Affairs Lobbyist Elisa Arcidiacono to add your name to the letter. Read more
|
|
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
|
|
June 13-16 — The National League of Cities’ National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Constituency Group is hosting its annual Summer Conference in Jackson, Mississippi. This year’s theme is SEE Black: safety, education, and economics. Don’t miss your chance to build new connections, share best practices, and explore solutions to ongoing challenges experienced in your communities. Register today
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
Like many cities across the country, Santa Monica was devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The city faced a projected revenue shortfall of about $225 million due to hotel and business closures. In response, the city invested more than $5 million in 25 city programs to accelerate local recovery. Read more
|
|
How much money will it take to get enough unhoused residents into stable housing before Californians start seeing a visible improvement in the state’s intractable homeless crisis? More than a dozen mayors from California’s largest cities came to Sacramento Wednesday with their answer. They told Gov. Gavin Newsom it will take $2 billion in annual, ongoing funding to ease homelessness on their streets. The ask is $1 billion less than the lobbying group League of California Cities called for last week. Read more
|
|
With California's legislative season entering a critical juncture, cities are keeping a particularly close eye on Senate Bill 423, a bill that would indefinitely extend an existing law that creates a streamlined approval process for residential projects in cities that fail to meet their housing quotas. ... Jason Rhine, assistant director for legislative affairs at the League of California Cities, told the [Senate] committee that the organization is particularly concerned about the elimination of the sunset provision. Read more
|
|
May 17-19
May 24
May 24
May 24
May 25
May 31
|
|
Sept. 20-22 (Save the date!)
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!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
