Issue highlights:
Read below for more news and events.
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Under a new state policy, local agencies must identify and report any new state subventions — unrestricted money received by a local agency from the state — that would cause them to exceed local appropriations limits. The state will count those amounts at the state level instead. Read more
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The White House released a roadmap for federal action to provide local, regional, ad state governments with the resources needed to reduce homelessness. The plan also details a new initiative that will provide full-time federal assistance, regulatory relief, and other resources to a cohort of cities and states. Read more
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Just before the new year, the California Energy Commission approved a $2.9 billion investment plan that seeks to accelerate the state’s 2025 electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling goals. Cities not in compliance with two key state laws could be ineligible for similar funding in the future. Read more
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The White House released an online resource to help local officials better understand how their communities can benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act. Passed in 2022, the law contains funding for programs that mitigate the effects of climate change and create more resilient communities. Also, the Local Infrastructure Hub is holding two recovery webinars for cities: one on electric vehicle charging and another on pandemic relief oversight. Read more
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Tuesday, Jan. 24, 10:00 a.m. — Cal Cities President and Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj’s path to public service began nearly 25 years ago when he immigrated to Artesia, California. His personal story and inspiring path to leadership define his strong belief in the power of collective action and the importance of improving the lives of all California residents. Join President Taj as he shares his personal story, insights on leadership, and the “why” that keeps him going. Register today
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March 29-31 — Planning commissioners must navigate some of the state’s most ambitious — and controversial — housing and environmental laws while also balancing the needs of their community. Navigating these obligations can be challenging, even for the most seasoned planning commissioner. Taking place March 29-31 in Garden Grove, the Planning Commissioners Academy provides city officials with information needed to meet these challenges. Register today
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Cal Cities is seeking proposals for its second-ever City Leaders Summit. Taking place April 12-14 in Sacramento, this unique advocacy and learning event allows city officials to influence state policy decisions and gain top-notch leadership skills. Cal Cities is looking for thorough, thoughtful, and complete proposals that tell how your session can help elected city officials improve their communities, leadership abilities, and policy knowledge. Read more
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The California Department of Health Care Services is seeking participants for its Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) program. The statewide program allows city leaders to help strengthen Medi-Cal. PATH will provide funding for related, regional collaborative planning efforts among various stakeholders. These groups will work together to identify, discuss, and resolve implementation issues and identify how to address identified health system gaps. Read more
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The California Statewide Communities Development Authority issued $23.1 million in tax-exempt Essential Housing Revenue Bonds to acquire apartments in Santa Fe Springs and Los Angeles, as well as $25.2 million in tax-exempt bonds to construct apartments in Roseville. CSCDA partnered with the cities and others for the acquisition of the properties and issuance of bonds. Read more
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Cal Cities is calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to allocate $3 billion in his proposed 2023-24 state budget to ongoing funding to support cities’ efforts to reduce homelessness and increase housing. Although the state has made major investments aimed at solving these crises, these limited, one-time pots of funding prevent long-term planning efforts and stifle more ambitious goals. Read more
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The FPPC officially removed some ambiguity around a new financial interest law, SB 1439 (Chaptered, 2022). Just before the holidays, the FPPC voted to formally adopt a Commission Opinion stating that the disqualification obligations in SB 1439 do not apply retroactively to campaign donations received in 2022. There will likely be additional implementation challenges to work through, such as the practical realities of returning contributions. Read more
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Several notable changes to public meetings are in place due to new laws that took effect on Jan. 1 and the announcement that the COVID-19 State of Emergency will end on Feb. 28. Ending the state of emergency will restrain how cities can conduct remote meetings by limiting their ability to utilize AB 361 (Rivas, Robert), which is effective during a declared state of emergency. Read more
Editors Note: This story has been updated to better clarify the distinction between “just cause” and “emergency circumstances” in AB 2449 (Rubio, Blanca), as well as a limitation with AB 2647 (Levine).
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Thursday, Jan. 12, 1:00 p.m. — This past election, California voters approved 23 of the 27 local cannabis revenue-related ballot measures put before them. Join Culture Cannabis Club, a Cal Cities Partner, for a discussion about the benefits and best practices of licensed cannabis. The webinar will also include an overview of how local governments are spurring new economic development with licensed cannabis, as well as available state grant funding opportunities. Register today
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Local officials understand the importance of shifting past divisive campaign rhetoric and focusing on how to effectively, collaboratively, and collegially carry out the duties that voters expect them to fulfill. Just as there is strength in collaboration at the local level, there’s strength in collaboration at Cal Cities. Read more
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California’s massive state budget surplus dominated every legislative conversation this year and lawmakers competed fiercely to ensure their priorities were passed. Through it all, Cal Cities fought for the best interests of cities: Cal Cities tracked or engaged with 1,430 bills and protected cities’ interests in the courts, at the federal level, and in the regulatory arena. Read more
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Jan. 12
Jan. 18-20 or Feb. 1-3 (Sold out!)
Jan. 24
Feb. 8-10 (Sold out!)
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Mar. 8-10
Mar. 29-31
Apr. 12-14 (Save the date!)
May 17-19 (Save the date!)
Sept. 20-22 (Save the date!)
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