Issue highlights:
Read below for more news and events.
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AB 2011 (Wicks) would require nearly all cities to ministerially approve, without condition or discretion, certain affordable and mixed-use housing developments in areas of a city where office, retail, or parking are principally allowed regardless of any inconsistency with a local government’s general plan, specific plan, zoning ordinance, or regulation. Take action today and urge your lawmakers to OPPOSE AB 2011!
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California's projected budget surplus has reached an eye-popping $97.5 billion. While the Governor’s revised May budget includes funding for some of cities’ top priorities, Cal Cities’ latest budget requests have been overlooked. Read more
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The League of California Cities Board of Directors gathered for a two-day board meeting after last week’s City Leaders Summit to review progress on the State Action Agenda, vote on policy positions, and consider recommendations to further the organization’s governance work. Read more
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More than 200 city officials gathered for the City Leaders Summit last week, a brand-new advocacy and education event. The summit offered three days of opportunities for officials to advocate for city priorities at the Capitol and discuss local solutions to statewide problems during educational sessions. Read more
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Ballot measure threatening voter rights and local services fails to garner necessary signatures
Last Friday, the California Business Roundtable (CBRT) announced that it failed to meet the minimum signature requirement to place the “Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act” on the November 2022 ballot and is now targeting the 2024 ballot. The measure would have undermined the rights of local voters and the ability of cities to deliver critical services to residents. Following strong opposition from cities and coalition partners, the measure lost momentum to qualify this year. Cal Cities thanks all of the cities that adopted resolutions or wrote a letter in opposition.
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A group of nonprofits and government associations have launched a first-of-its-kind infrastructure assistance hub to help cities take advantage of the hundreds of grant programs funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Additionally, several federal agencies and national nonprofits, including the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National League of Cities, the Volcker Alliance, and the Penn Institute for Urban Research have released new resources and information about the federal infrastructure law. Read more
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Thursday, May 19, 2:00 p.m. — Cal Cities is hosting a series of virtual legislative updates and educational sessions for rural cities each month. The first session, scheduled for May 19, will focus on the Governor’s revised budget proposal, which grew to $300.7 billion thanks to a nearly $100 billion budget surplus. Learn how the proposed budget could impact your community, what Cal Cities’ budget priorities are, and how to engage in Cal Cities’ advocacy efforts. Register today
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The League of California Cities is seeking dynamic, forward-looking topics for two December conferences, the Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar and Municipal Finance Institute. Both events are scheduled to take place at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, Dec. 7-8, 2022. Submissions from individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations on any topic of interest are welcome. Read more
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The California Ocean Protection Council is seeking grant proposals for projects that help coastal communities prepare for and adapt to the impacts of sea level rise. Specific projects include research-based projects that focus on coastal habitat mapping, contaminated sites, or socioeconomic impacts, and implementation projects that create resilience through restoration and/or habitat enhancement. An informational webinar will be held on May 19. Letters of intent are due on June 13. Register today
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Thursday, June 16 10:00 a.m. — The California Coastal Commission and a local government working group, which includes representatives from the Cal Cities Coastal Cities Group Leadership Committee, are hosting a webinar on the commission's grant program, which helps local governments develop and amend Local Coastal Programs. Eligible projects include those that plan for coastal resiliency, such as adapting to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Read more
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Lawmakers are gearing up for this year’s first suspense file, which starts on May 19. Introduced in the 1980s, the process evaluates the costs of financially significant bills before they reach the Assembly or Senate floor. Those that fail to pass out of suspense file are held in the committee and do not move forward. Dozens of bills impacting cities will go through this process. Read more
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Tuesday, May 24, 1:00 p.m. — Public agencies and officials face important restrictions and requirements related to ballot measure activities. As this year’s election cycle ramps up, local officials and staff will have questions about what they can and cannot do in this space. Join the Institute for Local Government for a discussion about the Fair Political Practices Commission’s campaign finance rules and related legal issues, including the use of public resources for educational outreach. Register today
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Tuesday, June 7, 11:00 a.m. — A historic number of people have quit or are planning to quit their jobs, with many citing burnout as the primary reason. During this webinar, deepen your understanding of burnout and how it can impact your workforce. Learn how to help prevent burnout, create a psychologically healthy culture, and access resources that support the well-being of your employees. Register today
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The California Department of Technology is seeking information about local broadband permitting processes. The information will be used to provide support to cities that utilize 2021’s multibillion-dollar broadband investments from the state and federal governments. The short survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Responses will be presented to the California Broadband Council — which provides recommendations to the state on how best to increase broadband access — on May 25. Take the survey
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New development projects increase demand on existing public infrastructure. To fund improvements, cities often impose development impact fees, which are governed by the Mitigation Fee Act. Recently, courts have interpreted this law in a more rigid manner, suggesting that any fees held unspent for more than five years must be refunded. Read more
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Tourism is spurring the recovery of lost jobs and revenue in many cities, particularly rural ones. However, those gains have not been felt equally, especially in large, urban communities. It is crucial that cities and other tourism stakeholders, regardless of their recovery level, have plans in place to help them navigate future uncertainties. Read more
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A proposed voter initiative that raised significant concerns for local governments across California has failed to qualify for this year’s ballot. The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, so alarmed local officials that the city councils of both Clearlake and Lakeport voted in February to formally oppose it at the request of the League of California Cities, which called the measure “deceptive” and “irresponsible.” Read more
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Everyone wants a piece of California’s surplus pie — one that could be worth as much as $68 billion — and Gov. Gavin Newsom, state lawmakers and advocates all have different ideas for how it should be split up. The League of California Cities wants $1.6 billion for housing, economic development and organic waste recycling programs — and for reimbursements for costs related to state mandates it says has gone unpaid for the past two decades. Read more
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City officials from around the state gathered outside the Capitol Wednesday morning to urge lawmakers to draw on the state’s estimated $68 billion budget surplus to allocate $1.6 billion for programs that achieve shared local and state government goals, as well as reimburse cities for unfunded mandates. “The state’s historic surplus of close to $70 billion dollars provides lawmakers with an incredible opportunity to be a true partner to cities in advancing our shared goals towards housing and climate resiliency,” said Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. Read more
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KRON-TV 4, (MyNetworkTV San Francisco), KGET-TV17 (NBC Bakersfield), and KSWB-TV5 (Fox San Dieg0)
At the State Capitol, budget negotiations are underway. Several city leaders from across the state are urging the legislature and governor to approve funds for recycling and housing program. They also said the state owes them money. “We’re asking the state to put its money where its mandates are,” said Carolyn Coleman, League of California Cities CEO. The League of California Cities called on state leaders to use $1.6 billion of the state’s estimated $68 billion budget surplus for a list of what they say are necessities. Read more
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Hospital Council – Northern & Central California is a nonprofit trade association representing hospitals and health systems in 50 of California’s 58 counties. It works collaboratively with members to achieve the best health outcomes for patients. Read more
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Sept. 7-9 (Save the date!)
Dec. 7-8 (Save the date!)
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