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New Legislature Convenes
On December 2, the new legislative session officially convened with 35 new legislators sworn in. Of that group, 27 are new to the Legislature. These new legislators will play a major role in shaping the future of California policy, leading budget negotiations, and chairing policy and fiscal committees in future legislative sessions. Thanks to changes to California’s term limits law, members elected this year are eligible to serve for 12 years in either house or a combination of both.
CDA advocacy staff have already begun meeting with the new legislators to introduce them to the organization’s priorities and explain the important role downtowns play in creating economic, housing, entertainment, and cultural opportunities for the state’s urban core.
Governor Calls Special Session
On the same day that the new legislature was sworn in, Governor Newsom called a special session of the Legislature to “safeguard critical funding for disaster relief, health care, and other vital services that millions of Californians depend on daily.”
Several bills were introduced in both houses that will provide the Department of Justice with additional funding for litigation against the Trump administration. The Assembly provided $25 million allocated more generally and the Senate provided $35 million, with $10 million specifically allocated for a grant program to support filing civil actions to protect reproductive health, environmental justice, LGBTQ civil rights, immigrant rights, or other vulnerable communities. These differences will have to be reconciled in the coming weeks and the Governor is expected to sign the legislation prior to January 20, 2025.
Assembly Select Committee on Downtown Recovery Concludes Downtown Tours
Over the last month, the Select Committee on Downtown Recovery, under the leadership of Assembly Member Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), has been working with CDA to tour several downtowns throughout the state. The goal of the committee is to see first-hand the important role downtowns play in our communities and to better understand the challenges and opportunities that exist that must be addressed to help create vibrant and successful downtowns. To date, the Committee has toured downtowns in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Berkeley. CDA continues to work very closely with the Committee and legislators to develop legislation next year that will help downtowns continue to build on our legislative accomplishments that have led to improved economic opportunities and entertainment options for our members.
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