Issue highlights:
Read below for more news and events.
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The Governor announced a record-breaking $267.8 billion revised May budget proposal on Friday, $40 billion higher than the one he proposed four months ago.
The revised budget proposal included a number of investments crucial to city priorities, including funds to house California’s homeless, expand broadband services, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Read more
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The League of California Cities is launching a new virtual speaker series in June, featuring government leaders and policy experts who will share insights on big picture issues and trends that matter most to cities. Our speakers, like our cities, have diverse perspectives and Cal Cities is excited to bring to our members meaningful dialogue that engages, enlightens, and inspires. Read more
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After receiving numerous requests from the community for pickleball courts, the city of Solvang developed a creative approach to make the project a reality. A highly collaborative process, the new courts are the result of in-kind support from residents, funding from both the city and community, and the dedicated efforts of city staff. Read more
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The U.S. Department of the Treasury has launched its own American Rescue Plan information hub, which includes a Fiscal Recovery Funds FAQ and the interim final rule. The FAQ will be updated periodically in response to stakeholder questions. The White House and the Treasury Department will also address the interim rule during an NLC-hosted webinar and Q & A on May 20 at 1 p.m. PST.
The League of California Cities also hosted a webinar on the American Rescue Plan for more than 400 city officials today. Representatives from the National League of Cities (NLC) discussed eligible uses for entitlement cities. The webinar recording and slides are available for those who missed it. Read more
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The Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar will bring together California fire service leaders on Dec. 8 and 9 for a two-day educational and networking event. Cal Cities is soliciting session proposals on timely topics of importance to fire service professionals including but not limited to fire chiefs, chief officers, and union leadership. Read more
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Tuesday, May 25, 3-4 p.m. — How is your city thinking about reopening senior center and community center facilities? Following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement to reopen the state on June 15, cities are left with many questions about how to do so safely. Please join Cal Cities and the California Department of Aging to discuss state guidance on reopening senior facilities, such as senior centers and community centers, and discuss the areas that have yet to be addressed by state guidance. Presenters: Representatives from the California Department of Aging. Register now
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Six months into the pandemic, it was clear that San Diego’s creative industry was suffering. By September 2020, 14,500 local artists, photographers, dancers, filmmakers, graphic designers, architects, and computer programmers had lost their jobs. The city of San Diego knew it had to act quickly and purchased visual art by area artists to get badly-needed funds to working artists. Read more
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The League of California Cities and several other local agency associations requested more time in a recent letter to the Governor to prepare for the eventual repeal of COVID-19-related Executive Orders, including those that allow local governments to hold meetings remotely. Like the private sector, local governments need time to plan the transition, especially in light of recent updates to state and federal mask guidance. Additional time will allow local governments to modify or keep any pandemic-era changes and provide sufficient notice to the public, honoring city obligations to prioritize access and transparency along with the safety of the public. Read the letter
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To reflect the updates to the new state revenue estimates, the League of California Cities generated new local streets and roads revenue allocation estimates for the current fiscal year and upcoming 2021-22 budget year. The latest figures include Highway Users Tax Account, as well as Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account distributions, and are based on updated estimates of state collections of fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees released by the California Department of Finance in coordination with Gov. Gavin Newsom's revised May budget proposal . Read more
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The deadline for fiscal committees to hear and report to the floor bills introduced in their house of origin is this Friday, May 21. Tomorrow, both the Senate and Assembly appropriations committees will decide the fate of hundreds of bills currently on the committees’ suspense files. Dozens of bills with significant fiscal impacts to cities will be considered. Read more
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Wednesday, May 26, 2:30 p.m. — Join the California Strategic Growth Council, the Institute for Local Government (ILG), and BOOST program partners from the cities of Arcata, Bakersfield, and Paramount to learn about a new program that helped local governments across the state build capacity to address climate action needs. Discover the tips and tools needed to engage your community, advance climate action planning, and develop meaningful partnerships with other local agencies and community-based organizations. Presenters: ILG Assistant Executive Director Karalee Browne, City of Paramount Public Works Director Adriana Figueroa, City of Bakersfield Economic Development Principal Planner Cecelia Greigo, City of Arcata Community Development Director David Loya, and ShePOWER Global CEO Arleana Waller. Read more
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Local government representatives, while acknowledging the market pressures on the underfunded system, are preparing to urge CalPERS to hold off on new rate increases. “At this time, in May 2021, our membership is more concerned about immediate increased cost than it is about decreasing the volatility over the long run,” said Bijan Mehryar, a lobbyist with the League of California Cities.
The League of California Cities and the cities we represent are committed to continuing to do our part to address the housing crisis, and to working with the administration, Legislature and other interested parties. While cities don’t build homes, we have an obligation to ensure we’re planning for and approving homes that meet the diverse housing needs of our communities, while minimizing delays, costs and barriers to housing.
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May 26
June 2
Sept. 22-24 SAVE THE DATE
Municipal Finance Institute
Sept. 22-24 SAVE THE DATE
Annual Conference & Expo
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