Issue highlights:
Read below for more news and events.
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Efforts to modernize the Brown Act by providing flexibility for remote public meetings were dealt major blows in the Legislature last week. One Brown Act bill was held by its author and will not advance. Another is moving forward but took on problematic amendments. Read more
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The League of California Cities notched two legislative victories last week after an outpouring of opposition from city leaders to bills that would have restricted the use of funding sources for local transportation initiatives. One bill was held in the Senate and the other had its most egregious provisions removed. Read more
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CalPERS is accepting public comments on regulations that would limit the type of work retirees can do for public agencies. Although additional clarity would be beneficial, the proposed regulations are overly restrictive — especially for hard-to-fill positions, seasonal jobs, and areas with limited labor pools. Read more
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is holding a webinar on federal water infrastructure grants and the California Public Utilities Commission is looking for ways to improve its broadband grant programs. Additionally, the National League of Cities is holding a webinar on effective COVID-19 responses and has released new infrastructure resources for rural cities. Read more
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Registration for the Annual Conference and Expo is in full swing, with over 1,000 city officials signed up to attend and nearly 90% of all discounted hotel rooms already booked. Scheduled for Sept. 7-9 in Long Beach, the annual conference offers opportunities for local officials to gain knowledge on the challenging issues facing cities and share perspectives with others in the field. Attendees can also visit the expo floor, featuring companies and organizations that provide key services to cities. Register today
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Thursday, June 30, 1:00 p.m. — Join the League of California Cities' legislative team for a briefing on major bills cities should advocate for or against when the Legislature returns from its summer recess on Aug. 1. The briefing will include detailed information on bills pending in the Legislature, including measures related to local land-use authority and housing, homelessness, environmental quality, public safety, transportation, governance, and the state budget. Register today
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The League of California Cities is accepting thorough and thoughtful session proposals for the City Clerks New Law Elections Seminar, taking place Dec. 7-9 in Monterey. The educational conference will bring together more than 300 California city clerks to discuss the most pressing issues affecting cities and the city clerk profession. Proposals are due July 1. Read more
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Has your city found a novel way to respond to evolving infrastructure issues, address transportation inequities, or use technology to solve complex infrastructure problems? Consider submitting a session proposal for the League of California Cities Public Works Officers Institute, scheduled for March 8-10 in Universal City. Proposals must be submitted through an online session proposal form by July 29. Read more
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With the Legislature set to break for summer recess on July 1, just one bill of interest to cities is scheduled for a policy hearing after Wednesday. However, once lawmakers reconvene on Aug. 1, it will be a sprint to the end for both houses. Legislators will have just four weeks to get their bills through any remaining policy committees, a second suspense file, and eventually, a floor vote. Gov. Gavin Newsom then has until Sept. 30 to act on bills that make it to his desk. Read more
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Policy development is a key part of the League of California Cities’ legislative effectiveness, and the annual conference resolutions process is one way that city officials can directly participate in policy development. Any elected or appointed city official, city council, division, department, caucus, policy committee, or the Cal Cities Board of Directors may submit a resolution for consideration. Resolutions must be germane to city issues. Read more
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Thursday, July 14, 11:00 a.m. — From countless First Amendment cases to a potentially big police case, this U.S. Supreme Court term will long be remembered. Join high-profile case lawyers and State and Local Legal Center's Executive Director Lisa Soronen for a discussion about the most interesting and important cases for states and local governments decided this term. Register today
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The Institute for Local Government (ILG) is accepting nominations for outstanding leaders in public service. Nominations can include anyone working in any of California's cities, counties, or special districts. Preference will be given for nominations that fall under ILG's four pillars: leadership and governance, public engagement, sustainable and resilient communities, and workforce and civics education. Nominees will be highlighted on ILG's social media, newsletters, and website. Submit a nomination
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Public trust is built in — and with — the community. It cannot be mandated. This article is a first-person account of how the connection between city and citizen develops. Cupertino Council Member Hung Wei reflects on her journey to become an elected official and what it means to be honorable. It serves as an excellent example for Western City magazine’s public trust and ethics issue. Read more
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In a letter opposing the bill, the California State Association of Counties, Urban Counties of California, Rural County Representatives of California and the League of California Cities said renewable energy facilities “can have enormous impacts on local communities.” They said the Energy Commission approval process is “overly broad, usurps local control, excludes local governments from meaningful involvement in major development projects within their jurisdictions, and could result in even more litigation.” Read more
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A bill negotiated by environmentalists, the plastics industry and lawmakers appears likely to keep a California recycling measure off the ballot. ... In a June 21 joint letter to Assemblymember Luz Rivas, the chairperson of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, the League of California Cities, California State Association of Counties and Rural County Representatives of California said they support the bill because it would help them meet their challenges to recycle plastics. Read more
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Environmentalists and clean-energy experts say Newsom is pushing to give the Energy Commission sole control over siting of energy plants, usurping local control. ... The California State Association of Counties and the League of California Cities sent letters to legislators urging them to allow local authorities to authorize permits and have an opportunity to comment on environmental impacts of projects. The League of California Cities told legislators that it is “opposed to the state usurpation of local permitting authority.” The group requested that the bill include a three-year sunset provision. Read more
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[The League of California Cities] has been among the leading voices advocating for more local funding for SB 1383 implementation during the annual state budgeting process. ... This spring, [Cal Cities], along with waste agencies representing jurisdictions from throughout the state as well as the Solid Waste Association of North America’s local chapter, sent a letter advocating for another $180 million in funding for SB 1383 implementation in the FY23 budget. Read more
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June 30
July 14
July 27
Sept. 7-9
Dec. 7-8 (Save the date!)
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Dec. 7-8 (Save the date!)
Dec.7-9 (Save the date!)
Feb. 8-10 (Save the date!)
Mar. 8-10 (Save the date!)
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