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Advocacy

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The League of California Cities advocates tirelessly on the issues that matter most to California's 482 towns and cities. Our advocacy team works with regional field staff and lawmakers to sponsor, draft, and support legislative and regulatory measures that promote local decision-making, and lobby against policy that erodes local control. We also form coalitions with other local government associations and stakeholders to advocate for common goals.

Cal Cities takes positions on hundreds of bills annually. With over 400 city officials serving on the Cal Cities seven policy committees, cities directly influence the direction of Cal Cities’ overall advocacy efforts.

Read the 2022 Legislative Report

 

 

Legal Advocacy

Laws affecting cities are made in the courts, as well as in the Legislature. Consequently, Cal Cities advocacy efforts extend to the appellate courts. The organization weighs in on legal issues where its participation is likely to help advance the legal interests of all California cities. Learn more about our Legal Advocacy efforts.

Cal Cities Advocacy Priorities Arrow

  • Homelessness
    Protect and expand investments to prevent and reduce homelessness.
  • Housing
    Increase the supply and affordability of housing while retaining local decision-making.
  • Public Safety
    Improve public safety in California communities.
  • Fiscal Sustainability
    Safeguard essential local revenues and support fiscal sustainability.

Bill Search

Take Action


Our advocacy efforts are strongest when joined by the voices of city leaders. Visit the action center for a list of current priority legislative bills and proposals, and sample letters of support or opposition.

Make your voice heard

 

 

Advocacy Tools

 

Lobbying and the Legislative Process
State Bills in Brief

Each week, the League of California Cities breaks down the bills, policy committees, and legislative deadlines that city leaders need to know about.

Find your Lawmaker
Legislative Platforms Samples for Cities
As the Legislature increasingly acts through "gut and amend" legislation, more cities are adding a Quick Response Protocol to their legislative platforms that authorize positions on fast-moving bills. Often, Cal Cities members are asked to support or oppose bills of interest, which means cities need the ability to act quickly.  

We encourage cities to create a platform that will be helpful and suitable for their unique needs. Cal Cities has compiled this non-exhaustive list of legislative platforms adopted by cities. If you have a legislative platform that you would like added, please contact your Regional Public Affairs Manager. 

Sample Legislative Platforms by City

Guide to Local Recovery logo
The League of California Cities is actively involved in gathering, deciphering, and providing cities with the resources they need to access pandemic relief funds, understand eligible uses for those funds, and comply with reporting requirements. Visit the Guide to Local Recovery resource page to explore the resources available to cities.
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Cities must be prepared for challenges to local democracy and statewide fiscal raids. Ongoing fundraising through CitiPAC ensures that Cal Cities has the funds necessary to immediately and effectively respond. Any U.S. citizen, business, association, or PAC can contribute. 


Cal Cities Delivers

Together, with our members, Cal Cities delivers major victories for cities year after year – protecting local control, securing billions of dollars in new funding, and preserving existing city resources.

100 +

bills/ballot measures passed or defeated to retain local control

$13 Billion

in new funding for cities in the past five years

$8+ Billion

in federal recovery funding in 2021

See how Cal Cities Delivers