Take Action
AB 1657 (Wicks) The Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2024
AB 1657 (Wicks) would place a $10 billion bond measure on the March 2024 ballot to spur the production of affordable and supportive housing. The bill authorizes $10 billion in general obligation bonds to fund affordable and supportive housing programs, including the Multifamily Housing Program, the CalHOME program, the My Home down payment assistance program, and the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Program.
Voice your SUPPORT for AB 1657 by calling your Assembly Member and Senator and submitting a letter.
OPPOSE SB 423 (Wiener)
In 2017, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed SB 35. This law makes the approval of certain multifamily developments, “ministerial” actions. As a result, the approval of these developments pre-empts local discretionary land use authority, bypasses the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and ignores public input.
SB 423 would greatly expand SB 35 (Chapter 366, Statutes of 2017) provisions and extend the Jan. 1, 2026 sunset date to Jan. 1, 2036, requiring cities to ministerially approve certain multifamily housing projects without public input or environmental review. SB 423 may be voted on the Senate Floor at any time between May 24 and June 2.
Voice your opposition TODAY by CALLING YOUR SENATOR and expressing your opposition. Click here to find your Senator. If your city would like to join the growing coalition of cities opposing SB 423, contact your Regional Public Affairs Manager to be added to the Senate Floor Alert.
Contact your regional public affairs manager
2023-24 May Revision Budget Proposal
Sign on to Assembly Member Quirk-Silva’s endorsement letter
AB 1708 (Muratsuchi) Proposition 47 Reform
Proposition 47 made promises of safe neighborhoods, but the unintended consequences that followed have undermined that promise. AB 1708 (Muratsuchi) would increase accountability for repeat theft offenders and offer pathways for pre-plea diversion programming.
If passed, the bill would send the issue to the voters for approval at the next statewide general election. Voice your SUPPORT by submitting a letter to the Assembly Public Safety Committee. If your assembly member is on the committee, it is important to submit a letter and call them to express your support!
2023-24 State Budget Priorities for Cities
Cal Cities is calling on the state and Legislature to invest $3 billion in ongoing funding for cities to increase the supply of affordable housing and reduce homelessness, invest $1 billion to reimburse cities for unfunded mandates, and lay off any action that would reduce or eliminate funding for cities or divert essential local revenue sources.
State Ballot Measure Restricting Voters’ Input and Local Taxing Authority
The anti-local control California Business Roundtable measure has qualified for the November 2024 ballot. This anti-local control measure will decimate vital local and state services to the benefit of the largest and wealthiest corporations in California. Cal Cities, along with a broad coalition of local governments, labor, public safety, education, and infrastructure advocates, strongly oppose this initiative.
Make sure your city’s voice is heard by adopting a resolution opposing the harmful measure. Adopted city resolutions can be sent to BallotMeasures@calcities.org. For information about how the measure could impact your community, contact your local public affairs manager.
Contact your regional public affairs manager
Regulation Comments
Cal Cities' advocacy efforts do not stop once bills are signed into law. Cal Cities' staff, members, and coalition partners work with state officials to make sure that local government interests are protected during the regulation-making process.
Public Safety
- CalChamber Coalition Letter to Cal Fire Requesting Public Comment Deadline Extension (January 12, 2023)
Transportation, Communications, and Public Works
- Cal Cities Comments on Draft Advanced Clean Fleets Public Fleets Regulatory Language (October 11, 2022)
Environmental Quality
- Support Governor's Proposal to Maintain $345 Million from FY 21-22 and FY 22-23 for SB 1383 Implementation Grants and the Organic Waste Infrastructure Program - Coalition Letter (March 29, 2023)
- Cal Cities Comments on AB 205 Emergency Rulemaking (September 30, 2022)
- Cal Cities Comments on Proposed Phase 2 Decision Revising Electric Rule 20 (September 15, 2022)
- Cal Cities Comment Letter on CCC Critical Infrastructure at Risk: Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Guidance - Public Draft (September 24, 2021)
- State Water Resources Control Board Proposed Statewide Construction Stormwater General Permit – Coalition Letter (August 13, 2021)
- Proposed Phase 1 Decision Revising Electric Rule 20 and Enhancing Program Oversight (April 27, 2021)
- California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Rule 20 Rulemaking Letter (October, 10, 2020)
- CalRecycle Proposed 1383 Regulations Letter (May 17, 2020)
- SB 1383 - Fourth Round League Comments (May 13, 2020)
- SB 1383 - Local Services Rates Analysis Comment Letter (February 14, 2020)
- California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Rule 20 Rulemaking Letter (April 20, 2020)
- SB 1383 Proposed Regulation Released June 2019 (July 16, 2019)
- SB 1383 - Third Round Cal Cities Comments (October 11, 2019)
- SB 1383 - Second Round Cal Cities Comments (July 16, 2019)
- SB 1383 - Coalition Comments (June 27, 2019)
- SB 1383 - First Round Cal Cities Comments (February 13, 2019)
- SB 1383 - Cal Cities Comments - (May 16, 2018)
Community Services
Housing, Community, and Economic Development
Cal Cities' weekly hearings update — distributed via Cal Cities Advocate — highlights upcoming legislative hearings on the bills that matter most to cities. Read the report each Wednesday.
How to Submit a Position Letter
- Visit the California Legislature Position Letter Portal to create an account and upload this letter. If you are having difficulty accessing the portal, please contact Meg Desmond.
- In addition to submitting the letter through the portal, please send a physical copy to your Legislator(s), and email a copy to Cal Cities, as well as your Regional Public Affairs Manager.