League of California Cities adopts 2022 State Action Agenda

Dec 3, 2021
Contact: Kayla Sherwood
ksherwood@calcities.org 
(530) 844-1744

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sacramento – Today, the League of California Cities Board of Directors adopted the organization’s 2022 Action Agenda during its meeting. 

City leaders who serve in leadership positions in Cal Cities divisions, departments, policy committees, and diversity caucuses convened during meetings over the last month to chart the organization’s priorities for 2022 and ensure they are laser focused on the issues most critical to our cities and the residents our members serve. 

The 2022 Action Agenda is as follows: 
 
  1. Secure funding to increase the supply and affordability of housing and reform state housing laws to retain local authority. Secure adequate and sustainable funding for cities to increase construction of housing at all income levels, particularly affordable housing and workforce housing. Reform state housing laws to ensure cities retain local decision-making to meet the needs of their communities. 
  2. Attain investments to strengthen and sustain critical infrastructure. Advocate for policies that strengthen the conditions of local streets, highways, bridges, public transit, and broadband to improve workforce and economic development. Secure support for the modernization and expansion of the statewide water grid, including infrastructure, storage, and conveyance. Work with stakeholders to provide cities with access to the tools needed to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively to meet current and future needs.
  3. Secure increased funding and resources to prevent homelessness and assist individuals experiencing homelessness. Secure additional ongoing, flexible resources to provide navigation assistance, emergency shelters, and permanent supportive housing. Enhance city and county coordination and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders to ensure adequate wraparound services are available for adults and youth at risk of, or already experiencing, homelessness in our communities, and effectively address mental health and substance use disorders. 
  4. Strengthen disaster preparedness, resiliency, and recovery from climate change impacts through improved collaboration and resources. Secure additional resources and support to mitigate the effects of climate change, including catastrophic wildfires, drought, and sea level rise. Promote collaboration with other city, state, and federal governments, to strengthen disaster preparedness, resiliency, and recovery. 
“Housing, homelessness, critical infrastructure, and the impacts of climate change — these priorities have been at the heart of local leaders’ efforts for years,” said League of California Cities President and Walnut Creek Council Member Cindy Silva. “The pandemic exacerbated these issues, many of them decades in the making, and highlighted the importance of a strong state investment to ensure cities have the resources necessary to protect their communities and improve the quality of life for all those who call California home.”  

With its agenda now set, Cal Cities will begin working immediately to advance these objectives in the state capitol. 

“As local officials continue to display remarkable resilience in their commitment to serving their cities, the state has yet another opportunity in 2022 to invest directly into our communities and create truly transformative change for California’s residents,” said League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “California’s cities will be actively seeking the state’s partnership that will ensure an equitable recovery for all of our communities next year.”

Cal Cities’ Action Agenda for 2022 is available at www.calcities.org/action-agenda.
 
Established in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide association that advocates for cities with the state and federal governments and provides education and training services to elected and appointed city officials.