Cal Cities to the state: strengthening California’s communities starts at the local level
Contact:
Kayla Sherwood, 530-844-1744, ksherwood@calcities.org
Napa, CA — The League of California Cities Board of Directors today adopted the organization’s 2025 Advocacy Priorities with a clear message to the state: cities are a smart investment for a strong California.
“We know that state budget decisions will be tough, but investing in cities is an investment in the quality of life for those who call California home,” said League of California Cities President and Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem Lynne B. Kennedy. “To keep California strong, we must ensure that every resident has access to the local services they need and rely upon.”
Nearly 100 city leaders who serve in leadership positions in Cal Cities participated in meetings over the last month to chart the organization’s priorities for 2025.
“Investments to support our unhoused residents, increase the supply of housing, strengthen our infrastructure, and strengthen climate change resiliency benefit every Californian,” said Carolyn Coleman, executive director and CEO of the League of California Cities. “California cities are the bedrock of the state’s economy, and Cal Cities is laser-focused on ensuring California is thriving and affordable for our residents.”
The 2025 Advocacy Priorities are as follows:
- Protect local revenues and expand economic development tools. Safeguard and modernize revenue streams for local priorities. Pursue new economic development opportunities that bolster local economies and cultivate a strong local workforce, including expanded workforce recruitment and retention tools.
- Strengthen climate change resiliency and disaster preparedness. Support city efforts to prepare, prevent, and adapt to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change, including wildfires, drought, sea level rise, and other extreme weather events. Increase transparency and access to insurance policies, especially following a natural disaster.
- Strengthen and modernize critical infrastructure. Dedicate new resources and protect existing funding to maintain and improve essential infrastructure, including bridges, roads, broadband, and the state’s water supply and energy grid.
- Secure investments to prevent and reduce homelessness and increase the supply of affordable housing. Secure dedicated funding to bolster cities’ long-term planning efforts to support unhoused residents and accelerate the construction of affordable housing. Strengthen state and regional partnerships to expand access to wraparound services and improve the housing element planning process. Ensure cities have the flexibility and decision-making authority to meet their community and state housing goals and reduce homelessness.
Cal Cities will begin working immediately to advance this work in the state Capitol.
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.
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