City officials lobby lawmakers and hear from gubernatorial candidates at the City Leaders Summit

By Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor

Over 400 city officials from throughout the state flooded the Capitol this week to urge legislators to fund programs that keep Californians in their homes, protect the environment, and ensure communities are safe.

The advocacy effort was part of Cal Cities’ annual City Leaders Summit. “I cannot stress how important it is to be here,” said Jason Rhine, senior director of legislative affairs, noting that when city leaders show up, legislators pay attention.

Several other lawmakers shared that sentiment, including Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, majority leader for the state Assembly and longtime Cal Cities ally. Aguiar-Curry joined Cal Cities CEO Carolyn Coleman for an on-stage chat about Cal Cities’ advocacy priorities, lobbying, and the state budget.

“We need your voices,” Aguiar-Curry said. “I cannot sit in that building across the street and think I know everything. Tell us what you’re looking for; tell us your concerns."

Aguiar-Curry noted that, unsurprisingly, this year will be a tough year for budget requests. She encouraged city leaders to work not just with lawmakers this week, but also with their district offices throughout the year to ensure their communities' needs are met. 

City officials focused on advocating for three priorities in the state budget: restoring funding to the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grant program, fully implementing the voter-approved Prop. 36, and devoting Cap-and-Invest dollars to clean fleet transitions and organic waste diversion.

"Cities can't do this work alone,” Coleman said. “The Governor and lawmakers must match these investments with state funding in the budget, so we don't risk upending the progress we've made and can continue delivering the vital services our residents depend on."

The 2026 summit featured a forum with three gubernatorial candidates, moderated by Scott Shafer, senior politics and government editor at KQED and co-host of the award-winning podcast Political Breakdown.

“[It’s] scrambled eggs,” he said. “It's anybody's game right now.”

This year’s summit was also a chance for city officials to connect directly with state agencies, hear from experts on a range of topics, and learn from peers during focused roundtable discussions.

The City Leaders Summit runs alongside California Cities Week, a statewide acknowledgement of the vital role of cities and the public servants who power them.

“As a former council member and mayor, I’ve seen firsthand how cities deliver essential services and respond to the needs of their communities every day,” said Asm. Blanca Pacheco. “I authored ACR 143 to recognize the vital role that cities play and the local leaders who work to keep our communities strong.”

Other lawmakers with roots in local government — including Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón — shared that sentiment.

“They do work that represents what it takes to make the neighborhood and that community function every day,” Limón said. “Those voices, that lens is critical for how we govern this great state.”