Federal uncertainty should not trickle down to cities, Cal Cities officers tell federal lawmakers

By Kayla Sherwood, senior communications and media manager

Cal Cities leadership and more than 150 California city officials traveled to Washington last week to advocate for top city priorities on Capitol Hill. The advocacy mobilization was part of the annual National League of Cities Congressional City Conference, where over 3,000 city officials from across the country gather to engage Congress, connect, and learn from each other.The timing was particularly important, as Congress was considering a vote on a stop-gap funding measure. Cal Cities officers discussed the importance of safeguarding critical funding in federal spending.

“Uncertainty at the federal level should not trickle down to uncertainty in cities’ ability to fund local programs and services,” Cal Cities President Lynne B. Kennedy told federal lawmakers.

Cal Cities officers raised a range of issues with lawmakers, including fiscal sustainability, disaster preparedness, housing and homelessness, and infrastructure. Cal Cities met directly with key lawmakers, including Reps. Pete Aguilar, Jim Costa, Laura Friedman, John Garamendi, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Mike Levin, Mark Takano, David Valadao, and Juan Vargas, as well as Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff.

“This week, city officials from every corner of California came to Washington asking the same thing: How can we work together to improve life for Californians?” said Sen. Padilla. “We owe it to them to continue fighting each and every day for the projects and funding Californians depend on. I remain committed to using every legislative tool available to ensure we protect and advance California’s priorities.”

More than 75 city leaders attended the joint meeting with Sens. Padilla and Schiff for a wide-ranging discussion on local priorities.

“I look forward to partnering with the League of California Cities to bring down costs and secure critical funding to protect our families, our kids, and our communities and give them the resources they need to succeed,” said Sen. Schiff.

Cal Cities also met with top federal emergency officials to discuss reimbursements and disaster aid for communities throughout the state. West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Byers and Cal Cities Fire Chief Department President Chief Chris Nigg joined that meeting to provide their perspectives following the recent Southern California wildfires.

Chief Nigg also presented to the NLC Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee about critical challenges facing fire departments across the nation, including how the rising costs and fire equipment procurement delays are putting public safety at risk. “The fire service is not just another industry. It is an essential public service, with a zero-fail mission that cannot be left at the mercy of corporate monopolies" said Nigg.

Leading the Cal Cities delegation were President Lynne B. Kennedy (Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem), First Vice President Gabe Quinto (El Cerrito Mayor Pro Tem), Second Vice President Teresa Acosta (Carlsbad Council Member), Immediate Past President Daniel Parra (Fowler Mayor), and Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman.