Hundreds of City Officials Travel to Sacramento to Lobby on City Priorities

Hundreds of city officials descended on Sacramento on April 24 for the League’s annual Legislative Action Day to advocate for issues facing California cities this legislative session.

League President and Grass Valley Council Member Jan Arbuckle welcomed more than 200 attendees and provided an update on the League’s current legislative priorities, including how the League is a committed partner to finding solutions to the state’s housing crisis.

“Cities remain on the front line of California’s housing crisis, and we will continue to partner with the Governor and the Legislature on meaningful solutions that will lead to more housing for hard working families in our communities,” Arbuckle said.   

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg joined the morning session to discuss shared priorities of addressing homelessness and the shortage of affordable housing, and our mutual support for SB 5 (Beall and McGuire).

“Without ongoing and permanent sources of funding to build public infrastructure, especially around housing, we cannot realize our dreams and goals as cities,” Mayor Steinberg said.

Legislative Action Day attendees also heard from Ana Matosantos, cabinet secretary for Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Jason Elliott, chief deputy cabinet secretary for Gov. Gavin Newsom, who provided an update on the Governor’s top priorities affecting cities, including housing and land use. 

Cities Join Sens. Beall and McGuire and Assembly Member Mullin for SB 5 Press Conference

Later in the day, League President Arbuckle and city officials joined legislators, labor and affordable housing advocates at a press conference to urge the passage of SB 5, a bill which would create an ongoing, sustainable source of funding for affordable housing, making the state a long-term funding partner with cities across California to immediately build affordable housing units.

“There are a lot of housing bills moving through the Legislature this year and there are many worthy of support because they will help address the affordable housing shortage in some way. But none will be as immediately effective and have a long-term, positive impact like SB 5. The League of California Cities stands strongly behind Senator Beall and Senator McGuire. SB 5 will help us build affordable housing for our families, now,” said President Arbuckle to a crowd of supporters and media at the press conference.

Sen. Wiener Hosts Discussion on California’s Housing Challenges

Following meetings with their legislators, city officials returned to the M.A.Y. Capitol Event Center for a discussion on housing, moderated by Alicia Aguirre, immediate past president of the League’s Latino Caucus and Redwood City council member, on California’s housing crisis. The session was sponsored by the League’s five diversity caucuses: the African-American Caucus; Asian-Pacific Islander Caucus; Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Caucus; Latino Caucus; and Women’s Caucus. 

For a photo recap of the day, visit the League’s Facebook page.