City priorities top the agenda at meetings between Cal Cities leadership and state lawmakers

League of California Cities leadership met virtually on Tuesday with key state policymakers from the Governor’s Office, the Senate, and the Assembly to discuss the 2022 Cal Cities Action Agenda. During the meetings, Cal Cities Officers mapped out what cities need from the state to advance shared priorities, such as increasing housing supply and affordability, supporting unhoused Californians, sustaining critical infrastructure, and strengthening disaster preparedness, resiliency, and recovery from climate change impacts.

The Cal Cities delegation included President Cindy Silva, Mayor Pro Tem, Walnut Creek; First Vice President Ali Sajjad Taj, Council Member, Artesia; Second Vice President Daniel Parra, Council Member, Fowler; Immediate Past President Cheryl Viegas Walker, Council Member, El Centro; Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman, and other Cal Cities legislative affairs staff.

During a meeting with Sen. John Laird, the Cal Cities delegation noted that long-term funding is critical to addressing the state’s affordable housing crisis. Although last year’s budget contained significant investments in housing, cities need a sustainable, long-term funding source in order to plan for and encourage development. Sen. Laird shared those concerns, noting that cities need more long-term funding to deliver on key projects.

During the meeting, Cal Cities Officers also thanked Sen. Laird for the instrumental role he played in securing additional resources and time for SB 1383 (Lara, 2016) organic waste diversion regulations.

Cal Cities leadership also met with Assembly Member Tasha Boerner-Horvath, where they spoke about the need for more resources for housing and homelessness. Although this year’s budget proposal builds on last year’s investments to support unhoused Californians, flexible, long-term investments are needed. Assembly Member Boerner-Horvath stressed the need to establish obtainable, statewide housing goals and her desire to improve the delivery of housing and emergency shelters to unhoused residents at the local level.

The Cal Cities delegation met with Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry as well. Last year, Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry helped pass two complementary measures aimed at providing high-speed, reliable, and widely available broadband to unserved and underserved communities. The two parties discussed the important role broadband plays in Californians’ everyday lives and the critical need for broadband expansion, especially in disadvantaged and rural communities. 

The delegation also spoke with Legislative Affairs Secretary in the Office of the Governor Angie Wei. During the meeting, the Cal Cities delegation highlighted several successful housing projects, noting that streamlined funding and state resources can quickly create tangible results. 

Cal Cities looks forward to working with the Governor and state lawmakers to advance shared legislative priorities so that all cities and Californians can thrive.