Legislature invests in top city priorities in 2022-23 budget bill

Contact: Kayla Sherwood
ksherwood@calcities.org
(530) 844-1744

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sacramento - Following the Legislature’s vote today to pass the FY 2022-23 State Budget bill, League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman issued the following statement:

“Overall, this is a strong budget for cities that supports priorities important to Californians throughout the state.

“We are pleased to see the significant investments in housing and homelessness, infrastructure, climate resiliency, and community services. Especially notable is the nearly $4 billion in funding for existing programs to support housing production and provide permanent supportive housing and behavioral health services for unsheltered individuals.

“We are grateful the Legislature answered our call for additional funding to help cities implement new state-mandated organic waste recycling programs. These new resources will go a long way towards helping advance our shared city and state priority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“While there is much for cities to applaud in this budget, it falls short in several key areas. The Legislature failed to include $500 million in funding for a new program to help finance more housing faster. Also, glaringly absent is the nearly $1 billion the state owes local governments for costs related to state-mandated programs spanning two decades.

“Budget negotiations are far from over and Cal Cities will keep advocating for what’s missing in the final budget ― a new, well-funded financing program to boost the state’s affordable housing supply and long overdue reimbursements owed to local governments."