Cal Cities President Ali Sajjad Taj meets with lawmakers as state policymakers kick off the new legislative session

The new, diverse legislature includes 33 new lawmakers, 23 of whom come out of local government. 

State legislators returned to the capitol on Dec. 5 for the start of the regular 2023 session and a special session on gas prices. League of California Cities President and Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj was at the capitol on Monday, where he attended the swearing-in ceremony for California State Assembly Members and met with dozens of lawmakers.

The day started with some ceremonial — albeit very significant — actions. Thirty-three new lawmakers were sworn in, 23 of whom have ties to local government. Although two races are still too close to call, the 2023-24 legislature will be one of the Golden State’s most diverse legislatures.

At least 10% of the legislature identify as LGBTQ+, making California the first state to achieve proportional LGBTQ+ representation according to CalMatters. The state also has a record number of women and Latino legislators, 12 African American lawmakers, and 13 Asian American and Pacific Islander legislators.

Changes were also made to the Assembly and Senate Leadership. Democrats voted unanimously to keep Asm. Anthony Rendon as the Assembly Speaker until July 2023, when Asm. Robert Rivas will take the helm. James Gallagher will continue to serve as the Assembly Republican Leader.

Senate Democrats have yet to announce who will replace President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, who, like Rendon, is serving a final term. However, Senate Republicans named Sen. Brian Jones as the new Republican Leader starting in January 2023.

Legislative foreshadowing

With a possible recession looming, many of the state’s 2023 priorities will be informed by a gloomy state budget forecast and inflation rates. This may result in increased threats to local government revenue streams if budget shortfalls arise. Legislators will also be focused on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed “price gouging penalty” on oil companies — the subject of this week’s special session.

However, with the torrent of new policymakers, the 2023 legislative year is also a unique opportunity to strengthen relationships between state and local leaders and advance Cal Cities’ legislative priorities.  Through strong and collective advocacy, Cal Cities will fight to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls the Golden State home.

Although policy discussions will not start in earnest until January, lawmakers have already introduced dozens of new bills, including those related to affordable housing financing, mobile home parks, “tiny homes”, Proposition 47, joint powers associations, manufacturing tax credits, and local transportation projects.