LegCon 2026: Former Legislators Decode State Budget Negotiations
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Three former California lawmakers who chaired the Legislature’s powerful state budget committees shared their collective wisdom as CSAC’s 2026 Legislative Conference kicked off Wednesday in Sacramento.
Less than a week after the Governor released his May Revision, the panelists offered tips for how county leaders can navigate and participate in the state budget process.
Each brought a unique perspective from having served in local government as well as the state Legislature. Together, they have more than 60 years of public service:
- Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell ~ former member of the state Senate and Assembly.
- California Energy Commissioner Nancy Skinner ~ former member of the state Senate and Assembly and former City Councilmember.
- Darrell Steinberg ~ former member of the state Senate and Assembly and former City Councilmember.
CSAC Director of Public Affairs Ben Adler moderated a conversation about the tough choices lawmakers face while balancing the state’s budget. The discussion focused on the nuts and bolts of budget-balancing, including how lawmakers navigated deficits during and after the Great Recession.
Remarkably candid and refreshing, it felt less like a panel in a convention center and more like echoes of conversations that Californians across the state are having at their kitchen tables every evening. Topics covered included affordability, access to healthcare, taxes, our changing political landscape, and more.
The conversation often highlighted matters that County Supervisors are intimately aware of — the personal stories matters when it comes to crafting policy. After all, whether at the state or local level, budgets are statements of values.
Apart from straight policy and fiscal talk, the guest speakers offered practical tips for county leaders to make the most of their time in Sacramento. When meeting with your legislative delegation, they recommend:
- Unapologetically fight for every dollar
- Show up with data in-hand
- Offer alternative solutions in lieu of policy or fiscal proposals you oppose
- Reach across the aisle.
As our panelists pointed out, CSAC is well positioned to participate in the budget process, thanks to county leaders’ strong relationships on both sides of the aisle.