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The County Voice

A place where CSAC, county officials and stakeholders can voice their thoughts on governance and issues that impact California’s 58 counties.

The County Voice

Time to Tip the Scales and Value People Over Telecom Profits
Include Governor Newsom’s Broadband Plan in June 15 State Budget

Luis Alejo

As a former State Assembly Member and current Monterey County Supervisor, I am urging Lawmakers to lift the thin veil hiding telecom’s opposition to including Governor Newsom’s broadband proposal in the June state budget.

Incumbent broadband providers, more than any other group, are responsible for California’s digital divide and they’ll stop at nothing to protect their monopolies, putting profit over people yet again.

Governor Newsom’s $7 billion broadband budget investment is public infrastructure for public good. Dedicating $4 billion of this package to create a statewide open access middle mile network is the only long-term solution to universal access and affordability that will bridge the digital divide and connect California.

For 15.4 million Californians, there’s only one provider option for modern-speed, 100 mbps broadband access. No competition means no incentive to provide increasingly higher speeds, responsive customer service or affordable rates. In fact, incumbent providers actively work to prevent competitors from accessing funding from the CASF program to build last mile networks under the guise of “overbuilding” or unfulfilled promises to eventually service areas deemed unprofitable.

Opponents only call it overbuilding to stop other companies from coming in to service those areas. Existing broadband providers are clinging tooth and nail to their local monopolies at the cost of equity, education, healthcare access and economic opportunity for families and disadvantaged populations.

The County Voice

The Need for Community Resilience Is Stronger Than Ever Before

The following guest blog is provided by the Stronger California Coalition, of which CSAC is a member, authored by coalition members Mark Sektnan, Vice President of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and Rex Frazier, President of the Personal Insurance Federation of California.

The relentless threat of wildfire in California is not waning. Last summer, much of California lived under a cloud of smoke as some of the largest fires in history raged across the state. As we head into another dry summer and drought, it’s more important than ever that our communities are taking collective steps toward resiliency and homeowners are maintaining their insurance policies.

The County Voice

Recording History—Santa Barbara County’s Response to COVID-19

Sara Floor

The CSAC Communications Department knows the power of a good story— how words come together to paint a picture, capture an emotion, or drive the reader to action. We also know the power of using video, images, and audio to tell an even more engaging story. Over the past several years, we’ve doubled down on our in-house video and graphics capabilities for just that reason.

The County Voice

Virtual Format Allowed for Broad Participation in 2021 Legislative Conference

Sara Floor

More than 250 officials from 53 Counties registered for the first-ever virtual CSAC Legislative Conference last week. While there are glimmers of light starting to indicate the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, the virtual meeting format was chosen for safety and maximum participation across the state.

The County Voice

Marin County Heroes Perform Life-Saving Pandemic Services

Brent Ainsworth

This guest blog post from Marin County is part of a series highlighting California County excellence in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. To submit your County story, contact Sara Floor.

San Rafael, CA — On Easter Sunday 2020, Troy Peterson’s phone rang right before the big family meal. A long-term care facility in Marin County reported a rash of COVID-19  cases among its staff and fragile residents, and there weren’t enough staff showing up for work.

The County Voice

Upcoming Workshop to Focus on How Housing is Financed and Built

This guest blog post is written by Sonoma County Supervisor David Rabbitt who will be one of the panelists for CSAC’s Housing Workshop during the 2021 Virtual Legislative Conference on April 22.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the most pressing issues that our state and California counties are currently facing, and just as it was pre-pandemic, the lack of an adequate supply of market-rate and affordable housing is among the most prominent. It is also one of the key drivers of the homelessness crisis. As a County Supervisor, I’m particularly aware of the complexities that exist when it comes to building housing, which requires time, patience, and funding necessary to see a housing project through from idea to completion. Addressing the availability and affordability of housing requires a multi-pronged approach and serious efforts in order to make meaningful progress in tackling the issue.

The County Voice

Reimagining the World of Work: What Counties Are Considering Now

With COVID cases declining statewide and vaccinations underway, it is essential that County government prepare for the post-pandemic new world of work. Rather than simply carrying forward with our COVID adaptations or falling back into old patterns and habits, we should try to anticipate how to be READY for a return to work.

The County Voice

Elections, Elections, Elections

Ada Waelder

In “normal” times, the year after the decennial Census would leave elections officials fully focused on the redistricting process. But, as we’re all painfully aware, we threw normal out the window in 2020. In addition to redistricting—a topic for another day—California is now facing a triple threat of elections: a potential gubernatorial recall, two special elections, and a slate of interesting ballot measures. We’ll be wading through these situations to help counties prepare for another unique and challenging election cycle.

The County Voice

Exploring Alternative Domestic Violence Intervention Programs
CSAC Releases Year 1 Legislative Report with Six-County Baseline

Ryan Souza

Domestic violence is a complicated community problem and we have yet to figure out what works for effectively intervening with program participants to reduce repeated incidents. Research to date has indicated that the most common court-mandated batterer intervention programs do not reduce recidivism or alter program participant’s attitudes about violence. In fact, reviews of effectiveness by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy show that most domestic violence programs have no impact on most measures of re-offense (i.e., recidivism), including future incidents of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Citation: Miller, M., Drake, E., & Nafziger, M. (2013). What works to reduce recidivism by domestic violence offenders? Olympia: Washington State Institute for Public Policy. Ultimately, we need new models and approaches, both in domestic violence intervention systems and programs offered by providers.

The County Voice

Placer County Grant Program Provides Pandemic Lifeline

With a willingness to make a difference, Placer County prioritized helping its small businesses  and nonprofits make it through the pandemic. Through sharing emergency federal funding and partnering with nonprofit and private sectors, Placer was able to respond quickly to emerging needs.

As COVID-19 cases began to explode regionally, nationally and globally in early 2020, many California counties began to shutter businesses and encourage the limitation of operations not deemed “essential.” Businesses shut their doors with the intent they could reopen soon. “Give it two weeks, help ‘flatten the curve,’” we were all told.

The County Voice

Local Governments Must Lead the Way In Bridging the Digital Divide
A Conversation with Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo

Luis Alejo Sara Floor

Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo met recently with CSAC Communication Manager Sara Floor to share his thoughts about supporting AB 34, the Broadband Bond Bill, and his ongoing efforts to increase high speed internet access across the state. The following are edited comments from their discussion.

The County Voice

A Year In Policy Preview       

By the CSAC Legislative Team

The Legislature has convened, the election is certified, and thoughts here in Sacramento turn to the legislative presents or lumps of coal that might await counties next year. While a hundred or so bills have already been introduced, they are just a taste of the few thousand that cross the desk in the Capitol before the end of February.

The County Voice

Getting to Know CSAC Second Vice President Chuck Washington

Sara Floor

I’ve often said that the best part of my job at CSAC is getting to know more about the amazing men and women in County Leadership positions and telling their stories to the world. Last month we featured a video and blog to introduce new CSAC President and Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore. Today I’m delighted to share with you a slightly more lighthearted introduction to the newest member of the CSAC Officer Team: Second Vice President and Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington.

The County Voice

Ground Truth

Ground Truth
James Gore

The following blog post is an edited transcript of remarks given by Supervisor Gore following the Induction of Officers during CSAC’s 126th Annual Meeting. 

 

Colleagues, peers, friends. We’ve got a hell of a lot of work to do.

I think about this a lot, and I can’t help but realize that the inactions of yesteryear have brought us to this crazy fulcrum point or inflection point in our society.

The County Voice

2020 Election: County Impacts

Sara Floor

While the dust of the 2020 Election is still settling, California County officials were treated to an insightful discussion on the County impacts during Monday’s general session of the 126th Annual Meeting.

The County Voice

Happy Veterans Day

True heroes aren’t measured by the size of their strength, but by the strength of their hearts. For your bravery, hard work, and dedication to our communities and country, we thank you.

The County Voice

Ten Great Reasons to Register for the CSAC Annual Meeting

Sara Floor

Only eight days remain to register for the 126th CSAC Annual Meeting, California Counties: Leading Through Adversity. In recognition of this looming deadline, here are the top 10 reasons why you should register today!

The County Voice

Top 10 Election Questions to Help California Counties Get Out the Vote!

Geoffrey Neill Sara Floor

Top 10 Election Questions to Help California Counties Get Out the Vote!

The November election is less than two weeks away. Because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns, this year’s election will likely look very different from previous elections in many counties. We send our deep appreciation to county election officials working hard to adjust to these new election protocols. With every county in California mailing ballots to every active registered voted in the state, you may have already voted yourself, either by mail or via a drop box. However, for new voters, or those unfamiliar with the new process and pandemic protocols, we’ve developed a list of Top 10 Election Questions that County Officials can share with your community to ensure a safe and secure election.

The County Voice

Santa Cruz County Investigates the Impacts of COVID-19 on Juvenile Justice

Ryan Souza

As COVID-19 continues to change the way counties do business, Santa Cruz County continues to emphasize the importance of being data driven in their decision making during this ever-changing situation. With help from the CSAC Support Hub for Criminal Justice Programming, Santa Cruz County is looking at how communities have responded where there have been clear declines in juvenile hall bookings.

The County Voice

Finding Opportunity in Adversity

Chastity Benson

“Out of adversity comes opportunity” — Benjamin Franklin

2020 has been a year filled with adversity. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are felt across CSAC and its related organizations. Certainly, the CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government has faced its share of recent adversity — and through partnership and perseverance, it has successfully transformed.

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